This is a look at the first-round order for the 2026 NFL Draft heading into Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season, along with the top five needs for each team. The order is determined by record, using strength of schedule as the first tiebreaker (click here to see a full list of the draft-order tiebreakers). Keep in mind -- teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended today are marked as PL (short for playoffs) in the order below. The draft order for playoff teams is determined by the results of postseason play.
2026 NFL Draft order, Picks 1-18
Strength of schedule: .640
Remaining SOS: .486 (22)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Texans
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, IOL, DL
If Tennessee decides to stick and pick at No. 1, adding a premier edge rusher would make sense -- especially after trading edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones to the Ravens at the deadline.
Strength of schedule: .574
Remaining SOS: .492 (T-19)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Packers
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, WR, CB, RB
Malik Nabers' absence has exposed the Giants' lack of depth at receiver, which must be addressed during the first two days of the draft.
Strength of schedule: .596
Remaining SOS: .354 (31)
Week 11 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: IOL, Edge, QB, CB, WR
Tyler Shough took a step forward against the Panthers on Sunday, but still has work to do over the next eight weeks to dissuade the Saints from using their top pick on a new signal-caller. Whether he keeps the job in 2026 or New Orleans looks elsewhere to fill the role, the team could use more talent at receiver.
Strength of schedule: .488
Remaining SOS: .452 (28)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Ravens
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, QB, WR, CB
The Browns' needs on the offensive line were further highlighted on Sunday, with the Jets getting to QB Dillon Gabriel six times in their 27-20 win.
Strength of schedule: .494
Remaining SOS: .513 (15)
Week 11 opponent: at Patriots | TNF
Biggest needs: QB, CB, IOL, WR, DL
General manager Darren Mougey should be examining college football's top quarterback prospects with a fine-toothed comb to see if there's one he absolutely loves -- especially now that he has the draft capital to climb the board as needed.
Strength of schedule: .593
Remaining SOS: .513 (14)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Cowboys | MNF
Biggest needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR, OT
The Raiders' 10-7 loss to Denver on TNF did little to support the hope that Geno Smith will recapture his form from previous seasons anytime soon. I expect Vegas to search for a long-term solution at the position in the first two rounds of the 2026 draft.
Strength of schedule: .511
Remaining SOS: .523 (12)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Dolphins in Madrid
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, LB, IOL
During their five-game losing streak, the Commanders have produced just seven total sacks -- zero in Sunday's loss to the Lions -- which is tied for the fifth fewest since Week 6. They need to bring in a young difference-maker off the edge.
Strength of schedule: .543
Remaining SOS: .439 (30)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Commanders in Madrid
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, OT, QB, TE
A Dolphins cornerback hasn’t intercepted a pass since Week 16 of last season, so yes, they have a need for a playmaker at the position. Plus, both Rasul Douglas and Kader Kohou -- the last Miami corner to pick off a pass -- are headed for free agency.
Strength of schedule: .529
Remaining SOS: .562 (T-3)
Week 11 opponent: vs. 49ers
Biggest needs: OT, WR, RB, QB, IOL
The level of need at quarterback depends on what decision the Cardinals make about Kyler Murray’s future. The team would take a significant cap hit if Murray is cut before March, but Jacoby Brissett could help groom a future starter next season if Arizona decides to move on from the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 draft.
Strength of schedule: .530
Remaining SOS: .473 (24)
Week 11 opponent: at Steelers
Biggest needs: Edge, IOL, CB, S, LB
Trading linebacker Logan Wilson to the Cowboys further clears the way for rookies Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. to take the defensive reins. Cincinnati, which ranks last against the run, should still be looking for a tough run defender on Day 3 of the draft, though.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Falcons' record: 3-6
Strength of schedule: .563
Remaining SOS: .453 (27)
Falcons' Week 11 opponent: vs. Panthers
Rams' biggest needs: QB, OT, CB, S, LB
The Rams don't have a clear successor to 37-year-old QB Matthew Stafford. General Manager Les Snead might find a promising passer with this pick from the Falcons, which he acquired by trading out of the first round of this year’s draft.
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Falcons' needs.
Strength of schedule: .488
Remaining SOS: .480 (23)
Week 11 opponent: at Raiders | MNF
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, RB, S, CB
The Cowboys are tied for the 10th-fewest sacks in the league after ranking third in sacks last season. Finding a young edge rusher to pair with 2025 second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku (two sacks in his last three games) should be a priority for Dallas.
