The Cleveland Browns dropped to 5-4 following a loss to the New Orleans Saints, bringing the same ol’ Browns
back into conversation as postseason positioning tightens.
Draft Position Flips After Week 9
Yahoo Sports reports that Cleveland did not see their AFC playoff position change at all following the loss, remaining in a tie for the final playoff spot.
Ahead of the NFL trade deadline, the team’s two first-round selections remain slotted at #16 and #18. The teams attached to those picks have flipped.
Cleveland now holds its own pick at No. 18 alongside the Los Angeles Rams’ selection at No. 16. Green Bay currently lacks a first-round pick in 2027 due to past trades involving players like Myles Garrett.
Indianapolis currently lacks a first-round pick in 2027 due to past trades involving players like Sauce Gardner. Chicago currently lacks a first-round pick in 2027 due to past trades involving players like Jeffery Simmons.
The Los Angeles Rams currently lack a first-round pick in 2027 due to past trades involving players like Micah Parsons, according to Cbssports.
Chargers and Titans Lead Projected Draft Needs
The winless Los Angeles Chargers hold the top projected spot in the draft order. FanSided projects the Chargers to select Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who carries a player comparison to retired star Julio Jones.
The Tennessee Titans sit second and are projected to take Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons. Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that The Athletic’s NFL Playoff Simulator gives the Philadelphia Eagles a 64 percent chance of finishing with a top-five pick. The Eagles currently project to select LSU offensive tackle Jordan Seaton at No. 5.
Jets Hold Multiple High Picks in Draft Order
The Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, and the Philadelphia Eagles have all accumulated enough losses to turn their attention toward the draft as the season progresses.
The New York Jets maintain a strong hand in the projected draft order, holding multiple high selections thanks to transactions such as the acquisition of the Indianapolis Colts’ pick, alongside positioning tied to the Dallas Cowboys. The New York Jets are projected to secure Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr with one of their early choices, while Miami sits positioned to land Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker.
In Cleveland, the return of Myles Garrett provided a spark during the Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints. The defeat left fans contemplating the team’s trajectory and potential draft assets gained from the Los Angeles Rams.
Roster Decisions and Construction
The Athletic’s NFL Playoff Simulator runs thousands of simulations to determine how likely teams are to secure the first overall choice or finish inside the top five and top ten. Squads like the Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets face evaluations regarding upcoming free agents and necessary roster upgrades on both sides of the ball.
As the regular season moves past its midway point, the divide between Super Bowl contenders and organizations looking toward future building blocks becomes pronounced.
Earlier coverage: 2027 NFL Draft Order: Chargers Lead, Jets Hold Three Top-10 Picks
