National Football League

Updated 2015 NFL draft order, team needs: Wild-card weekend

Published Dec. 31, 2014 2:10 p.m. ET

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The first 20 picks of the 2015 NFL Draft are set in stone as the non-playoff teams have been lined up worst to well, not as bad.

As the playoffs unfold, the final 12 selections will fall into place as well.

After the wild-card round, Picks 21-24 will be solidified. We'll get four more (25-28) after the divisional round, Picks 29 and 30 will be filled by the losers of the conference championship games, and the Super Bowl loser will pick at 31, with the winner getting the final pick of the first round at 32.

To keep from predicting playoff winners and losers, teams that are currently slated for the playoffs will be placed in reverse order of finish and ties broken just like the non-playoff teams; strength of schedule.

If the season ended today, here's what the NFL draft order would be:

2014 Record: 2-14 Strength of Schedule: .486

Notes: To say that the combination of Josh McCown and Mike Glennon at quarterback underachieved would be an understatement of epic proportion. The Bucs finished 25th in passing yards in 2014, and only two teams completed a lower percentage of their passes than Tampa Bay. The question isn't if the Bucs will take a quarterback, but which one.

With the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Buccaneers take: Marcus Mariota, QB -- Oregon

2014 Record: 2-14 Strength of Schedule: .506

Notes: Given back the final weeks of the season Zach Mettenberger lost to injury and allowed a season or two to adapt to the NFL, the sixth-round pick might develop into a starting-caliber passer. But the Titans might not want to wait that long, and could take whichever first-round-quality quarterback Tampa Bay doesn't.

With the No. 2 pick in the draft, the Titans take: Jameis Winston, QB -- Florida State

2014 Record: 3-13 Strength of Schedule: .514

Notes: In the first two drafts under head coach Gus Bradley, Jacksonville has taken an offensive player in the first round. There's a small chance Amari Cooper might catch the eyes of the Jags at No. 3, but it's likely they'll go with a defensive lineman. The most intriguing option may be the powerful and versatile USC star.

With the No. 3 pick in the draft, the Jaguars take: Leonard Williams, DT -- Southern California

2014 Record: 3-13 Strength of Schedule: .570

Notes: The Raiders are in a very favorable spot here where two draft philosophies (best player available versus team needs) converge. Better yet for Oakland, the team can choose from multiple positions and still pick from the best of both worlds. Will the Raiders take a pass-rusher to pair with Khalil Mack, or a wide receiver to help Derek Carr?

With the No. 4 pick in the draft, the Raiders take: Randy Gregory, DE -- Nebraska

2014 Record: 3-10 Strength of Schedule: .496

Notes: Only one team (Jacksonville) gave up more than the 58 sacks the Redskins allowed in 2014. Washington has many needs on both sides of the football (pass-rusher, defensive backfield), but should start with the offensive line.

With the No. 5 pick in the draft, the Redskins take: Brandon Scherff, OT -- Iowa

2014 Record: 4-12 Strength of Schedule: .543

Notes: Of the Jets' biggest needs, none really fit here at the sixth pick. It's too early to grab a corner or any of the remaining offensive linemen, and the only two first-round quarterbacks have already been grabbed. After quarterback, corner and tackle, New York could benefit from a star wide receiver. It's good news that the best available is still on the board.

With the No. 6 pick in the draft, the Jets take: Amari Cooper, WR -- Alabama

2014 Record: 5-11 Strength of Schedule: .529

Notes: The Bears have huge needs all over the defense; rushing the passer, linebacker and secondary help. Chicago ranked 30th in the NFL in 2014 as teams threw for 264.4 yards per game. Adding the best safety in the draft will not only help the defensive backfield, but as he comes down into the box, the middle of Chicago's defense will benefit too.

With the No. 7 pick in the draft, the Bears take: Landon Collins, S -- Alabama

2014 Record: 6-10 Strength of Schedule: .482

Notes: With a new head coach -- and maybe more changes -- to come, Atlanta's draft strategy isn't really known yet. But the lack of a pure pass-rusher is still this team's top deficiency, no matter who's at the helm. The Falcons are going to be able to select from four extremely good options.

