2025 NFL Draft order: Browns, Panthers, Patriots holding top three picks
This is a look at the first-round order for the 2025 NFL Draft heading into Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season, along with the top five needs for each team. The order is determined by record, using strength of schedule as the first tiebreaker (click here to see a full list of the draft-order tiebreakers). Keep in mind — teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended today are marked as PL (short for playoffs) in the order below. The draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results of postseason pla
Biggest needs: WR, OT, DT, QB, CB
Week 7 opponent: vs. Bengals
Remaining strength of schedule: .556 (6th)
Left tackle Jedrick Wills will be a free agent after the season and veteran Jack Conklin has struggled to stay healthy over the past few years. Dawand Jones could take over at right tackle in 2025, but finding another starter-quality outside blocker is a must if one of the NFL’s worst offenses is to improve next season.
Biggest needs: WR, C, CB, Edge, QB
Week 7 opponent: at Commanders
Remaining strength of schedule: .563 (5th)
Until former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young is no longer on the roster, I’ll operate here as if Carolina won’t target a QB at the top of the draft. But we’ve seen several teams in recent years replace a first-round passer still on his rookie contract. So it’s very possible the Panthers could make a similar move in April. Assuming they continue to move forward with Young, though, I could see them spending a Day 3 pick on the position.
Biggest needs: OL, Edge, WR, CB, S
Week 7 opponent: vs. Jaguars (London)
Remaining strength of schedule: .435 (30th)
The Patriots’ offensive line has been a mess so far this season, with inconsistency and injuries leading Jerod Mayo to deploy six different starting lineups through the first six games. Caedan Wallace, whom New England selected in the third round in April, got his shot among the starting five against the Jets in Week 3, but had a rough showing (as did the rest of the unit) and has since landed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. The Pats need to upgrade the protection if quarterback Drake Maye is to progress in 2025.
Biggest needs: CB, S, WR, DT, OT
Week 7 opponent: vs. Patriots (London)
Remaining strength of schedule: .508 (12th)
The Jaguars rank last in passing yards allowed per game and have forced only one interception this year. Andre Cisco, the man responsible for the team’s lone pick, will be a free agent after the campaign, while two of the team’s top cornerbacks, Ronald Darby and Montaric Brown, are scheduled to hit the market in 2026. Injuries to Tyson Campbell and Darnell Savage early on this season have amplified the distinct lack of depth in the team’s secondary.
Biggest needs: WR, S, QB, Edge, OL
Week 7 opponent: at Bills
Remaining strength of schedule: .551 (7th)
GM Ran Carthon traded up in the second round of the 2023 draft for Will Levis, and so far the investment hasn’t paid off. Should Levis’ uneven play continue, I wouldn’t be surprised if first-year coach Brian Callahan decides he wants to hit reset at the position and bring in a new signal-caller of his choosing.
Biggest needs: OT, WR, CB, LB, TE
Week 7 opponent: vs. Raiders
Remaining strength of schedule: .464 (23rd)
The Rams have one of the most productive receiving tandems in the league when healthy. But both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp have missed multiple games due to injury already this season, and Kupp, who hasn’t played a full season since 2021, will be 32 years old by next September. Factor in the depth concerns behind the two Pro Bowlers — Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell are scheduled to hit free agency this offseason — and it seems logical that L.A. will need to use another Day 2 pick on the position come April.
