This is a look at the first-round order for the 2026 NFL Draft heading into Week 14 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: .621
Remaining SOS: .459 (21)
Week 14 opponent: at Browns
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, IOL, OT
The Titans will have to continue bolstering the offensive line to help No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward make strides. Selecting a young swing tackle with starter potential would make a lot of sense.
Strength of schedule: .608
Remaining SOS: .323 (32)
Week 14 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: IOL, WR, CB, OT, LB
Linebacker isn't a priority at No. 2 overall, but the Giants do need to find a difference-maker at the position in the 2026 draft. I'd expect them to select a rookie who could potentially replace Bobby Okereke down the road.
Strength of schedule: .561
Remaining SOS: .361 (31)
Week 14 opponent: at Buccaneers
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, QB, CB, Edge
Veteran slot corner Alontae Taylor will be a free agent this spring, so I suspect the Saints might target a quick-footed rookie to take on that role. Probably not at No. 3 overall, but potentially on Day 2 of the draft. If New Orleans instead signs a veteran to play inside, the draft focus might shift to an outside corner, creating more competition at the position.
Strength of schedule: .562
Remaining SOS: .541 (12)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Broncos
Biggest needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR, OT
The Raiders rank 31st in scoring this season (14.9 ppg) with issues throughout their offensive operation, including a lack of playmakers on the perimeter. Vegas must add to the receiver room this offseason.
Strength of schedule: .490
Remaining SOS: .467 (T-19)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Titans
Biggest needs: OT, IOL, WR, CB, LB
All three of the Browns' starters in the middle of the offensive line are due to become free agents: guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller and center Ethan Pocic. Recent draft picks Luke Wypler and Zak Zinter could step into larger roles, but adding another starting candidate should be on the team's offseason docket.
Strength of schedule: .531
Remaining SOS: .557 (9)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Dolphins
Biggest needs: QB, CB, IOL, WR, DL
New York is in dire need of pass-catchers who can complement former top-10 pick Garrett Wilson. The Jets had to have liked what they saw from trade deadline acquisition Adonai Mitchell on Sunday, with the second-year receiver posting career highs in catches (8) and yards (102) while hauling in his first NFL touchdown. He'll likely need to show more consistency down the stretch to earn a starting role for next season, though. Plus, Tyler Johnson, Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard are all due to become free agents.
Strength of schedule: .531
Remaining SOS: .467 (18)
Week 14 opponent: at Vikings
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, CB, LB, S
The Commanders should be on the hunt for upgrades at safety this offseason. Quan Martin, Will Harris and Jeremy Reaves are under contract, but there’s not much depth behind them.
Strength of schedule: .571
Remaining SOS: .550 (10)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Rams
Biggest needs: OT, WR, RB, IOL, LB
Arizona’s top two running backs -- Trey Benson and James Conner -- have missed most of the season with injuries. Conner's entering a contract year in 2026, too, so the Cardinals should invest in a ball-carrier in the first five rounds.
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Falcons' record: 4-8
Strength of schedule: .500
Remaining SOS: .500 (T-15)
Falcons' Week 14 opponent: vs. Seahawks
Rams' biggest needs: OT, CB, QB, S, LB
Safety Kamren Kinchens will be a defensive leader for the Rams in 2026, but Kam Curl and injured chess piece Quentin Lake are ticketed for free agency. Even if a veteran is signed as a starter, GM Les Snead must find depth in the draft.
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Falcons' needs.
Strength of schedule: .562
Remaining SOS: .417 (27)
Week 14 opponent: at Bills
Biggest needs: CB, Edge, S, IOL, TE
Adding a weapon at tight end via the draft would make Bengals wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins even more dangerous. There could be a void to fill at the position, as Noah Fant will be a free agent in the spring.
Strength of schedule: .566
Remaining SOS: .443 (25)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Commanders
Biggest needs: CB, LB, S, WR, DL
The Vikings brought in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to shore up the middle of their defensive line, but Minnesota ranks in the bottom 10 in run defense. A middle-round run-stuffer should provide depth initially and eventually develop into a larger role.
Strength of schedule: .486
Remaining SOS: .508 (14)
Week 14 opponent: at Jets
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, TE, S, OT
Right tackle Austin Jackson has played in just 10 games since the start of last season, and he’ll be entering a contract year in 2026. The Dolphins could use a rookie OT who can step in when needed.
Strength of schedule: .528
Remaining SOS: .467 (T-19)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Texans | SNF
Biggest needs: TE, CB, RB, DL, WR
The Chiefs gave up 137 rushing yards in their Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys. They must regain control at the line of scrimmage with young talent to complement Chris Jones.
