Bears updated draft positioning and how things could change based on the outcomes of the final week of the regular season

The Chicago Bears have been playing embarrassing football lately, but the compounding losses could lead to a good thing in the long run in terms of the final draft positioning.After the Bears' loss and the results of the other games in Week 17, Chicago holds the 9th overall pick heading into the final week of […]

Kole Noble — Chicago Bears News Writer
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Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears fans during a game against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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The Chicago Bears have been playing embarrassing football lately, but the compounding losses could lead to a good thing in the long run in terms of the final draft positioning.

After the Bears' loss and the results of the other games in Week 17, Chicago holds the 9th overall pick heading into the final week of the regular season.

A lot can still change in the coming weeks, depending on how the Bears and the rest of the league finish their final games. Here's what the current draft order looks like:

Updated Top-10 Entering Week 18

  1. New England Patriots (3-13) – Week 18 vs BUF
  2. Tennessee Titans (3-13) – Week 18 vs HOU
  3. Cleveland Browns (3-13) – Week 18 at BAL
  4. New York Giants (3-13) – Week 18 at PHI
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) – Week 18 at IND
  6. Carolina Panthers (4-12) – Week 18 at ATL
  7. New York Jets (4-12) – Week 18 vs MIA
  8. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12) – Week 18 vs LAC
  9. Chicago Bears (4-12) – Week 18 at GB
  10. New Orleans Saints (5-11) – Week 18 at TB

Right now, the Patriots have a strong hold on the first overall pick due to being tied for the worst record in the league and having lowest strength of schedule among the teams who are 3-13. A loss in Week 18 would wrap things up for the top pick but a win could push New England to potentially 5th overall.

For the Bears, the team currently holds the 9th overall pick with a 4-12 record, the same record as the four other teams listed above them. That's due to the team's strength of schedule that will only go up after Week 18's game against the Packers. It would take a loss to the Packers and wins by multiple of those four teams for the Bears to make any major move up the board.

At best, the Bears could have a Top-5 pick saying the Jaguars, Panthers, Jets, and Raiders all win in Week 18 and the Bears lose. A ridiculous set of circumstances could even get the Bears as high as 4 if each of the top eight teams win and the Bears lose, considering the Giants have a higher strength of schedule than Chicago and face the 13-3 Eagles this weekend. Even with a win over Green Bay and a loss by the Saints, the Bears would have at worst the 10th overall pick.

Best Scenario For Chicago

  1. New England Patriots (4-13)
  2. Tennessee Titans (4-13)
  3. Cleveland Browns (4-13)
  4. Chicago Bears (4-13)
  5. New York Giants (4-13)
  6. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-12)
  7. Carolina Panthers (5-12)
  8. New York Jets (5-12)
  9. Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)
  10. New Orleans Saints (6-11)

Worst Scenario For Chicago

  1. New England Patriots (3-14)
  2. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
  3. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
  4. New York Giants (3-14)
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)
  6. Carolina Panthers (4-13)
  7. New York Jets (4-13)
  8. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13)
  9. New Orleans Saints (5-12)
  10. Chicago Bears (5-12)

So, a lot is at stake this weekend in terms of what the draft board will look like in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

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