There are not many silver linings for the Cleveland Browns after losing Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL’s worst team.
However, the loss helped improve the Browns’ draft position.
Cleveland now holds the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Headed into Week 17, the Browns held the No. 12 overall pick in the draft.
Here is the 2020 NFL draft order as of Monday (team, record and strength of schedule):
1. Cincinnati Bengals: 2-14 (0.553)
2. Washington Redskins: 3-13 (.502)
3. Detroit Lions: 3-12-1 (.506)
4. New York Giants: 4-12 (.473)
5. Miami Dolphins: 5-11 (.484)
6. Los Angeles Chargers: 5-11 (.514)
7. Carolina Panthers: 5-11 (.549)
8. Arizona Cardinals: 5-10-1 (.529)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-10 (.484)
10. Cleveland Browns: 6-10 (.533)
11. New York Jets: 7-9 (.473)
12. Oakland Raiders: 7-9 (.482)
13. Indianapolis Colts: 7-9 (.492)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-9 (.500)
15. Denver Broncos: 7-9 (.510)
16. Atlanta Falcons: 7-9 (.545)
17. Dallas Cowboys: 8-8 (.479)
18. Miami Dolphins via trade with Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-8 (.502)
19. Oakland Raiders via trade with the Chicago Bears: 8-8 (.508)
20. Jacksonville Jaguars via trade with the Los Angeles Rams: 8-8 (.535)
Each year, the previous season’s records determine the draft order for the first 20 picks.
Ties are broken by strength of schedule, which is calculated by the aggregate winning percentage of a team’s opponents.
The NFL determines draft slots 21-32 by how the playoff teams finish.
The Browns have a pick in every round of the 2020 draft except for the fifth.
It includes two picks in the third round.
During the 2019 draft, the Browns did not have a first-round pick because of the trade to acquire receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow is the favorite to be the first overall pick.
Odds to be the 1st overall pick (BetOnline):
Joe Burrow -300
Chase Young +175
Andrew Thomas +1600 https://t.co/9C7pDSRPF3— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) December 22, 2019
Before LSU’s 63-28 route of Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl, Oddshark listed Burrow at -300, which means a $300 bet would win $100.
Many people expect the Bengals to draft Burrow, who grew up in The Plains, Ohio, and attended Athens High School.
Burrow threw for seven touchdowns and 493 yards against Oklahoma.
LSU plays Clemson in the national championship game on Jan. 13.
As of Dec. 22, Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young is second-favorite to be the top pick and Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Andrew Thomas is the third-favorite.
Young has yet to formally declare for the draft, but he is expected to declare soon after Ohio State’s loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.
Thomas will forego his senior season and won’t play for Georgia in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor.
Odds to be the 1st overall pick (BetOnline):
Joe Burrow -300
Chase Young +175
Andrew Thomas +1600 https://t.co/9C7pDSRPF3— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) December 22, 2019
The NFL Combine is scheduled from Feb. 23, 2020-March 2, 2020, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The NFL Draft is scheduled to start on April 23, 2020, in Las Vegas.
It will mark the first time Las Vegas has hosted the NFL Draft.
I have no idea how this draft is going to go, but I hope we pick a slew of star players. We could use all the help we can get. Lets just hope by next season, we have a team that can pull out a winning season. 🙂