The Las Vegas Raiders have clinched the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, by virtue of having the easiest schedule of the four teams that finished tied with the league’s worst record at 3-14. Here’s how the draft order looks after Week 18:
1. Raiders
2. Jets
3. Cardinals
4. Titans
5. Giants
6. Browns
7. Commanders
8. Saints
9. Chiefs
10. Bengals
11. Dolphins
12. Cowboys
13. Falcons (traded first-round pick to Rams)
14. Ravens
15. Buccaneers
16. Colts (traded first-round pick to Jets)
17. Lions
18. Vikings
PLAYOFF TEAMS
19. Panthers
20. Packers (traded first-round pick to Cowboys)
21. Steelers
22. Chargers
23. Eagles
24. Bills
25. Bears
26. 49ers
27. Texans
28. Jaguars (traded first-round pick to Browns)
29. Rams
30. Patriots
31. Broncos
32. Seahawks
Who has the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Las Vegas Raiders earned the first overall pick by having with the easiest schedule of the four teams that finished tied with the worst record in the NFL, 3-14.
What are the tiebreakers for NFL Draft picks?
Draft picks are awarded in order of lowest winning percentage, and the tiebreaker is opponents’ winning percentage, with the team that played the easiest schedule picking first. If two teams have the same record and same strength of schedule, division or conference tiebreakers are applied. If the divisional or conference tiebreakers are not applicable, or ties still exist between teams of different conferences, ties will be broken the following tie-breaking method:
- Head-to-head, if applicable
- Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games (minimum of four)
- Strength of victory in all games
- Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed in all games
- Best net points in all games
- Best net touchdowns in all games
- Coin toss
The 18 non-playoff teams get the first 18 picks. The six wild card round playoff losers get picks 19-24, the four divisional round losers get picks 25-28, the conference championship game losers get picks 29 and 30, the Super Bowl loser gets pick 31 and the Super Bowl winner gets pick 32.
When is the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL draft takes place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. The first round will be on Thursday night, the second and third rounds will be on Friday night, and the fourth through seventh rounds will be on Saturday.
Who is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the betting favorite to go first overall. Other contenders include Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, Miami defensive end Rueben Bain, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk
