2026 NFL Draft order after Week 9: Saints still holding No. 1 pick, but several teams close behind

There were two teams who have been fixtures in NFL Draft order posts on a bye this week: the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. Ironically, those two teams not only return to action in Week 10, but they’ll face one another. When the regular season is over and fans reflect upon the season, that game could be the difference in one of those clubs being in position to draft a quarterback in April. 

A Sunday afternoon game was particularly brutal for Browns fans, as the Jacksonville Jaguars escaped Las Vegas with an overtime victory against the Raiders. Cleveland holds Jacksonville’s first-round pick and has the same number of wins as the Raiders. 

As a reminder, there are three teams without a first-round pick in 2026 as a result of draft-day trades and the Micah Parsons deal: Atlanta, Green Bay and Jacksonville. 

Here is the current 2026 NFL Draft order, per Tankathon, as well as potential team needs:

1. New Orleans Saints (1-8)

Projected needs: CB, S, DL, RB, WR

The Saints lost their first four games before securing their first win. They’re currently on a four-game losing streak. Will they snap it again next week against the Panthers? 

2. Tennessee Titans (1-8)

Projected needs: OT, IOL, WR, DL, EDGE

Tennessee put up a fight but ultimately fell short vs. the Chargers. The Titans may have gotten a spark after the Brian Callahan firing, but will that persist?

3. New York Jets (1-7)

Projected needs: QB, WR, DL, CB, TE

The Jets were on a bye this weekend, but return next week against the Browns, who were also on a bye.

4. Miami Dolphins (2-7)

Projected needs: CB, WR, TE, IOL, S

Miami made the decision to dismiss general manager Chris Grier. For the time being, head coach Mike McDaniel appears to be safe despite the most recent loss to Baltimore.  

5. New York Giants (2-7)

Projected needs: IOL, OT, DL, CB, LB

Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart put forth another strong effort against San Francisco, but it was not enough. New York has one of the toughest second-half schedules. 

6. Cleveland Browns (2-6)

Projected needs: OT, WR, QB, CB, IOL

The Browns were on a bye this weekend, but return next week against the Jets, who are also on a bye.  

7. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)

Projected needs: CB, LB, S, DL, OT

Las Vegas squandered a late lead to Jacksonville in regulation, then failed to convert a two-point conversion in overtime. 

8. Arizona Cardinals (2-5)

Projected needs: OT, IOL, LB, DL, RB

Arizona travels to Arlington, Texas, on Monday night for a prime-time showdown with the Cowboys.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)

Projected needs: IOL, CB, S, TE, EDGE

Joe Flacco continues to tap into the “Fountain of Youth,” but the clock may soon strike midnight for this Cinderella.

10. Washington Commanders (3-6)

Projected needs: EDGE, LB, CB, TE, WR

The Commanders had a night they would like to forget, getting blown out by the Seahawks and losing Jayden Daniels to a horrific arm injury.

11. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)

Projected needs: EDGE, DL, IOL, TE, CB

Lamar Jackson made his return to the football field in glorious fashion as the Ravens look to surge up the AFC North standings. Baltimore found itself in an unusual position among the top-10 overall, but may soon put that outlook in its rearview mirror.

12. Los Angeles Rams via Atlanta Falcons (3-5)

Projected needs: CB, OT, LB, S, IOL

To Los Angeles’ gain, New England narrowly edged out Atlanta on Sunday as the Falcons remain one of the most confusing teams of the season. 

13. Houston Texans (3-5)

Projected needs: IOL, OT, TE, DL, S

C.J. Stroud exited Sunday’s game against Denver early with a concussion as the Texans slipped further down the AFC South standings. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (3-4-1)

Projected needs: S, LB, EDGE, RB, CB

Dallas hosts the Cardinals on “Monday Night Football” this week. 

15. Minnesota Vikings (4-4)

Projected needs: LB, CB, S, DL, RB

J.J. McCarthy’s return to the field proved fruitful for Justin Jefferson, who scored his second touchdown of the season in a divisional game against Detroit. 

