This is a look at the first-round order for the 2026 NFL Draft heading into Week 15 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: .577
Remaining SOS: .462 (T-20)
Week 15 opponent: at Eagles
Biggest needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR, OT
The Raiders enter the final quarter of the season in possession of the No. 1 pick. But they could have a tough time keeping it. The Giants' remaining strength of schedule is substantially lower than the Raiders' (.317 vs. .462), which means New York could potentially overtake Vegas (and Tennessee) at the top of the draft order if the Giants finish the season with the same overall record.
But let's say the Raiders end up at No. 1. The smart move might be to move down, gather a ton of draft capital, and build up the team's mediocre roster. Geno Smith certainly isn't Vegas' long-term answer under center, though, so it's hard to imagine the franchise would pass up the chance to land the top quarterback in the class.
Strength of schedule: .592
Remaining SOS: .519 (T-13)
Week 15 opponent: at 49ers
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, IOL, OT
The Titans desperately need an impact edge defender (or two) to complement Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
Strength of schedule: .598
Remaining SOS: .317 (31)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Commanders
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, CB, OT, LB
Both starting guard spots could be up for grabs in 2026. Jon Runyan doesn’t have any guaranteed money remaining on his deal after this season and Greg Van Roten is an impending free agent.
Strength of schedule: .464
Remaining SOS: .558 (T-10)
Week 15 opponent: at Bears
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, WR, CB, LB
Cleveland needs to address both offensive tackle spots this offseason. I'd advocate for them signing a reliable veteran in free agency and drafting one of this year's top prospects at the position.
Strength of schedule: .518
Remaining SOS: .615 (4)
Week 15 opponent: at Jaguars
Biggest needs: QB, CB, IOL, WR, DL
The Justin Fields experiment didn't pan out for the Jets, so look for them to be in the QB market again this offseason.
Strength of schedule: .521
Remaining SOS: .471 (19)
Week 15 opponent: at Giants
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, LB, S
I’m expecting the Commanders to target a promising pass rusher early in the 2026 draft. Dorance Armstrong posted 5.5 sacks in seven games but he’s out for the year with a knee injury. Von Miller, Jacob Martin, Preston Smith and Deatrich Wise are all ticketed for free agency.
Strength of schedule: .556
Remaining SOS: .308 (32)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Panthers
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, CB, RB, Edge
A strong duo in the backfield would take pressure off rookie quarterback Tyler Shough as he progresses. Sixth-round rookie Devin Neal had a solid showing in his second career start on Sunday, but five-time Pro Bowl RB Alvin Kamara is injured and headed for his age-31 season. Also, 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller hasn’t proven he can stay healthy.
Strength of schedule: .592
Remaining SOS: .500 (T-15)
Week 15 opponent: at Texans
Biggest needs: OT, WR, RB, IOL, LB
Guard is among the spots requiring the Cardinals’ full attention. Arizona should use a middle- or late-round pick on a potential starter with Will Hernandez scheduled to become a free agent.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Falcons' record: 4-9
Strength of schedule: .521
Remaining SOS: .442 (T-25)
Falcons' Week 15 opponent: at Buccaneers | TNF
Rams' biggest needs: OT, CB, QB, S, LB
As the Falcons continue to lose, the Rams could find themselves drafting early enough to land a potential quarterback of the future in Round 1. Matthew Stafford is having an MVP-caliber season, but he’ll turn 38 in February.
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Falcons' needs.
Strength of schedule: .577
Remaining SOS: .346 (29)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Ravens
Biggest needs: CB, Edge, S, IOL, TE
The Bengals must improve at cornerback to tighten up the league’s worst defense. Cam Taylor-Britt is due to reach free agency in 2026, while Dax Hill and DJ Turner II hit the market in 2027.
Strength of schedule: .530
Remaining SOS: .500 (T-15)
Week 15 opponent: at Cowboys | SNF
Biggest needs: CB, LB, S, WR, DL
Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison remain the Vikings’ starting receivers on the outside, but Minnesota could be in the market for a speedy slot pass-catcher with Jalen Nailor headed for free agency.
Strength of schedule: .462
Remaining SOS: .558 (T-10)
Week 15 opponent: at Steelers | MNF
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, TE, S, OT
Both Greg Dulcich and Darren Waller have been quality contributors for the Dolphins this season. I'd expect the team to try to re-sign one of the veteran tight ends and then look to pair him with a middle-round pick at the position.
