This is a look at the first-round order for the 2026 NFL Draft heading into Week 9 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: .540
Remaining SOS: .456 (25)
Week 9 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: QB, IOL, WR, S, DL
Despite earning their first win of the year on Sunday, the Jets still maintain a narrow hold on the No. 1 overall pick. Justin Fields played well in New York's stunning comeback over Cincinnati, but unless he can can orchestrate a full-on turnaround by season's end, it seems likely New York will be selecting his replacement in April. If they are able to stack wins, causing them to fall in the draft order, they could turn their sights to receiver, where they must bring in another talent to partner with Garrett Wilson.
Strength of schedule: .583
Remaining SOS: .420 (30)
Week 9 opponent: at Rams
Biggest needs: IOL, QB, Edge, WR, CB
New Orleans' two young quarterbacks, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough, both struggled to put points on the board against the Buccaneers on Sunday. The loss moved the Saints up to the No. 2 slot, where they could potentially select a new franchise quarterback in April.
Strength of schedule: .633
Remaining SOS: .500 (18)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Chargers
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB, IOL, DL
Several contributors in the Titans’ secondary are due to hit free agency this spring, including Jalyn Armour-Davis, while two others, Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee Jr., have already been traded. The new regime in Tennessee will have plenty to figure out once the season wraps, but adding talent to the DB room should be high on the list.
Strength of schedule: .517
Remaining SOS: .403 (31)
Week 9 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, QB, WR, CB
Cleveland has needs up and down its offensive line, so focusing on rebuilding the aging unit would make sense in the opening rounds of April’s draft.
Strength of schedule: .532
Remaining SOS: .449 (27)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Ravens | TNF
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, OT, QB, TE
Tua Tagovailoa quieted his critics (at least temporarily) after throwing for four touchdowns in the Dolphins’ 34-10 drubbing of the Falcons. A few more performances like Sunday’s should help to silence the outside noise and allow Miami to prioritize bolstering his protection through the draft.
Strength of schedule: .555
Remaining SOS: .552 (7)
Week 9 opponent: vs. 49ers
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, WR, CB, RB
The season-ending ankle injury suffered by rookie sensation Cam Skattebo puts running back on the Giants’ needs list for 2026. Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are signed beyond this season, but the team should look for more explosive options at the position.
Strength of schedule: .528
Remaining SOS: .574 (1)
Week 9 opponent: at Cowboys | MNF
Biggest needs: OT, WR, DL, RB, IOL
James Conner will be 31 and coming off a season-ending ankle injury when next September arrives. He’ll also be playing on the final year of a contract that has zero guaranteed money remaining, but a hefty $10.25 million cap number for 2026. I wouldn’t be surprised if Arizona targets a young RB on Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft.
Strength of schedule: .564
Remaining SOS: .545 (10)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Jaguars
Biggest needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR, OT
The Raiders rank in the bottom-half of the league in pass yards allowed per game and have just three interceptions. Maxx Crosby and Jonah Laulu, two defensive linemen, rank first and second on the team in passes defensed. The situation points to Vegas targeting a cornerback in next year's draft.
Strength of schedule: .569
Remaining SOS: .441 (28)
Week 9 opponent: at Dolphins | TNF
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, IOL, DL, CB
Center Tyler Linderbaum and guards Ben Cleveland and Daniel Faalele have deals that are due to expire in March. The level of need for interior O-linemen this spring will depend on the team’s ability to re-sign one or both starters (Linderbaum and Faalele).
Strength of schedule: .500
Remaining SOS: .558 (T-3)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Seahawks | SNF
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, IOL, LB
Deebo Samuel, the Commanders' leading receiver this season with Terry McLaurin missing time due to injury, is in the final year of his contract. Recent picks Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane will see more targets in the future, but another talented pass-catcher should be on the team's radar in the middle of the draft.
Strength of schedule: .517
Remaining SOS: .439 (29)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Bears
Biggest needs: Edge, OT, IOL, CB, S
The Bengals allowed the previously toothless Jets offense to throw for 248 yards and two scores in a devastating fourth-quarter collapse on Sunday. In total, Cincinnati's defense has surrendered the second-most passing touchdowns in the NFL (19). So while DJ Turner II is playing well, the Bengals would benefit from adding more young talent in the secondary.
