This is a look at the first-round order for the 2026 NFL Draft heading into Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season, along with the top five needs for each team. The order is determined by record, using strength of schedule as the first tiebreaker (click here to see a full list of the draft-order tiebreakers). Keep in mind -- teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended today are marked as PL (short for playoffs) in the order below. The draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results of postseason play.
2026 NFL Draft order, Picks 1-18
Strength of schedule: .623
Remaining SOS: .493 (20)
Week 10 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB, IOL, DL
The Titans are currently positioned to pick No. 1 overall for the second consecutive year. With Cam Ward entrenched under center, Tennessee could lock in on the draft's top edge rusher or try to trade the pick to a QB-needy team for a bounty. The holes up and down the Titans' roster suggests the latter would be the more likely outcome.
Strength of schedule: .627
Remaining SOS: .382 (31)
Week 10 opponent: at Panthers
Biggest needs: QB, IOL, Edge, CB, WR
The Saints haven't selected a quarterback in the first round since ... using the second overall pick on Archie Manning in 1971. Is New Orleans poised to snap that streak with another No. 2 overall QB in 2026? Perhaps. But if 2025 second-rounder Tyler Shough shows enough growth over the second half of the season to stake his claim to the job, the franchise could instead target an elite edge rusher with its first pick in April.
Strength of schedule: .543
Remaining SOS: .474 (T-22)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Browns
Biggest needs: QB, CB, IOL, WR, DL
The Jets are holding two first-round picks in 2026 after trading Sauce Gardner to the Colts, but they also have a glaring need to address at cornerback. There's a massive void to fill at defensive tackle, too, with Quinnen Williams being dealt to the Cowboys.
Strength of schedule: .526
Remaining SOS: .471 (25)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Bills
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, OT, QB, TE
Hard to know which direction they will go this offseason, considering how much uncertainty is currently swirling around this club. If the franchise decides not to reset at quarterback, then I would think investing more resources along the O-line would make sense.
Strength of schedule: .551
Remaining SOS: .522 (T-11)
Week 10 opponent: at Bears
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, WR, CB, RB
The Giants could use an elite perimeter defender to complement the heavy investment they've already made up front. Of course, providing Jaxson Dart with more playmakers wouldn't hurt, either.
Strength of schedule: .515
Remaining SOS: .427 (30)
Week 10 opponent: at Jets
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, QB, WR, CB
The Browns have three QBs under contract for next season (Dillon Gabriel, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders) and not one is a lock to be the team's Week 1 starter. So, until someone steps up and earns the gig, the position should remain a high priority.
Strength of schedule: .557
Remaining SOS: .532 (10)
Week 10 opponent: at Broncos | TNF
Biggest needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR, OT
Cornerbacks Darnay Holmes and Eric Stokes are ticketed for free agency, so Vegas could use more depth in its secondary.
Strength of schedule: .500
Remaining SOS: .522 (14)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Lions
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, LB, IOL
Injuries took another huge bite out of the Commanders during Sunday night's loss to Seattle. Marshon Lattimore (who turns 30 in May) suffered a torn ACL and rookie Trey Amos was also injured, revealing a lack of corner depth that must be addressed in April.
Strength of schedule: .541
Remaining SOS: .470 (26)
Week 10 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: Edge, OT, IOL, CB, S
With Geno Stone heading for the open market this offseason and Jordan Battle entering a contract year in 2026, safety is an area the Bengals will need to address. It's probably worth prioritizing in free agency and the draft.
Strength of schedule: .500
Remaining SOS: .595 (1)
Week 10 opponent: at Seahawks
Biggest needs: OT, WR, RB, DL, IOL
Calais Campbell continues to defy the odds at 39 years old, but the impending free agent can’t play forever. (Right?) The Cardinals seem likely to add a young defensive lineman via the draft, especially if they move on from guys like Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols to clear cap space.
Strength of schedule: .515
Remaining SOS: .473 (24)
Week 10 opponent: at Vikings
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, IOL, DL, CB
Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews, Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely – all of whom are impending free agents – accounted for 105 yards and three scores on seven receptions in the team's Week 9 win over the Dolphins. Baltimore could make a play to keep the band together, but they will probably lose at least one of them this offseason.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Falcons' record: 3-5
Strength of schedule: .565
Remaining SOS: .474 (T-22)
Falcons' Week 10 opponent: vs. Colts in Berlin
Rams' Biggest needs: QB, OT, CB, S, LB
The Rams' leading tackler, Nate Landman, should garner interest as a free agent this spring. A Day 3 selection could battle Shaun Dolac for the starting spot opposite Omar Speights at inside linebacker in 2026.
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Falcons' needs.
