The only drama left in this Jets season heading into Sunday’s final game of the? Where they’ll be picking in the 2025 NFL Draft.
If the Jets lose to Miami on Sunday, they could climb as far as No. 3 in the NFL Draft order. That is the requirement for the Jets to significantly improve their standing from their draft projection heading into Sunday: No. 7 overall.
Almost every team in the top 10 will be in action and with the potential to alter the Jets fate. But at the top of the draft, that’s not the case.
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Cleveland’s season is already done and with a 3-14 record, the Browns are already guaranteed to pick higher than the four-win Jets. At 3-13 the Patriots could finish with the same record as the Jets if they beat the Bills today, but their strength of schedule is .469, significantly worse than the Jets’ .498 strength of schedule which locks them into a higher pick.
Other than those two teams, there’s a possibility the Jets could move past any other team by the end of Sunday afternoon, giving them an outside chance of picking No. 3 overall.
Here’s who Jets fans should be watching and rooting for Sunday:
Titans (3-13) over Texans: Houston has already clinched a playoff spot but will be playing to win and playing their starters against the Texans. That’s why the Texans are favorites on the road. Still if the Titans find a way to win as slight road underdogs the Jets would likely pass Tennessee in the draft order based on strength of schedule (if the Jets lose, of course).
Giants (3-13) over Eagles: The Giants could help the Jets in a big way if they can win their second straight game to end the season against an Eagles team resting its starters. The Giants are still underdogs but if they win, which feels like a real possibility given the Eagles would benefit from them falling in the draft, the Jets would likely have a better pick than the Giants if both teams finish with four wins.
Jaguars (4-12) over Colts: The Jaguars were the favorites to pick first a month ago, but two wins in their last five games have changed things. Still, because of strength of schedule, the Jags find a way to beat the Colts (they’re 3.5-point road underdogs) for the Jets to pass them in the draft order because Jacksonville has a significant advantage in the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker.
Panthers (4-12) over Falcons: The Panthers and Jets are tied in strength of schedule and record, and that likely won’t be ironed out until every game is played Sunday. But with the Falcons in a must-win situation, Jets fans should be hoping they play spoiler and finish with five wins which would guarantee the Jets pass them with a loss Sunday.
Bears (4-12) over Packers: The Packers are double-digit favorites so it seems likely the Bears will lose their 11th straight. But if the Jets lose they’ll finish ahead of the Bears in the draft order no matter what because of strength of schedule.
Raiders (4-12) over Chargers: Another team that can’t pass the Jets in the draft order if the Jets lose on Sunday because of strength of schedule. The Chargers are playing their starters against the Raiders, despite already clinching their playoff spot.
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Andy Vasquez may be reached at avasquez@njadvancemedia.com.
