Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order
As the NFL determines how it will proceed with the postponed Bills-Bengals game, Week 18 is on as scheduled. The No. 1 overall pick remains in doubt, and seven teams enter the final week either 6-10 or 7-9. Several games will impact how the top 10 shakes out.
Having lost nine straight, the Bears (3-13) are a half-game behind the Texans (2-13-1) for the No. 1 overall pick. Houston last held that draft slot in 2014, while Chicago has not picked first since 1947. The Texans are also playing a Colts team they tied in Week 1; Indianapolis enters Week 18 on a six-game skid. Conversely, the Bears face a Vikings squad that still has a path to the NFC’s No. 2 seed.
Week 17 also brought clarity on the NFC South. Although the Buccaneers have disappointed, their comeback win over the Panthers secured the franchise’s third straight playoff berth. That will mean Tampa Bay’s pick will check in no higher than 18th overall, while the Carolina and New Orleans slots could land in the top 10. The loser of Saturday’s Jaguars-Titans game would also see their draft slot rise several positions. Four of the five traded picks remain in the top 12, with the Seahawks’ spot (via the Broncos) still slotting highest — behind only the Texans and Bears’ positions.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2022 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is how the draft order looks entering Week 18:
- Houston Texans: 2-13-1
- Chicago Bears: 3-13
- Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)
- Arizona Cardinals: 4-12
- Indianapolis Colts: 4-11-1
- Detroit Lions (via Rams)
- Atlanta Falcons: 6-10
- Las Vegas Raiders: 6-10
- Carolina Panthers: 6-10
- Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints)
- Tennessee Titans: 7-9
- Houston Texans (via Browns)
- New York Jets: 7-9
- Washington Commanders: 7-8-1
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-8
- Green Bay Packers: 8-8
- Detroit Lions: 8-8
- Seattle Seahawks: 8-8
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-8
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-8
- New England Patriots: 8-8
- New York Giants: 9-6-1
- Baltimore Ravens: 10-6
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10-6
- Cincinnati Bengals: 11-4
- Minnesota Vikings: 12-4
- Dallas Cowboys: 12-4
- Denver Broncos (via 49ers)
- Buffalo Bills: 12-3
- Kansas City Chiefs: 13-3
- Philadelphia Eagles: 13-3
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/4/23
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: CB Daryl Worley
Buffalo Bills
- Signed off Jets practice squad: S Jared Mayden
- Waived: CB Xavier Rhodes
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: CB Josh Blackwell, G Teven Jenkins, OT Michael Schofield III
- Signed to active roster: LB DeMarquis Gates, DE Jalyn Holmes, LB Terrell Lewis
Dallas Cowboys
- Designated for return: G Matt Farniok
Detroit Lions
- Designated for return: CB Chase Lucas
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on IR: CB Kenny Moore II
- Signed off Jaguars practice squad: DE Rashod Berry
Minnesota Vikings
- Designated for return: DL Jonathan Bullard
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on NFI: RB Dwayne Washington
- Signed to active roster: WR Keith Kirkwood
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: TE Tyler Mabry
Washington Commanders
- Placed on IR: LB De’Jon Harris
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/3/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: G Koda Martin
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB John Reid
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Tarik Black
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LS Kameron Canaday
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Julian Stanford
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Austin Allen, K Matt Ammendola
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Sheldrick Redwine
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Jerrion Ealy
- Placed on IR: WR Cornell Powell
New York Giants
- Signed: WR David Sills
- Released: DT Jack Heflin
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: QB Jacob Eason
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Chris Steele, WR Connor Wedington
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DT Curtis Brooks, CB Shyheim Carter, LB Sam Okuayinonu
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/22
Today’s roster moves heading into gameday:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Andre Baccellia
- Promoted from practice squad: LS Hunter Bradley, S Josh Thomas
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: S Micah Abernathy
- Activated from IR: OL Matt Hennessy
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Josh Ali
- Placed on IR: T Chuma Edoga, S Jovante Moffatt
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: QB Anthony Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Andy Isabella, DT Rayshad Nichols
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: WR Andre Roberts
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Josh Norman, C Sam Tecklenburg
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: LB DeMarquis Gates, CB Greg Stroman
Detroit Lions
- Promoted from practice squad: S Brady Breeze
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: K Ramiz Ahmed, RB Tyler Goodson
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Keke Coutee, LB Segun Olubi
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted from practice squad: T Coy Cronk
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: QB Chase Garbers
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Ike Brown, T Sebastian Gutierrez
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: T Chandler Brewer
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jared Pinkney
- Waived: G Bobby Evans
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: T Kendall Lamm
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Josiah Bronson, LB Brennan Scarlett
- Placed on IR: DT Justin Zimmer
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: G Kyle Hinton, DL T.J. Smith
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: CB Tae Hayes
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Quandre Mosely, TE Matt Sokol
- Placed on IR: CB Jack Jones
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted from practice squad: G Josh Andrews, WR Keith Kirkwood
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: T Cedric Ogbuehi
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Chris Streveler
- Placed on IR: WR Jeff Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: P Brett Kern
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Renell Wren
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Tay Martin, DL Kemoko Turay
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: LB Vi Jones
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Cade Johnson, TE Tyler Mabry
- Placed on IR: WR Marquise Goodwin
Washington Commanders
- Signed to active roster: DT David Bada
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Troy Apke, RB Jaret Patterson
- Waived: DT Daniel Wise
Ravens To Start Tyler Huntley In Week 17
1:58pm: It will be Huntley for a fourth straight game. The Ravens have ruled out Jackson for Week 17.
