This is a look at the first-round order for the 2025 NFL Draft heading into Week 8 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: OT, Edge, WR, CB, S
Week 8 opponent: vs. Jets
Remaining strength of schedule: .476 (22nd)
The events of Week 7, including their loss to the Jags in London, have pushed the Patriots to the top of the 2025 draft board. Should they remain in this spot by season's end, I'd fully expect them to trade the No. 1 overall pick to a QB-needy team for a massive haul. New England is in rebuild mode and desperately needs an influx of talent on both sides of the ball to support Drake Maye. Although they could start by adding a WR1, I could also see them honing in on a blue-chip edge player. Keion White, the team's second-round pick in 2023, has become the Pats' best pass rusher (four sacks through seven games), but the defense as a whole is not pressuring the quarterback enough to slow down opposing offenses.
Biggest needs: WR, QB, OT, DT, CB
Week 8 opponent: vs. Ravens
Remaining strength of schedule: .597 (2nd)
Last week's trade of Amari Cooper to the Bills cemented receiver as a primary need for the Browns, though Deshaun Watson's season-ending Achilles tear could lead to them selecting a quarterback earlier in the draft than I might have expected. Elijah Moore, who ranks third on the team in targets (30) and second in receptions (22), is in the final year of his rookie contract, meaning Cleveland might seek both a true No. 1 receiver and prospects to rebuild depth.
Biggest needs: WR, C, CB, S, QB
Week 8 opponent: at Broncos
Remaining strength of schedule: .537 (9th)
Starting center Austin Corbett had surgery last week, which ended his 2024 season. He's due to become a free agent this spring, as is fourth-year veteran Brady Christensen, who's since stepped in for Corbett despite not playing the position in college or previously in the NFL. Carolina will need to lock down the pivot for Bryce Young, or whomever is playing QB for the franchise next season.
Biggest needs: WR, S, QB, Edge, OG
Week 8 opponent: at Lions
Remaining strength of schedule: .540 (8th)
DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are all scheduled to be free agents after the season. Treylon Burks' inability to stay on the field, and make an impact even when he is available (four catches for 34 yards in five games this year), makes his future with the team tenuous. An overhaul at the position to better support Calvin Ridley should be on the horizon.
Biggest needs: QB, WR, DT, CB, S
Week 8 opponent: vs. Chiefs
Remaining strength of schedule: .545 (6th)
By trading Davante Adams to the Jets last week, the Raiders made an already-thin receiver group as flat as a pancake. Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker are fine complementary pieces, but the Raiders still need a true WR1 and more depth to replenish their depleted corps.
Biggest needs: CB, S, WR, DT, OT
Week 8 opponent: vs. Packers
Remaining strength of schedule: .523 (12th)
Anton Harrison has started every game at right tackle since the Jaguars selected him in the first round of the 2023 draft. But unless Cam Robinson and/or Walker Little are re-signed this offseason, Jacksonville will likely need to find competition on the left side for 2024 fourth-rounder Javon Foster.
Biggest needs: OT, S, Edge, CB, DT
Week 8 opponent: at Patriots
Remaining strength of schedule: .447 (27th)
D.J. Reed is playing great in a contract year (though he was inactive with a groin injury for Sunday night's game against the Steelers), meaning the Jets will have to pony up if they want to keep him. Brandin Echols and Isaiah Oliver are also impending free agents. Finding a partner for Sauce Gardner will be paramount if the team is unable to re-sign Reed.
Biggest needs: QB, OT, CB, WR, OG
Week 8 opponent: at Steelers
Remaining strength of schedule: .544 (7th)
Andrew Thomas' season-ending foot injury was a major blow for the Giants' offensive line, which was shredded by the Eagles on Sunday. Even with Thomas sidelined, third-year tackle Evan Neal couldn't crack the starting lineup, suggesting a lack of trust in the former seventh overall pick. The Giants' reluctance to play Neal indicates they could be looking for another tackle in the top half of the 2025 draft.
Biggest needs: Edge, OT, WR, TE, S
Week 8 opponent: at Chargers
Remaining strength of schedule: .426 (29th)
Even though the Saints picked Taliese Fuaga at No. 14 overall in this year's draft, injury concerns and performance at the other tackle spot might require them to double down on the position in the middle rounds of the 2025 draft. Former first-rounder Trevor Penning hasn't played up to his draft billing and could hit free agency in 2026 if the Saints choose not to exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. And veteran Ryan Ramczyk is dealing with a potentially career-threatening knee injury that will sideline him for the entire 2024 season.
Biggest needs: S, OG, DT, LB, QB
Week 8 opponent: vs. Cardinals
Remaining strength of schedule: .407 (31st)
Safeties Jevon Holland (played 75% of snaps in 2024), Jordan Poyer (74%) and Marcus Maye (51%) are all in line to become free agents, with Poyer and Maye both in their 30s. Even if one of the three returns next season, Miami would benefit from adding another young safety to the mix for the long term.
