Coin flip to decide Falcons' draft spot

February tiebreaker to include Raiders, Chiefs

By CHRIS VIVLAMORE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/31/07

The Falcons will select third, fourth or fifth in the 2008 NFL draft — they just won't know until February.

The Falcons finished tied with Oakland and Kansas City in the draft order and a tie-breaking coin flip will be held at the scouting combine February in Indianapolis.

All three teams, plus the New York Jets, finished the season 4-12. The Falcons, Chiefs and Raiders had the same strength-of-schedule, creating the three-way tie. Since Kansas City finished third in the AFC West and the Raiders fourth, the tie between them was broken on the basis of the Chiefs' 3-11 record in common games while the Raiders were 2-12). That means that the Raiders will draft ahead of the Chiefs. The Falcons and Raiders will flip a coin for the third position; if Atlanta wins, the Falcons will draft third, the Raiders fourth and the Chiefs fifth. If the Raiders win the coin flip, they will draft third, and the Falcons and Chiefs will flip a coin to determine the fourth and fifth positions.

The Jets had a tougher strength of schedule than the three other teams tied with 4-12 records and will pick sixth.

Miami (1-15) and St. Louis (3-13) will make the first two picks.

San Francisco and Baltimore both finished 5-11. New England, which owns the 49ers' first-round pick, will select seventh and the Ravens eighth based on strength of schedule.

Seven teams tied with 7-9 records. Next are four teams at 8-8, including Houston. Since the Falcons receive the Texans' second-round pick from the Matt Schaub trade, they will also make the18th selection in the second round.


TENTATIVE DRAFT ORDER OF FINISH

(Does not include pending trades)

1. Miami

2. St. Louis

3-5. Falcons/Oakland/Kansas City

6. New York Jets

7. San Francisco

8. Baltimore

9. Cincinnati

10. New Orleans

11. Buffalo

12. Denver

13. Carolina

14. Chicago

15. Detroit

16. Arizona

17. Minnesota

18. Houston

19. Philadelphia

20. Tampa Bay*

21. Washington*

22. Cleveland

23. Seattle*

24. Pittsburgh*

25. Tennessee*

26. New York Giants*

27. San Diego*

28. Jacksonville*

29. Green Bay*

30. Dallas*

31. Indianapolis*

32. New England*

* — Subject to playoffs