12:27pm: Lamar Jackson‘s return timetable looks set to be pushed back another week. John Harbaugh said Friday it is a “fair assumption” Tyler Huntley will start against the Steelers.
This will be Huntley’s fourth start this season and ninth over the past two. Jackson’s initial timetable did not indicate he could miss four games, but it appears the Ravens will now hope for a Week 18 return. Jackson has not practiced since suffering a PCL sprain nearly a month ago. The Steelers will be set to face Huntley twice this season; the Ravens won the teams’ first matchup.
The Ravens have been going week to week with Jackson, but his lack of practice time puts his availability for the regular-season finale in doubt. Initial reports pegged a two- or three-game absence as the scenario to expect. Jackson has not undergone surgery, as Zach Wilson did to address his PCL injury in August. Wilson, however, also ended up missing more time than was initially forecasted. He went down August 13 and was given a two- to four-week return timeline, but the second-year Jets QB did not come back until Week 4.
Baltimore has clinched a playoff spot, winning two of Huntley’s three starts. The team has not exactly seen much from its passing attack during Huntley’s second go-round under center. Huntley averaged 193 passing yards per game during his four starts last season. In three this year, the former UDFA is averaging 113.7 per game. Of course, the Ravens’ receiving situation has taken multiple hits. Rashod Bateman has been out since October, and Devin Duvernay joined him on IR recently. Both wideouts are done for the season, increasing Huntley’s degree of difficulty.
The Ravens are 10-5, but if Jackson does not return until the postseason, the team will be unlikely to hold onto the No. 5 seed. Football Outsiders still gives the defensively powered team a 38% chance to stay in the 5 slot, where a Jaguars or Titans matchup would await, and views it as slightly more likely the Ravens win the AFC North than drop to the No. 6 seed. The 10-7 team will continue to hold out hope for Jackson to return, but a Bengals win and a Ravens loss this week would clinch a second straight division title for Cincinnati.
Notable Incentives Still In Play For 2022
As we head into Week 17, a number of players still have key incentives available. Here is a handful of the notable escalators in reach — many involving Smiths — courtesy of SI.com’s Albert Breer.
- Justin Houston, OLB (Ravens): Already collecting $1MM by reaching 7.5 sacks, the 12th-year pass rusher (nine sacks) can move that number to $1.5MM by getting to 10.
- Christian Kirk, WR (Jaguars): The big-ticket Jags signing can collect $500K by hitting 80 receptions, with another $500K available if he reaches 90. Kirk has 76 catches. The ex-Cardinal (988 receiving yards) can also collect $1MM by surpassing 1,100.
- Raheem Mostert, RB (Dolphins): The offseason addition will almost certainly add $1MM to his 2022 earnings. By clearing 900 scrimmage yards, Mostert needs only the Dolphins to stay in the top 25 in total offense. Considering Miami ranks ninth, it is a good bet the ex-49er — who signed for one year and $2.2MM — will cash in.
- Geno Smith, QB (Seahawks): After already collecting $1MM for hitting playing-time incentives and $500K by making the Pro Bowl, Smith is likely to add another $1MM by eclipsing 4,000 passing yards for the first time. Smith, who signed for one year and $3.5MM, has 3,886 yards through 15 games.