Biggest needs: OT, WR, CB, LB, TE
Week 8 opponent: vs. Vikings
Remaining strength of schedule: .473 (24th)
Starting right tackle Rob Havenstein and reserve Warren McClendon are the only offensive tackles under contract for 2025 -- and Havenstein is currently set to be a 33-year-old free agent after next season. If veterans Alaric Jackson (who has started every game at left tackle since returning from a two-game suspension to begin the season) and Joe Noteboom (who started Week 1 in Jackson's place, then was sent to injured reserve by an ankle injury) are not re-signed, the Rams must find a starting left tackle and depth.
Biggest needs: WR, OG, CB, DT, S
Week 8 opponent: vs. Eagles
Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-16th)
Protecting Joe Burrow, both directly (in the pocket) and indirectly (via a strong run game), is a major key to the Bengals' success. Guard Cody Ford is headed for free agency after this season, while Alex Cappa and Cordell Volson are scheduled to hit the market after the 2025 campaign. Picking up a starting guard in the top half of the draft would be prudent.
Biggest needs: CB, DT, LB, OG, OT
Week 8 opponent: vs. Cowboys
Remaining strength of schedule: .569 (4th)
Linebacker Fred Warner is a future Hall of Famer, but the starting spots opposite him at the position are question marks beyond 2024. Dre Greenlaw has yet to play this season as he recovers from the injury he sustained in Super Bowl LVIII, and he’s scheduled to reach free agency in 2025. De'Vondre Campbell also has an expiring deal. The Niners might need to find a potential starter no later than early on Day 3 of the draft.
Biggest needs: Edge, DT, WR, OG, CB
Week 8 opponent: at Dolphins
Remaining strength of schedule: .424 (30th)
Arizona's pass defense is among the worst in the league in part because the Cardinals usually do not get to opposing quarterbacks frequently enough. Dennis Gardeck is approaching free agency, as are Julian Okwara and Victor Dimukeje. The squad needs to add an elite prospect on the edge if it’s going to get to the next level.
Biggest needs: RB, WR, Edge, DT, CB
Week 8 opponent: at 49ers
Remaining strength of schedule: .533 (10th)
The Cowboys spent a second-round pick on Marshawn Kneeland earlier this year and Sam Williams will be returning from injury next season, but the Cowboys should be looking to add another edge rusher with high upside in the middle of the draft. Demarcus Lawrence, currently on injured reserve, is due to hit free agency after the season along with Chauncey Gholston.
Biggest needs: Edge, DT, C, TE, WR
Week 8 opponent: vs. Saints
Remaining strength of schedule: .440 (28th)
With Bradley Bozeman due to become a free agent, the Chargers could look for a long-term solution at center in the middle of the draft.
Biggest needs: WR, OG, LB, Edge, CB
Week 8 opponent: vs. Falcons
Remaining strength of schedule: .403 (32nd)
With Lavonte David and K.J. Britt both slated for free agency, the Bucs could use a young defender to play alongside SirVocea Dennis at linebacker next season.
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, LB, OG, TE
Week 8 opponent: at Bengals
Remaining strength of schedule: .486 (18th)
The Eagles pass rush dominated a beat-up Giants offensive line on Sunday, racking up eight sacks after totaling just 11 in their first five games. However, Josh Sweat is headed to free agency along with erstwhile veteran Brandon Graham. Bryce Huff, Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt all had a sack versus New York, but another edge defender should be added to their ranks.
Biggest needs: OT, QB, LB, Edge, OG
Week 8 opponent: vs. Bills
Remaining strength of schedule: .515 (14th)
Biggest needs: OT, LB, TE, DT, RB
Week 8 opponent: vs. Panthers
Remaining strength of schedule: .522 (13th)
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, DT, Edge, TE
Week 8 opponent: at Texans
Remaining strength of schedule: .477 (21st)
Biggest needs: C, Edge, S, CB, WR
Week 8 opponent: at Buccaneers
Remaining strength of schedule: .462 (25th)
Biggest needs: OG, C, OT, Edge, WR
Week 8 opponent: at Commanders
Remaining strength of schedule: .630 (1st)
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, LB, OT, CB
Week 8 opponent: vs. Bears
Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-16th)
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB, OG, DT
Week 8 opponent: at Seahawks
Remaining strength of schedule: .454 (26th)
Biggest needs: QB, CB, OT, RB, WR
Week 8 opponent: vs. Giants
Remaining strength of schedule: .514 (15th)
Biggest needs: CB, OT, DT, Edge, WR
Week 8 opponent: at Jaguars
Remaining strength of schedule: .562 (5th)
Biggest needs: DT, OG, CB, S, WR
Week 8 opponent: vs. Colts
Remaining strength of schedule: .484 (20th)
Biggest needs: OT, WR, Edge, OG, S
Week 8 opponent: at Browns
Remaining strength of schedule: .485 (19th)
Biggest needs: CB, DT, RB, OG, S
Week 8 opponent: at Rams
Remaining strength of schedule: .527 (11th)
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, OG, DT, LB
Week 8 opponent: vs. Titans
Remaining strength of schedule: .589 (3rd)
Biggest needs: CB, DT, OG, LB, WR
Week 8 opponent: at Raiders
Remaining strength of schedule: .473 (23rd)
