The Denver Broncos now know where its first round pick will come in the 2012 NFL Draft -- that is, as long as they don't trade up or down in the coming months or on the day of all the fun. The Broncos had the worst record (8-8) among teams remaining in the 2012 NFL Playoffs, which meant the team would slot in at No. 25 with a loss to the New England Patriots. That 45-10 final score in favor of the Patriots guaranteed that.
Also settling draft positions this week were the Houston Texans, the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. They took, in order, draft picks 26-28. Yes, the 15-1 Packers must now pick at No. 28. Such is the fate of a team that fell at Lambeau Field to the New York Giants.
The Giants will pick 29th overall if they fall to the San Francisco 49ers next week since they had just a 9-7 record during the regular season. The Ravens then come in with a 12-4 record while the Patriots and the 49ers are each 13-3.
This is the current draft order through the divisional round of the playoffs:
1. Indianapolis Colts, 2-14
2. St. Louis Rams, 2-14
3. Minnesota Vikings, 3-13
4. Cleveland Browns, 4-12
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4-12
6. Washington Redskins, 5-11
7. Jacksonville Jaguars, 5-11
8. Carolina Panthers, 6-10*
9. Miami Dolphins, 6-10*
10. Buffalo Bills, 6-10
T-11. Seattle Seahawks, 7-9*
T-11. Kansas City Chiefs, 7-9*
13. Arizona Cardinals, 8-8
14. Dallas Cowboys, 8-8
15. Philadelphia Eagles, 8-8
16. New York Jets, 8-8
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders, 8-8)
18. San Diego Chargers, 8-8
19. Chicago Bears, 8-8
20. Tennessee Titans, 9-7
21. Cincinnati Bengals, 9-7
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons, 10-6)
23. Detroit Lions, 10-6
24. Pittsburgh Steelers, 12-4
25. Denver Broncos, 8-8
26. Houston Texans, 10-6
27. New Orleans Saints, 13-3
28. Green Bay Packers 15-1
*Will be determined by coin flip, likely at the NFL Combine.
For in-depth coverage of the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. For more on the NFL, be sure to check out SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.