Strength of schedule: .597
Remaining SOS: .545 (T-5)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Jaguars
Biggest needs: IOL, DL, OT, LB, RB
The Texans made big changes on the offensive line this past offseason, and they still have work to do to provide C.J. Stroud with a reliable front five. They could try Tytus Howard at guard again in 2026 and then select a right tackle in the top half of the draft to compete with 2024 second-rounder Blake Fisher.
Strength of schedule: .493
Remaining SOS: .485 (21)
Week 10 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, RB, S, CB
Injuries have significantly hindered the Cowboys at cornerback in recent years, leaving the team without DaRon Bland and/or Trevon Diggs for prolonged periods. Also, Kaiir Elam is due to become a free agent, potentially leaving the team in dire need at the position.
Strength of schedule: .530
Remaining SOS: .513 (16)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Ravens
Biggest needs: CB, LB, S, WR, DL
Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson and Tai Felton are all under contract beyond this season. Jalen Nailor and Adam Thielen are impending free agents, though, so picking a speedy slot receiver in the middle of the draft would make a lot of sense.
Strength of schedule: .480
Remaining SOS: .522 (T-11)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Saints
Biggest needs: IOL, S, LB, QB, OT
I’m expecting Bryce Young to return as the Panthers’ QB1 in 2026, but backup Andy Dalton will turn 39 next season. A young passer with starting-caliber upside should be added to the depth chart.
Strength of schedule: .507
Remaining SOS: .521 (15)
Week 10 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: TE, CB, RB, Edge, WR
Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster are headed for unrestricted free agency, while Tyquan Thornton will be a restricted free agent in 2026. So, I’ll be looking for the Chiefs to draft a young pass-catcher to join Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice in the receiving corps.
Strength of schedule: .360
Remaining SOS: .554 (T-3)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Giants
Biggest needs: S, Edge, OT, DL, CB
I’m expecting the Bears to target a cornerback in the 2026 draft. Nahshon Wright, Jaylon Jones and Nick McCloud are all approaching free agency, while Tyrique Stevenson has only one year left on his contract.
Playoff teams entering Week 10
Strength of schedule: .508
Remaining SOS: .533 (9)
Week 10 opponent: at Commanders
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, IOL, LB, S
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars' record: 5-3
Strength of schedule: .529
Remaining SOS: .462 (29)
Jaguars' Week 10 opponent: at Texans
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Jaguars' needs.
Strength of schedule: .530
Remaining SOS: .467 (T-27)
Week 10 opponent: at Chargers | SNF
Biggest needs: QB, WR, CB, IOL, DL
Strength of schedule: .418
Remaining SOS: .545 (7)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Steelers | SNF
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, CB, IOL, OT
Strength of schedule: .473
Remaining SOS: .522 (T-11)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Rams
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, CB, OT, TE
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers' record: 5-2-1
Strength of schedule: .434
Remaining SOS: .554 (T-3)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Eagles | MNF
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Packers' needs.
Strength of schedule: .391
Remaining SOS: .467 (T-27)
Week 10 opponent: at Dolphins
Biggest needs: LB, Edge, CB, IOL, S
Strength of schedule: .470
Remaining SOS: .494 (18)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Patriots
Biggest needs: LB, TE, Edge, DL, IOL
Strength of schedule: .471
Remaining SOS: .581 (2)
Week 10 opponent: at 49ers
See Pick No. 12 for analysis of the Rams' needs.
Strength of schedule: .478
Remaining SOS: .539 (8)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Cardinals
Biggest needs: CB, RB, IOL, S, WR
Strength of schedule: .514
Remaining SOS: .513 (17)
Week 10 opponent: at Packers | MNF
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, CB, WR, IOL
Strength of schedule: .355
Remaining SOS: .358 (32)
Week 10 opponent: at Buccaneers
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, S, WR, OT
Strength of schedule: .417
Remaining SOS: .493 (19)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Raiders | TNF
Biggest needs: LB, TE, WR, DL, OT
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Colts' record: 7-2
Strength of schedule: .429
Remaining SOS: .545 (T-5)
Week 10 opponent: vs. Falcons in Berlin
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Colts' needs.
Teams without a 2026 first-round pick
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE LOS ANGELES RAMS
Week 10 opponent: vs. Colts in Berlin
Biggest needs: WR, DL, TE, CB, LB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS
Week 10 opponent: vs. Eagles | MNF
Biggest needs: DL, CB, OT, LB, IOL
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE NEW YORK JETS
Week 10 opponent: vs. Falcons in Berlin
Biggest needs: LB, DL, Edge, OL, QB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Week 10 opponent: at Texans
Biggest needs: CB, DL, WR, LB, S