Strength of schedule: .524
Remaining SOS: .520 (13)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Bears
Biggest needs: CB, LB, S, WR, DL
The Vikings have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards in the league over the past three weeks. With that in mind, a speedy linebacker who can fill gaps inside should be high on Minnesota's draft priority list.
Strength of schedule: .524
Remaining SOS: .459 (26)
Week 11 opponent: at Browns
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, IOL, DL, CB
The Ravens traded for edge defender Dre'Mont Jones before the deadline, but he's ticketed for free agency this spring, as are Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo. I expect Baltimore to add a pass rusher in the top half of the draft to team up with emerging rookie Mike Green.
Strength of schedule: .590
Remaining SOS: .533 (11)
Week 11 opponent: at Titans
Biggest needs: IOL, DL, OT, LB, RB
The Texans have one of the league’s stingiest run defenses but starting defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Tim Settle are due to reach free agency in 2026. Adding an impact player in the middle would make it harder for offenses to double team star pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Strength of schedule: .441
Remaining SOS: .569 (1)
Week 11 opponent: at Falcons
Biggest needs: IOL, S, LB, QB, OT
The Panthers' interior offensive line could receive a significant makeover in 2026. Brady Christensen, Austin Corbett and Cade Mays are all impending free agents.
Strength of schedule: .500
Remaining SOS: .546 (8)
Week 11 opponent: at Broncos
Biggest needs: TE, CB, RB, DL, WR
The Chiefs have not drafted a tight end in the first three rounds since selecting Travis Kelce in 2013, but it might be wise for the team to invest in a young difference-maker at the position in 2026. Kelce, a future Hall of Famer, is in a contract year at 36 years old and Noah Gray, signed through 2027, is a solid backup.
Strength of schedule: .500
Remaining SOS: .492 (T-19)
Week 11 opponent: at Cardinals
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, CB, OT, TE
Injuries have hit the 49ers hard, including at receiver, but their leading wideouts this season -- Kendrick Bourne and Jauan Jennings -- are playing on expiring contracts. San Francisco should invest a first- or second-round pick in another pass catcher.
Playoff teams entering Week 10
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars' record: 5-4
Strength of schedule: .518
Remaining SOS: .500 (T-17)
Jaguars' Week 11 opponent: vs. Chargers
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Jaguars' needs.
Strength of schedule: .554
Remaining SOS: .466 (25)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Bengals
Biggest needs: QB, WR, CB, IOL, DL
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers' record: 5-3-1
Strength of schedule: .452
Remaining SOS: .541 (9)
Week 11 opponent: at Giants
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Packers' needs.
Strength of schedule: .351
Remaining SOS: .562 (T-3)
Week 11 opponent: at Vikings
Biggest needs: S, Edge, OT, DL, CB
Strength of schedule: .470
Remaining SOS: .548 (T-5)
Week 11 opponent: at Eagles | SNF
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, IOL, LB, S
Strength of schedule: .407
Remaining SOS: .507 (16)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Buccaneers
Biggest needs: LB, Edge, CB, IOL, S
Strength of schedule: .536
Remaining SOS: .447 (29)
Week 11 opponent: at Bills
Biggest needs: LB, TE, Edge, DL, IOL
Strength of schedule: .432
Remaining SOS: .539 (10)
Week 11 opponent: at Jaguars
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, CB, IOL, OT
Strength of schedule: .440
Remaining SOS: .547 (7)
Week 11 opponent: at Rams
Biggest needs: CB, RB, IOL, S, WR
Strength of schedule: .506
Remaining SOS: .548 (T-5)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Seahawks
See Pick No. 11 for analysis of the Rams' needs.
Strength of schedule: .512
Remaining SOS: .487 (21)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Lions | SNF
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, CB, WR, IOL
Strength of schedule: .376
Remaining SOS: .338 (32)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Jets | TNF
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, S, WR, OT
Strength of schedule: .425
Remaining SOS: .500 (T-17)
Week 11 opponent: vs. Chiefs
Biggest needs: LB, TE, WR, DL, OT
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Colts' record: 8-2
Strength of schedule: .430
Remaining SOS: .563 (2)
Week 11 opponent: BYE
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Colts' needs.
Teams without a 2026 first-round pick
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE LOS ANGELES RAMS
Week 11 opponent: vs. Panthers
Biggest needs: WR, DL, TE, CB, LB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS
Week 11 opponent: at Giants
Biggest needs: DL, CB, OT, LB, IOL
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE NEW YORK JETS
Week 11 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: LB, DL, Edge, OT, QB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Week 11 opponent: vs. Chargers
Biggest needs: CB, DL, WR, LB, S