The Cleveland Browns' disappointing 2011 season is coming to an end. But the Browns have something to play for in Week 17, sort of: they could still earn the No. 3 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Mike Prada of SB Nation DC has the complete current projected 2012 NFL Draft order up, and throws in strength of schedule, used to break ties, as well. The Browns are currently slotted at the fifth pick, and their current strength of schedule (or opponents' winning percentage) is a relatively high 53 percent, meaning that they will lose tiebreakers to many teams if they end up tied with them.
But as Mocking the Draft noted back in November, the Minnesota Vikings' strength of schedule is actually very high, which could be good news for the Browns: should the Vikings win in Week 17 and finish tied with Cleveland, the Browns could well have a slightly lower strength of schedule than Minnesota.
That scenario, in which the Browns would claim the No. 3 pick, would require the Jacksonville Jaguars to win, too, so there wouldn't be another 4-12 team with a lower winning percentage than the Browns.
The worst-case scenario for Cleveland? With a win and losses by the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, the Browns would likely get the No. 6 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
For more on the Browns, visit Dawgs By Nature.