With just three weeks left in the regular season, the playoff races are heating up-but so is the battle at the bottom of the standings. And while no NFL team will ever admit to playing for draft position, the reality is clear: the 2026 NFL Draft order is starting to take shape, and a handful of franchises are inching closer to the No. 1 overall pick.
After Week 15, eight teams sit with six wins or fewer. That’s a crowded group at the bottom, and the margin for movement is razor-thin. A single win or loss down the stretch could swing a team from the top overall selection to the middle of the top five-a massive difference when it comes to landing a franchise-changing player.
Right now, three teams share the NFL’s worst record at 2-12: the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tennessee Titans. That trio currently holds the inside track for the top three picks, but with tiebreakers and remaining schedules still in play, nothing is locked in just yet. We've seen it before-a late-season win can cost a team the top pick and all the leverage that comes with it.
Here’s how the draft order stands heading into Week 16:
2026 NFL Draft Order (After Week 15)
1.
Giants (2-12)
2.
Raiders (2-12)
3.
Titans (2-12)
4.
Browns (3-11)
5.
Jets (3-11)
6.
Cardinals (3-11)
7.
Saints (4-10)
8.
Commanders (4-10)
9.
Bengals (4-10)
10.
Rams (via Falcons, 5-9)
11.
Chiefs (6-8)
12.
Vikings (6-8)
13.
Dolphins (6-8)
14.
Cowboys (6-7-1)
15.
Ravens (7-7)
16.
Panthers (7-7)
17.
Lions (8-6)
18.
Jets (via Colts, 8-6)
19.
Buccaneers (7-7)
20.
Steelers (8-6)
21.
Eagles (9-5)
22.
Texans (9-5)
23.
Cowboys (via Packers, 9-4-1)
24.
Bills (10-4)
25.
Bears (10-4)
26.
Chargers (10-4)
27. 49ers (10-4)
- Browns (via Jaguars, 10-4)
- Patriots (11-3)
- Seahawks (11-3)
- Rams (11-3)
- Broncos (12-2)
As it stands, the Giants would be on the clock with the first overall pick-but that could change quickly. With so many teams bunched together at the bottom, the final three weeks will be critical in determining who controls the top of the draft board.
A Closer Look at the 2026 Draft Class
This year’s draft class has a different feel-especially at quarterback. It’s not the kind of group that’s been hyped for years, but there’s still talent at the top, and a few names have surged into the spotlight with big seasons.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is one of those risers. After a standout campaign that earned him the Heisman Trophy, Mendoza has pushed his way into the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick. He’s shown poise, arm talent, and the kind of leadership that NFL teams crave in a franchise quarterback.
Dante Moore (Oregon) and Ty Simpson (Alabama) are also very much in the mix. Moore’s athleticism and arm strength have long intrigued scouts, while Simpson’s experience in the SEC and ability to command a pro-style offense make him a safe bet to go early in Round 1.
But this draft won’t be all about quarterbacks.
Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami) has been a force off the edge all season.
He’s explosive, relentless, and already looks like a plug-and-play starter at the next level. If a team picking near the top doesn’t need a quarterback, Bain could be the first non-QB off the board.
Joining him on the defensive side is Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State), a rangy linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed and a nose for the football. His teammate, Caleb Downs, has been a mainstay in top-10 projections all year. The Ohio State safety brings versatility and instincts that should translate immediately to the NFL.
Peter Woods (DL, Clemson) and Spencer Fano (OT, Utah) round out a strong group of trench prospects, while Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State) remains the top-rated wide receiver despite battling through injuries in 2025. He may not be a “can’t-miss” WR1 in the mold of past draft classes, but his talent and upside still have teams intrigued.
Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Prospects (Consensus Rankings)
1.
**Rueben Bain Jr. **, EDGE, Miami
- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
- Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
- Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
What to Watch Moving Forward
The final stretch of the season won’t just decide playoff seeding-it’ll shape the top of the draft board. Teams like the Giants, Raiders, and Titans are staring down a golden opportunity to reset their franchises with a top-tier talent. But one unexpected win could send them tumbling down the order.
Meanwhile, the quarterback market is still sorting itself out. Will Mendoza solidify his status as QB1?
Can Moore or Simpson make a late push? And will a team fall in love with a defender like Bain or Reese enough to pass on a quarterback altogether?
There’s still plenty to play for-and plenty of draft drama left to unfold.