Strength of schedule: .548
Remaining SOS: .450 (T-23)
Week 14 opponent: at Ravens
Biggest needs: QB, WR, CB, IOL, OT
DK Metcalf was the only Steelers wideout to catch a pass in Sunday’s lopsided loss to the Bills, and there’s a glaring need to complement with him better talent in 2026. They could use the 2026 third-round pick they acquired in the George Pickens trade to snag another pass-catcher.
Strength of schedule: .513
Remaining SOS: .521 (13)
Week 14 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: IOL, LB, S, QB, CB
Trevin Wallace has blossomed into a solid starting linebacker, but the Panthers' leading tackler, Christian Rozeboom, is an impending free agent and has missed the past two games due to injury. Carolina should add another athletic second-level defender in the middle of the draft.
Strength of schedule: .476
Remaining SOS: .393 (30)
Week 14 opponent: at Lions | TNF
Biggest needs: Edge, RB, S, LB, WR
Dallas must add a leader at safety in the 2026 draft. Starter Donovan Wilson is an impending free agent and Malik Hooker will be in a contract year next season.
Strength of schedule: .476
Remaining SOS: .575 (7)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Cowboys | TNF
Biggest needs: Edge, CB, IOL, LB, DL
Detroit selected defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round of this year's draft to pair with Alim McNeill. But with DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike and Roy Lopez all headed for free agency, the team should look for a late-round gem to keep the middle of the line strong.
Strength of schedule: .579
Remaining SOS: .450 (T-23)
Week 14 opponent: at Chiefs | SNF
Biggest needs: IOL, DL, OT, RB, LB
E.J. Speed heads to free agency this spring, while Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o will be in the final years of their contracts next season. I’ll be looking for the Texans to draft a linebacker on Day 3.
Playoff teams entering Week 14
Strength of schedule: .472
Remaining SOS: .582 (6)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Steelers
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, IOL, DL, CB
Strength of schedule: .548
Remaining SOS: .403 (28)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Saints
Biggest needs: LB, TE, Edge, DL, CB
Strength of schedule: .393
Remaining SOS: .625 (3)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Eagles | MNF
Biggest needs: Edge, DL, CB, IOL, OT
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Colts' record: 8-4
Strength of schedule: .431
Remaining SOS: .672 (1)
Week 14 opponent: at Jaguars
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Colts' needs.
Strength of schedule: .473
Remaining SOS: .475 (17)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Bengals
Biggest needs: WR, Edge, LB, CB, IOL
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars' record: 8-4
Strength of schedule: .493
Remaining SOS: .500 (T-15)
Jaguars' Week 14 opponent: vs. Colts
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Jaguars' needs.
Strength of schedule: .531
Remaining SOS: .400 (29)
Week 14 opponent: at Chargers | MNF
Biggest needs: Edge, TE, CB, WR, S
Strength of schedule: .462
Remaining SOS: .563 (8)
Week 14 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: WR, IOL, DL, CB, OT
PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers' record: 8-3-1
Strength of schedule: .414
Remaining SOS: .633 (2)
Week 14 opponent: vs. Bears
See the bottom of this article for analysis of the Packers' needs.
Strength of schedule: .376
Remaining SOS: .590 (5)
Week 14 opponent: at Packers
Biggest needs: S, Edge, DL, CB, OT
Strength of schedule: .428
Remaining SOS: .597 (4)
Week 14 opponent: at Falcons
Biggest needs: CB, IOL, WR, S, RB
Strength of schedule: .551
Remaining SOS: .433 (26)
Week 14 opponent: at Cardinals
See Pick No. 9 for analysis of the Rams' needs.
Strength of schedule: .403
Remaining SOS: .542 (11)
Week 14 opponent: at Raiders
Biggest needs: LB, TE, WR, OT, DL
Strength of schedule: .342
Remaining SOS: .458 (22)
Week 14 opponent: BYE
Biggest needs: Edge, WR, OT, DL, S
Teams without a 2026 first-round pick
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE LOS ANGELES RAMS
Week 14 opponent: vs. Seahawks
Biggest needs: WR, TE, DL, CB, LB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS
Week 14 opponent: vs. Bears
Biggest needs: DL, CB, OT, LB, IOL
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE NEW YORK JETS
Week 14 opponent: at Jaguars
Biggest needs: LB, DL, Edge, OT, QB
TRADED FIRST-ROUND PICK TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Week 14 opponent: vs. Colts
Biggest needs: CB, DL, WR, S, OT
