2025 NFL Draft Order Power Rankings: No. 1 Pick Is New York Giants' to Lose

Week 12 brought a little more clarity to the playoff picture, but it also delivered some intriguing developments to the other big NFL race: The battle to secure the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft.

Eight teams currently own three or fewer wins, which will likely serve as the cutoff line for the top selection. A four-win record hasn't "earned" the top selection since the 2004 talent grab.

While teams never openly tank for the top pick, everyone knows getting it can be a franchise-altering development. Great players can be found at all stages of the draft, but current stars such as Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, Myles Garrett, Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford were top selections.

For franchises with little else to play for, the race to No. 1 could be big—and much can change between now and January.

Which team will secure the top selection in 2025? We'll rank the likeliest contenders based on factors such as record, strength of schedule, remaining schedule and roster makeup. We'll dive into logical draft targets for each team based on needs, prospect potential and positional value.

First, though, let's take a look at the current top 10 projected draft order.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

2. New York Giants (2-9)

3. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)

4. New England Patriots (3-9)

5. Carolina Panthers (3-8)

6. Tennessee Titans (3-8)

7. New York Jets (3-8)

8. Cleveland Browns (3-8)

9. New Orleans Saints (4-7)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)

11. Dallas Cowboys (4-7)

12. Chicago Bears (4-7)

13. Indianapolis Colts (5-7)

14. Miami Dolphins (5-6)

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)

16. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)

17. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)

18. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)

19. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

20. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)

21. Washington Commanders (7-5)

22. Houston Texans (7-5)

23. Denver Broncos (7-5)

24. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

25. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

27. Green Bay Packers (8-3)

28. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

29. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)

30. Buffalo Bills (9-2)

31. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)

32. Detroit Lions (10-1)

*Draft order based on record and strength of schedule, per Tankathon.

Current Draft Spot: No. 8

Week 12 Result: 24-19 Win over Pittsburgh

Remaining Schedule

Week 13: at Denver

Week 14: at Pittsburgh

Week 15: vs. Kansas City

Week 16: at Cincinnati

Week 17: vs Miami

Week 18: at Baltimore

Outlook

The Cleveland Browns have a brutal remaining schedule, and it wouldn't be a total shock if they don't win another game. Of course, it wouldn't be a surprise if they pick up a couple more meaningless victories either.

Wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers have shown that the Browns will get up for divisional opponents. Cleveland also has a two-time Coach of the Year in Kevin Stefanski, who isn't likely to allow his team to quit over the final six weeks.

The Browns haven't been good overall and are probably approaching a rebuild, but they can't be overlooked.

Even if Cleveland goes winless from here on out, its strength of schedule (.516) puts it at the back end of three-win teams. The Browns have already beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars, and they aren't set to play another team ahead of them in the draft order.

Cleveland would essentially have to finish as the league's only three-win team to secure the No. 1 pick.

Potential Target With No. 1 Pick: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Jameis Winston probably isn't the long-term answer at quarterback, and the Browns should have seen enough from Deshaun Watson to never place him on the field again.

Because Cleveland is projected to be $45.1 million over the 2025 salary cap, getting a QB on a rookie deal is probably its only chance of stumbling into a quick turnaround.

Miami's Cam Ward is the top-ranked signal-caller on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's latest draft board, but Colorado's Shedeur Sanders might be a better fit for Stefanski's offense because of his accuracy, quick release and ability to play within structure.

"Sanders will pick defenses apart with his quick release and accuracy, especially if he's kept clean. He is a high-floor prospect with a good enough ceiling to buy into," Dame Parson of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Cleveland would want to add a journeyman bridge quarterback to ensure it isn't throwing Sanders to the wolves. However, drafting the Colorado QB would give the Browns a long-term plan and enough financial flexibility to pay Watson to become a weekly healthy inactive.

Current Draft Spot: No. 5

Week 12 Result: 30-27 Loss to Kansas City

Remaining Schedule

Week 13: vs. Tampa Bay

Week 14: at Philadelphia

Week 15: vs. Dallas

Week 16: vs. Arizona

Week 17: at Tampa Bay

Week 18: at Atlanta

Outlook

The Carolina Panthers have a tough remaining schedule, but with three divisional games and the Dallas Cowboys on the docket, another win or two is entirely possible.

Carolina has started to jell under head coach Dave Canales, and quarterback Bryce Young is finally beginning to play up to his draft status. During Sunday's close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, last year's No. 1 pick spent large chunks of the game outplaying Patrick Mahomes.

