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2024 NFL Draft order: Updated Patriots first-round pick position

Nick Goss
·2 min read
10

2024 NFL Draft order: Updated Patriots first-round pick position originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The New England Patriots are back in the top three of the 2024 NFL Draft order, but there's still quite a range of potential picks they could end up with.

The Patriots lost 27-21 to the Buffalo Bills in Sunday's Week 17 game at Highmark Stadium, dropping their record to 4-12 at the bottom of the AFC standings. The Arizona Cardinals did the Patriots a favor, too, by earning a surprising comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles on the road. The Cardinals are now 4-12, as well. The Washington Commanders also are 4-12 after losing to the San Francisco 49ers.

So where does that leave us with the Patriots, Cardinals and Commanders all tied for the second-worst record at 4-12? Strength of schedule is the first tiebreaker, and the Commanders have the slightest of leads over the Patriots. The Cardinals have a .566 strength of schedule rating, so they need the Patriots or Commanders to win in Week 18 to improve their position. The team with the worst strength of schedule gets the better pick.

Here's a handy guide for fans to follow in Week 18, via Tankathon. These games will have the strongest impact on the strength of schedule rating for the Patriots.

Here are the Week 18 opponents for all three of those teams:

The Patriots could fall as far No. 6 or No. 7 in the draft order if they beat the Jets next week and the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers all finish with five losses. That would be a disastrous scenario for the Patriots and take them out of the running for a top QB prospect in the draft. If the Patriots lose to the Jets, they cannot finish worse than the No. 4 pick.

Here's the updated draft order for the top 10 in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. This article will be updated through Sunday night, so check back often for the latest results.

10. Chicago Bears, 7-9

9. Atlanta Falcons, 7-9

8. New York Jets, 6-10

7. Los Angeles Chargers, 5-10

6. Tennessee Titans, 5-11

5. New York Giants, 5-11

4. Arizona Cardinals, 4-12

3. New England Patriots, 4-12

2. Washington Commanders, 4-12

1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers, 2-13)*

*Clinched pick