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2025 NFL Draft order: Patriots-Titans fallout causes huge ripple effect; Jaguars, Saints crash top 5

This is a look at the first-round order for the 2025 NFL Draft heading into Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season, along with the top five needs for each team. The order is determined by record, using strength of schedule as the first tiebreaker (click here to see a full list of the draft-order tiebreakers). Keep in mind -- teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended today are marked as PL (short for playoffs) in the order below. The draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results of postseason play.

Arrows reflect movement from last week's order.

Pick
1
2
2-7 · .385 (strength of schedule)

Biggest needs: OT, Edge, CB, WR, OG

Week 10 opponent: at Bears

Remaining strength of schedule: .559 (5th)


After Sunday's overtime loss at Tennessee, the Patriots are back in possession of the No. 1 overall pick. While I wouldn't expect them to use the first overall selection on a receiver (though perhaps they would with a pick acquired by trading out of this spot), for Drake Maye's sake, the team should look for a value pass catcher in the draft. The receiver room is in desperate need of a jolt, with recent second-round picks Tyquan Thornton (2022) and Ja'Lynn Polk (2024) yet to contribute in a meaningful way.

Pick
2
1

Biggest needs: Edge, WR, C, CB, QB

Week 10 opponent: vs. Giants (Germany)

Remaining strength of schedule: .551 (9th)


Carolina picked Xavier Legette in the first round this year, but I expect the Panthers to select another pass-catcher during April's draft. They just traded away Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo, David Moore is an impending free agent and Adam Thielen will be in a contract year next season.

Pick
3
1
2-7 · .474

Biggest needs: WR, QB, OT, CB, DT

Week 10 opponent: BYE

Remaining strength of schedule: .573 (2nd)


Cleveland's defense could look a bit different after Tuesday's trade deadline. Regardless, the fact that Martin Emerson and Greg Newsome II are only under contract through next season means the team could be in the market for another speedy cover man this spring.

Pick
4
2

Biggest needs: CB, S, WR, DT, OT

Week 10 opponent: vs. Vikings

Remaining strength of schedule: .470 (24th)


Brian Thomas Jr. looks to be a true No. 1 option for Trevor Lawrence, but Christian Kirk, who's out for the year with a broken collarbone, is scheduled to hit free agency after next season. And though the Jags did just sign Gabe Davis to a lucrative three-year deal in the offseason, that shouldn't preclude them from adding another explosive target for Lawrence in April's draft.

Pick
5
4

Biggest needs: Edge, WR, OT, TE, S

Week 10 opponent: vs. Falcons

Remaining strength of schedule: .465 (25th)


With a new regime set to take over in New Orleans this offseason, expect there to be plenty of changes throughout the roster next year for a team that could be picking in the top five for the first time since 2006. Safety is one position group that immediately comes to mind, with Tyrann Mathieu turning 33 in May and Will Harris (currently out with a hamstring injury) due to hit free agency in March.

Pick
6
1

Biggest needs: QB, WR, DT, CB, S

Week 10 opponent: BYE

Remaining strength of schedule: .493 (21st)


It should be no surprise to see the secondary listed as a primary need for the Raiders after we watched them give up five touchdown passes to Cincinnati on Sunday. Nickel back Nate Hobbs, who was carted off on Sunday with an ankle injury, is ticketed for free agency in 2025. The Raiders picked Decamerion Richardson (Round 4) and M.J. Devonshire (Round 7) last April, but another corner must be added if Hobbs does not return.

Pick
7
1
2-7 · .584

Biggest needs: QB, OT, CB, WR, S

Week 10 opponent: vs. Panthers (Germany)

Remaining strength of schedule: .471 (23rd)


Deonte Banks had his effort questioned earlier this season, was benched against the Steelers in Week 8 and gave up two touchdowns against the Commanders on Sunday. That's not what the Giants had envisioned when they selected him 24th overall in 2023. So, while former third-rounders Andru Phillips (2024) and Cordale Flott (2022) should also contribute next year, New York must select another outside defender during the draft's first four rounds to shore up its secondary.

