This is a look at the first-round order f with schedule strength serving as the first tiebreaker (for a complete list of draft-order tiebreakeror the 2024 NFL Draft as of Week 15 of the 2023 NFL season, as well as each team’s top five needs. The order is determined by record,s, go here). Keep in mind that in the order below, teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended today are denoted as PL (short for playoffs). The results of postseason play decide the selection order for playoff clubs.

Justin Fields showed off his dual-threat ability in the Bears’ upset win against the Lions on Sunday, something he may need to do more of in the next four weeks to secure his future with the team. Chicago general manager Ryan Poles has until May 2 to decide whether to exercise Fields’ fifth-year option, which would bind the quarterback to the team for at least the next two seasons. The way Carolina’s season is going, it appears that the Bears will have one of the top two picks in the draft – and hence the opportunity to start over under center with an excellent talent. It’s difficult to overestimate the importance of the next four weeks for this team.

Even though Bailey Zappe gave the squad a ray of hope in the first half of the team’s win at Pittsburgh, New England’s offensive problems begin at quarterback. Zappe connected with Hunter Henry with two touchdowns on Thursday, but the veteran tight end, Mike Gesicki, and Pharaoh Brown are all free agents. One of those veterans could return in 2024, but expect the Patriots to find another option in the draft’s middle rounds.

If the Cardinals are to challenge for a postseason spot in 2024, they must reconstruct the interior of their offensive line. Trystan Colon-Castillo, Pat Elflein, and Elijah Wilkinson are all set to become free agents at the end of the season, so upgrades and depth at left guard and center appear to be on the way. Will Hernandez, the team’s right guard, will also be in the final year of his contract.

After trading previous first-round pass rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the trade deadline, the Commanders now have two extra Day 2 picks in this year’s draft. If the team does not use its first-round pick on the position, it will almost certainly use one of the Friday picks – and possibly even one on Saturday – to improve the talent on what is currently scheduled to be a very good edge group in 2024.

The Giants’ receiving corps has some parts, with Darius Slayton and rookie Jalen Hyatt providing downfield threats and Wan’Dale Robinson showing slot potential. However, veterans Parris Campbell and Sterling Shepard are about to become free agents, and Slayton is entering his contract year. Finding a solid value in the middle rounds appears reasonable.

Because Adam Butler, Bilal Nichols, and John Jenkins are all in the final year of their contracts, the Raiders will most likely bolster their defensive line through the draft. They started rebuilding their front last April with the picks of Byron Young (Round 3) and Nesta Jade Silvera (Round 7); anticipate them to continue refilling the group with a pick on Day 3.

Cornerback is a critical position for the Titans in 2024. Veterans Sean Murphy-Bunting (who suffered a knee injury on Monday) and Kristian Fulton are poised to become free agents, while former first-round choice Caleb Farley has appeared in just 12 games in his three-year career, none of which have been this season. Roger McCreary has been reliable since Tennessee drafted him in the second round in 2022, but the team needs to add at least one outside corner in the first half of the draft in April.

After missing the entire season due to a ruptured ACL suffered in June, veteran safety Chuck Clark could re-sign for 2024. However, with Adrian Amos just released and Jordan Whitehead and Ashtyn Davis ready to enter free agency, the team must address the safety position this summer.