The NFL teams that failed to make the Conference Championshp games know where they will be selecting come April 23 when the NFL Draft hits Las Vegas. Tankathon.com as always has the order covered.
28. Baltimore Ravens
The reward for getting the boot in the first playoff game is the last slot for teams that didn’t qualify for the Conference championship round. That’s what 14-2 will do for you. However, selecting deep should not faze the Ravens. Remember, they picked Lamar Jackson at 32!
27. Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll and the Seattle front office will look to pick up another gem as they did in selecting DK Metcalf in the second round last go-round. Will be interesting to see what Seattle perceives as a need here.
26. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)
The Dolphins wind up with their third pick of the first round thanks to the Laremy Tunsil trade. This puts Miami in a position to stock up and build on a strong second half of 2019. Brian Flores did a nice job after an awful start to 2019.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota exited the playoffs after facing San Francisco. The season delivered some promise for Mike Zimmer, who will definitely seek a deeper playoff run in 2020. Kirk Cousins’ contract comes up after next season. He’s going to have to deliver big time to continue to make the huge bucks.
24. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are jinxed or victims of some NFL voodoo/hex it seems. Three straight seasons with a difficult exit. Drew Brees is a free agent but expected back. The offense is loaded. Could Sean Payton go defense here to bolster the unit for DC Dennis Allen?
23. New England Patriots
The Patriots are picking in a spot they occupied in 2018 when they drafted Isaiah Wynn. Before that, the earliest New England picked was 21st when it drafted Chandler Jones. Bill Belichick is a master of moving picks.
22. Buffalo Bills
The Bills had a strong season and now pick 22nd. With Josh Allen growing into his job at quarterback and a strong defense, this is a nice spot for Sean McDermott to look for the best player available.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
After a season of bruises and injuries, the Eagles are going to seek someone who is strong and stays healthy. Can’t fathom they would take a Philly flier on a player with any sort of medical issues.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars via Rams
The fruits of trading Jalen Ramsey to Los Angeles turn into the 20th overall pick. Have to believe the Jags will be thrilled to be in this position, given it could have been far deeper in the first round if the Rams repeated their 2018 success.
19. Oakland via Chicago
Oakland has the opportunity to use another pick acquired from the Bears in the Khalil Mack deal. The Raiders had three first-round picks in 2019 and look to continue to build through the draft.
18. Miami via Pittsburgh
The Steelers got a great DB in Minkah Fitzpatrick and now the Dolphins have a chance to add to their young roster thanks to the Steelers not making the playoffs and having to send this pick to South Beach.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Not quite sure Jerry Jones wants to know on Dec. 29 where he will be picking in the draft on April 23, but he does. Dallas slides into the 17th slot. And you can be sure it will be going for the best player on the board … maybe.
16. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons land in the Sweet 16th slot. They drafted 16th in 1983 and wound up selecting Alabama DE Mike Pitts, who had a long but not memorable career with three teams.
15. Denver Broncos
The Broncos will choose 15th and one thing is certain: Denver won’t be looking for a quarterback. The Broncos last selected from this slot in 2000 when they grabbed Cal DB Deltha O’Neal.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bruce Arians sits in the 14th slot. The Bucs have a huge decision to make on the erratic Jameis Winston. Could there be a QB sitting there when Tampa Bay’s time comes at 14? And if there is would that signal the end of Winston as signal-caller for the Bucs?
13. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are an intriguing team. They have Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. Frank Reich is a QB guy, having played in the NFL at the position and coached there, too. Will he hitch his future to Brissett or is it time to try and find someone who could be the next Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning? They usually don’t come from the 13th slot.
12. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders will have multiple picks in the first round, as they did in 2019. Josh Jacobs proved a steal for Oakland. Derek Carr is not exactly what Jon Gruden wants out of a franchise QB. With more than one pick, you can rebuild quickly and that process is underway.
11. New York Jets
Sitting at 11, one has to think the Jets are going to want to get Sam Darnold a bona fide wideout at some point. Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder get the job done but they are not the threat that scares opponents big time.
10. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are going to have a new head coach — again. They pick 10th and one has to wonder if they would consider moving Odell Beckham Jr. for another pick. QB is set. RB is set. If no trades are made at wideout, that position is set. Another team to watch with great interest.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have a pair of quarterbacks. Could they try and unload one for another draft pick? Moving Nick Foles contract won’t be easy and are they sure Gardner Minshew II is the answer? Either way, look for the Jags to go elsewhere when their turn comes.
8. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals made progress in 2019, going from the first overall pick to the eighth selection. What’s next for Kliff Kingsbury? Will he go defense or look to add another skill player to go with Kyler Murray?
7. Carolina Panthers
There is a new regime in Carolina with Matt Rhule in charge and Joe Brady moving on from LSU. It has a lot of work to do. The team completely faltered in the second half of the season. Cam Newton is an enormous question. This will be the first time the Panthers make the seventh pick.
6. LA Chargers
There is zero chance anyone from the Bolts’ brigade thought the team would be in this position after the success of 2018. However, every year is a new one and 2019 delivered plenty of misery to the Chargers. Does the sixth overall pick have them in a slot where they could choose the player to replace Philip Rivers?
5. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins don’t wind up with the first pick in the draft, as many expected they would during their awful start. How much of a risk is Miami willing to take on injured Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. When you have three first-round picks you have the luxury of dealing or waiting … but not too long.
4. New York Giants
The Giants have selected second and sixth overall and now they keep it even with the fourth overall choice. Who will Big Blue add to Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones?
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions pick in the third position. The last time they were in this slot was 2002 and they selected Joey Harrington from Oregon. It didn’t quite turn into the franchise QB Detroit wanted.
2. Washington Redskins
Washington made sure it didn’t flirt with losing a possible shot at Chase Young by beating Dallas in the season finale. Bill Callahan’s team was devoured and destroyed in completing a 3-13 season. Ron Rivera is in a prime position to make the top of the draft a 1-2 Ohio State exacta.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals had the luxury of winning the last game of the season and having the first pick locked up after Week 16. They had to wince when Joe Burrow took that mighty shot against Clemson. They also have to be beaming with the LSU quarterback’s overall performance.