The Panthers have the second-lowest strength of schedule (.489) among teams in the running for the top selection. However, they've played more consistently well over the past month than most, and unlike some franchises, tanking for a top QB prospect isn't a goal.

Would Carolina view any of this year's top QB prospects as a clear upgrade over Young? At this point in his development, the answer is probably "no."

Potential Target With No. 1 Pick: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

Should the Panthers fall into the top selection, they could fill a pair of needs by landing versatile Colorado prospect Travis Hunter. They must address a defense ranked 24th against the pass and 32nd in points allowed. They also need to put more receiving talent around Young.

Hunter, the top-ranked prospect at any position on the B/R board, plays both receiver and cornerback in college. He'll likely focus on one position or the other in the NFL but may still moonlight occasionally at the other.

For financial reasons, Hunter may prefer to be a receiver first. Due to the shortage of elite cover corners in the NFL, though, teams may have other ideas.

"With proper development, Hunter has the tools to become a perennial Pro Bowler and one of the top cornerbacks in the league," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Regardless of what position Hunter plays at the next level, he's an elite prospect who would make Carolina a better football team.

Current Draft Spot: No. 6

Week 12 Result: 32-27 Win at Houston

Remaining Schedule

Week 13: at Washington

Week 14: vs. Jacksonville

Week 15: vs. Cincinnati

Week 16: at Indianapolis

Week 17: at Jacksonville

Week 18: vs. Houston

Outlook

The Tennessee Titans delivered a big road upset against the Houston Texans in Week 12, and with a very good defense, they may be equipped to pick up some more wins before the season ends.

However, we'll put Tennessee just above Carolina in our draft rankings because of its quarterback situation. While Young is starting to settle, Will Levis remains one of the most volatile passers in the NFL.

He did some good things during Sunday's win, but he also threw a pick-six that gave Houston a lead late in the third quarter. He has turned it over at least once in every game this season and racked up 13 giveaways in eight starts.

The unpredictable nature of Levis' play creates the potential to blow winnable games weekly. If that trend continues, Tennessee may give a middling effort to "win" over the final few weeks while targeting its next QB of the future in the 2025 draft.

Potential Target With No. 1 Pick: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

If the Titans do land the No. 1 pick, intentionally or not, they may prefer a prospect markedly different than Levis. The 2023 second-round pick was viewed as underdeveloped but carried intriguing physical traits and upside.

Ward is perhaps a little more polished than the Kentucky product, but he's still an upside-based prospect who, like Levis, can be careless with the football.

"Ward is a risk-taker but needs to improve on being calculated with those risks," Parson wrote. "He tends to test coverage windows and has put the ball in harm's way throughout his career."

Fair or not, Ward's propensity to gamble may cause Tennessee to look elsewhere after riding the Levis roller coaster. Sanders' timing and pocket precision may also heavily appeal to head coach Brian Callahan, who coached Joe Burrow for four seasons before landing in Tennessee.

Current Draft Spot: No. 7

Week 12 Result: Bye

Remaining Schedule

Week 13: vs. Seattle

Week 14: at Miami

Week 15: at Jacksonville

Week 16: vs. L.A. Rams

Week 17: at Buffalo

Week 18: vs. Miami

Rest of Season Outlook

If there's a team that doesn't need help tanking, it's the New York Jets. They have fumbled the ball at every turn this season and have already fired their head coach and general manager.

New York is likely to part with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the offseason.

"One source went as far as to say it would be a 'shock' if Rodgers is back," NFL Media's Ian Rapoport wrote on Sunday.

New York has become the NFL's most disappointing and dysfunctional franchise, and it has no semblance of momentum entering the final six weeks. Rodgers hasn't played well, neither has the rest of the team, and there's little interim coach Jeff Ulbrich can do to prevent the Jets from spiraling.

That said, New York may simply have too many talented players to go winless down the stretch.

Potential Target With No. 1 Pick: QB Cam Ward, Miami

If the Jets are done with Rodgers, as they should be, they'll almost certainly target a quarterback at the top of the 2025 draft. That plan might help lure quality coaching and GM candidates to New York, and it's not as if the franchise doesn't need a long-term answer at quarterback.

Even if the Jets secure the No. 1 overall pick, though, Ward may be their only choice. He and Sanders are the only two QB prospects worthy of a top-five selection, and the Colorado product might not be an option for New York.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, has made it clear he'll try to intervene if his son appears headed to the wrong franchise. Deion also laid out his vision for the right team.