16. Carolina Panthers (5-4)

Projected needs: CB, S, IOL, WR, DL

Carolina’s three-game win streak ended last week against Buffalo, but it began a new streak Sunday with a win over the Packers. 

17. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)

Projected needs: DL, RB, CB, LB, TE

Kansas City had won five of its past six games. Momentum had been building within that organization. Buffalo used a late turnover to stall the Chiefs’ momentum in the final minutes before batting down Patrick Mahomes‘ final attempt as time expired.

18. Chicago Bears (5-3)

Projected needs: DL, S, IOL, RB, OT

Chicago and Cincinnati went back and forth Sunday. Only five possessions between the two teams did not end up in either a field goal attempt or touchdown in the Bears’ 47-42 win. 

19. Cleveland Browns via Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)

Projected needs: OT, WR, QB, CB, IOL

The Jaguars needed a pass deflection on a two-point attempt in overtime to sneak away with a victory against the Raiders on Sunday. It was a double whammy for Cleveland, which not only has Jacksonville’s pick, but also the same number of wins as Las Vegas.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

Projected needs: QB, DL, WR, CB, IOL

Pittsburgh was on the celebratory end of a critical contest with the Colts on Sunday. Jonathan Taylor was held to his lowest rushing total of the season (45).

21. Detroit Lions (5-3)

Projected needs: EDGE, DL, LB, CB, OT

An efficient Lions offense was not enough to overcome Minnesota on Sunday. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)

Projected needs: IOL, EDGE, CB, TE, DL

Tennessee kept pace with Justin Herbert and the Chargers for most of Sunday’s affair, but ultimately Los Angeles put it away. Offensive tackle Joe Alt may miss some time with an ankle injury.

23. San Francisco 49ers (6-3)

Projected needs: OT, IOL, DL, WR, TE

Mac Jones has started all but two games for the 49ers this season. Edge rusher Mykel Williams is expected to miss time with an injury sustained Sunday after Nick Bosa had already been lost for the season. 

24. Dallas Cowboys via Green Bay Packers (5-2-1)

Projected needs: S, LB, EDGE, RB, CB

A loss cannot hurt Dallas’ pick from Green Bay, but the reality is that the Packers almost certainly will advance to the postseason. How far they go will determine where the Cowboys’ pick lands.

25. Buffalo Bills (6-2)

Projected needs: S, LB, EDGE, CB, WR

Kansas City and Buffalo delivered another classic as the Bills outlasted its counterpart Sunday afternoon. 

26. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)

Projected needs: CB, DL, IOL, S, WR

The Seahawks keep rolling behind Sam Darnold, who tossed four TD passes in a romp over the Commanders on “Sunday Night Football.”

27. Los Angeles Rams (6-2)

Projected needs: CB, OT, LB, S, IOL

Los Angeles has won three straight after decisively beating New Orleans on Sunday. 

28. Denver Broncos (7-2)

Projected needs: LB, TE, S, WR, OT

Denver is one of three teams in the NFL with seven wins. It has won six straight games after dropping two of three to open the year. 

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)

Projected needs: LB, DL, EDGE, IOL, TE

The Buccaneers utilized a much needed bye week to get healthier. Tampa Bay plays the Patriots next week. 

30. New England Patriots (7-2)

Projected needs: OT, TE, WR, LB, EDGE

Atlanta scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to push the Patriots to the brink, but Drake Maye emerged victorious in a battle of 2024 first-round quarterbacks.

31. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)

Projected needs: TE, CB, EDGE, S, IOL

Philadelphia had a bye this week before returning to the public eye in prime time each of the next two weeks. 

32. Indianapolis Colts (7-2)

Projected needs: LB, CB, EDGE, IOL, DL

Indianapolis is undefeated at home this season, but is now .500 on the road. The Colts had six turnovers, including three interceptions. 

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weekly mock drafts and regular looks at the eligible prospects.