Strength of schedule: .509
Remaining SOS: .555 (5)
Week 9 opponent: at Lions
Biggest needs: CB, LB, S, WR, DL
With 36-year-old Harrison Smith scheduled to hit the free-agent market this offseason, the Vikings should add another strong presence in the back end to challenge Theo Jackson for playing time.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Falcons' record: 3-4
Strength of schedule: .519
Remaining SOS: .494 (19)
Falcons' Week 9 opponent: at Patriots
Rams' biggest needs: QB, OT, CB, S, LB
With Cobie Durant, the injured Ahkello Witherspoon and recent trade acquisition Roger McCreary headed for free agency in 2026, GM Les Snead should be looking for help at cornerback come April.
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Falcons' needs.
Strength of schedule: .538
Remaining SOS: .559 (2)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Broncos
Biggest needs: IOL, DL, OT, S, LB
The Texans could re-sign M.J. Stewart, who is due to hit the open market in 2026, but it would be smart to use another middle-round pick at safety to bolster the depth and increase the competition for snaps.
Strength of schedule: .508
Remaining SOS: .485 (22)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Cardinals | MNF
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, RB, S, CB
The Cowboys have allowed the most passing yards (2,185) and passing touchdowns (20) in the league this season. So, yes, safety should be among the priorities come draft season. The secondary's leading tackler, safety Donovan Wilson, is an impending free agent and the injured Malik Hooker will be in the final year of his contract in 2026.
Strength of schedule: .442
Remaining SOS: .551 (8)
Week 9 opponent: at Packers
Biggest needs: IOL, S, LB, QB, OT
Trevin Wallace is blossoming into a playmaker on defense, but the team might need to find another future starter at linebacker in the draft if leading tackler Christian Rozeboom departs in free agency.
Strength of schedule: .375
Remaining SOS: .547 (9)
Week 9 opponent: at Bengals
Biggest needs: S, Edge, OT, RB, DL
With the injured Braxton Jones ticketed for free agency, we could see Theo Benedet and 2025 second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo compete for the left tackle spot next year. That said, I suspect GM Ryan Poles (a former offensive lineman himself) will be taking a hard look at the 2026 draft’s offensive tackle class.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars' record: 4-3
Strength of schedule: .566
Remaining SOS: .455 (26)
Jaguars' Week 9 opponent: at Raiders
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Jaguars' needs.
Playoff teams entering Week 9
Strength of schedule: .481
Remaining SOS: .493 (20)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Colts
Biggest needs: QB, WR, CB, IOL, S
Strength of schedule: .483
Remaining SOS: .558 (T-3)
Week 9 opponent: at Bills
Biggest needs: TE, CB, RB, Edge, WR
Strength of schedule: .484
Remaining SOS: .507 (16)
Week 9 opponent: at Titans
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, CB, IOL, OT
Strength of schedule: .500
Remaining SOS: .471 (T-23)
Week 9 opponent: at Giants
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, CB, OT, TE
Strength of schedule: .352
Remaining SOS: .487 (21)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Chiefs
Biggest needs: LB, Edge, CB, IOL, S
Strength of schedule: .481
Remaining SOS: .507 (17)
Week 9 opponent: at Commanders | SNF
Biggest needs: CB, RB, IOL, S, WR
Strength of schedule: .519
Remaining SOS: .527 (T-12)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Vikings
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, DL, IOL, LB
Strength of schedule: .528
Remaining SOS: .514 (15)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Saints
See Pick No. 13 for analysis of the Rams' needs.
Strength of schedule: .344
Remaining SOS: .362 (32)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Falcons
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, OT, DL, S
Strength of schedule: .445
Remaining SOS: .515 (14)
Week 9 opponent: at Texans
Biggest needs: LB, TE, WR, DL, CB
Strength of schedule: .483
Remaining SOS: .471 (T-23)
Week 9 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: LB, TE, Edge, DL, IOL
Strength of schedule: .524
Remaining SOS: .537 (11)
Week 9 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, CB, WR, IOL
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers' record: 5-1-1
Strength of schedule: .425
Remaining SOS: .527 (T-12)
Week 9 opponent: vs. Panthers
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Packers' needs.
Strength of schedule: .393
Remaining SOS: .554 (6)
Week 9 opponent: at Steelers
Biggest needs: LB, CB, DL, Edge, QB
Teams without a 2026 first-round pick
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE LOS ANGELES RAMS
Week 9 opponent: at Patriots
Biggest needs: WR, TE, DL, CB, LB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS
Week 9 opponent: vs. Panthers
Biggest needs: DL, CB, OT, LB, IOL
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Week 9 opponent: at Raiders
Biggest needs: WR, CB, DL, LB, S
