Week 12 has shaken things up in the NFL playoff picture to some extent.
Interestingly, the top spots in the 2026 NFL Draft remain unchanged after Sunday’s games.
The New York Giants are officially the first team out of playoff contention, yet they still sit in second place behind the Tennessee Titans for the upcoming NFL Draft. If the draft were to happen this week, the order would start with the Titans, followed by the Giants and the New Orleans Saints.
Here’s the updated order for the 2026 NFL Draft after the weekend’s matchups:
| Pick | Team | Record | Win Rate % | Strength of Schedule | Games Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee Titans | 1-10 | .091 | .574 | — |
| 2 | New York Giants | 2-10 | .167 | .545 | 0.5 |
| 3 | New Orleans Saints | 2-9 | .182 | .492 | 1.0 |
| 4 | New York Jets | 2-9 | .182 | .526 | 1.0 |
| 5 | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-9 | .182 | .558 | 1.0 |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | 3-8 | .273 | .476 | 2.0 |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | 3-8 | .273 | .516 | 2.0 |
| 8 | Cincinnati Bengals | 3-8 | .273 | .524 | 2.0 |
| 9 | Arizona Cardinals | 3-8 | .273 | .556 | 2.0 |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins | 4-7 | .364 | .487 | 3.0 |
| 11 | Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) | 4-7 | .364 | .495 | 3.0 |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | 4-7 | .364 | .535 | 3.0 |
| 13 | Dallas Cowboys | .500 | .463 | 4.5 | |
| 14 | Carolina Panthers | 6-5 | .545 | .500 | 5.0 |
| 15 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-5 | .545 | .513 | 5.0 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 6-5 | .545 | .513 | 5.0 |
| 17 | Houston Texans | 6-5 | .545 | .545 | 5.0 |
| 18 | Detroit Lions | 7-4 | .636 | .513 | 6.0 |
| 19 | Baltimore Ravens | 6-5 | .545 | .503 | 5.0 |
| 20 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-5 | .545 | .505 | 5.0 |
| 21 | Buffalo Bills | 7-4 | .636 | .466 | 6.0 |
| 22 | Cleveland Browns (via JAX) | 7-4 | .636 | .492 | 6.0 |
| 23 | San Francisco 49ers | 7-4 | .636 | .495 | 6.0 |
| 24 | Dallas Cowboys (via GB) | .682 | .492 | 6.5 | |
| 25 | Los Angeles Chargers | 7-4 | .636 | .471 | 6.0 |
| 26 | Chicago Bears | 8-3 | .727 | .449 | 7.0 |
| 27 | Seattle Seahawks | 8-3 | .727 | .487 | 7.0 |
| 28 | New York Jets (via IND) | 8-3 | .727 | .497 | 7.0 |
| 29 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8-3 | .727 | .495 | 7.0 |
| 30 | Denver Broncos | 9-2 | .818 | .441 | 8.0 |
| 31 | Los Angeles Rams | 9-2 | .818 | .519 | 8.0 |
| 32 | New England Patriots | 10-2 | .833 | .356 | 8.5 |
Thinking more broadly, a couple of interesting points pop up.
First, yes, the New England Patriots are indeed at the bottom of the draft rankings because they hold the best record overall.
And yes, their strength of schedule is notably the worst in the league at .356. This metric assesses the difficulty posed by all 17 opponents, not just those that played through Week 12.
The Rams’ trade with the Falcons continues to look beneficial for Los Angeles. While Atlanta picked up pass rusher James Pierce Jr. through the deal last spring, the Rams are poised to secure a top 10 pick, in addition to their own selections, depending on how the Falcons perform for the remainder of the season.
After the recent matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it appears that their first-round pick could land pretty late.
On the higher end of the draft, both the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants are vying for that coveted No. 1 overall pick, although they’re likely to be trading away quarterbacks in this draft cycle. The teams right behind them—the Saints, Jets, Raiders, and Browns—are also heading toward a quarterback shuffle.
Potential Top Pick for the 2026 NFL Draft
Let’s explore some players who might be in the running.
Both the Titans and Giants seem ready to make shifts at quarterback this draft season. Cam Ward and Jackson Dart have shown flashes but need to become more consistent if they’re to take the reins next season.
The decision regarding the top pick could indeed be quite attractive.
Ruben Bain Jr. from Miami is often mentioned as a leading prospect. Primarily playing on the edge this season, he showcases a blend of power and, notably, some solid movement techniques against teams like SMU and Florida.
Historically, only one defensive back has gone No. 1 overall, back in 1956 with Gary Glick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Caleb Downs, a versatile safety, may be changing that. Downs has shown he’s ready for the NFL, lining up in various roles throughout the season—safety, cornerback, and even as a linebacker.
In terms of linebackers, Abel Reese from Ohio State could potentially follow suit as a top pick. He possesses athleticism and strength ideal for today’s NFL, capable of handling various tasks on the defensive side, including coverage and rushing the QB effectively.
Shifting focus to offense, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State’s Colonel Tate are potential top receiving candidates. Tyson excels both inside and outside the field and has demonstrated big-play potential. Tate, on the other hand, with his size and length, likely fits better on the outside and boasts impressive stats from the vertical game.
If a team with the top pick decides to trade, keep an eye on Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, and Dante Moore; these quarterbacks could become significant players in the mix.
