I agree with Dascow. After all these losses if we see teams with better records picking ahead of us, it will surely sting.
For me, the cutoff is #5 or #6 in the worst case scenario. That said, the optics may be different once we know exactly where the Jets finish in the standings. Finishing better than the bottom 3 greatly increases the odds of picking out of the top 5 or 6.
It isn't just teams with better records. It is certain teams plus some other teams who may actually have better rosters than us.
Regardless of where we finish and draft I am going to be pissed if the Oilers pick first again. No matter where they finish karma says they should drop the max 3 spots and everyone else move up accordingly.
I am also going to be unhappy if Toronto gets top 3 or worse, top 2 and they don't deserve #1 either. Lastly for Toronto I won't like them picking anywhere ahead of us. I won't begrudge them a top 5 as long as A) they fall at least 2 spots from their finish and B) they draft after us.
I also need to draft before either Arizona or Calgary.
As you can see I am not asking much.
Just let us win the lottery and the rest will work out well enough.
Although, TBH if we finish 29th and win the lottery I may complain that we only moved up 1 spot instead of 3.
