This is a look at the first-round order for the 2026 NFL Draft heading into Week 16 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: .577
Remaining SOS: .345 (30)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Vikings
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, CB, OT, LB
The Giants' dismal home performance against the Commanders put them in the driver's seat for the No. 1 overall pick, at least for now. They haven't drafted first overall since 1965. Receivers and offensive linemen should be in play whenever the G-Men are first on the clock, but they would be better off trading down for draft capital.
Strength of schedule: .579
Remaining SOS: .405 (25)
Week 16 opponent: at Texans
Biggest needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR, OT
The Raiders have star pass rusher Maxx Crosby signed through 2029, but Malcolm Koonce, who ranks second on the team in QB pressures, is due to become a free agent in March. Vegas needs to land a talented edge defender in the first three rounds of April's draft.
Strength of schedule: .597
Remaining SOS: .476 (T-16)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Chiefs
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, IOL, OT
Fourth-rounders Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike have shown promise in Year 1, but the Titans could still use more playmakers on the perimeter. I wouldn't be surprised if Tennessee invests another middle-round pick on a pass-catcher.
Strength of schedule: .477
Remaining SOS: .524 (T-13)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Bills
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, WR, CB, LB
The Browns came into the season hoping Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman would make a strong 1-2 punch at receiver. However, Jeudy's inconsistent hands and Tillman's struggles to stay on the field haven't allowed that to happen. I’m looking for Cleveland to pick up a playmaker in the first two rounds of the 2026 draft.
Strength of schedule: .523
Remaining SOS: .595 (T-8)
Week 16 opponent: at Saints
Biggest needs: QB, CB, WR, DL, IOL
The holes in the Jets’ defense were on display in Week 15, with Trevor Lawrence throwing five touchdown passes against New York. However, with four picks in the first two rounds of the 2026 draft, the team should be able to find a starting cornerback to replace Sauce Gardner.
Strength of schedule: .592
Remaining SOS: .476 (T-16)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Falcons
Biggest needs: OT, WR, RB, IOL, LB
Paris Johnson Jr. will lock down the left tackle spot for Arizona next season, but who fills in at the other bookend is far less certain. RT Jonah Williams and swing tackle Kelvin Beachum are due to reach free agency in March. Even if the Cardinals sign a veteran to start opposite Johnson in 2026, they should still invest a first- or second-round pick on a future starting tackle.
Strength of schedule: .490
Remaining SOS: .583 (10)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Eagles | Sat.
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, LB, S
With Deebo Samuel set to hit the open market this spring, the Commanders must add a young pass-catcher in the draft to team with Terry McLaurin, Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey in 2026.
Strength of schedule: .546
Remaining SOS: .238 (32)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Jets
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, CB, RB, Edge
Chase Young and Carl Granderson should form a strong tandem in 2026, but the team needs to add edge depth with impending free agent Cameron Jordan turning 37 this summer.
Strength of schedule: .574
Remaining SOS: .286 (31)
Week 16 opponent: at Dolphins
Biggest needs: CB, S, Edge, IOL, TE
The Bengals spent their top pick on an edge rusher in 2025 (Shemar Stewart), but they should be turning back to the position early on once again in next year’s draft. Trey Hendrickson is set to become a free agent after the season, as is Joseph Ossai.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Falcons' record: 5-9
Strength of schedule: .515
Remaining SOS: .429 (T-22)
Falcons' Week 16 opponent: at Cardinals
Rams' biggest needs: CB, QB, OT, S, LB
The Rams should be seeking a long-term answer at right tackle. Third-year player Warren McClendon has performed well stepping in for the injured Rob Havenstein, and McClendon could start in 2026 if Havenstein departs in free agency. McClendon’s deal only runs through the end of next season, though.
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Falcons' needs.
Strength of schedule: .475
Remaining SOS: .524 (T-13)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Bengals
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, TE, S, OT
Miami's top corner, Rasul Douglas, is playing on a one-year deal. Same goes for starter Jack Jones. With that in mind, I’m expecting the Dolphins to add an outside corner with size and length early in the draft.
Strength of schedule: .536
Remaining SOS: .464 (20)
Week 16 opponent: at Giants
Biggest needs: CB, LB, S, WR, DL
Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers are under contract beyond this season, but another playmaker is needed on the outside to create game-changing turnovers.
