This is a look at the first-round order for the 2025 NFL Draft heading into Week 16 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.
Biggest needs: QB, OT, CB, OG, TE
Week 16 opponent: at Falcons
Remaining strength of schedule: .595 (T-8th)
It appears to be a race to the top (of the draft board) between the Giants and Raiders, with their difference in SOS narrowing after Week 15. But should New York eke out win No. 3 over the next three weeks, the top-five order could look drastically different by season's end. If this picture holds, though, I'd expect the first two picks in the 2025 draft to be quarterbacks.
Biggest needs: QB, WR, DT, CB, RB
Week 16 opponent: vs. Jaguars
Remaining strength of schedule: .381 (25th)
The outcome of Jaguars-Raiders on Sunday could cause some serious movement within the top 10. With a win, the Raiders could go from battling for the No. 1 pick to the fringe of the top five, potentially knocking them out of contention for one of the draft's top two signal-callers. Although I suspect Vegas will still make a play for a passer even if it ends up a few slots lower in the order, the team also will need to add young talent along its D-line during April's event, with free agency set to put a dent in that unit.
Biggest needs: OT, CB, Edge, WR, OG
Week 16 opponent: at Bills
Remaining strength of schedule: .714 (T-1st)
New England continues to have trouble pressuring quarterbacks, getting shut out in the sack department on Sunday for the third time in its last four games. The team must invest one of its early-round picks on an edge rusher who can consistently challenge offensive tackles.
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, QB, C, DT
Week 16 opponent: vs. Cardinals
Remaining strength of schedule: .524 (T-14th)
The Cowboys are the most recent team to take advantage of the Panthers' porous run defense, with Rico Dowdle putting up a career-high 149 yards on 25 carries this past weekend. Carolina can ill-afford to go into next season with the same depth issues along its D-line, making a big-bodied tackle, who can hold the point of attack and shed tackles, a priority in April's draft.
Biggest needs: WR, QB, Edge, OT, S
Week 16 opponent: at Colts
Remaining strength of schedule: .429 (22nd)
The Will Levis experiment may be approaching its end, if Sunday's three interceptions -- including his league-leading fourth pick-six -- and subsequent benching are any indication. Losses in five of their last six contests have pushed the Titans into the top of the draft order, giving them a chance to land a new signal-caller early on Day 1 or Day 2.
Biggest needs: CB, S, WR, DT, IOL
Week 16 opponent: at Raiders
Remaining strength of schedule: .262 (30th)
The Jaguars have given up the most yards per attempt (8.3) and the most passing touchdowns (tied at 27) this season, producing just five interceptions. The secondary needs an influx of ballhawks and cover guys who can contribute early in their careers.
Biggest needs: Edge, OT, WR, QB, RB
Week 16 opponent: at Bengals
Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-18th)
Nick Chubb suffered a broken foot on Sunday, potentially ending his time with the Browns as he enters free agency this spring. Although Jerome Ford has shown himself to be a solid NFL back, Cleveland's ground game, as a whole, has struggled to get going all season long. I expect the Browns to be looking for value at the position somewhere in the middle of next year's draft.
Biggest needs: QB, DT, OT, S, CB
Week 16 opponent: vs. Rams
Remaining strength of schedule: .595 (T-8th)
The Jets' banged-up secondary barely kept Jaguars backup quarterback Mac Jones under 300 yards (294) to hang on for victory in Week 15. Aside from All-Pro Sauce Gardner, this unit could be in line for an overhaul this offseason. Expect some new faces -- particularly at safety -- potentially coming in free agency and during Day 3 of the draft.
Biggest needs: OG, C, OT, Edge, WR
Week 16 opponent: vs. Lions
Remaining strength of schedule: .714 (T-1st)
Braxton Jones has been a solid fifth-round pick for the Bears, but competition is desperately needed at left tackle next year to ensure Caleb Williams has the best O-line possible. Rookie Kiran Amegadjie had a rough night in his first career start on Monday. I believe the team will draft a tackle in 2025.
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, S, TE
Week 16 opponent: at Packers
Remaining strength of schedule: .476 (20th)
With Marshon Lattimore now in Washington and Paulson Adebo among the Saints cornerbacks ticketed for free agency, there will be a void to fill at the position this offseason. Former second-round picks Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry are getting a chance to prove themselves, but New Orleans will need another outside defender for depth.
Biggest needs: S, OG, DT, LB, QB
Week 16 opponent: vs. 49ers
Remaining strength of schedule: .310 (29th)
The Dolphins are committed to Tua Tagovailoa for the long-term, but they could still benefit from having a better option behind him on the QB depth chart. Even if Miami signs another veteran in March to assume backup duties, the team should also be evaluating young passers in the draft class to see if they can add some value on Day 3.
