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2026 NFL Draft Order: Top 28 Picks Locked & Every Team's Biggest Needs

SportBusy3 min read

The road to the 2026 NFL Draft has reached a critical milestone. With the Divisional Round in the books, the top 28 picks of the first round are officially locked. From the Las Vegas Raiders securing the No. 1 overall pick to the powerhouse teams retooling for another run, the landscape of the league is about to change.

Draft-order tiebreaker: When teams share the same record, the first tiebreaker is strength of schedule. Playoff teams are slotted based on postseason results.

Quick Snapshot

  • Raiders and Jets own the top two picks after 3-14 seasons.
  • Quarterback and offensive line dominate early-team needs.
  • Several contenders (Bills, 49ers, Texans) still need trench upgrades.
  • Final slots for the remaining playoff teams will be set after the postseason.

Top 5 Picks (Locked)

Raiders

Needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, Edge

Jets

2. New York Jets

3-14

Needs: QB, OL, CB, WR, DL

Cardinals

Needs: QB, OL, Edge, S, DL

Titans

Needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, S

Giants

5. New York Giants

4-13

Needs: WR, OL, CB, LB, DL

Picks 6-18

Browns

Needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, LB

Commanders

Needs: Edge, CB, WR, LB, TE

Saints

Needs: Edge, WR, CB, OL, DL

Chiefs

Needs: TE, RB, WR, CB, OL

Bengals

Needs: Edge, OL, CB, DL, S

Dolphins

11. Miami Dolphins

7-10

Needs: QB, OL, CB, S, TE

Cowboys

12. Dallas Cowboys

7-9-1

Needs: Edge, S, CB, LB, WR

Rams

13. LA Rams (via Falcons)

8-9

Needs: OL, CB, S, WR, QB

Ravens

Needs: Edge, DL, OL, CB, S

Bucs

Needs: Edge, LB, CB, TE, DL

Jets

16. New York Jets (via Colts)

8-9

Needs: QB, OL, CB, WR, DL

Lions

17. Detroit Lions

9-8

Needs: Edge, DL, OL, CB, S

Vikings

Needs: S, CB, OL, WR, LB

Picks 19-28 (Eliminated Playoff Teams)

Panthers

Needs: OL, Edge, LB, S, CB

Cowboys

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)

9-7-1

Needs: Edge, S, CB, LB, WR

Steelers

Needs: QB, WR, CB, S, OL

Chargers

22. LA Chargers

11-6

Needs: OL, Edge, DL, S, CB

Eagles

Needs: Edge, CB, TE, OL, S

Browns

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)

13-4

Needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, LB

Bears

25. Chicago Bears

11-6

Needs: S, DL, CB, Edge, OL

Bills

26. Buffalo Bills

12-5

Needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, LB

49ers

Needs: WR, OL, Edge, S, CB

Texans

28. Houston Texans

12-5

Needs: OL, DL, RB, LB, Edge

Playoff Teams Still Alive

These teams remain in the postseason, so their final draft positions will be determined by playoff finish:

Patriots
New England Patriots (14-3): Edge, OL, DL, TE, S
Broncos
Denver Broncos (14-3): LB, TE, DL, OL, RB
Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks (14-3): CB, OL, WR, Edge, RB

FAQ: 2026 NFL Draft Order

How is the NFL draft order determined?

Non-playoff teams are ranked by record, then strength of schedule. Playoff teams are ordered by how far they advance.

When does the order become final?

The final order is locked after the Super Bowl, once all playoff results are complete.

Why do teams list “needs”?

Needs highlight positions a team is most likely to target based on roster holes, aging veterans, or expiring contracts.

Sources