Pick
8
2
2-6 · .465

Biggest needs: S, OG, DT, LB, QB

Week 10 opponent: at Rams

Remaining strength of schedule: .405 (31st)


Calais Campbell is an ageless wonder, but it's unclear whether he will re-sign with the team this offseason. Emmanuel Ogbah, Da'Shawn Hand and Benito Jones are also heading to the open market, so unless all four return next season, Miami will need to add some more big bodies up front.

Pick
9
7
2-6 · .507

Biggest needs: WR, S, QB, Edge, OG

Week 10 opponent: at Chargers

Remaining strength of schedule: .532 (12th)


The Titans' offensive line has struggled this season, though it performed well enough for the team to beat the Patriots on Sunday. The left side of the line is set for the foreseeable future with the team's last two first-round picks, Peter Skoronski at guard and JC Latham at tackle. Center Lloyd Cushenberry should come back from an Achilles injury suffered on Sunday to anchor the line in 2025, as well, but the team might need help on the right side, especially with veteran guard Dillon Radunz headed for free agency.

Pick
10
5
3-6 · .519

Biggest needs: DT, OT, QB, S, CB

Week 10 opponent: at Cardinals

Remaining strength of schedule: .435 (28th)


With veterans Javon Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas in line to hit free agency this offseason, New York could be eyeing another young interior lineman to pair with Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams.

Pick
11
1
3-5 · .507

Biggest needs: RB, WR, Edge, DT, CB 

Week 10 opponent: vs. Eagles

Remaining strength of schedule: .557 (8th)


Injuries to Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence have exposed the lack of depth up front in Dallas, as the Cowboys have been unable to rush the passer or stop the run this year. Former first-rounder Mazi Smith has offered little production in either area, while 2023 third-rounder Osa Odighizuwa has only one tackle for loss on the season. Look for Dallas to address this weakness in April.

Pick
12
1

Biggest needs: WR, OG, OT, CB, S

Week 10 opponent: at Ravens

Remaining strength of schedule: .522 (13th)


Orlando Brown and 2024 first-round pick Amarius Mims are likely to be the Bengals’ starting offensive tackles next season. The team could be in the market for a swing tackle, though, with the injured Trent Brown scheduled to hit the open market this offseason.

Pick
13
2
4-5 · .506

Biggest needs: OT, QB, Edge, OG, LB

Week 10 opponent: BYE

Remaining strength of schedule: .544 (T-10th)


Geno Smith has had his good moments this season; he's putting up a career-high 284.4 passing yards per game, and he's on pace to throw 20-plus TD passes for the third straight season. He's also already been picked off 10 times, including twice in the fourth quarter of the Seahawks' 26-20 loss to the Rams on Sunday. The 34-year-old and backup Sam Howell are both under contract for 2025, but first-year head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb could easily fall for one of the talented passers in the 2025 draft, thinking the youngster would benefit from sitting behind Smith before taking the reins in 2026.

Pick
14
2

Biggest needs: CB, IOL, DT, Edge, TE

Week 10 opponent: vs. Bills

Remaining strength of schedule: .429 (29th)


Although the Colts just spent a first-rounder on Laiatu Latu to bolster their pass rush, the unit could still use more talent and depth. Dayo Odeyingbo, who's second on the team in sacks (3), is in a contract year, with former first-rounder Kwity Paye and injured veteran Samson Ebukam following suit in 2025. I could see Indy targeting a designated rusher with starter potential in the middle rounds of April's draft.

Pick
15
2

Biggest needs: WR, OG, LB, Edge, CB

Week 10 opponent: vs. 49ers

Remaining strength of schedule: .319 (32nd)


The Buccaneers have dealt with attrition in the secondary, with Bryce Hall going down in Week 1 and starter Jamel Dean dealing with a hamstring injury since Week 6. Dean and rising star Zyon McCollum, who will be entering a contract year in 2025, should start at cornerback next season, but the team will need to use at least one middle-round pick for depth at the position. 