"Someone who has had success in the past handling quarterbacks or someone in an organization that understands what they're doing, not just throwing you out there amongst the wolves," he said during an appearance on Speak (h/t Bleacher Report's Doric Sam).

That description doesn't fit this franchise, which has repeatedly made questionable hires and failed to develop young quarterbacks like Zach Wilson, Sam Darnold, Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez.

The Jets have shown time and time again that they don't understand what they're doing.

Current Draft Spot: No. 4

Week 12 Result: 34-15 Loss at Miami

Remaining Schedule

Week 13: vs. Indianapolis

Week 14: Bye

Week 15: at Arizona

Week 16: at Buffalo

Week 17: vs. L.A. Chargers

Week 18: vs. Buffalo

Outlook

Of the eight teams atop the draft order, the New England Patriots might be in the best situation. They have a talent-starved roster overall but appear to have found their quarterback of the future in this year's third overall pick Drake Maye.

The rookie is still developing, but he possesses the ability to make game-changing plays at any time and is developing quickly.

New England will have plenty of chances to play spoiler down the stretch, thanks largely to Maye's presence. However, the franchise has the lowest strength of schedule (.469) among the top eight and is the only three-win team to also have nine losses.

The Patriots' remaining schedule isn't particularly easy either, with this week's game against the Indianapolis Colts serving as their most likely shot at a win.

Potential Target With No. 1 Pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

The Patriots don't need a quarterback, and they'll probably consider trading down if they land the top selection. If they earn the pick and stay put, though, they may consider upgrading Maye's supporting cast in a big way.

Hunter would be an obvious choice, especially since his defensive upside and positional versatility would mesh with New England's historical tendencies. Bill Belichick is gone, of course, but head coach Jerod Mayo and vice president Eliot Wolfe are no strangers to the "Patriot Way."

New England may opt for a pure wide receiver over Hunter, however. Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, the third-ranked prospect on the B/R board, could be a candidate for the top pick if the Patriots secure it.

"NFL offensive coordinators will appreciate his versatility and the litany of ways he can win in their offensive structure," Parson wrote. "He projects as a number one wide receiver who you pepper with a high amount of targets per game."

Drafting McMillan would provide Maye with the clear-cut No. 1 receiver he currently lacks.

Current Draft Spot: No. 1

Week 12 Result: Bye

Remaining Schedule

Week 13: vs. Houston

Week 14: at Tennessee

Week 15: vs. N.Y.Jets

Week 16: at Las Vegas

Week 17: vs Tennessee

Week 18: at Indianapolis

Outlook

The Jacksonville Jaguars would own the No. 1 pick if the season ended today based on strength of schedule (.495), but they also have the best chance of any two-win to play themselves out of the mix.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) returned to practice this week, and the Jags' remaining schedule is forgiving. Jacksonville will finish out the year with four AFC South opponents plus two teams—the Jets and Las Vegas Raiders—currently trending toward the top of the draft.

While the Jags have the worst record in the AFC South, divisional games are prime ground for upsets. Jacksonville has already beaten Indianapolis once and came close to upsetting Houston in this year's first meeting.

This is also a team that won nine games a year ago. Finishing with four or five victories is well within the realm of reason in 2024.

Potential Target With No. 1 Pick: OL Will Campbell, LSU

The Jaguars may make a regime change in the offseason. But they won't move on from Lawrence—not after handing him a five-year, $275 million extension in the offseason.

Putting better pieces around the 2021 No. 1 pick will be a priority, and it may start with the offensive line, as Alex Ballentine recently noted in the B/R Scouting Department's latest team-needs column.

"The Jaguars' offensive line hasn't been good this season, and they could be losing more talent," he wrote. "They already traded away Cam Robinson, Walker Little is set to become a free agent and Brandon Scherff's contract voids at the end of the season. It could be time for a reset at multiple positions anyway."

LSU's Will Campbell, the seventh-ranked overall prospect on the B/R board, is likely to be the top lineman available in April.

"Campbell is a smooth operator with a polished, well-rounded skill set and a natural feel for the position due to very good footwork, hand placement, play strength, and competitive toughness," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

As a tackle or guard, Campbell could provide an immediate boost to Jacksonville's offensive line. He'd be a sensible choice for a franchise that desperately needs to protect its recent quarterback investment.

