Week 12 saw the Giants turn out to be the primary team within the NFL to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Based on yesterday’s results, one other two teams from each conference saw their postseason probabilities officially come to an end.
The Titans, Saints, Raiders and Cardinals have now been eliminated as well. Attention within the case of those teams will increasingly turn toward the offseason. For some, questions on changes on the quarterback spot can be ongoing through the spring. Free agency isn’t expected to incorporate many notable options, so the draft can be sought out in several instances as a method of finding a 2026 starter.
In fact, the incoming class of passers has largely underwhelmed this season. That has led to uncertainty regarding the ceiling for lots of the top prospects on the quarterback position. Nevertheless, supply often outweighs demand at the highest of the Day 1 order within the NFL draft. How things shake out over the closing weeks of the season can be key in determining which QB-needy teams find themselves in the very best position to pick a brand new QB1.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is set by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason final result and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an early have a look at the first-round order:
- Tennessee Titans (1-11)
- Recent Orleans Saints (2-10)
- Recent York Giants (2-10)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
- Cleveland Browns (3-9)
- Washington Commanders (3-9)
- Recent York Jets (3-9)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (4-8)
- Miami Dolphins (5-7)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
- Carolina Panthers (7-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
- Detroit Lions (7-5)
- Houston Texans (7-5)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
- Buffalo Bills (8-4)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
- Recent York Jets (via Colts)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Seattle Seahawks (9-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
- Recent England Patriots (10-2)
- Chicago Bears (9-3)
- Denver Broncos (10-2)