This is a look at the first-round order for the 2019 NFL Draft through Week 15. The order is determined by record, using strength of schedule as a tiebreaker. Keep in mind -- teams 21-32 would make the playoffs if the season ended today (the Rams, Saints, Chiefs, Chargers and Bears have already clinched playoff spots). The draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results of postseason play.
The draft's No. 1 overall pick moved from the bay to the desert on Sunday. The 49ers held the first selection heading into Week 15, but they upset the Seahawks, dropping a couple spots in the order and clearing the way for the Cardinals, who were flattened by the Falcons, to vault to the top of the board.
So, yes, you could make the case that the Niners cost themselves by earning an unlikely win in a lost season on Sunday, but that's probably not the way Kyle Shanahan sees it.
Here's the order heading into Week 16, along with the top three needs for each team.
Arrows indicate how far up or down a team has moved relative to last week.
**Previous week:** No. 2
**Remaining games:** vs. LAR, at SEA
**Biggest needs:** OL, WR, CB
The highest-graded players in next year's draft are almost certain to be defenders in a year where Arizona badly needs help on the offensive line (and elsewhere on offense). The Cards could go spend beaucoup bucks on O-linemen in free agency to address that need before the draft, but the free-agent class at the position is looking pretty thin. They have to improve up front to give Josh Rosen a chance to grow in Year 2.
**Previous week:** No. 3
**Remaining games:** vs. DEN, at KC
**Biggest needs:** Edge rusher, DB, LB
You probably heard by now that former Raider Khalil Mack has more sacks (12.5) than Oakland does (12) this season. The Dolphins rank 31st in the league in sacks and they have twice as many as the Raiders. You get the point. Good luck with the three first-round picks, Jon Gruden.
**Previous week:** No. 1
**Remaining games:** vs. CHI, at LAR
**Biggest needs:** Edge rusher, DB, LB
Believe it or not, the Niners are 3-3 in their last six games, knocking off playoff contenders Denver and Seattle in consecutive weeks. Sure, it might have all but killed their chances of clinching the draft's top pick, but it should give fans hope about what this squad could be with a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo and the stud pass rusher San Francisco will have a chance to add with a top-five pick.
**Previous week:** No. 4
**Remaining games:** vs. GB, at NE
**Biggest needs:** Edge rusher, OL, WR
There are reasons for optimism, as the Jets gave the Texans a scare on Saturday, but at the end of the day, this team has lost seven of eight, with its lone win in that span coming against the Bills. The Jets are in line to be picking inside the top six for the fourth time in five years.
**Previous week:** No. 7
**Remaining games:** at MIA, at HOU
**Biggest needs:** QB, WR, OL
No team has scored fewer touchdowns than Jacksonville since Week 5, when the Jags' run of nine losses in 10 games began. It's no coincidence that they have the worst record in the league over that span. Back to the drawing board on offense for this bunch heading into next year, starting at QB.
**Previous week:** No. 10
**Remaining games:** vs. MIN, at GB
**Biggest needs:** DB, edge rusher, TE/WR
The defense has recently done its job, for the most part, but an offense that parted with Golden Tate at midseason has been punchless pretty much ever since, averaging 16.1 points per game since Tate was traded. Detroit has to find a target who can do damage in the middle of the field for Matthew Stafford, while also looking for a playmaker in the secondary and help for the pass rush.
**Previous week:** No. 5
**Remaining games:** at CAR, at TB
**Biggest needs:** Edge rusher, OG, DT
The pass rush got after Josh Rosen and Mike Glennon, recording seven sacks in a win on Sunday. If only Atlanta got to tee off on an offensive line as bad as Arizona's each week. It's a lost season for this squad, but the Falcons have a chance to win out and hurt their draft positioning in the process.
**Previous week:** No. 8
**Remaining games:** at IND, vs. DAL
**Biggest needs:** QB, DL, OT
The Giants have played themselves into a position where it's unlikely they'll have their choice of QBs in the 2019 draft (the QB-needy Jags are ahead of them), and Pat Shurmur believes Eli Manning has years -- yes, plural -- left as a starter. It all adds up to a signal that the Giants are not going to feel boxed into a corner about taking a QB with their first pick next year.
**Previous week:** No. 6
**Remaining games:** at NE, vs. MIA
**Biggest needs:** OL, WR, CB
Same old story here for the pesky Bills, who are now 3-2 in their last five games: 1) Surround Josh Allen with a better offensive line and better weapons; 2) fortify an already-solid defense. There's a lot of work to be done to get back to the postseason, but this weekend's game at New England will be an interesting measuring stick.
**Previous week:** No. 9
**Remaining games:** at DAL, vs. ATL
**Biggest needs:** DB, DE, OT
After a brief respite, it's back to ugly in Tampa, as the Bucs have been outscored 45-12 in their last six quarters. Before you say that Week 17 meeting with the Falcons will be meaningless, just know that it could have big draft-order implications.
