This is a look at the first-round order for the 2025 NFL Draft heading into Week 15 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 play.
Arrows reflect movement from last week's order.
Biggest needs: QB, OT, CB, OG, WR
Week 15 opponent: vs. Ravens
Remaining strength of schedule: .596 (T-5th)
New York's grip on the No. 1 overall pick is a bit tighter now after Jacksonville earned its third victory of the campaign. While the Giants' challenging remaining schedule could keep them without a win over the season's final month, it will certainly increase the team's overall SOS, narrowing the gap between them and the Raiders. If both teams continue to struggle to add to their win totals, the race for the 2025 draft's top pick could come down to a few tenths of a percent.
Biggest needs: QB, WR, DT, CB, RB
Week 15 opponent: vs. Falcons
Remaining strength of schedule: .423 (T-23rd)
Las Vegas is now firmly in the hunt for the No. 1 overall pick. But whether the Raiders are selecting first or in the top three, it's hard to imagine this franchise bypassing a young passer in the draft. While it's possible one of the veteran QBs currently on the team's roster could return for next season, I'd expect it to be in a mentor role, or as a short-term option to begin the 2025 season.
Biggest needs: OT, CB, Edge, WR, OG
Week 15 opponent: at Cardinals
Remaining strength of schedule: .654 (3rd)
The Patriots' offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL. Both tackle spots must be addressed in the offseason. I expect the team to add at least one mid-level veteran in March followed by an early-round selection in April.
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, C, CB, DT
Week 15 opponent: vs. Cowboys
Remaining strength of schedule: .462 (T-19th)
Carolina needs youth in the back end of the CB depth chart. Mike Jackson is due to become a free agent after the season, and Jaycee Horn and Dane Jackson are only signed through 2025. Chau Smith-Wade, a fifth-round pick this year, should excel in the slot, but the team would benefit from adding another outside defender.
Biggest needs: Edge, QB, OT, WR, DT
Week 15 opponent: vs. Chiefs
Remaining strength of schedule: .596 (T-5th)
Jerry Jeudy has exploded for 526 yards and three scores over his last four games, more than filling the void created by Amari Cooper's departure ahead of the trade deadline. But the Browns could still be in the market for a pass-catcher to round out the receiver room this offseason, and I suspect they'll look for (at least) one in April.
Biggest needs: QB, DT, OT, S, CB
Week 15 opponent: at Jaguars
Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-16th)
A few of the veteran defensive linemen supporting Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams will hit free agency after the season. While I wouldn't rule out at least one of them returning to New York next year, I expect the team's new leadership to add a fresh face up front during the draft's first four rounds.
Biggest needs: WR, QB, Edge, OT, S
Week 15 opponent: vs. Bengals
Remaining strength of schedule: .423 (T-23rd)
Calvin Ridley will likely be the cornerstone of the Titans' receiving corps in 2025, but how the rest of the group shakes out remains a bit murky. Tyler Boyd and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are headed to the open market, while former first-rounder Treylon Burks has battled injuries and ineffectiveness during his three years in the league. I suspect Tennessee will be searching for a difference-maker in the early rounds.
Biggest needs: CB, S, WR, DT, IOL
Week 15 opponent: vs. Jets
Remaining strength of schedule: .269 (32nd)
Signing left tackle Walker Little to a three-year extension at the start of December allows the Jags to now focus on improving the interior O-line in April's draft.
Biggest needs: OG, C, OT, WR, Edge
Week 15 opponent: at Vikings
Remaining strength of schedule: .769 (1st)
The Bears are now in position to pick in the top 10 for the third straight year, and they’ll need to address the offensive line to get things turned in a better direction. Center Coleman Shelton is an impending free agent, and backup Doug Kramer has not proven he’s the O-line leader Caleb Williams could use up front. If Shelton departs in March, look for Chicago to select a center on Day 2 or early on Day 3 of the draft.
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, S, OT
Week 15 opponent: vs. Commanders
Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-16th)
New Orleans should select an offensive tackle in the 2025 draft. Rookie Taliese Fuaga is holding down the left side, but it's unclear if the team will exercise the fifth-year option on starting right tackle Trevor Penning and the playing future for Ryan Ramczyk is in question.
Biggest needs: CB, WR, TE, OT, RB
Week 15 opponent: at Titans
Remaining strength of schedule: .462 (T-19th)
With Trent Brown, an impending free agent, out for the season and Orlando Brown Jr. sidelined by injury right now, the Bengals should be looking for depth at offensive tackle this offseason even after drafting Amarius Mims this year. Keeping Joe Burrow well-protected has to be a priority.
