NFL Draft Preview: Carolina Panthers Holding First Pick As Order Becomes Clearer

The 2011 NFL draft is still months away, yet the top of the draft order becomes clearer and clearer with each passing week. While the NFL world is far from focusing on the NFL draft it's never too early to take a peak at which team could be picking where.

Because of the complexity of tiebreakers and the fact that there is still three games left in the season, I'm not going to try to pinpoint where each team will fall.

Instead I've chosen to group the teams in the range where they will most likely wind up.

Without further ado, here is a look at the 2011 NFL draft order.

Picks No. 1-7

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled for a safety by Trevor Pryce #93 of the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated t

Carolina Panthers (1-12): The Panthers currently have hold of the No. 1 pick and the only potential roadblock from getting the top pick would be if they beat the Arizona Cardinals at home this Sunday. Carolina finishes the season with two tough road games against Pittsburgh and Atlanta.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-11): Like the Panthers, the Bengals have their best chance at winning another game against Cleveland this weekend. After that they finish up the season against two playoff-caliber teams in San Diego and Baltimore.

Buffalo Bills (3-10): Buffalo's been competitive this season and could easily have more than three wins if the ball would have bounced its way in certain situations. Regardless the Bills will be rewarded with a higher pick in April's draft.

Detroit Lions (3-10): This is an up-and-coming-team that will find themselves once again picking in the Top 10. Getting Matthew Stafford back next year will help plus adding another high-caliber player could be what helps the Lions restore the roar.

Denver Broncos (3-10): It's been a disastrous season in Denver and things are unlikely to turn around before the season is over. A Top 5 pick seems inevitable for the Broncos. 

Dallas Cowboys (4-9): After the firing of Wade Phillips the Cowboys have gone 3-2 under Jason Garrett's lead. The Cowboys have Washington this weekend and close out the season with games against Arizona and Philadelphia. This team is capable of winning a couple more which would potentially knock them out of Top 10.

Arizona Cardinals (4-9): Arizona meets the NFL's worst team this weekend which very well could be their last chance at a W this season. The post-Kurt Warner era has gotten off to a poor start and a high draft pick to find a new signal-caller is just what the Cards need.

Picks No. 8-13

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 13: Tavaris Jackson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings calls signals over center while playing the New York Giants at Ford Field on December 13, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New York won the game 21-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Tennessee Titans (5-8): If the Titans keep their six-game losing streak going throughout the rest of season they will find themselves picking a few slots higher. This is a team in a state of flux with Vince Young's issues and Jeff Fisher's job up in the air. A high draft pick is exactly what the Titans need.

San Francisco 49ers (5-9): Mike Singletary may not be around for much longer after Thursday night's blowout loss to San Diego. Alex Smith is proving that he isn't the long-term answer at the quarterback position. The 49ers could find a QB in the draft, especially if they continue to free fall. 

Cleveland Browns (5-8): With Colt McCoy back under center the Browns are hoping to churn out a few more wins to close the season. Cleveland has spent too many years picking high in the draft and a strong finish would be more valuable to this team going forward than landing a couple spots higher in the draft.

Washington Redskins (5-8): The 'Skins are falling apart with Mike Shanahan leading the way. Washington was suppose to compete for a playoff spot with Donovan McNabb, instead they are going to most likely finish under .500 with a high draft pick.

Houston Texans (5-8): Houston is going to fall short of the playoffs once again, although they have a shot to finish the season strong with back-to-back games against Tennessee and Denver before finishing up at home against Jacksonville. Look for the Texans to win a couple down the stretch and end up with a lower pick.

Minnesota Vikings (5-8): It's been a disastrous season for the Vikes who are going to have to rebuild after this season. A strong finish may not be what's best for the Vikings long term future. This team needs a high pick. 

Picks No. 14-16

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs for yardage during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Oakland Raiders (6-7): The playoffs will have to wait another year for the Raiders most likely. Regardless of how things finish for Oakland it has been a successful season for a team that has become respectable again. Oakland will fall somewhere in the middle of the draft order.

Seattle Seahawks (6-7): Seattle is tied with St. Louis for the NFC West going into this weekend's game against Atlanta. The Seahawks' draft position will depend on whether or not they can oust the Rams for the division title. 

St. Louis Rams (6-7): The Rams are in the same situation as Seattle is. Winning the playoffs is the only open for either team to make the playoffs and whoever loses out will end up with a middle-of-the-order draft pick.

Picks No. 17-19

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts gives instructions to his team during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

This is the point where winning teams are brought into the equation which muddles everything. Once again these aren't projected landing spots, but it is the range these teams fall in when it comes to draft order currently based on their record (who's leading divisions is not taken into consideration).

Miami Dolphins (7-6): Hats off to the 'Phins for putting together a productive season to date. The quarterback play hasn't always been consistent, but the defense has been spectacular. In order for Miami to make the playoffs they are going to have to win out; it's a tall task and if they are unable to, this is where their draft pick is likely to wind up around.

Indianapolis Colts (7-6): Peyton Manning and co. square off with the Jaguars this weekend in a huge divisional showdown. If the Jags pull off the upset they will have a stranglehold on the AFC South and significantly hurt the Colts' playoff hopes. It's hard to believe that the Colts could be drafting before the 20's, but this isn't your typical Colts team.

San Diego Chargers (8-6): Philip Rivers has been fantastic this season and unless Kansas City starts to play better, the Chargers are going to stake claim of the division once again. San Diego falls in this draft position right now, but when the season finishes they will be drafting in the 20's.

Picks No. 20-23

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scrambles during the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by Larry Frenc

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5): Tampa Bay still has a shot at the playoffs, which would be rather impressive considering many experts would agree that the young Bucs are still a year away. Nevertheless they are in the hunt and more concerned with compiling wins than draft order.

Green Bay Packers (8-5): Aaron Rodgers concussion could ultimately cost the Packers an opportunity at the playoffs. The NFC is deep this season—excluding the NFC West—making Rodgers' concussion all the more devastating. Throw in the fact that their next three games are against New England, NY Giants and Chicago and it's easy to understand why Green Bay fans are uneasy right now. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5): As mentioned in the slide before, the Jaguars have a prime opportunity to claim the division with a win this Sunday over the Colts. The Jags have been a middle-of-the-pack team for so long that it would be nice to see them crack into the playoffs for a change.

Kansas City Chiefs (8-5): After getting blown out by the Chargers 31-0, it's hard to imagine this team with staining down the stretch to make the playoffs. Picking in the early 20's, just outside of the playoffs is where the Chiefs will most likely wind up.

Picks No. 24-28

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles on the sidelines against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Eagles (9-4): Michael Vick and co. are going to find themselves in the playoffs and have a shot at making a deep run. Where they will end up drafting is not on the minds of Eagles' fans.

NY Jets (9-4): Rex Ryan's team is falling apart at the wrong time and it's starting to look like the Jets aren't explosive enough on offense. As much hype as NY received this offseason it may have been more deserving next season. It's not too late for the Jets to turn it around, but drafting in this range seems realistic seeing as they will have to most likely hit the road in the first-round of the playoffs—if they make it.

Chicago Bears (9-4): Nobody had the Bears tabbed to win the division back in August. Fast forward to the middle of December and the Bears are the NFC North favorites. A first-round bye is still up for grabs for Lovie Smith's crew. And like the Eagles, Chicago is going to be drafting lower.

Baltimore Ravens (9-4): The Ravens are struggling of late and after Sunday's contest against New Orleans, Baltimore will close out the season with games against Cleveland and Cincinnati. Unless Pittsburgh slips up, the division is out of the Ravens' hands. This is a realistic landing spot for Baltimore come April.

NY Giants (9-4): NY is currently battling the Eagles for the division title and possibly a first-round bye. Either the Eagles or the Giants are going to wind up in this range.

Picks No. 29-32

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

New Orleans Saints (10-3): If the Saints are to fall in this range they are going to need Atlanta to collapse down the stretch of the season or win on the road in the playoffs. New Orleans is clicking on all cylinders again and will be a difficult team come playoff time. Winning another Super Bowl and picking last in April for the second straight year is possible for this team.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3): The Steelers drafted a lot higher than they would have liked to last year and have done their best to make sure it was a one year thing. A first-round bye and a division title will be pretty much wrapped off if the Steelers can hold off the Jets this weekend. 

Atlanta Falcons (11-2): It's been a special season for the Falcons who have cruised through the regular season. This isn't a flashy team by any means, but they get the job done. Picking any higher in the draft would be a major disappointment for the Falcons.

New England Patriots (11-2): The NFL's best team once again is the Patriots. With Tom Brady playing the way he is the Pats are a virtual lock to be drafting this low.