Pick
16
2
4-4 · .457

Biggest needs: OG, C, OT, Edge, WR

Week 10 opponent: vs. Patriots

Remaining strength of schedule: .632 (1st)


Starting center Coleman Shelton is playing on a one-year contract, and it's unclear if 2022 sixth-round pick and former practice squad member Doug Kramer will take over the pivot. Caleb Williams could use a strong leader in the middle of the offensive line -- if the Bears don't sign a veteran in free agency, they should invest a middle-round pick at the position. 

Pick
17
3

Biggest needs: CB, DT, LB, OT, TE

Week 10 opponent: at Buccaneers

Remaining strength of schedule: .558 (T-6th)


The Niners have had to cover for the absence of Javon Hargrave in the middle of their defensive line since Week 3, when Hargrave suffered a triceps tear; Hargrave continues to have the best QB pressure rate (13.6 percent) among the team's defensive tackles. Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott are currently set to be on the 2025 roster, but don't be surprised if San Francisco picks up a tackle on Day 3.

Pick
18
5
4-4 · .559

Biggest needs: OT, CB, WR, TE, LB

Week 10 opponent: vs. Dolphins

Remaining strength of schedule: .449 (26th)


GM Les Snead must evaluate the incoming cornerback class thoroughly to add depth. Tre’Davious White -- who was cleared to explore a trade -- and Ahkello Witherspoon have expiring deals, and Derion Kendrick and Cobie Durant are due to become free agents after next season. 

Pick
PL
5-4 · .430

Biggest needs: OT, LB, TE, DT, RB

Week 10 opponent: at Chiefs

Remaining strength of schedule: .565 (4th)

Pick
PL

Biggest needs: Edge, WR, OG, CB, DT

Week 10 opponent: vs. Jets

Remaining strength of schedule: .420 (30th)

Pick
PL

Biggest needs: Edge, DT, C, TE, WR

Week 10 opponent: vs. Titans

Remaining strength of schedule: .494 (20th)

Pick
PL
6-3 · .481

Biggest needs: OG, DT, CB, S, WR

Week 10 opponent: vs. Lions

Remaining strength of schedule: .485 (22nd)

Pick
PL
6-3 · .506

Biggest needs: C, Edge, S, CB, WR

Week 10 opponent: at Saints

Remaining strength of schedule: .443 (27th)

Pick
PL
6-3 · .532

Biggest needs: OT, WR, Edge, OG, S

Week 10 opponent: vs. Bengals

Remaining strength of schedule: .544 (T-10th)

Pick
PL

Biggest needs: CB, OT, DT, Edge, WR

Week 10 opponent: BYE

Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-18th)

Pick
PL

Biggest needs: WR, Edge, OT, LB, TE

Week 10 opponent: at Cowboys

Remaining strength of schedule: .519 (T-14th)

Pick
PL

Biggest needs: QB, CB, OT, RB, WR

Week 10 opponent: at Commanders

Remaining strength of schedule: .570 (3rd)

Pick
PL

Biggest needs: CB, DT, RB, OG, OT

Week 10 opponent: at Jaguars

Remaining strength of schedule: .519 (T-14th)

Pick
PL

Biggest needs: WR, CB, Edge, LB, OT

Week 10 opponent: vs. Steelers

Remaining strength of schedule: .515 (16th)

Pick
PL
7-2 · .410

Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB, DT, OG

Week 10 opponent: at Colts

Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-18th)

Pick
PL
7-1 · .500

Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, OG, LB

Week 10 opponent: at Texans

Remaining strength of schedule: .558 (T-6th)

Pick
PL

Biggest needs: CB, DT, OG, WR, TE

Week 10 opponent: vs. Broncos

Remaining strength of schedule: .506 (17th)