With just one game left on the NFL calendar - and all eyes turning toward Super Bowl 60 - the rest of the league is already deep into offseason mode. For 30 teams, the focus has shifted from game-planning for opponents to planning for April’s draft. And with the 2026 NFL Draft order nearly locked in, front offices are already burning the midnight oil, dissecting film and building their boards.
Let’s break down where things stand as the countdown to the draft begins - and which prospects are poised to reshape the league.
The Draft Order: Raiders on the Clock
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick after a 3-14 season, and they’re far from alone at the bottom of the standings. The New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans also finished 3-14, but strength of schedule tiebreakers have them slotted at picks 2 through 4, respectively.
Here’s the full 2026 NFL Draft order with just the Super Bowl left to play:
Top 10 Picks: 1.
Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
2.
New York Jets (3-14)
3.
Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
4.
Tennessee Titans (3-14)
5.
New York Giants (4-13)
6.
Cleveland Browns (5-12)
7.
Washington Commanders (5-12)
8.
New Orleans Saints (6-11)
9.
Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
10.
Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)
It’s not every year you see franchises like the Chiefs and Bengals picking in the top 10 - a clear sign of how much can change in a single season. Injuries, inconsistency, and defensive struggles plagued both teams, and now they’ll look to reload with premium talent.
Middle of the Pack: 11.
Miami Dolphins (7-10)
12.
Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
13.
Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons, 8-9)
14.
Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
15.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
16.
New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts, 8-9)
17.
Detroit Lions (9-8)
18.
Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
19.
Carolina Panthers (8-9)
20.
Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers, 9-7-1)
The Cowboys are in an intriguing position, holding two picks in the top 20 - one of them thanks to the Packers. That gives them flexibility to either fill multiple needs or package picks to move up for a blue-chip prospect.
Back Half of the First Round: 21.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
22.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
23.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
24.
Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars, 13-4)
25.
Chicago Bears (11-6)
26.
Buffalo Bills (12-5)
27.
San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
28.
Houston Texans (12-5)
29.
Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
30.
New England Patriots (14-3)
31.
Denver Broncos (14-3)
32.
Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
The Seahawks, Broncos, and Patriots round out the draft order after finishing with matching 14-3 records. One of them will hoist the Lombardi Trophy soon - the other two will be looking to make that final leap next season.
Top Prospects to Watch: Defense Leads the Way
This year’s draft class is deep, and while quarterbacks always dominate the conversation, it’s the defensive talent that’s truly standing out at the top of the board.
Here’s a look at some of the top names expected to come off the board early:
Top 9 Prospects (per latest rankings):
- Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE - Miami
- Fernando Mendoza, QB - Indiana
- Arvell Reese, LB - Ohio State
- David Bailey, EDGE - Texas Tech
- Caleb Downs, S - Ohio State
- Cashius Howell, EDGE - Texas A&M
- Kenyon Sadiq, TE - Oregon
- Carnell Tate, WR - Ohio State
- Sonny Styler, LB - Ohio State
At the top of the list is Rueben Bain Jr., an explosive edge rusher who made a name for himself during Miami’s College Football Playoff run. He’s a nightmare off the edge with a motor that doesn’t quit - the kind of player who can anchor a defense for years.
But the buzz is loudest around Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman-winning quarterback from Indiana who also led his team to a national title. He’s the consensus favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Raiders, and with their need for a franchise signal-caller, the fit makes a lot of sense. Mendoza brings poise, accuracy, and leadership - and he’s coming off the kind of season that puts a player in rare company.
What really jumps out this year is the defensive depth. Five of the top six prospects play on that side of the ball, including two elite linebackers from Ohio State in Arvell Reese and Sonny Styler, and a versatile safety in Caleb Downs, who can line up all over the field.
And speaking of Ohio State - four of the top nine players come from the Buckeyes program. That’s not just a pipeline; it’s a factory. Year after year, they churn out NFL-ready talent, and this class is no different.
What’s Next
With the conference championships in the rearview and Super Bowl 60 on deck, the draft picture is nearly complete. The final piece will fall into place once the champion is crowned, but for the other 30 teams, the work has already begun.
The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a pivotal one - not just because of the quarterback at the top, but because of the defensive talent that could reshape multiple franchises. Whether you're a team rebuilding from the ground up or a playoff contender looking for that final piece, this class offers plenty to get excited about.
We’re just getting started.