2021 NFL Draft order: Updates after week 14 action
2021 NFL Draft order updates after week 14 action.
The 2021 NFL Draft order is changing every week, but the New York Jets remain firmly atop the list with their latest dismal performance.
The Jacksonville Jaguars took a beating at home against Tennessee, and the Cincinnati Bengals with no Joe Burrow got hammered by the also battered Dallas Cowboys.
How did the action around the NFL in week 14 affect the overall 2021 NFL Draft order?
Let’s take a look through the current non-playoff order.
1. New York Jets (0-12)
The Jets are arguably the worst team in NFL history. Seriously.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-11)
The Jaguars’ victory in week one of the 2020 season was a mirage, and that could be the difference of this team getting Trevor Lawrence or whoever winds up as QB2 on their board.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)
The loss of Joe Burrow put the Bengals in the driver’s seat for the third overall pick and likely the top non-QB on their board.
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-9)
Lucky for the Dallas Cowboys, their draft standing did not take a hit despite a victory over the Bengals. They remain in good position to get the top defensive player on the board, or perhaps sell this pick for a king’s ransom to a QB-needy squad.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (4-9)
Another team that emerged from week 14 victorious, the Chargers have plenty of holes to fill for the future despite how well Justin Herbert has played as a rookie.
6. Carolina Panthers (4-9)
The injury to Christian McCaffrey has prevented us from getting a clean look at what the Panthers could be, but after a home loss to the Denver Broncos, they jumped up to the sixth spot in the order and would have a variety of intriguing options here to upgrade on either side of the ball.
7. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
The Falcons’ veteran-laden offense is far too experienced and frankly good for the team to be this bad. The Falcons need to go heavy on defense in this draft and they could be in position for the top EDGE player here.
8. Miami Dolphins (via Houston – 4-9)
The Houston Texans undoubtedly enjoy having Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, but this depleted 2021 NFL Draft capital is a massive hindrance for a new GM and head coach to properly support DeShaun Watson.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1)
The Jalen Hurts era started off with a victory against a very good New Orleans team (even with Taysom Hill at QB).
The Eagles could not only be picking in the top 10, but they should be able to get another 1st-round pick if they decide to trade Carson Wentz in the 2021 offseason.
10. New York Giants (5-8)
The Giants were getting hot there for a moment, but they cooled off on Sunday with a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. This Giants roster needs playmakers at receiver as well as pass rushers and playmakers in the secondary.
11. Detroit Lions (5-8)
Will Matthew Stafford be traded? Who will try to fix the Detroit Lions? This team has so many more questions than answers but there is talent on this roster both offensively and defensively to build on.
12. San Francisco 49ers (5-8)
The 49ers have been hit hard with injuries this season, specifically to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and top pass rusher Nick Bosa.
Will the 49ers use this selection to move up for or trade for a quarterback? That seems extremely likely at this point.
13. Denver Broncos (5-8)
The Denver Broncos are 8-6 in the 14 games Drew Lock has both started and finished dating back to 2019. Are they going to buy into the flashes? This team has talent at the skill positions and Vic Fangio is still one of the best defensive play-callers in the NFL.
14. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
The Vikings are teetering on the edge of being a playoff team, but the expectations for them are much higher than 6-7 at this point in the season. The Vikings could be looking at some major changes if they miss the postseason this year.
15. Chicago Bears (6-7)
The Bears are another team with an unsettled quarterback situation. Mitchell Trubisky is a free agent and Nick Foles is not the answer. Will Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy be around to pick the new quarterback of this team? Will they try and bring Trubisky back for another shot?
16. New England Patriots (6-7)
The Patriots’ roster wasn’t bad enough to truly tank this season, and they have had some decent all-around games with Cam Newton at quarterback. They are yet another team with an unsettled quarterback position moving forward.
17. Las Vegas Raiders (7-6)
The Raiders have looked mighty impressive at times this season (only team to beat the Chiefs so far) but they have also looked really, really bad in other weeks. They have firepower on offense but they need to keep investing on defense in the 2021 NFL Draft.
18. Baltimore Ravens (7-5*)
At the time of this writing, the Ravens have not yet played their Monday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns.
They are on the cusp of the playoffs and are competing with the Miami Dolphins for that seventh and final spot in the AFC playoff race.