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