Current Draft Spot: No. 3

Week 12 Result: 29-19 Loss to Denver

Remaining Schedule

Week 13: at Kansas City

Week 14. at Tampa Bay

Week 15: vs. Atlanta

Week 16: vs. Jacksonville

Week 17: at New Orleans

Week 18: vs. L.A. Chargers

Outlook

Antonio Pierce's first season as the Raiders' full-time head coach hasn't gone swimmingly. His decision to hire offensive coordinator Luke Getsy didn't pan out—Getsy has already been fired—and Las Vegas has gotten no closer to finding an answer at quarterback.

Gardner Minshew II is now out for the year with a fractured collarbone.

However, the Raiders do continue to play hard, and they're not interested in playing for draft positioning.

"I know these guys are trying to win, and we got great players in this locker room and guys that put everything into it," defensive end Maxx Crosby told Logan Reever of 8 News Now in Las Vegas. "So we're just going to keep staying together and keep trying to find ways to win."

Could the Raiders stumble into a win or two down the stretch? Las Vegas' Week 16 home game against Jacksonville stands out as a potential barrier between the Raiders and the No. 1 pick.

Potential Target With No. 1 Pick: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

The Raiders need a quarterback, and Sanders needs a home that will allow him to thrive in the NFL. The two might form the most logical pairing at the top of the draft if Las Vegas lands the No. 1 pick.

While the Raiders have significant needs, they have some solid pieces on the offensive line and potent pass-catchers in Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. While Las Vegas might not have the most ideal coaching staff in place, new minority owner Tom Brady can likely lure the personnel needed to develop a young quarterback like Sanders.

The Colorado signal-caller would be an instant sensation in Las Vegas, and his high-floor skill set would mesh well with what the Raiders have in place.

"Sanders is an incredibly accurate and precise passer, especially in the short-to-intermediate parts of the field," Parson wrote. "He possesses the velocity to thrive when targeting receivers in those areas."

The big question is whether Las Vegas looks to replace Pierce between now and the draft. A new coach might prefer a prospect like Ward, Alabama's Jalen Milroe or Georgia's Carson Beck. The Raiders must be in the QB market, though, and Sanders currently projects as the best fit.

Current Draft Spot: No. 2

Week 12 Result: 30-6 Loss to Tampa Bay

Remaining Schedule

Week 13: at Dallas

Week 14: vs. New Orleans

Week 15: vs. Baltimore

Week 16: at Atlanta

Week 17: vs Indianapolis

Week 18: at Philadelphia

Outlook

Look, the New York Giants are tanking, even if they won't admit it publicly. They've released starting quarterback Daniel Jones and handed the keys to Tommy DeVito without even giving offseason acquisition Drew Lock a look.

Anyone who watched about five minutes of their 30-6 loss in Week 12 can see players aren't being put in a position to win—and some of them are playing accordingly. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers called his team "soft" after being blown out by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While the Colts and New Orleans Saints both have losing records, it would be hard to find an obvious win for the Giants even if they were trying. They're not, and that gives New York the best chance of losing every game left on the slate.

The Giants would pick third if the season ended today because of their strength of schedule (526.). They'll need help to land the top pick, but they're also the most openly motivated to get it.

The big unknown is whether head coach Brian Daboll feels he is on the hot seat and might be willing to mess with New York's draft plans by delivering a late win a la Lovie Smith and the Texans in 2022.

Potential Target With No. 1 Pick: QB Cam Ward, Miami

Daboll may not be totally safe, but it looks like he and general manager Joe Schoen will be back in 2025.

"Multiple sources reiterated this week to CBS Sports that Giants owner John Mara intends to keep Schoen beyond this year," CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones wrote on Sunday. "...Daboll is also presumed to return for 2025 as Mara does not wish for more upheaval."

If Daboll and Schoen remain in the front office, they may steer the Giants toward Ward. Both came over from the Buffalo Bills where they watched Josh Allen develop into an MVP candidate.

Ward (6'2", 223 lbs) isn't as big as Allen (6'5", 237 lbs), but he has similar physical traits and the same surplus of upside that Allen had coming out of Wyoming.

"The combination of arm talent, mobility/athleticism, and accuracy is growing among NFL scouts," Parson wrote. "...[Ward} has superstar potential if he can cut down on mistakes/risky decisions."

Betting on Jones' upside didn't work, but neither Daboll nor Schoen was with the organization when he was drafted. They'll pick "their guy," and Ward is a logical candidate.

*Contract information via Spotrac.