2025 NFL draft order shuffles dramatically after week 8 upsets

The 2025 NFL draft order has shifted drastically after a tumultuous week 8. This drastic shift contains some unexpected twists, where underperformers and newcomers have been placed at the top of the list. Battling for the highest picks at the moment we find teams like Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Jets, and the order is starting to reveal a complex picture of potential high-stakes changes for the league. This article will break down the Week 8 standings and some potential strategic moves. 

The increasing fan engagement 

Before diving deep into the activities of week 8, this article will start out with a shoutout to the growing fan engagement of NFL fans. The amount of NFL fans engaging in online sports betting to support and potentially gain from their favorite teams has been increasing in the past year. Projections from the American Gaming Association predicts that U.S. adults will wager $35 billion this NFL season, which would be a 30% growth from last year. Beyond sports betting, NFL fandom is experiencing a rise in interactive online games.

A game like Aviator bet has become popular, as it has many similarities to betting on sports. This game is about placing a wager and observing a plane take off, leaving it up to the player to decide when to pull the stakes. If the stakes are pulled too late, the plane will crash, and the wager is lost. Hence, many NFL fans have used Aviator bet as a good tool to practice betting activities, to increase stamina and become more skilled in making predictions and living with the unpredictability of luck. 

A battle for the no. 1 pick: Panthers, Titans, and New England Patriots in contention

As of week 8, the Carolina Panthers holds the top draft position with a bleak 1 – 7 record. This is a familiar spot for the team. The team did however experience a challenging season in 2024, but finally the Bears are near the top of the draft. The main goal for the team is to identify a transformative player who can energize the struggling offense of the team. The Carolina Panthers do still lack offensive power to ensure wins consistently. 

The Tennessee Titans, who are currently 1 – 6, are closely behind the Panthers. The past season contained a bad offense, which has now positioned them for a high pick, trying to probably invest in a quarterback and a playmaking receiver. The team does have promising talent on defense, and the Titans are positioned to have a prime draft position, which would reinforce their core players and provide additional offensive support. 

Lastly, when looking at the top-three position, the New England Patriots are up for a position with a 2 – 6 record. The defense of the team has shown flashes of resilience; however the offensive struggle of the team is apparent, which results in the team needing both defensive and offensive playmakers. The former first-rounder Christian Gonzalez is locked into one starting spot, but there might be a spot opening on the opposite side of the field if neither Jonathan Jones nor Marco Wilson are re-signed. 

Jets’ shocking fall lands them a top-five pick

A surprising development that many fans did not see coming is the New York Jets position. They are currently holding the fifth position with a 2 – 6 record. When entering the season, the team had high expectations after acquiring the star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately for the team, his contract expires after the ’25 season, which means the team needs to work on a succession plan for when he leaves.  

This situation has had both fans and analysts speculating whether a potential top signal-callers selection is necessary to remain in the top five. However, when moving into the second half of the season, the Jets can still manage to climb the rankings. However, their current position highlights the unpredictable nature of the NFL season. 

Other teams making draft moves Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Giants

Another high-profile team that is currently in unexpected territory is the Cleveland Browns, which is holding the fourth draft position at 2 – 6. After a series of uninspired performances, the Browns are facing growing concerns over quarterback and his ability to lead the team into a new era. There is a chance that head coach Kevin Stefanski instead will see this draft as an opportunity to secure a new face for the Browns, or maybe bolster the defense of the team. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars with 2 – 6, and New York Giants with 2 – 6 are rounding out the top eight picks. For the Giants, the top pass-catchers are expected to be Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. For the Jaguars, the team is expected to pick up another back-end defender in the middle rounds of the draft. 

Concluding remarks

With nine weeks remaining in the season, the final draft order is far from set. Some of the upcoming key games can shift the rankings, with some teams further down the ladder showing promise to change the game and the draft positions.