Biggest needs: RB, DT, Edge, CB, OG
Week 15 opponent: at Panthers
Remaining strength of schedule: .558 (T-11th)
After undergoing season-ending surgery, future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin will consider retirement, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Even if the seven-time All-Pro returns in 2025, he'll turn 35 midway through the campaign. So, either way, expect the Cowboys target a guard in the draft.
Biggest needs: S, OG, DT, LB, QB
Week 15 opponent: at Texans
Remaining strength of schedule: .385 (T-27th)
Miami's defensive line may look significantly different in 2025 with Calais Campbell, Benito Jones and Da'Shawn Hand ticketed for free agency. Another five-technique or nose tackle must be added via the draft.
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, TE, LB, S
Week 15 opponent: at Broncos
Remaining strength of schedule: .308 (30th)
The Colts don't have a true star at tight end right now. Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson are headed for free agency in 2025, so Indianapolis should be looking at the top prospects at the position.
Biggest needs: CB, OG, LB, DT, OT
Week 15 opponent: vs. Rams
Remaining strength of schedule: .596 (T-5th)
Third-round pick Dominick Puni has performed well at right guard, credited by Next Gen Stats for allowing only one sack so far, the fewest among rookie linemen with 430-plus pass-blocking snaps this season. But fellow starter Aaron Banks (who missed the past two games with a concussion) and backup Ben Bartch (who suffered an ankle injury on Sunday) are impending free agents. Look for the Niners to grab an interior lineman to compete with Spencer Burford for the open spot if neither Banks nor Bartch return.
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, OG, DT, LB
Week 15 opponent: vs. Patriots
Remaining strength of schedule: .365 (29th)
Adding a top-notch pass rusher early in the draft is a must for the Cardinals. Edge rushers Baron Browning, Dennis Gardeck, Julian Okwara and Victor Dimukeje have expiring contracts.
Biggest needs: C, S, CB, Edge, WR
Week 15 opponent: at Raiders
Remaining strength of schedule: .288 (31st)
The Falcons' pass rush has shown more life in the past couple of weeks, but miscues in the back end of the Atlanta defense helped clear the way for Sam Darnold to throw for 347 yards and five TDs on Sunday. Safeties Justin Simmons and Richie Grant are due to hit free agency this spring, so Jessie Bates III could be playing alongside a rookie next season.
Biggest needs: OT, CB, WR, LB, S
Week 15 opponent: at 49ers
Remaining strength of schedule: .442 (T-21st)
General manager Les Snead has put together a piece-meal secondary this season, recently claiming cornerback Emmanuel Forbes -- a former first-round pick by the Commanders -- off waivers. Given the attrition inherent at the position and the fact that Cobie Durant (who leads the team with six passes defensed this season) and Derion Kendrick (who suffered a torn ACL in July) are entering contract years in 2025, I'm expecting Snead to select an outside corner within the first two days of the draft.
Biggest needs: WR, OG, LB, Edge, OT
Week 15 opponent: at Chargers
Remaining strength of schedule: .404 (T-25th)
Biggest needs: Edge, OT, WR, LB, CB
Week 15 opponent: at Saints
Remaining strength of schedule: .519 (15th)
Biggest needs: OT, LB, TE, WR, S
Week 15 opponent: vs. Colts
Remaining strength of schedule: .596 (T-5th)
Biggest needs: OG, DT, CB, WR, OT
Week 15 opponent: vs. Dolphins
Remaining strength of schedule: .558 (T-11th)
Biggest needs: LB, OG, QB, OT, DT
Week 15 opponent: vs. Packers
Remaining strength of schedule: .596 (T-5th)
Biggest needs: Edge, DT, C, S, WR
Week 15 opponent: vs. Buccaneers
Remaining strength of schedule: .385 (T-27th)
Biggest needs: OT, WR, Edge, OG, CB
Week 15 opponent: at Giants
Remaining strength of schedule: .442 (T-21st)
Biggest needs: CB, Edge, OT, DT, LB
Week 15 opponent: at Seahawks
Remaining strength of schedule: .538 (14th)
Biggest needs: QB, CB, RB, WR, OT
Week 15 opponent: at Eagles
Remaining strength of schedule: .692 (2nd)
Biggest needs: Edge, DT, WR, CB, S
Week 15 opponent: at Lions
Remaining strength of schedule: .404 (T-25th)
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, LB, TE, K
Week 15 opponent: vs. Steelers
Remaining strength of schedule: .481 (18th)
Biggest needs: CB, DT, RB, OG, OT
Week 15 opponent: vs. Bears
Remaining strength of schedule: .635 (4th)
Biggest needs: CB, DT, OG, WR, OT
Week 15 opponent: at Browns
Remaining strength of schedule: .558 (T-11th)
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, OG, DT
Week 15 opponent: vs. Bills
Remaining strength of schedule: .596 (T-5th)
