ClutchPoints
The NFL playoffs are just around the corner, but 14 teams have already been eliminated from postseason contention. Those teams have nothing to look forward to but the 2026 NFL Draft, and each of them could very well be vying for a better draft slot during their last two matchups of the season.
After all, the 2026 NFL Draft has plenty of talent at a variety of positions. This year’s draft will be interesting because, although quarterbacks usually go near the top of the draft board, a lot of the worst teams this year are already set at that position. Regardless, the New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders are tied for the worst record in the NFL, and either of them would love to own the first overall selection and have their pick of the litter.
The Giants and Raiders control their own fate for getting the number one draft pick, too, as the two worst teams in the NFL actually play each other in Week 17. NFL teams don’t often tank, but fans might have to expect that these teams won’t be actively pursuing a win here. So, heading into Week 17 and this Giants vs. Raiders matchup that has huge draft implications, how does the 2026 NFL Draft order currently stack up?
Note: The order of the first 18 picks will be decided at the end of the regular season. Picks 19-32 will be for playoff teams, and therefore won’t be established until playoff outcomes are settled.
A full list of draft targets for the NFL’s worst teams can be found here, but the race for the number one pick is narrowing, and the loser of the Giants vs. Raiders game will almost certainly end up with the first overall selection. The Raiders’ decision, if picking atop the draft, would be a little more cut and dry.
The Geno Smith experiment didn’t work, so the team needs to find their franchise signal caller. Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore are considered the two best quarterbacks in this draft class. Mendoza just won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to the number one seed in the College Football...