Strength of schedule: .548
Remaining SOS: .381 (T-26)
Week 16 opponent: at Titans
Biggest needs: TE, WR, RB, CB, DL
It’s going to be an interesting offseason for the Chiefs, who will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Improving the running game should be one of their priorities. Kareem Hunt has done his part this year, but Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are among the team’s impending free agents.
Strength of schedule: .462
Remaining SOS: .381 (T-26)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Chargers
Biggest needs: Edge, RB, S, LB, WR
The Cowboys failed to sack J.J. McCarthy and registered only one QB hit during their home loss to the Vikings on Sunday night. Donovan Ezeiruaku will be expected to put pressure on quarterbacks next season, but edge rusher should still be high on Dallas’ needs list.
Strength of schedule: .464
Remaining SOS: .679 (3)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Patriots | SNF
Biggest needs: Edge, IOL, CB, DL, TE
Baltimore traded for Dre'Mont Jones before the deadline, but Jones, Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo are all ticketed for free agency in March. The Ravens have used a top-125 selection on an edge rusher in each of the last five drafts -- I expect them to make it six straight in April.
Strength of schedule: .500
Remaining SOS: .595 (T-8)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Buccaneers
Biggest needs: IOL, LB, S, CB, WR
The Panthers have used their past two first-round picks on wideouts Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan, but they could be in the market for depth lower down the depth chart this spring. Jalen Coker still needs to prove he can stay healthy.
Strength of schedule: .482
Remaining SOS: .571 (11)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Steelers
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, IOL, LB, DL
Al-Quadin Muhammad has a career-high nine sacks this season, which could earn him some bidders when he reaches free agency in March. Finding a strong edge presence to line up across from Aidan Hutchinson seems logical for Detroit.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Colts' record: 8-6
Strength of schedule: .495
Remaining SOS: .690 (T-1)
Week 16 opponent: vs. 49ers | MNF
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Colts' needs.
Playoff teams entering Week 16
Strength of schedule: .526
Remaining SOS: .476 (T-16)
Week 16 opponent: at Panthers
Biggest needs: LB, TE, Edge, DL, CB
Strength of schedule: .523
Remaining SOS: .429 (T-22)
Week 16 opponent: at Lions
Biggest needs: QB, WR, IOL, CB, OT
Strength of schedule: .503
Remaining SOS: .429 (T-22)
Week 16 opponent: at Commanders | Sat.
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, CB, WR, S
Strength of schedule: .556
Remaining SOS: .476 (T-16)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Raiders
Biggest needs: IOL, DL, OT, RB, LB
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers' record: 9-4-1
Strength of schedule: .462
Remaining SOS: .548 (12)
Week 16 opponent: at Bears
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Packers' needs.
Strength of schedule: .403
Remaining SOS: .655 (T-5)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Packers | Sat.
Biggest needs: S, Edge, DL, CB, OT
Strength of schedule: .424
Remaining SOS: .655 (T-5)
Week 16 opponent: at Cowboys
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, CB, IOL, OT
Strength of schedule: .449
Remaining SOS: .690 (T-1)
Week 16 opponent: at Colts | MNF
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, DL, CB, OT
Strength of schedule: .480
Remaining SOS: .357 (29)
Week 16 opponent: at Browns
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, LB, CB, IOL
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars' record: 10-4
Strength of schedule: .485
Remaining SOS: .524 (T-13)
Jaguars' Week 16 opponent: at Broncos
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Jaguars' needs.
Strength of schedule: .372
Remaining SOS: .381 (T-26)
Week 16 opponent: at Ravens | SNF
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, OT, DL, S
Strength of schedule: .459
Remaining SOS: .667 (4)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Rams | TNF
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, WR, S, RB
Strength of schedule: .536
Remaining SOS: .452 (21)
Week 16 opponent: at Seahawks | TNF
See Pick No. 10 for analysis of the Rams' needs.
Strength of schedule: .393
Remaining SOS: .619 (7)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Jaguars
Biggest needs: LB, TE, WR, OT, DL
Teams without a 2026 first-round pick
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE LOS ANGELES RAMS
Week 16 opponent: at Cardinals
Biggest needs: WR, TE, DL, CB, LB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS
Week 16 opponent: at Bears
Biggest needs: DL, CB, OT, LB, Edge
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE NEW YORK JETS
Week 16 opponent: vs. 49ers | MNF
Biggest needs: QB, LB, DL, Edge, OT
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Week 16 opponent: at Broncos
Biggest needs: CB, DL, WR, S, OT