**Previous week:** No. 12
**Remaining games:** at NYJ, vs. DET
**Biggest needs:** Edge rusher, S, WR
This is the first of the two first-round picks Green Bay holds in the 2019 draft (they acquired the Saints' first-rounder in a draft-day trade earlier this year). Priority No. 1 should be beefing up the pass rush, even if Clay Matthews, who's in a contract year, returns. This young receiving corps could get younger if Randall Cobb walks -- his deal will expire this offseason, too.
**Previous week:** No. 14
**Remaining games:** vs. ATL, at NO
**Biggest needs:** Edge rusher, OL, S
The slide continues. Will a housecleaning follow? Either way, this squad could use an infusion of youth on defense. In fact, there could be some big voids to fill on both sides of the ball with Ryan Kalil (who's planning to retire after this season), Julius Peppers, Mike Adams, Thomas Davis, Devin Funchess and Eric Reid due to become free agents.
**Previous week:** No. 11
**Remaining games:** at CLE, at PIT
**Biggest needs:** LB, TE, QB
The time has come for the Bengals to bring in competition for Andy Dalton ( Jeff Driskel is not a QB1). In addition, they're badly in need of a playmaker at the linebacker and tight end positions.
**Previous week:** No. 17
**Remaining games:** at OAK, vs. LAC
**Biggest needs:** CB, WR/TE, QB
Things seemed to be going in a positive direction here, and then the last two weeks happened, serving as a reminder of the limitations of a Case Keenum-led offense. The Broncos need to add some juice to the passing game, and bring in a young player or two at corner with Bradley Roby (2019) and Chris Harris Jr. (2020) due to hit free agency in consecutive years.
**Previous week:** No. 13
**Remaining games:** vs. CIN, at BAL
**Biggest needs:** OT, WR, CB
With another winnable game up next, the Browns could be picking outside the top 15 for the first time since 2011. For the first time in forever, they have their QB. Now John Dorsey has to continue building around him. They could use a left tackle, as well as a WR1 with good size.
**Previous week:** No. 15
**Remaining games:** at TEN, vs. PHI
**Biggest needs:** QB, WR, OL
Everyone's hoping for the best in Alex Smith's recovery, but Washington would be wise to find a young QB to groom. How about adding a WR1 for whoever is under center for the 'Skins next season? There'll probably be some turnover up front on offense, too, with Shawn Lauvao, Ty Nsekhe, Tony Bergstrom and Jonathan Cooper set to hit the market.
**Previous week:** No. 19
**Remaining games:** vs. JAX, at BUF
**Biggest needs:** DE, QB, OL
The Dolphins took a big step in the wrong direction against a tough defense on Sunday, as Ryan Tannehill was sacked nine (!!!) times. If Tannehill and Co. don't right the ship in these last couple games against teams they should beat, will Miami be ready to start a new era at QB?
**Previous week:** No. 16
**Remaining games:** vs. HOU, at WAS
**Biggest needs:** CB, OT, RB
The league's 31st-ranked pass defense is going to need some help at corner this offseason, especially with Ronald Darby recovering from an ACL tear and headed for free agency. Jason Peters has put forth a valiant effort playing though injury this season, but with the nine-time Pro Bowler approaching his 37th birthday, it's time to draft a tackle. The Eagles also have to be mindful of taking some heat off Carson Wentz, and that means investing in the RB position again.
**Previous week:** No. 18
**Remaining games:** vs. NYG, at TEN
**Biggest needs:** DL, WR, CB
Indy's defense is playing great ball, pitching a shutout against the Cowboys on Sunday, and another piece or two could cement this unit in the ranks of the elite. On the other side of the ball, Andrew Luck could use another weapon to give the offense an extra gear.
**Previous week:** No. 20
**Remaining games:** vs. WAS, vs. IND
**Biggest needs:** WR, OLB, DL
It didn't cost the Titans against the Giants, but the Tennessee offense is going to have to be more dynamic in the passing game if it's going to take that next step. Finding another playmaking pass catcher is paramount.
**Previous week:** No. 21
**Remaining games:** at DET, vs. CHI
**Biggest needs:** OL, LB, DT
The offense snapped out of its funk in its first game since the firing of John DeFilippo, but dominating the Dolphins isn't enough to erase concerns about the front five for this group. A couple of the biggest questions for the offseason, though, are on defense. Will the team be replacing impending free agents Anthony Barr and Sheldon Richardson?
**Previous week:** No. 25
**Remaining games:** vs. KC, vs. ARI
**Biggest needs:** Edge rusher, DT, OL
The 'Hawks failed to take care of business against the 49ers, and now they have to face the 11-3 Chiefs. Not ideal. They'll also be in trouble this offseason if Frank Clark departs in free agency, but it's unlikely Seattle will let that happen. Even with Clark back, adding a pass-rushing complement would be wise, and there could be a hole or two to fill on the offensive line.
