This is a look at the first-round order for the 2026 NFL Draft heading into Week 17 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: .564
Remaining SOS: .283 (29)
Week 17 opponent: at Raiders
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, LB, CB, OT
The Giants should be looking at playmakers to partner with Malik Nabers at the top of the draft. There will be a major need for a slot receiver if they don’t re-sign impending free agent Wan'Dale Robinson.
Strength of schedule: .580
Remaining SOS: .267 (30)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Giants
Biggest needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR, OT
Assuming the Raiders take a quarterback in Round 1, they'll need to find a starting corner in Rounds 2/3.
Strength of schedule: .496
Remaining SOS: .467 (T-19)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Steelers
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, WR, CB, LB
Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger has proven himself worthy of his draft billing (Round 2, No. 33 overall) with his exceptional play in Year 1. But fellow starter Devin Bush, as well as backup Jerome Baker, are set to become free agents this spring, so the Browns must add depth to the defense's second level on Day 3 (if not sooner).
Strength of schedule: .509
Remaining SOS: .767 (T-1)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Patriots
Biggest needs: QB, CB, WR, IOL, S
The Jets may re-sign the injured Tony Adams or Andre Cisco to play alongside Malachi Moore at safety next season, but that shouldn’t stop the team from keeping an eye out for value at the position during the draft.
Strength of schedule: .578
Remaining SOS: .533 (T-15)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Saints
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, IOL, OT
The interior of the Titans' offensive line should be retooled as the team looks to strengthen Cam Ward’s supporting cast. I’d expect Peter Skoronski to return as a starter, but Kevin Zeitler is headed for free agency and competition could be brought in for center Lloyd Cushenberry III.
Strength of schedule: .582
Remaining SOS: .533 (T-15)
Week 17 opponent: at Bengals
Biggest needs: OT, WR, QB, IOL, RB
Kyler Murray's tenure in Arizona could be coming to an end this offseason. If the Cards part ways with the former No. 1 overall pick, I'd expect them to draft a new QB in April while continuing to lean on Jacoby Brissett as a bridge starter for 2026.
Strength of schedule: .493
Remaining SOS: .550 (14)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Cowboys | Thursday
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, LB, S
Bobby Wagner has had a Hall of Fame-worthy career, amassing nearly 2,000 tackles over 14 NFL seasons. But he'll be a free agent this spring, and turns 36 this summer, so the team must find another productive inside 'backer in the draft.
Strength of schedule: .524
Remaining SOS: .300 (T-26)
Week 17 opponent: at Titans
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, CB, RB, Edge
Trading Rashid Shaheed and releasing Brandin Cooks allowed big-bodied receiver Devaughn Vele to contribute more until he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 15. Tyler Shough could still use another outside threat to complement Vele and star wideout Chris Olave in 2026.
Strength of schedule: .558
Remaining SOS: .200 (T-31)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Cardinals
Biggest needs: CB, Edge, IOL, S, TE
The Bengals picked offensive linemen Dylan Fairchild and Jalen Rivers in the 2025 draft, but they should go back to the well again at least once in 2026. Cincinnati needs to upgrade the right guard spot, at minimum.
Strength of schedule: .471
Remaining SOS: .633 (T-5)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Buccaneers
Biggest needs: CB, QB, IOL, TE, S
After Tua Tagovailoa’s benching, there will be plenty of intrigue around Miami’s decisions about the quarterback position this offseason. Rookie Quinn Ewers failed to impress in his first start on Sunday.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Falcons' record: 6-9
Strength of schedule: .498
Remaining SOS: .533 (T-15)
Falcons' Week 17 opponent: vs. Rams | MNF
Rams' biggest needs: CB, QB, OT, WR, S
Emmanuel Forbes has become a starter for the Rams after being waived by Washington a year ago. He might need a new partner on the outside next season, though, with Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon headed for free agency.
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Falcons' needs.
Strength of schedule: .518
Remaining SOS: .467 (T-19)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Broncos | Thursday
Biggest needs: TE, WR, RB, CB, DL
The Chiefs must prepare for the end of the Travis Kelce era, as the impending free agent seems likely to consider retirement. Finding a reliable playmaker at tight end will be paramount for Kansas City if the future Hall of Famer steps away.
Strength of schedule: .473
Remaining SOS: .200 (T-31)
Week 17 opponent: at Commanders | Thursday
Biggest needs: Edge, RB, LB, CB, S
Linebacker is a spot the Cowboys must address in the draft. Logan Wilson has not made a huge impact since arriving via trade from Cincinnati. Leading tackler Kenneth Murray is ticketed for free agency and DeMarvion Overshown has struggled to stay healthy.
