With three weeks left to play, the race for the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft is heating up.
The Titans, Browns and Chargers are currently tied for the worst record in the NFL at 3-10, meaning they’re the three teams with the best chance at earning the first overall pick. The first tiebreaker for the draft order is strength of schedule, with the team that played the weakest schedule picking first. That favors the Titans, who play in the AFC South and therefore have an easy schedule.
The Browns have the toughest remaining schedule of the three, which means they have no chance of catching the Titans in the strength of schedule tiebreaker. But it also means the Browns are the most likely of the three teams to lose all three remaining games and finish 3-13. The Titans and Chargers still have two games each against opponents with losing records, which means they’re both at risk of blowing their draft order by actually winning a game.
Here’s how the current draft order looks, heading into Sunday:
1. Titans, 3-10, .471 strength of schedule
2. Browns, 3-10, .512
3. Chargers, 3-10, .521
4. Ravens, 4-9, .482
5. Cowboys, 4-9, .547*
6. 49ers, 4-9, .547*
7. Lions, 4-9, .571
8. Dolphins, 5-8, .467
9. Jaguars, 5-8, .471
10. Saints 5-8, .538
11. Bears 5-8, .541
12. Buccaneers 6-8, .454
13. Rams, 6-8, .530
* The Cowboys are head of the 49ers based on the second tiebreaker, a worse conference record.