Biggest needs: CB, WR, OT, RB, TE
Week 16 opponent: vs. Browns
Remaining strength of schedule: .524 (T-14th)
The Bengals had to like what they saw from rookie Erick All Jr. before he landed on injured reserve, but Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson are due to hit free agency this offseason. Look for the team to bring in an athletic pass-catcher at tight end via the draft.
Biggest needs: RB, DT, CB, OG, LB
Week 16 opponent: vs. Buccaneers
Remaining strength of schedule: .690 (4th)
DeMarvion Overshown’s season-ending knee injury could potentially cost him the 2025 campaign, too, which should make addressing the linebacker spot even more of a priority for the Cowboys. Eric Kendricks is an impending free agent and Damone Clark will be in the final year of his rookie contract next season.
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, TE, LB, S
Week 16 opponent: vs. Titans
Remaining strength of schedule: .190 (32nd)
Rookie Tanor Bortolini did a nice job filling in at center for the injured Ryan Kelly earlier this season. The fourth-rounder has the ability to start at guard, too, giving the team some flexibility along its interior heading into a free-agency period that could see some changes up front. Depending on how March shakes out, I could see the Colts targeting an interior lineman with Day 1-starting potential in the top half of the draft.
Biggest needs: CB, OG, DT, LB, OT
Week 16 opponent: at Dolphins
Remaining strength of schedule: .595 (T-8th)
It looks like the 49ers will need to add another second-level defender to support Fred Warner and Dee Winters. Dre Greenlaw is headed for free agency, as is De'Vondre Campbell, who has been suspended for the final three games of the season after refusing to enter San Francisco’s Week 15 loss to the Rams.
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, OG, DT, OT
Week 16 opponent: at Panthers
Remaining strength of schedule: .405 (T-23rd)
Rookie Isaiah Adams will lock down one starting guard spot for the Cardinals, but another powerful run blocker should be added to the mix so recently extended running back James Conner can be at his most effective. Will Hernandez, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in October, is scheduled to be a free agent this spring, as are Evan Brown and Trystan Colon.
Biggest needs: C, S, CB, Edge, WR
Week 16 opponent: vs. Giants
Remaining strength of schedule: .333 (T-26th)
The Falcons' secondary has been torched too often this season. Veterans Mike Hughes and Dee Alford have expiring deals, so look for Atlanta to find at least one cover corner in the draft to work with A.J. Terrell and Clark Phillips III.
Biggest needs: LB, OG, QB, OT, DT
Week 16 opponent: vs. Vikings
Remaining strength of schedule: .571 (13th)
Geno Smith and Sam Howell -- the top two QBs on Seattle’s depth chart -- will both be in a contract year in 2025. With that in mind, the Seahawks should be looking for a promising passer in the first three rounds of next year’s draft.
Biggest needs: Edge, DT, C, S, WR
Week 15 opponent: vs. Broncos
Remaining strength of schedule: .333 (T-26th)
Biggest needs: OT, CB, WR, LB, S
Week 16 opponent: at Jets
Remaining strength of schedule: .452 (21st)
Biggest needs: WR, OG, LB, Edge, OT
Week 16 opponent: at Cowboys
Remaining strength of schedule: .333 (T-26th)
Biggest needs: Edge, OT, WR, LB, CB
Week 16 opponent: vs. Eagles
Remaining strength of schedule: .595 (T-8th)
Biggest needs: LB, TE, WR, S, OT
Week 16 opponent: at Chargers
Remaining strength of schedule: .643 (7th)
Biggest needs: OG, DT, CB, WR, OT
Week 16 opponent: at Chiefs
Remaining strength of schedule: .595 (T-8th)
Biggest needs: OT, WR, Edge, OG, CB
Week 16 opponent: vs. Steelers
Remaining strength of schedule: .524 (T-14th)
Biggest needs: QB, CB, RB, WR, OT
Week 16 opponent: at Ravens
Remaining strength of schedule: .667 (T-5th)
Biggest needs: CB, OT, DT, C, Edge
Week 16 opponent: vs. Saints
Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-18th)
Biggest needs: Edge, DT, WR, CB, S
Week 16 opponent: vs. Patriots
Remaining strength of schedule: .238 (31st)
Biggest needs: CB, DT, RB, OG, OT
Week 16 opponent: at Seahawks
Remaining strength of schedule: .714 (T-1st)
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, LB, TE, OG
Week 16 opponent: at Commanders
Remaining strength of schedule: .405 (T-23rd)
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, OG, DT
Week 16 opponent: at Bears
Remaining strength of schedule: .524 (T-14th)
Biggest needs: CB, WR, DT, OG, OT
Week 16 opponent: vs. Texans
Remaining strength of schedule: .667 (T-5th)
