With just three games left in the NFL season, the 2026 NFL Draft order is nearly complete. After the dust settled from the divisional round of the playoffs, 28 of the 32 first-round slots are now locked in. The final four will be decided as the postseason wraps up, but we already have a clear picture of how the top of the board is shaping up - and who might be hearing their name called first on draft night.
Raiders on the Clock
The Las Vegas Raiders will be on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s the first time they’ve held the top spot since moving to Vegas, and the first time overall since 2007, when they selected JaMarcus Russell out of LSU. That pick didn’t pan out the way the franchise hoped, but this time around, the stakes feel just as high - and the buzz around the projected top pick is even louder.
Draft Order: Top 10
Let’s take a closer look at the current draft order, based on Tankathon, which factors in strength of schedule as a tiebreaker:
- Las Vegas Raiders (3-14, .538 SOS)
- New York Jets (3-14, .552)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-14, .571)
- Tennessee Titans (3-14, .574)
- New York Giants (4-13, .524)
- Cleveland Browns (5-12, .486)
- Washington Commanders (5-12, .507)
- New Orleans Saints (6-11, .495)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-11, .516)
- Cincinnati Bengals (6-11, .521)
It’s rare to see this many 3-win teams at the top, and it’s created a fascinating order, with strength of schedule playing a major role in separating teams with identical records. The Jets, Cardinals, and Titans all finish with 3-14 records, but the Raiders’ slightly easier schedule gives them the edge - and the top pick.
Divisional Round Losses Lock In Picks 25-28
The Bears, Bills, 49ers, and Texans were all eliminated in the divisional round, locking them into picks 25 through 28. None of these teams have moved their first-rounders since the regular season ended, so the draft board remains unchanged from Week 18 in terms of ownership.
The Mendoza Watch
All signs point to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza being the first name off the board. He’s the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and has been the consensus top prospect in mock drafts and sportsbooks alike. BetMGM currently lists Mendoza at a staggering -10000 to go No. 1 overall - a number that tells you just how confident the oddsmakers are.
Mendoza has the tools NFL scouts drool over: size, poise, arm strength, and mobility. He’s shown the ability to make every throw on the field, and his leadership has drawn high praise throughout the college season. For a Raiders team in need of a franchise quarterback, Mendoza could be the cornerstone they’ve been searching for.
Other Quarterbacks to Watch
While Mendoza is the headliner, this year’s quarterback class offers depth and intrigue. Here are a few other signal-callers to keep an eye on:
- Ty Simpson, Alabama
- Trinidad Chambliss, Mississippi
- Drew Allar, Penn State
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson
- Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
- Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
- Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Each of these quarterbacks brings something different to the table - from Chambliss’ athleticism to Allar’s prototypical frame and arm talent. Depending on how the draft order shakes out and how quarterback-needy teams evaluate their options, we could see several of these names called on Day 1.
Full First-Round Draft Order (Picks 1-28)
Here's how the first 28 picks currently stand:
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
- Cleveland Browns
- Washington Commanders
- New Orleans Saints
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Miami Dolphins
- Dallas Cowboys
- Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta)
- Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New York Jets (via Indianapolis)
- Detroit Lions
- Minnesota Vikings
- Carolina Panthers
- Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay)
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville)
- Chicago Bears
- Buffalo Bills
- San Francisco 49ers
- Houston Texans
The final four picks - 29 through 32 - will be determined by the outcomes of the conference championship games and Super Bowl.
Top Prospects Beyond QB
While Mendoza is the headline act, this draft class is stacked with talent across the board. Here are the top 10 prospects, according to NFL draft analyst Ayrton Ostly:
- LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
- S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
- Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
- QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
- CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
- **Edge Rueben Bain Jr.
**, Miami (FL)
9.
WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
10.
CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Reese and Downs headline a defensive group that could dominate the early part of the first round. Reese, in particular, has drawn comparisons to some of the most versatile linebackers in recent memory, while Downs is the kind of game-changing safety who can anchor a secondary from Day 1.
When and Where
Mark your calendars: the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
- Round 1: Thursday, April 23
- Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 24
- Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 25
With a deep quarterback class, elite defensive talent, and several teams holding multiple first-rounders, this year’s draft is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. The Raiders are officially on the clock - and the countdown to Pittsburgh is on.