The 2025 NFL regular season is in its final month, and teams that are out of playoff contention are already mapping out their 2026 draft plans. With eight teams holding two or three wins, the draft order is set to be decided by tiebreakers that could shift depending on the last week of games.
Draft Order Snapshot
The updated first‑round draft order for the non‑playoff teams entering Week 15 places the New York Giants first, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders and the Tennessee Titans. Cam Ward, the Titans’ first‑round pick last year, led the team to a second victory in Week 14 over the Cleveland Browns, who now sit at the fourth pick behind the Giants, Raiders and Titans.
The full order is:
- New York Giants – 2‑11 (.534 SOS)
- Las Vegas Raiders – 2‑11 (.548 SOS)
- Tennessee Titans – 2‑11 (.573 SOS)
- Cleveland Browns – 3‑10 (.486 SOS)
- New Orleans Saints – 3‑10 (.498 SOS)
- Washington Commanders – 3‑10 (.511 SOS)
- New York Jets – 3‑10 (.541 SOS)
- Arizona Cardinals – 3‑10 (.570 SOS)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons, 4‑9) – (.502 SOS)
- Cincinnati Bengals – 4‑9 (.523 SOS)
- Minnesota Vikings – 5‑8 (.523 SOS)
- Miami Dolphins – 6‑7 (.482 SOS)
- Baltimore Ravens – 6‑7 (.509 SOS)
- Kansas City Chiefs – 6‑7 (.511 SOS)
- Dallas Cowboys – 6‑6‑1 (.447 SOS)
- Carolina Panthers – 7‑6 (.516 SOS)
- Detroit Lions – 8‑5 (.498 SOS)
- New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts, 8‑5) – (.518 SOS)
Tiebreaker Rules
Because many teams share identical records, the draft position is determined by strength of schedule (SOS). The team with the easier SOS receives the better pick, as shown in the list above.
Trades to Watch
Two of the projected top 18 picks are already changing hands for 2026:
- The Atlanta Falcons’ first‑round pick is moving to the Los Angeles Rams.
- The Indianapolis Colts’ first‑round pick is moving to the New York Jets.
Combine Preview
The NFL Scouting Combine remains the key event for prospects to demonstrate their skills. Draft‑ready players will run the six core drills that teams use to evaluate talent.
Key Takeaways
- The Giants lead the 2026 first‑round draft order through Week 14.
- Falcons and Colts first‑round picks are trading to Rams and Jets, respectively.
- Strength of schedule is the decisive tiebreaker among teams with identical records.
The draft landscape is already taking shape as the regular season winds down, giving teams a clear roadmap for the upcoming 2026 draft.
