Week 14’s action brought about a few notable updates to the standings at both ends of the NFL’s conferences. Another four teams are officially out of playoff contention, while wins by Tennessee and New Orleans could prove to be rather important once the campaign has ended.
The Jets, Browns, Falcons and Commanders were eliminated from the postseason through the results of recent days. Of course, each of those teams have been out of the running for a playoff push for some time now. Still, that group will be worth watching closely over the closing four weeks of the season as the top-10 order for Day 1 of the draft gradually comes into focus.
Uncertainty regarding the quarterback class of 2026 will no doubt remain a talking point over the coming months. Fernando Mendoza strengthened his case to be QB1 in April’s draft, although it remains to be seen if other top signal-callers like Dante Moore and Ty Simpson will turn pro or elect to remain in school for one more season. Decisions on those fronts will be central storylines carrying significant implications for the teams near the top of the order which find themselves in need of a quarterback investment.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an updated look at the first-round order:
- New York Giants (2-11)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)
- Tennessee Titans (2-11)
- Cleveland Browns (3-10)
- New Orleans Saints (3-10)
- Washington Commanders (3-10)
- New York Jets (3-10)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
- Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
- Miami Dolphins (6-7)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
- Carolina Panthers (7-6)
- Detroit Lions (8-5)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)
- Houston Texans (8-5)
- Chicago Bears (9-4)
- Buffalo Bills (9-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (9-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
- New England Patriots (11-2)
- Los Angeles Rams (10-3)
- Denver Broncos (11-2)
Way I see it, there are six teams who want to draft their next franchise QB next year, and five of them are within a game of the first pick. Should be interesting to see how it shakes out.
you see 6? i See 5
Steelers are the one who don’t have a shot at the top pick.
Giants, Titans, Commanders aren’t in the market. The number is 5 teams.
Jets and Raiders….not sure about Cardinals
Raiders
Browns (permanently)
Saints (upgradeable)
Jets
Cardinals
Dolphins
Steelers
I might argue the Rams and (possibly, depending on how they feel about McCarthy) should join that list
I think ur talking about the Vikings
Oops. You’re correct
As long as my Browns don’t get stupid and waste a 1st on an overhyped QB…..I’m excited for this draft, with 2 firsts
A Browns fan talking about not drafting “overhyped QBs” in the first round is so poetic
Gotta love the Rams trade with Atlanta that netted 2026 1st rounder.
Eagles are moving up in the draft.
Winning for no reason, Miami’s shooting themselve in the fin
I’m a bit shocked that none of the so called “experts” have released their mock draft for 2030 yet 🙂
Divisional games close out the season — take the lower ranked team and pts 🙂