Titans Lead the Race for No. 1 Pick as 2026 NFL Draft Order Takes Shape
With Week 14 upon us, the Tennessee Titans find themselves in a spot no team wants to be in-but one that could shape the future of the franchise. At 1-11, Tennessee currently holds the top spot in the 2026 NFL Draft order. But with several two- and three-win teams right on their heels, the race for the No. 1 pick is anything but over.
Let’s break down where things stand and what it means for the Titans and the rest of the league.
Tight at the Bottom: Titans Hold Slim Lead in Draft Order
The Titans are clinging to the pole position in the draft order, but it’s a tenuous grip. The New York Giants (2-11), New Orleans Saints (2-10), and Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) are all within striking distance. One more win by Tennessee could throw the entire top of the draft into chaos, potentially forcing a strength-of-schedule tiebreaker to determine who gets the first overall selection.
The Jets, who were in the thick of the bottom-five conversation, managed to claw their way out-at least for now-thanks to a Week 13 win over the Falcons. But the Titans still have a few chances to play spoiler down the stretch, including a matchup with the Browns this weekend and a potentially pivotal game against the Saints later in the season. That Titans-Saints clash could end up being a high-stakes showdown for draft positioning-think of it as a “loser takes all” battle.
Here’s how the current draft order looks heading into Week 14:
2026 NFL Draft Order (Top 10 Picks)
- Titans (1-11)
- Giants (2-11)
- Saints (2-10)
- Raiders (2-10)
- Browns (3-9)
- Jets (3-9)
- Cardinals (3-9)
- Commanders (3-8)
- Rams (via Falcons) (4-8)
- Bengals (4-8)
From there, the order begins to reflect teams hovering around the middle of the pack, with playoff hopefuls and fringe teams starting to separate themselves. But for the bottom-dwellers, every loss now carries weight. It’s not just about finishing the season-it's about shaping the next decade with a potential franchise-altering pick.
Quarterback Class Remains Murky, But Talent Is There
This year’s quarterback class hasn’t exactly followed the script. Several of the big names expected to headline the 2026 draft have hit bumps along the way. Still, a few have managed to keep their names near the top of the board.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza has emerged as a legitimate contender for the No. 1 overall pick. His rise has been one of the more compelling storylines of the college season. Meanwhile, Dante Moore (Oregon) and Ty Simpson (Alabama) are still very much in the first-round conversation, even if their paths have been a bit rockier than expected.
But this draft isn’t just about quarterbacks.
Defensive Playmakers Climbing the Board
If you’re a team looking to build a defense from the ground up, this draft class offers some serious firepower.
Rueben Bain Jr., the explosive EDGE out of Miami, has made a strong case to be the top overall player in the class. His ability to disrupt the backfield is elite, and he’s the kind of game-changer who can anchor a defense for years. Right behind him is Arvell Reese, a rangy linebacker from Ohio State who’s been flying all over the field this season.
Reese’s teammate, Caleb Downs, is another name to watch. The Ohio State safety has been a projected top-10 pick for months, and he continues to back that up with consistent, high-level play.
Top 10 Prospects Heading into Week 14
- **Rueben Bain Jr.
** - EDGE, Miami
2.
Fernando Mendoza - QB, Indiana
3.
Arvell Reese - LB, Ohio State
4.
Dante Moore - QB, Oregon
5.
Ty Simpson - QB, Alabama
6.
Caleb Downs - S, Ohio State
7.
Peter Woods - DL, Clemson
8.
Spencer Fano - OT, Utah
9.
Jordyn Tyson - WR, Arizona State
10.
Keldric Faulk - EDGE, Auburn
While this class may not feature a can’t-miss wide receiver prospect, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson continues to be held in high regard despite dealing with injuries throughout 2025. His talent is clear, and if he can stay healthy, he could still be a first-round difference-maker.
What’s Next?
With four weeks left in the regular season, the draft picture is far from finalized. The Titans may be in the driver’s seat for now, but one win could flip the script entirely. And with a draft class that features intriguing quarterbacks, dominant defenders, and a few wild cards, the stakes are high for every team in the top 10.
For Tennessee, the challenge now is to balance development with the reality of their draft position. For the rest of the league’s bottom tier, the next month is about more than just finishing strong-it’s about setting the stage for a foundational pick in 2026.
The race for the No. 1 pick is on. And it’s getting tighter by the week.