The top of the 2012 NFL Draft order has been decided. The Indianapolis Colts lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their season finale today. The loss gives the Colts, 2-14, the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the chance to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and a heaping helping of questions as they enter a pivotal offseason.
Picking second in the draft is the St. Louis Rams. Heading into Week 17, St. Louis had the potential to come out with first pick in the draft, but they needed a Colts win for that to happen. Despite both teams owning a 2-14 record to finish their season, the Colts get the top pick using the league's tiebreaker, strength of schedule. The combined winning percentage of the Colts' opponents was less than that of the Rams' opponents, which gives Indy the top pick.
The Minnesota Vikings, who finished the season with a 3-13 record have the third pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
The draft order beyond the top three teams will be decided pending the outcomes of the second slate of games in Week 17, with both the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers currently owning 4-11 records.
With Luck expected to be drafted first overall, the big question is whether or not the second or third picks will be traded. That likelihood depends largely on whether or not Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III decides to enter the NFL Draft. There a number of teams that need quarterbacks, and Griffin looks like a nice consolation prize for teams missing out on Luck.
For more on the Colts, visit Stampede Blue. Follow the Rams at Turf Show Times, and track the Jaguars' offseason at Big Cat Country.