Which Team Has the First Pick in the NFL Draft?
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The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting events of the year for football fans. And the biggest question on everyone’s mind is: which team will have the first pick?
The answer to that question can be found right here. We’ll take a look at the teams that are in the running for the first pick in the NFL Draft, and make our prediction for which team will ultimately end up with the coveted spot.
Introduction
In the National Football League (NFL), the draft order is the reverse order of finish for the previous season. For example, the team with the worst record from the previous season gets the first pick in the draft, while the Super Bowl winner gets last pick (32nd pick). So if you’re wondering which team has the first pick in this year’s NFL Draft, it’s actually the Cleveland Browns.
The Current NFL Draft Order
1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)
2. Washington Redskins (3-13)
3. Detroit Lions (3-12-1)
4. New York Giants (4-12)
5. Miami Dolphins (5-11)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)
7. Carolina Panthers (5-11)
8. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10)
10. Cleveland Browns (6-9-1)
11. New York Jets (7-9)
12. Oakland Raiders (*via trade with the Dallas Cowboys, 8-8)*
13. Indianapolis Colts (9=7)*
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7=9)*
15. Denver Broncos (7=9)*
16. Atlanta Falcons*
How the Draft Order is Determined
Each year, the NFL Draft order is determined by a combination of factors. First, the previous year’s standings are used to set the order for picks 1-20. The team with the worst record gets the first pick, and the Super Bowl winner gets pick 32.
Picks 21-32 go to the four teams who lost in the divisional round of the playoffs. The first of these picks (21st overall) is given to the team with the worst record among those four teams. The other three divisional round losers are then slotted in based on their record, with the team with the best record getting pick 32 (the last pick in round one).
The draft order for rounds two and three is set before the draft starts, using a similar system as above. The difference is that instead of taking into account a team’s overall win-loss record, only their record from the previous season is used. This means that teams who make it deep into the playoffs are at a disadvantage when it comes to draft position in these rounds (and beyond).
Why the First Pick is Important
The first pick in the NFL draft is important because it gives the team an opportunity to draft the best college football player available. This year, there are many talented players who could be drafted first overall, but only one team will have that opportunity. The first pick is also important because it can set the tone for the entire draft. If a team drafting first overall takes a player who is not considered to be as talented as other players in the draft, it can cause other teams to question their own evaluations of the players in the draft and make them more likely to pass on those players.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the team with the first pick in the NFL draft will depend on a number of factors, including the previous year’s standings, any trades that have been made, and any compensatory picks that have been awarded. The order of the draft is always subject to change, so it is important to stay up to date on the latest information.
