The Aftermath: 2014 Draft Order

The 2013 season that started with low expectations, then with a glimmer of hope, has nosedived and mercilessly come to an end.  The future of head coach Dennis Allen and perhaps even GM Reggie McKenzie is up in the air.  Several one and done contracts are also coming off the books as well as the uncertainty of key veterans Lamarr Houston and Jared Veldheer.  What will happen next is anyone's guess.

What is now certain is the upcoming 2014 draft order.  Below are the 20 slots set in stone with the final 12 playoff teams to be sorted after the post season.  The Raiders are sitting at #5.  Drafting either ahead of the Jaguars or the Browns would have been best case scenario given the 4-12 record.  That pick would have been a better trade chip for moving down and getting picks, especially from the Browns who have multiple picks in 2 of the 3 rounds.

There is a real possibility that the Raiders could end up selecting Jadaveon Clowney.  That domino would fall if Houston's rumored to be new HC Bill O'Brien wants his own QB to start his career.  The Rams most likely will end up selecting offensive tackle, especially with Jake Long blowing out his knee.  The Jaguars and Browns could both reach for the aforementioned Derek Carr and Blake Bortles.  Which leads us to the Raiders.  They could have two potential defensive studs to select from: Jadaveon Clowney or Anthony Barr.

That was best case scenario for staying put.  Here's one scenario where the Raiders could definitely be looking to drop down and get additional picks: Texans draft Clowney.  Rams draft OT Jake Matthews, Jaguars draft Teddy Bridgewater, Browns draft Derek Carr.  Raiders could swap picks with either of the QB needy Buccaneers or Vikings and end up with an additional pick.  A big factor to be mindful of is that the picks could be effected by who the Texans, Browns and Bucs (so far) end up hiring as the new head coach.

There's a lot of time from now till then and it will be fun to see how it all shakes out.

updated 1/12/2014
1. Texans

2. Rams (via Redskins)

3. Jaguars

4. Browns

5. Raiders

6. Falcons

7. Buccaneers

8. Vikings

9. Bills

10. Lions

11. Titans

12. Giants

13. Rams

14. Bears

15. Steelers

16. Cowboys / Ravens (coin flip)

17. Cowboys / Ravens (coin flip)

18. Jets

19. Dolphins

20. Cardinals

21. Packers

22. Eagles

23. Chiefs

24. Bengals

25. Chargers

26. Browns (via Colts)

27. Saints

28. Panthers