Strength of schedule: .489
Remaining SOS: .617 (10)
Week 17 opponent: at Packers | Saturday
Biggest needs: Edge, IOL, CB, DL, TE
It seems likely that the Ravens will find a way to keep center Tyler Linderbaum, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, but right guard Daniel Faalele is not under contract for next season, either. Baltimore must add an interior lineman early in the draft.
Strength of schedule: .511
Remaining SOS: .583 (12)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Lions | Thursday
Biggest needs: CB, S, WR, LB, DL
Linebacker depth should be on the Vikings’ radar in the 2026 draft. Eric Wilson is set to hit free agency in March and leading tackler Blake Cashman will be entering a contract year next season.
Strength of schedule: .538
Remaining SOS: .467 (T-19)
Week 17 opponent: at Dolphins
Biggest needs: LB, TE, Edge, DL, CB
SirVocea Dennis seems likely to start at one linebacker spot in 2026, but will impending free agent Lavonte David (who turns 36 in January) be back for a 15th season with the Bucs? The position should be a high priority if David moves on.
Strength of schedule: .478
Remaining SOS: .600 (11)
Week 17 opponent: at Vikings | Thursday
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, IOL, LB, DL
The Lions did not select a cornerback in the 2025 draft with the hopes second-year players Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. would take the next step. They've battled injuries this season, though. With veterans Avonte Maddox, Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin all due to reach free agency, Detroit can't ignore the position in 2026.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Colts' record: 8-7
Strength of schedule: .516
Remaining SOS: .700 (T-4)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Jaguars
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Colts' needs.
Playoff teams entering Week 17
Strength of schedule: .502
Remaining SOS: .633 (T-5)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Seahawks
Biggest needs: IOL, LB, CB, WR, Edge
Strength of schedule: .527
Remaining SOS: .333 (25)
Week 17 opponent: at Browns
Biggest needs: QB, WR, IOL, CB, OT
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers' record: 9-5-1
Strength of schedule: .478
Remaining SOS: .467 (T-19)
Week 16 opponent: vs. Ravens | Saturday
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Packers' needs.
Strength of schedule: .469
Remaining SOS: .500 (18)
Week 17 opponent: at Bills
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, CB, WR, S
Strength of schedule: .524
Remaining SOS: .633 (T-5)
Week 17 opponent: at Chargers | Saturday
Biggest needs: IOL, DL, OT, RB, LB
Strength of schedule: .420
Remaining SOS: .633 (T-5)
Week 17 opponent: at 49ers | SNF
Biggest needs: S, Edge, DL, CB, OT
Strength of schedule: .420
Remaining SOS: .733 (3)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Texans | Saturday
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, CB, IOL, OT
Strength of schedule: .458
Remaining SOS: .767 (T-1)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Bears | SNF
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, DL, CB, OT
Strength of schedule: .467
Remaining SOS: .433 (23)
Week 17 opponent: vs. Eagles
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, LB, CB, IOL
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars' record: 11-4
Strength of schedule: .511
Remaining SOS: .367 (24)
Jaguars' Week 17 opponent: at Colts
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Jaguars' needs.
Strength of schedule: .560
Remaining SOS: .300 (T-26)
Week 17 opponent: at Falcons | MNF
See Pick No. 11 for analysis of the Rams' needs.
Strength of schedule: .391
Remaining SOS: .300 (T-26)
Week 17 opponent: at Jets
Biggest needs: Edge, S, CB, OT, WR
Strength of schedule: .413
Remaining SOS: .567 (13)
Week 17 opponent: at Chiefs | Thursday
Biggest needs: LB, TE, OT, DL, Edge
Strength of schedule: .484
Remaining SOS: .633 (T-5)
Week 17 opponent: at Panthers
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, WR, S, Edge
Teams without a 2026 first-round pick
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE LOS ANGELES RAMS
Week 17 opponent: vs. Rams | MNF
Biggest needs: WR, TE, CB, DL, LB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS
Week 17 opponent: vs. Ravens | Saturday
Biggest needs: DL, CB, OT, LB, Edge
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE NEW YORK JETS
Week 17 opponent: vs. Jaguars
Biggest needs: QB, LB, DL, Edge, OT
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Week 17 opponent: at Colts
Biggest needs: CB, DL, WR, S, OT