With the No. 8 pick in the draft, the Falcons take: Shane Ray, DE -- Missouri

2014 Record: 6-10 Strength of Schedule: .512

Notes: The Giants will think about taking an offensive tackle with the No. 9 pick. But they also need pass-rush help, and there are some great options available.

With the No. 9 pick in the draft, the Giants take: Dante Fowler, Jr., OLB -- Florida

2014 Record: 6-10 Strength of Schedule: .531

Notes: The Rams took the top offensive linemen from the SEC in last year's draft, Greg Robinson, and may do so again this season. St. Louis has a lot of needs on offense, but since upgrading at the quarterback or running back position isn't an option with the 10th pick, protecting the passer becomes the next best idea.

With the No. 10 pick in the draft, the Rams take: La' el Collins, OT -- LSU

2014 Record: 7-9 Strength of Schedule: .475

Notes: With the way Teddy Bridgewater finished the 2014 season, the future looks bright at quarterback for the Vikings. With the 11th pick, Minnesota's best bet might be to do whatever it can to keep Bridgewater's stock climbing.

With the No. 11 pick in the draft, the Vikings take: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT -- Texas A&M

2014 Record: 7-9 Strength of Schedule: .479

Notes: At this point, Cleveland is the only team in the 2015 draft with multiple picks. This is going to allow the Browns to get creative. The first step is to add a big-time weapon on offense.

With the No. 12 pick in the draft, the Browns take: Devante Parker, WR -- Louisville

2014 Record: 7-9 Strength of Schedule: .486

Notes: The biggest reason the Saints defense went from worst to top five two years ago, and back to really bad in 2014 was the pass rush. At its high point, New Orleans was able to get pressure on quarterbacks with three to five rushers. This needs to start happening again.

With the No. 13 pick in the draft, the Saints take: Bud Dupree, DE/OLB -- Kentucky

2014 Record: 8-8 Strength of Schedule: .512

Notes: The Dolphins have a number of needs on offense, but probably will pass up on a wide receiver (even though there are some good options) and a running back here. The big decision is whether to grab a guy to help stop the run, or upgrade at linebacker.

With the No. 14 pick in the draft, the Dolphins take: Shaq Thompson, OLB -- Washington

2014 Record: 8-8 Strength of Schedule: .527

Notes: The 49ers finished 25th in the league in scoring at 19.1 points per game. But over its last seven games San Francisco only mustered 15.9 points per. Making this offense more explosive is important.

With the No. 15 pick in the draft, the 49ers take: Kevin White, WR -- West Virginia

2014 Record: 9-7 Strength of Schedule: .447

Notes: The Texans absolutely need a quarterback in this draft. They could reach with their first-round pick, but it might be a better strategy to pass on the passer here, and then trade back up into the second round for a guy like Brett Hundley. With this pick, Houston will address its second biggest offensive need.

With the No. 16 pick in the draft, the Texans take: Devin Funchess, WR -- Michigan

2014 Record: 9-7 Strength of Schedule: .512

Notes: When the Chargers dropped from the playoff picture they rose in the draft, and entered the realm of taking a first-round offensive tackle without reaching. San Diego lost three of its last four games and only scored a combined 31 points in those losses.

With the No. 17 pick in the draft, the Chargers take: Ereck Flowers, OT -- Miami

2014 Record: 9-7 Strength of Schedule: .512

Notes: As inconceivable as it sounds, no Kansas City wide receiver caught a touchdown pass in 2014. An upgrade out wide is absolutely necessary.

With the No. 18 pick in the draft, the Chiefs take: Jaelen Strong, WR -- Arizona State

2014 Record: 9-7 (Buffalo) Strength of Schedule: .516

Notes: The Browns finished dead last in the NFL against the run in 2014, giving up 141.6 yards per game. Seven picks ago the Browns got better on offense, now it's time to fix a huge defensive issue.

With the No. 19 pick in the draft, the Browns take: Danny Shelton, DT -- Washington

2014 Record: 10-6 Strength of Schedule: .490

Notes: Eagles fans should forget about the notion of the team trading up for Marcus Mariota. That's not going to happen. What can happen, however, is upgrading a secondary that was a big reason why Philadelphia finished 31st in pass defense.

