NFL Draft Order: Which Week 17 Losers Will Crack the Top 10?

 It won't be all bad for week 17 losers in the NFL. For many of the teams already outside of the playoff race a loss would be beneficial, allowing them to move up in the 2012 NFL Draft next April in order to improve in areas they are weak.

Ringing in the new year with a loss has never felt so good for these teams, who will crack the top 10 of the NFL Draft order with a defeat on Sunday.

Miami Dolphins (5-10)

The Dolphins could be picking anywhere from No. 4 to No. 11 in the 2012 NFL Draft depending on what kind of a result they get Sunday against the NY Jets.

With a win, Miami could potentially rise out of the top 10 and wind up hurting themselves long-term, while a loss, which is expected and likely to be the case given the Jets' playoff needs, could shoot them into the top five, potentially pending multiple victories by the Browns, Jaguars, Buccaneers and Redskins.

No matter what happens though, Miami will be crack the top 10 in week 17 while wrapping up the season 5-11. NY blasted the Dolphins 24-6 in the first meeting back in week 6.

Carolina Panthers (6-9)

Carolina will visit New Orleans on Sunday to play the Saints, who are still shooting for the NFC's No. 2 seed and a first round bye, which will have them flying around the Superdome.

Cam Newton nearly helped the Panthers pull off an upset against the Saints in week 5, but on the road, forget about it. The Saints are 7-0 at home this season and the Panthers sport a 3-4 road mark. 

A loss drops Carolina to 6-10 on the season, keeping them above fellow six-win teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo Bills (6-9)

Tom Brady and the Patriots will be playing to clinch the AFC's No. 1 overall seed this Sunday in Foxboro when the Bills come to town, and Buffalo has looked hopeless the second half of the season.

They are 1-6 on the road and that should tell you all you need to know. Buffalo has clearly been struck by massive injuries this season to critical players, so a top 10 draft pick will do them good.

Like Carolina, Buffalo is on the fringe of snagging a superior draft pick, and they will get it in week 17.

Current 2012 NFL Draft Order
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13)
2. St. Louis Rams (2-13)
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12)
4. Cleveland Browns (4-11)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11)
7. Washington Redskins (5-10)
8. Miami Dolphins (5-10)
9. Carolina Panthers (6-9)
10. Buffalo Bills (6-9)
11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)
12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8)
14. Seattle Seahawks (7-8)
15. San Diego Chargers (7-8)
16. Chicago Bears (7-8)
17. Tennessee Titans (8-7)
18. Dallas Cowboys (8-7)
19. New York Jets (8-7)
20. Oakland Raiders (8-7)
21. New York Giants (8-7)
22. Denver Broncos (8-7)
23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)
24. Cleveland Browns (4-11)
25. Houston Texans (10-5)
26. Detroit Lions (10-5)
27. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4)
28. Baltimore Ravens (11-4)
29. San Francisco 49ers (12-3)
30. New Orleans Saints (12-3)
31. New England Patriots (12-3)
32. Green Bay Packers (14-1)