There are three scenarios concerning the NFL's draft order that interest me with two weeks left in the 2019 regular season.
The Bengals will clinch the first overall pick in next April's NFL draft with a loss to the Dolphins or Browns. That's simple enough.
The Lions could secure the second overall pick if they lose out and the Giants, Redskins and Dolphins each win at least one of their final two games. Barring a tie, either the Giants or Redskins will definitely earn a win this weekend since they play each other.
Finally, if the Bengals win out (not implausible considering their opponents) with the Dolphins and Giants losing the remaining two games on their schedule, we'll have a three-way tie at 3-13. The Giants would likely earn the top pick with the lowest strength of schedule. A match-up with New England in the final week will likely bump the Dolphins to No. 2.
That's right, the Bengals could still fall to No. 3 because of an almost .600 strength of schedule (a product of playing the NFC West this season).
The NFL draft has become a nice appetizer before our main course in September. A mock version of said draft is meant to educate, and even entertain. At very least, it helps you pass the time.
This is an early attempt at identifying the best players available in this season's draft class, and which teams they match up well with considering the updated draft order (according to NFL.com).
The closer we get to draft day, the more I attempt to match what teams will actually do with their draft picks as opposed to what I believe they should do.
Last season, I was the fifth most accurate (out of 101) _ most accurate in print _ NFL draft prognosticator according to The Huddle Report. I'm 18th over the past five years.
Follow me on Twitter @UTEddieBrown so we can continue the conversation.
Here's my updated 2020 NFL mock draft:
