by The 2026 NFL offseason is officially in fifth gear. Following the Seattle Seahawks’ gritty 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, the league has pivoted from the gridiron to the war room. With the Scouting Combine kicking off in Indianapolis, every front office is obsessed with the NFL Draft Order 2026, looking for the missing piece that turns a top-five pick into a Lombardi Trophy.
The Top Five: Raiders on the Clock
The Las Vegas Raiders secured the coveted No. 1 overall pick after a 3-14 season defined by offensive struggles. Owner Tom Brady and head coach Klint Kubiak are widely expected to target Indiana’s Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza to stabilize a franchise that has been searching for a signal-caller since Derek Carr’s departure. This positioning at the summit of the NFL Draft Order 2026 gives the Silver and Black total control over a draft class heavy on defensive stars but thin on elite passers.
Following closely behind, the New York Jets (No. 2) and Arizona Cardinals (No. 3) find themselves in prime positions to draft generational defensive talents like Ohio State’s Arvell Reese or Texas Tech’s David Bailey. The Jets, in particular, hold two picks in the first round, which could make them a major player in trade-up scenarios. As it stands, the NFL Draft Order 2026 has the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 and the New York Giants rounding out the top five, with the G-Men potentially eyeing offensive line help for Jaxson Dart.
Official 2026 NFL Draft First-Round Order
The following order is finalized heading into the Scouting Combine. Note that several picks have shifted due to high-profile trades, including the Micah Parsons blockbuster and the Sauce Gardner mid-season move.
| Pick | Team | 2025 Record | Key Notes |
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | 3-14 | Projected: QB Fernando Mendoza |
| 2 | New York Jets | 3-14 | Defensive focus expected |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | 3-14 | Needs edge rush presence |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | 3-14 | First draft under Robert Saleh |
| 5 | New York Giants | 4-13 | John Harbaugh’s first major pick |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | 5-12 | Addressing the O-line |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | 5-12 | Seeking secondary help |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | 6-11 | Looking for Cam Jordan’s heir |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-11 | Rare top-10 appearance for KC |
| 10 | Cincinnati Bengals | 6-11 | Protection for Joe Burrow |
(Remaining picks 11-32 continue below)
The middle of the NFL Draft Order 2026 features a few surprises, notably the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9. After a season marred by injuries to Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs are in a rare position to add a blue-chip prospect like Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love to reignite their offense.
Trade Impact: Who Owns Which Pick?
Draft day drama started months ago. The Los Angeles Rams now hold the No. 13 pick (via Atlanta), while the Dallas Cowboys own the No. 20 pick (via Green Bay) thanks to the Micah Parsons trade. These swaps have significantly altered the NFL Draft Order 2026, leaving teams like the Falcons and Packers without a first-round seat unless they trade back into the frame.
Furthermore, the New York Jets acquired the Indianapolis Colts’ pick (No. 16) in the Sauce Gardner deal, giving them massive leverage to either double-dip on defense or package picks to move to No. 1. This volatility is a major talking point at the Combine, as GMs use the NFL Draft Order 2026 as a chessboard for potential draft-day maneuvers.
The Champions’ Slot: Seattle at No. 32
At the bottom of the order sits the world champion Seattle Seahawks. Mike Macdonald’s squad doesn’t pick until the end of Thursday night, but their championship roster has few glaring holes. Most analysts tracking the NFL Draft Order 2026 expect Seattle to look at best-player-available, perhaps bolstering their defensive front or adding a developmental tackle to keep their title window open.
As the Patriots (No. 31) and Denver Broncos (No. 30) prepare their boards, the pressure is on the bottom-tier teams to capitalize on their high draft equity. The NFL Draft Order 2026 is more than just a list; it’s the blueprint for the next decade of professional football.
