Heading into Week 17, the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams are tied for the worst record in the NFL, at 2-13. With Andrew Luck, easily the most hyped college prospect in a decade, looming, the race for the No. 1 overall pick is as interesting and important to some as the races for the final Wild Card spots.
If the season ended today, the Rams would hold the second overall pick, by virtue of the Colts having a worse strength of schedule. But of course, the season doesn't end today, and thanks to Indy's surprise victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday, the top pick is still up for grabs. If the Colts lose in Week 17, the pick will be Indy's, regardless of what happens with the Rams. But a Colts win coupled with a Rams loss would give the No. 1 pick to St. Louis.
The Colts will travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars next week, while the Rams will host the San Francisco 49ers. Here's the current projected draft order, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:
Projected draft order as of today:1. Colts; 2. Rams; 3. Vikes; 4. Browns; 5. Jags; 6. Bucs; 7. Redskins; 8. Dolphins; 9. Panthers; 10.Bills
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 25, 2011
For more on the Rams, check out Turf Show Times, SB Nation's St. Louis Rams blog. For more details on the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft, be sure to drop by Mocking the Draft.