The updated 2022 NFL Draft order saw some clarity in Week 17 with the race for the No. 1 overall selection coming down to just two teams. While much focus is on the other end of the NFL standings and the 2021-2022 NFL playoff picture, what do the losses for the Jaguars and Jets do to the shape of the top five picks?
Note: When the strength of schedule NFL Draft tiebreaker is applied below, a team’s strength of schedule is based on all 17 of their opponents, not just those already played.
Updated first-round 2022 NFL Draft order
The draft order listed below is current as of the completion of Week 17. Jacksonville currently owns the first selection.
Round 1 | Picks 1-16
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)
2. Detroit Lions (2-13-1)
3. Houston Texans (4-12)
4. New York Jets (4-12)
5. New York Giants (4-12)
6. Carolina Panthers (5-11)
7. New York Jets (from Seattle 6-10)
8. New York Giants (from Chicago 6-10)
9. Washington Football Team (6-10)
10. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
11. Denver Broncos (7-9)
12. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
13. Cleveland Browns (7-9)
14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami 8-8)
15. New Orleans Saints (8-8)
16. Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Round 1 | Picks 17-32
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1)
18. Las Vegas Raiders (9-7)
19. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
20. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)
21. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis 9-7)
22. Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco 9-7)
23. New England Patriots (10-6)
24. Arizona Cardinals (11-5)
25. Buffalo Bills (10-6)
26. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
27. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4)
29. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
30. Detroit Lions (from LA Rams 12-4)
31. Tennessee Titans (11-5)
32. Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Who is still in play for the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after Week 17?
We are officially down to a two-horse race for the No. 1 overall pick. The loss for the Jacksonville Jaguars essentially eliminated all of the other teams that could still get into that spot. With only one game remaining, the most wins the Jaguars can get to are three. Therefore, that leaves the Jets, Texans, and Giants on the outside looking in — they have four wins and cannot take the top spot in 2022.
The only team that can take the spot from the Jaguars is the Detroit Lions. The Lions play the Seattle Seahawks later in Week 17 and could move out of contention if they win. Even if they lose, they would need the Jaguars to win against the Colts in Week 18 to have any chance of picking first in April.