The NFL playoffs are nearly here. Ahead of Week 17’s Sunday slate of games, 12 of the 14 postseason spots have been clinched.
Only a few other fanbases outside of those dozen franchises have a chance at the playoffs in 2025. For the rest of the league, it’s on to an offseason full of question marks – some bigger than others, depending on the state of the franchise.
One thing remains incredibly important for all of the eliminated teams: the 2026 NFL Draft. Finding young, inexpensive talent to develop is the most reliable way to build a contender. Just ask New England – a team that went from four wins to contending for the No. 1 seed behind a second-year quarterback and top rookies at running back and left tackle.
The 2026 NFL Draft will see a surprising order compared to years past. Perennial playoff contenders, Kansas City will be picking in the top half of the first round. Washington is poised to be back in the top 10 after a trip to the NFC championship game a year ago.
Week 17’s results will have a huge impact on the first-round order of the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s how things look as Sunday’s results come in:
2026 NFL Draft order
Here’s a look at the latest draft order for the first round with strength of schedule information via Tankathon:
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2-14; .541 SOS
- New York Giants: 3-13 record; .530 strength of schedule
- New York Jets: 3-13, .552 SOS
- Tennessee Titans: 3-13, .576 SOS
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-13; .577 SOS
- Cleveland Browns: 4-12, .494 SOS
- Washington Commanders: 4-12; .504 SOS
- New Orleans Saints: 6-10; .491 SOS
- Kansas City Chiefs: 6-10; .511 SOS
- Cincinnati Bengals: 6-10; .520 SOS
- Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 6-9; .498 SOS
- Miami Dolphins: 7-9; .487 SOS
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-8, .530 SOS
- Dallas Cowboys: 7-8-1; .430 SOS
- Detroit Lions: 8-8; .493 SOS
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-8; .507 SOS
- Minnesota Vikings: 8-8; .515 SOS
- Indianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-8; .537 SOS
- Carolina Panthers: 8-8, .521 SOS
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7; .513 SOS
- Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-6-1; .479 SOS
- Philadelphia Eagles: 10-5; .468 SOS
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11-5; .461 SOS
- Houston Texans: 11-5; .530 SOS
- Buffalo Bills: 11-4, .470 SOS
- San Francisco 49ers: 11-4, .494 SOS
- Los Angeles Rams: 11-4, .526 SOS
- Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 12-4; .487 SOS
- Chicago Bears: 11-4; .450 SOS
- New England Patriots: 13-3; .386 SOS
- Denver Broncos: 13-3; .425 SOS
- Seattle Seahawks: 13-3; .494 SOS
2026 NFL mock draft
Here’s how the top five picks could pan out per USA TODAY Sports’ Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz’s latest mock draft:
- New York Jets (proposed trade w/NYG): QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
- Las Vegas Raiders: QB Dante Moore, Oregon
- Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
- New York Giants (proposed trade w/NYJ): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
- Tennessee Titans: LB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State