Draft order: Lions hold 3rd pick, won’t pick lower than 5

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Unless Detroit pulls off a big upset in Week 17, they’ll have their first top-three pick since 2010.

The Detroit Lions are in place to be picking in the top three in April’s NFL Draft, and they may not be done rising up the order.

Because Detroit lost their 11th game and the Giants and Dolphins both won their fourth game, the Lions are now placed third in draft order. Here’s a look at the draft order as of this posting.

1. Bengals: 1-14
2. Washington: 3-12
3. Lions: 3-11-1
4. Giants: 4-11
5. Dolphins: 4-11
6. Jaguars: 5-10
7. Chargers: 5-10
8. Panthers: 5-10
9. Cardinals: 5-9-1

The Lions are in striking distance for the No. 2 overall pick. Next week, the Lions host the Packers and Washington travels to Dallas for a game against the Cowboys. It’ll be a tough game for Washington to win. Earlier in the year, Washington lost 31-21 to the Cowboys. Dallas, having just lost to the Eagles in Week 16, will be playing for their playoff destiny in a must-win game. They need to win and the Eagles to lose next week.

In terms of how far the Lions can fall: if Detroit loses next week, they will pick no lower than third. If they beat the Packers, they will only drop as low as fifth. The Cardinals upset the Seahawks on Sunday, meaning there are only five teams that will finish with four wins or fewer.

Here’s a look at the important Week 17 matchups for Detroit.

Washington at Dallas
Lions at Packers
Eagles at Giants
Dolphins at Patriots

Considering the Packers will be playing for either a division title or a first-round bye in Week 17, there’s a good chance they’ll be motivated to beat Detroit in the season finale. If that’s the case, the Lions will have their hands full and will be staring down a top-three pick for the first time since the 2010 NFL Draft, where then selected Ndamukong Suh.

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