As the curtain falls on the 2025 NFL season, the league shifts gears into what might be the most pivotal stretch of the calendar for front offices: roster-building season. Free agency and the NFL Draft are on deck, and with parity at an all-time high, the path to contention feels more open than ever. The 2026 NFL Draft, in particular, is shaping up to be a turning point for several franchises-some looking to find their next franchise quarterback, others hoping to plug key holes and return to relevance.
With Super Bowl 60 in the books, the full order for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft is now set. Let’s break down the top half of the board, team by team, and take a closer look at where each organization stands heading into a crucial offseason.
2026 NFL Draft - First Round Picks 1-16
1. Las Vegas Raiders
All signs point to the Raiders zeroing in on Fernando Mendoza as their quarterback of the future. Unless something seismic changes, they’ll use the No. 1 pick to bring in a potential franchise passer.
Mendoza brings the tools, and now it's up to Las Vegas to build the right infrastructure around him.
2. New York Jets
This is a roster in need of just about everything. With two top-16 picks, the Jets are in full rebuild mode.
Expect them to stick to a “best player available” approach-there’s no single position that wouldn’t benefit from an injection of top-tier talent.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray’s future in the desert remains uncertain, and that puts the Cardinals at a bit of a crossroads. General Manager Monti Ossenfort could shake things up depending on how aggressively he wants to reshape this roster.
Quarterback could be in play here, or they could go all-in on building around a new identity.
4. Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward is the guy in Tennessee, and the Titans are expected to go all-in on building around him. With some smart moves this offseason, they could be a trendy breakout pick in 2026.
This draft slot gives them a chance to land a cornerstone piece on either side of the ball.
5. New York Giants
The hiring of John Harbaugh was a major statement. Now the front office needs to follow it up by surrounding him with the right personnel.
The Giants have foundational needs, and this pick is a golden opportunity to start reshaping the roster with Harbaugh’s vision in mind.
6. Cleveland Browns
With two first-rounders at their disposal, the Browns are in a position to make noise. The quarterback situation remains murky, but this pick could be used to bolster the roster elsewhere-possibly adding a premium player to either the offensive or defensive side of the ball.
7. Washington Commanders
The Commanders are in talent-acquisition mode, plain and simple. Jayden Daniels showed flashes, but Washington has to do a better job protecting him and giving him weapons.
This offseason is about building a sustainable foundation-and keeping their young quarterback upright.
8. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have the feel of a team ready to make a leap. With the NFC South wide open, New Orleans could use this pick to shore up a few key areas and position themselves as division favorites in 2026.
There’s real potential for a breakout campaign if they hit on this selection.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
It’s rare to see the Chiefs picking this high in the Mahomes era, and that makes this pick even more critical. General Manager Brett Veach has to nail this one-Kansas City could use help in the trenches or out wide, and this is a rare shot at adding top-tier talent to an already elite core.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow remains one of the league’s most gifted quarterbacks, but the Bengals need to tighten things up on defense if they want to return to serious contention. This pick could be used to add immediate impact on that side of the ball, especially in the front seven.
11. Miami Dolphins
A new era is underway in Miami, and this pick could be a pivot point. Don’t be surprised if the Dolphins consider a quarterback here-someone like Ty Simpson could be in play.
Either way, this is a chance to reset and retool for the future.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Armed with two first-rounders, the Cowboys have the ammo to make big changes-especially on defense. After a disappointing 2025, this is a chance to overhaul a unit that underperformed and get back to playing complementary football.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
The Rams benefit from the Falcons’ pick landing inside the top 15, giving them an extra shot at a premium prospect. With two first-rounders to work with, Los Angeles can address both immediate needs and long-term depth.
14. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are entering a new chapter with Jesse Minter taking over for John Harbaugh. This pick could go toward adding a pass rusher or reinforcing the interior offensive line-two areas that could use fresh talent as the team retools around Lamar Jackson.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After taking a step back in 2025, the Bucs are still very much in the NFC South mix. This pick could help them reload defensively and make another push for the division crown.
Reinforcements in the front seven or secondary would go a long way.
16. New York Jets (via Colts)
With this second top-16 selection, the Jets have another swing at reshaping their roster. The pressure is on to hit at least one home run here.
Whether it’s a franchise left tackle, a dynamic pass catcher, or a defensive playmaker, New York needs to find building blocks.
We’re just getting started, but the 2026 NFL Draft is already shaping up to be one of the most impactful in recent memory. With quarterback questions, coaching changes, and front offices under pressure, the stakes are high-and so is the potential for league-altering moves.