The utterly hapless Cleveland Browns, owners of the NFL's worst record at 2-8, currently hold the top pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Should the Browns finish out the season with the top choice, the questions becomes who will be making and coaching the pick.
Team owner Jimmy Haslam said after the Browns' 30-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday that there would be "no change" with coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer during the team's upcoming bye week. But considering Farmer's record of first-round flops, a change in the offseason wouldn't be shocking.
Speaking of the bye week, the Browns really only lead the top pick race because they've played 10 games and have eight losses. Directly behind them are five teams at 2-7. With an equal number of losses, the Browns would have the fourth pick. The top pick then would belong to the Tennessee Titans based on overall strength of schedule.
The draft order is based on record, and then overall strength of schedule. If those are the same, conference record then division record are used. If all of that is equal, a coin flip takes place at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
Considering Tennessee already has long term pieces at quarterback with Marcus Mariota and left tackle Taylor Lewan, that could be an attractive head coach opening after the season. A player like Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa would give Tennessee a building block on defense.
Current 2016 NFL Draft order:
1. Cleveland Browns: 2-8 (.514 strength of schedule)
2. Tennessee Titans: 2-7 (.507 SOS - 0-5 in conference)
3. Baltimore Ravens: 2-7 (.507 SOS - 2-5 in conference)
4. San Diego Chargers: 2-7 (.510 SOS)
5. Dallas Cowboys: 2-7 (.558 SOS)
6. Detroit Lions: 2-7 (.531 SOS)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-6 (.483 SOS)
8. San Francisco 49ers: 3-6 (.534 SOS)
9. New Orleans Saints: 4-6 (.517 SOS)
10. Miami Dolphins: 4-5 (.483 SOS - 2-5 in conference)
11. Oakland Raiders: 4-5 (.483 SOS - 4-3 in conference)
12. Seattle Seahawks: 4-5 (.490 SOS)
13. Kansas City Chiefs: 4-5 (.497 SOS)
14. St. Louis Rams: 4-5 (.503 SOS - 3-4 in conference)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-5 (.503 SOS - 3-3 in conference)
16. Chicago Bears: 4-5 (.507 SOS)
17. Washington: 4-5 (.517 SOS)
18. Philadelphia Eagles: 4-5 (.524 SOS)
19. Houston Texans: 4-5 (.527 SOS)
20. New York Jets: 5-4 (.479 SOS)
Projected to make the playoffs:
21. Indianapolis Colts: 4-5 (.527 SOS)
22. Buffalo Bills: 5-4 (.527 SOS)
23. New York Giants: 5-5 (.524 SOS)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: 6-4 (.500 SOS)
25. Atlanta Falcons: 6-3 (.490 SOS)
26. Green Bay Packers: 6-3 (.465 SOS)
27. Arizona Cardinals: 7-2 (.459 SOS)
28. Denver Broncos: 7-2 (.483 SOS - 4-2 in conference)
29. Minnesota Vikings: 7-2 (.483 SOS - 4-1 in conference)
30. Cincinnati Bengals: 8-1 (.432 SOS)
31. Carolina Panthers: 9-0 (.449 SOS)
32. New England Patriots: 9-0 (.473 SOS) - PICK FORFEITED
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SB Nation presents: The wild, unexpected ending of the Packers-Lions game
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