- Preston Smith, OLB (Packers): Sitting on 8.5 sacks, the veteran edge rusher can collect $1MM by ballooning that number to 10. Another $1MM would be in play for Smith if he reached 12 sacks this season.
- Za’Darius Smith, OLB (Vikings): The 2022 Minnesota signee can up his incentive package to either $750K by hitting 10.5 sacks or $1MM by reaching 12.5. The veteran edge has 10 sacks through 15 games.
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR (Chiefs): Leading Chiefs wideouts in receiving yards (877) by a wide margin, Smith-Schuster is likely to enhance his already-impressive incentive collection by topping 900 receiving yards. That would put the ex-Steeler at $3MM in total incentives earned. Signing a one-year deal worth $3.76MM, Smith-Schuster has already collected $2.5MM in escalators.
- J.J. Watt, DL (Cardinals): Lastly, the retiring D-lineman collected $900K by reaching nine sacks (9.5); he can bump that number to $1MM by tallying a 10th sack over the team’s final two games.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/22
Here are today’s minor moves from around the league, including the Cowboys’ and Titans’ standard gameday elevations for the season’s last Thursday Night game:
Buffalo Bills
- Designated to return from IR: CB Christian Benford
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: C Brock Hoffman, RB Qadree Ollison
Denver Broncos
- Signed off Ravens practice squad: RB Tyler Badie
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: OLB Sam Okuayinonu, LB Andre Smith, RB Jonathan Ward
- Promoted from practice squad: OL Zack Johnson, DL Jayden Peevy
Badie is a rookie sixth-round pick that failed to make the Ravens initial 53-man roster. The 22-year-old had a breakout senior season at Mizzou that saw him rush for 1,604 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 330 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns, as well. After being waived in the team’s final roster cuts before the season, Badie signed to the Ravens practice squad, where he’s remained all season. Badie adds to the quantity of the Broncos’ room of running backs that currently holds Latavius Murray, Chase Edmonds, and Marlon Mack, as well as fullback Andrew Beck.
The three Titans’ signees are filling roster spots vacated by quarterback Ryan Tannehill and linebackers Bud Dupree and Zach Cunningham, all of whom were placed on injured reserve today.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/22
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Pharoh Cooper, DL Manny Jones
- Placed on IR: S Budda Baker (story), DT Trysten Hill
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated for return: WR Jared Bernhardt
- Placed on IR: OL Chuma Edoga
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: WR Tylan Wallace
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to season-ending IR: WR Quintez Cephus
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: CB Darrell Baker Jr.
- Placed on IR: CB Isaiah Rodgers Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: DT Jeremiah Ledbetter
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: DE Isaac Rochell, LB Harvey Langi
- Placed on IR: DE Chandler Jones, LB Denzel Perryman (story)
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Cardinals): OL Wyatt Davis
- Signed off Lions’ practice squad: LB Jarrad Davis
- Placed on IR: OL Shane Lemieux
- Waived: TE Chris Myarick
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Designated for return: CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return: CB Isaiah Dunn
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: RB Jonathan Ward
Washington Commanders
- Designated for return: CB Tariq Castro-Fields, TE Armani Rogers
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/28/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LS Hunter Bradley, CB Jordan Miller, CB Chris Wilcox
- Activated from practice squad IR: OL Lachavious Simmons
- Placed on practice squad IR: CB Nate Hairston
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from practice squad IR: WR Jared Bernhardt, OL Justin Shaffer
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DT Christian Ringo
- Terminated: RB Tyler Badie
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Greg Stroman Jr.
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB David Vereen
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: C Garrison Sanborn
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DL Trent Harris
- Activated from practice squad IR: OL Vitaliy Gurman
- Released: WR Albert Wilson
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/27/22
Here are today’s minor transactions from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: G Wyatt Davis
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: DT Isaiah Mack (claimed by Seahawks)
New York Jets
- Designated to return from IR: OT Cedric Ogbuehi
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed off Giants practice squad: LB Tae Crowder
- Placed on IR: LB Marcus Allen
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: LB J.J. Russell
- Placed on IR: T Josh Wells
Allen suffered a biceps injury in the Steelers win over Las Vegas, requiring surgery, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. With two games remaining and Pittsburgh in danger of elimination from postseason contention, Allen’s 2022 season has likely come to an end.