Several dominoes have fallen so far in Week 16 with respect to the NFL’s playoff picture. The Cowboys have been eliminated while the Patriots, Seahawks, Bears, Eagles and 49ers have locked in a postseason berth.
The final two weeks of the campaign will determine the remaining playoff spots, but they will also sort out the top of the draft order. Six teams remain within striking distance of the No. 1 pick, although the Titans’ win on Sunday greatly weakened their chances of landing the top selection for the second year in a row. One contest in particular will be worth monitoring next week with respect to draft positioning.
The Giants and Raiders each sport a record of 2-13. They will play each other in Week 17, meaning the loser of that contest will have the inside track for the No. 1 pick. New York already has a head coaching vacancy while Pete Carroll is in danger of going one-and-done in Vegas. Plenty of incentive for winning will exist for Carroll in particular, but the outcome of that game will have major implications on the draft order.
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 (2-13)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
- Cleveland Browns (3-12)
- New York Jets (3-12)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
- Tennessee Titans (3-12)
- Washington Commanders (4-11)
- New Orleans Saints (5-10)
- Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)
- Miami Dolphins (6-9)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
- Detroit Lions (8-7)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Carolina Panthers (8-7)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
- Houston Texans (10-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
- Chicago Bears (11-4)
- New England Patriots (12-3)
- Denver Broncos (12-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
Where’s uncle Rico gonna get drafted to
It’s hard to gauge. His stock fell when coach didn’t put him in during state.
If it stays this way it would be interesting because 2-5 need a QB while 1 does not. Giants will be able to auction off first pick for a massive haul.
I’ve never wanted my Giants to lose more than I do now. Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Dolphins, maybe the Browns and Steelers all might want to trade up for a QB. Would the Rams want to use Atlanta’s pick to move up and draft a successor to Stafford? Giants could get multiple picks and address some holes.
Steelers aren’t going QB in the 1st round. They would have to give up multiple 1sts to go from 20 to 1. This class doesnt have a clear (cant miss) #1, so it wouldn’t be worth it. They might take a flyer on a 2nd or 3rd round guy.
Would be better if the QB class was better.
If the QB class was better teams would be more comfortable taking whoever falls to them. less supply&same demand = higher price.
Not sure if there will be a “demand” for this class. Teams might be more comfortable taking a LT in the first round and signing a retread like Tua and wait for next year. Good luck though.
Can the Giants work on their O-Line for once? It’s hard to be a QB when the defense rips through the o-line like tissue paper.
Don’t be idiots for a change raiders. Lose to the giants.
I was thinking the same thing earlier today. Since this is a scenario where losing would be beneficial for the organization I can pretty much guarantee the Raiders beat the Giants.
Keep that Giants pick low as possible for Steelers . Thanks
The amount of draft capital that the Steelers would have to give up to move from the 20’s to #1 would be astronomical. And there isn’t a QB prospect worth it in this draft. Give Will Howard a season. Fill in several of the holes on the roster.
Rodgers will be back next year
Tomlin for Giants 1st
Straight up
Everyone wants to crush Tomlin but the dude has literally been given garbage at the qb position since Big Ben. This year they have Rodgers who is slightly better than garbage, but not by too much. Teams are lost in the desert until they figure out a good solution there. Steelers are too good to land a top tier pick and not good enough to be any kind of a legitimate threat to any top team. Awful situation to be in, but somehow the Packers figured it out. They never had to blow it all up. It can be done, but they GOTTA find a guy.
I don’t disagree with you. That’s why I said to give Will Howard a chance. Maybe they do have it figured out. Maybe they don’t. They’ll never know unless they give him a chance.
4 wins by the Commanders is 7th draft choice. There are some bad teams this year.
That Parsons trade just keeps looking better for Jerry.
How it’s gonna Packers make the playoffs it drops around 24 or 25 home girl. Once you’re out of the top 10, it’s a crapshoot.
Cleveland’s pick for Travis Hunter just keeps dropping
Yeah but that’s a good thing.
If the Jaguars pick lands right around 25 26 that’s good trade back into the 1st round for a QB territory.
It’d be nice if it was top 10 but using it to trade back and net some additional picks in 26 and possibly 27 isn’t the worst outcome.
Giants aren’t taking a QB number 1 overall don’t be dumb raiders. If you like Mendoza stay put. Let someone else trade up and pay a kings ransom.
Worst case for them is they end up with Dante Moore of Oregon right?
You’re gonna get 1 or 2 if you stay course and don’t win games number 1 overall isn’t always the right pick- young vs stroud
Right. As an outsider I believe Raiders will win this weekend. I see them making a big play late to win. Maybe a Maxx Crosby strip sack.
Bizzarro world. Kansas City up that high..Looks weird to me