Strength of schedule: .479
Remaining SOS: .606 (T-5)
Week 15 opponent: at Bengals
Biggest needs: Edge, IOL, DL, CB, TE
The Ravens signed Mark Andrews to a new deal last week. However, they still could be eyeing tight end help in the middle rounds of next year’s draft with Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely playing on expiring contracts.
Strength of schedule: .530
Remaining SOS: .462 (T-20)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Chargers
Biggest needs: TE, CB, RB, DL, WR
Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton are impending free agents, so I expect Andy Reid to seek another reliable playmaker early in the draft.
Strength of schedule: .470
Remaining SOS: .365 (28)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Vikings | SNF
Biggest needs: Edge, RB, S, LB, WR
The Cowboys will have a big decision to make at running back, with 1,000-yard rusher Javonte Williams playing on a one-year deal. Fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue hasn't really made an impact this season, so Dallas will have a glaring void in the backfield if Williams doesn’t return.
Strength of schedule: .515
Remaining SOS: .519 (T-13)
Week 15 opponent: at Saints
Biggest needs: IOL, LB, S, QB, CB
Chandler Zavala's struggle to stay healthy this season might push the Panthers to sign a veteran starter and use an early draft pick on the interior offensive line. Cade Mays, Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen are in the final year of their deals.
Strength of schedule: .464
Remaining SOS: .596 (T-7)
Week 15 opponent: at Rams
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, IOL, LB, DL
Second-round pick Tate Ratledge will hold down a starting spot on the interior next year, but Graham Glasgow turns 34 this summer. I expect Detroit to find a new guard or center early in the draft.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Colts' record: 8-5
Strength of schedule: .467
Remaining SOS: .692 (1)
Week 15 opponent: at Seahawks
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Colts' needs.
Playoff teams entering Week 15
Strength of schedule: .527
Remaining SOS: .462 (T-20)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Falcons | TNF
Biggest needs: LB, TE, Edge, DL, CB
Strength of schedule: .536
Remaining SOS: .442 (T-25)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Dolphins | MNF
Biggest needs: QB, WR, CB, IOL, OT
Strength of schedule: .541
Remaining SOS: .327 (30)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Raiders
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, CB, WR, S
Strength of schedule: .580
Remaining SOS: .423 (27)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Cardinals
Biggest needs: IOL, DL, OT, RB, LB
Strength of schedule: .408
Remaining SOS: .567 (9)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Browns
Biggest needs: S, Edge, DL, CB, OT
Strength of schedule: .420
Remaining SOS: .606 (T-5)
Week 15 opponent: at Chiefs
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, CB, IOL, OT
Strength of schedule: .462
Remaining SOS: .481 (T-17)
Week 15 opponent: at Patriots
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, LB, CB, IOL
Strength of schedule: .467
Remaining SOS: .558 (T-10)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Titans
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, DL, CB, OT
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars' record: 9-4
Strength of schedule: .509
Remaining SOS: .462 (T-20)
Jaguars' Week 15 opponent: vs. Jets
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Jaguars' needs.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers' record: 9-3-1
Strength of schedule: .435
Remaining SOS: .596 (T-7)
Week 15 opponent: at Broncos
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Packers' needs.
Strength of schedule: .432
Remaining SOS: .654 (2)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Colts
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, WR, S, RB
Strength of schedule: .527
Remaining SOS: .481 (T-17)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Lions
See Pick No. 9 for analysis of the Rams' needs.
Strength of schedule: .349
Remaining SOS: .462 (T-20)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Bills
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, OT, DL, S
Strength of schedule: .376
Remaining SOS: .644 (3)
Week 15 opponent: vs. Packers
Biggest needs: LB, TE, WR, OT, DL
Teams without a 2026 first-round pick
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE LOS ANGELES RAMS
Week 15 opponent: at Buccaneers | TNF
Biggest needs: WR, TE, DL, CB, LB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS
Week 15 opponent: at Broncos
Biggest needs: DL, CB, OT, LB, IOL
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE NEW YORK JETS
Week 15 opponent: at Seahawks
Biggest needs: QB, LB, DL, Edge, OT
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Week 15 opponent: vs. Jets
Biggest needs: CB, DL, WR, S, OT
