Predicting the 2016 NFL Draft order is a tricky but fun exercise which tends to be more closely followed by the teams with losing record.
This year we have several teams that are battling for the No. 1 overall pick. Those teams include the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys. Each of these teams have different needs which puts several prospects on the radar to be the top pick.
I use ESPN’s updated power rankings with a playoff scenario worked in to predict the 2016 Draft order.
Cleveland Browns (2-9)- There really is no way to explain how hopeless the Browns franchise appears. They have very little to take from this season and use to build on for future years.
San Francisco 49ers (3-8)- Blaine Gabbert deserves credit for stepping into a tough situation and playing solid football. However, he’s not the long-term answer in San Francisco who should still look at drafting a quarterback early in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Tennessee Titans (2-9)- Tennessee is fuming after losing the game because of a horrible call by the refs. The only positive to take from this situation is that another loss brings them closer to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys (3-8)- Tony Romo’s injury completely deflated the Cowboys playoff hopes. However, he looked rusty and like he might have returned to the lineup too early.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7)- This loss was a major hit to the Jaguars playoff hopes—however slim. The defense just couldn’t keep Philip Rivers in check as he threw for 4 touchdowns.
San Diego Chargers (3-8)- Philip Rivers is having an amazing year despite all the issues on the Chargers roster. This season is a wash, but a fully healthy San Diego team could surprise some people next year.
St. Louis Rams (4-7)- Jeff Fisher is feeling the pressure and it’s starting to show. At this point, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be around next season.
Baltimore Ravens (4-7)- Kamar Aiken is a nice storyline for the Ravens who need wide receiver help. He’s setting himself up for a role on next year’s team.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-7)- Nothing is working in Philadelphia where the defense has finally appeared to crack. This unit played well early in the year but has worn down thanks to constant short drives by the offense.
Miami Dolphins (4-7)- Firing Bill Lazor at this point in the season doesn’t make much sense. Miami is going to completely overhaul the coaching staff so they should’ve let Lazor finish the season.
New Orleans Saints (4-7)- There isn’t a more inconsistent team in the league than the Saints. One week the defense will play a solid game and then the offense won’t produce. The next it will be the opposite.
Detroit Lions (4-7)- The Lions are finally resembling the team we saw last year. However, it’s too late for them to get back in the playoff picture.
Chicago Bears (5-6)- Chicago is in the thick of the NFC playoff race thanks to their upset win over the Green Bay Packers. This is a team playing with confidence and an edge.
Buffalo Bills (5-6)- The Bills are slowly playing themselves out of a shot at the playoffs. However, winning in Kansas City against a team playing well is always difficult.
New York Giants (5-6)- New York came into the game against the Washington Redskins with a chance to create separation in the division. Instead they started the game flat and were unable to overcome that slow start.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)-Tampa Bay played a solid game but lost the turnover battle when Jameis Winston threw an interception. This team just isn’t talented enough to go on the road and lose the turnover battle.
Oakland Raiders (5-6)- The Raiders were gifted this win by the refs, but they’ll take a victory anyway it comes. This win keeps them in the playoff hunt.
Atlanta Falcons (6-5)- Atlanta is in a downward spiral that seems worse than it is because of their hot start. The fact is that this team has some major holes that they were able to mask in the first half of the season.
Indianapolis Colts (6-5)- Matthew Hasselbeck should be seen as the savior of the Indianapolis Colts season. He has won more games than Andrew Luck and has answered the call when the Colts needed him the most.
New York Jets (6-5)- The Jets seem like a team that will squeak into the playoffs but fail to make any noise. The only way that changes is if the secondary starts to play up to their potential.
Washington Redskins (5-6)- Kirk Cousins has helped turn the Redskins season around mainly because he’s limiting his turnovers. Washington is in the driver’s seat in the NFC East and are playing the best of any team in the division.
Houston Texans (6-5)- Houston is on a roll and playing its best football of the year. The difference is that the defense if finally meeting expectations and dominating games.
Kansas City Chiefs
(6-5)- Kansas City is playing as well as any team in the league while taking advantage of a favorable schedule. They are looking like strong candidates to earn a playoff berth.
Green Bay Packers (7-4)- The Packers are in a real slump and can’t seem to find a rhythm on offense. Coaching is as much to blame as the players. Eddie Lacy was moving the chains until he fumbled and then was completely removed from the game plan.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)- A loss is a loss, but the Pittsburgh Steelers should feel good about how they played in Seattle. It’s a very difficult task to go into that stadium and come out with a win.
Seattle Seahawks (6-5)- Losing Jimmy Graham for the season is a big blow, but the Seahawks should be more concerned with the issues in the secondary. This group is allowing way too many big plays down the field.
Minnesota Vikings (8-3)- The Vikings have a Super Bowl caliber defense but the question is whether or not the offense can keep pace. Adrian Peterson will do his part so it’s going to be up to Teddy Bridgewater to start making plays down the field.
Cincinnati Bengals (9-2)- Cincinnati keeps rolling and playing their style of football. It was nice to see Jeremy Hill have a nice game as he’ll be needed come playoff time.
Arizona Cardinals (9-2)- The injury to Chris Johnson will have an impact on the Cardinals offensive consistency. He has had an excellent year and helped stabilize the ground attack which opened up play action.
Denver Broncos (9-2)- Brock Osweiler is holding his own filling in for Peyton Manning, but Denver is winning because of the emergence of the running game.
Carolina Panthers (11-0)- Carolina keeps rolling along and is the lone undefeated team in the league. They rely on balance which includes a strong defense, solid running game and Cam Newton’s heroics.
Forfeited- New England Patriots (10-1)- This won’t be the Patriots last loss during the regular season as it appears as the injuries are starting to take their toll. New England dodged a bullet with the news that Rob Gronkowski is expected to only miss a game or two.