With the No. 20 pick in the draft, the Eagles take: Trae Waynes, CB -- Michigan State

2014 Record: 7-8-1 Strength of Schedule: .490

Notes: Carolina's defense has finally started playing like it's supposed to. While offensive line was the way to go all along, the defense stepping up makes it easier to upgrade Cam Newton's protection.

With the No. 21 pick in the draft, the Panthers take: T.J. Clemmings, OT -- Pittsburgh

2014 Record: 10-6 Strength of Schedule: .475

Notes: The Ravens could use help on offense along the offensive line, at running back or wide receiver. The team could also go with a cornerback or a pass-rusher on the defensive side of the ball. There's awesome talent available to attack an opposing quarterback.

With the No. 22 pick in the draft, the Ravens take: Vic Beasley, DE -- Clemson

2014 Record: 10-5-1 Strength of Schedule: .498

Notes: The Bengals need help on defense, both in the secondary and up front. But as this offensive line ages, Cincinnati might look at bolstering its offensive line.

With the No. 23 pick in the draft, the Bengals take: Andrus Peat, OT -- Stanford

2014 Record: 11-5 Strength of Schedule: .451

Notes: A cornerback is definitely an option with this pick; as is an offensive tackle. But the interior portion of Pittsburgh's defensive line is in need of some help, and there's a good solution available.

With the No. 24 pick in the draft, the Steelers take: Eddie Goldman, DT -- Florida State

2014 Record: 11-5 Strength of Schedule: .471

Notes: The Lions are in trouble with the interior of their defensive line as both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley could walk via free agency. Even if only one goes (there's little chance both will stay), Detroit needs a new tackle.

With the No. 25 pick in the draft, the Lions take: Malcom Brown, DT -- Texas

2014 Record: 11-5 Strength of Schedule: .479

Notes: If the Colts don't go with a cornerback or add help at linebacker, expect them to get Andrew Luck some help along the offensive line.

With the No. 26 pick in the draft, the Colts take: Ronnie Stanley, OT -- Notre Dame

2014 Record: 11-5 Strength of Schedule: .523

Notes: Forget about the quarterback position or about adding a running back. Arizona will address those needs, but not in the first round. The Cardinals can bolster their pass rush though, for sure.

With the No. 27 pick in the draft, the Cardinals take: Shilique Calhoun, DE -- Michigan State

2014 Record: 12-4 Strength of Schedule: .445

Notes: The Cowboys need to look at their secondary in an effort to fix the fact that they ranked 26th in the NFL is pass defense. Adding one of the fastest rising cornerbacks in college football should definitely help Dallas do better than 251.9 passing yards allowed per game.

With the No. 28 pick in the draft, the Cowboys take: Kevin Johnson, CB -- Wake Forest

2014 Record: 12-4 Strength of Schedule: .482

Notes: Green Bay needs help on the defensive side of the football, and the best inside linebacker in the draft is still available.

With the No. 29 pick in the draft, the Packers take: Benardrick McKinney, ILB -- Mississippi State

2014 Record: 12-4 Strength of Schedule: .514

Notes: If the Patriots choose to overlook the off-the-field red flags, or believe they can alter the behavior that caused them, they may be able to steal one of the best (possibly the best) cornerbacks in the draft.

With the No. 30 pick in the draft, the Patriots take: Marcus Peters, CB -- Washington

2014 Record: 12-4 Strength of Schedule: .521

Notes: With Denver's new-found passion for running the football, it might be hard to pass up the best ball carrier in the draft.

With the No. 31 pick in the draft, the Broncos take: Melvin Gordon, RB -- Wisconsin

2014 Record: 12-4 Strength of Schedule: .525

Notes: It's hard to imagine the Seahawks not trying to bolster their passing attack as early in the draft as possible. That's why adding this quickly-rising wide receiver is appealing.

With the No. 32 pick in the draft, the Seahawks take: Sammie Coates, WR -- Auburn

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