**Previous week:** No. 22
**Remaining games:** at LAC, vs. CLE
**Biggest needs:** Edge rusher, WR, ILB
This is the league's No. 1 defense, but the franchise could have some interesting decisions to make as it tries to maintain its identity on that side of the ball this offseason. Terrell Suggs, C.J. Mosley, Brent Urban, Za'Darius Smith are in the final year of their deals.
**Previous week:** No. 24
**Cowboys' remaining games:** vs. TB, at NYG
**Cowboys' biggest needs:** TE, DL, OL
See above (No. 2) for the Raiders' needs -- they acquired this pick in the Amari Cooper trade. While that swap has already paid huge dividends for Dallas ( albeit not this past weekend), it would make sense for Jerry Jones to go right back to the well at pass catcher when the 'Boys make their first pick in 2019, this time for a playmaking tight end.
**Previous week:** No. 23
**Remaining games:** at NO, vs. CIN
**Biggest needs:** CB, ILB, edge rusher
Huge bounce-back win for Pittsburgh against the Pats, but it doesn't get any easier with a visit to New Orleans up next. It's a big test for a defense that has had its ups and downs -- finding a CB1 should lead the offseason wish list for Kevin Colbert.
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**Previous week:** No. 28
**Remaining games:** vs. BUF, vs. NYJ
**Biggest needs:** DL, LB, WR
The heir apparent to Tom Brady? A potential replacement for Gronk? It doesn't appear that those are the most pressing needs for New England right now, but they certainly should be on the radar for a team that's in unfamiliar territory, dropping back-to-back December games for the first time since 2002. The Pats might be retooling a defensive line that includes free-agents-to-be Trey Flowers, Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton.
**Previous week:** No. 26
**Bears' remaining games:** at SF, at MIN
**Bears' biggest needs:** OT, OG, DB
See above (No. 2) for the Raiders' needs -- they acquired this pick in the Khalil Mack trade. As for the Bears, Ryan Pace is an Executive of the Year candidate for a reason -- there aren't glaring needs here. There's room to improve on the O-line, especially in the running game, and injured nickel back Bryce Callahan, who had an outstanding season, is due to become a free agent.
**Previous week:** No. 27
**Remaining games:** at PHI, vs. JAX
**Biggest needs:** OL, S, CB
The Texans are in line to earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs, but there's still some cause for concern here. No quarterback has been sacked more than Deshaun Watson this season (52 times), although, yes, Watson holds onto the ball for too long at times, so it's not all on the O-line. The Houston secondary was lit up over the weekend by a rookie QB who's short on weapons. There's no doubt about the biggest needs here (since it's hard to imagine the team letting free-agent-to-be Jadeveon Clowney walk).
**Previous week:** No. 29
**Remaining games:** vs. BAL, at DEN
**Biggest needs:** DT, OT, S
Philip Rivers overcame some leaky protection to lead the
Chargers to their
comeback win over the Chiefs. The Bolts should be looking to upgrade the protection for him this spring, and there could be room for some new blood in the trenches on defense. DTs
Brandon Mebane,
Darius Philon and
Damion Square are in a walk year.
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**Previous week:** No. 31
**Remaining games:** at SEA, vs. OAK
**Biggest needs:** DB, edge rusher, RB
As we've been reminded with regularity this season -- including last week against the Chargers -- the Kansas City secondary is vulnerable. The Chiefs could use another playmaker, or two, in the back end. It wouldn't hurt to add another edge rusher, even if it's unlikely that Dee Ford would be allowed to depart in free agency, and they'll need to find a replacement for Kareem Hunt this offseason.
**Previous week:** No. 32
**Remaining games:** at ARI, vs. SF
**Biggest needs:** OLB, DB, DT
It's not quite time to panic in L.A. with the Cardinals and 49ers awaiting the Rams to close out the regular season, but it is a surprise to see this defense has allowed 30 or more points in four of its last six games. Not a good development for a squad that has Ndamukong Suh, Lamarcus Joyner and Dante Fowler ticketed for free agency this offseason, and Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters due to hit the market in 2020.
**Previous week:** No. 30
**Saints' remaining games:** vs. PIT, vs. CAR
**Saints' biggest needs:** CB, TE, LB
See above (No. 11) for the Packers' needs. The Saints sent them this pick in their trade to move up for Marcus Davenport in the 2018 draft. New Orleans should be shopping for help at corner and another threat in the seam for Drew Brees this offseason, but this club is in win-now mode and won't have much flexibility in the 2019 draft -- they hold only one pick in the first four rounds (a second-rounder).
