With the 2025-26 NFL season well underway, it's already time to look forward to the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the first time since 1949. While nearly more than half of the league is aiming toward a playoff berth, there are several franchises already turning the calendar over to draft season.
Which Teams Are in Contention for the No. 1 Overall Pick in 2026?
At 2-12, the New York Giants are the current holders of the No. 1 overall pick. However, the race to the bottom isn't over yet, with the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders also owning just two wins on the season.
The Giants hope they have their franchise QB in Jaxson Dart (concussions are a serious question mark), and RB Cam Skattebo and WR Malik Nabers make for an exciting offensive trio. That said, they are on interim head coach Mike Kafka right now and need to decide if he will return in 2026 and beyond. If not, it's time for an outside hire to establish a new culture in the Big Apple.
The Titans simply don't have the talent to support Cam Ward and have already fired their head coach. Clearly, there is an issue at the highest levels of the organization, but here's hoping leadership can come together to galvanize around their young QB before it's too late.
Then, there are the Raiders, who are in a rough spot in terms of their timeline. Head coach Pete Carroll is 74, and the team is in need of a signal-caller. Would Las Vegas opt to draft a rookie and hope Carroll can hang on long enough to reap the rewards? It's possible, but running it back with Geno Smith is not an option anymore.
FAQ
When and Where Is the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It will tie for the earliest draft in the past 15 years, with only the 2020 edition starting on the same date. Pittsburgh has hosted the NFL Draft twice before, although both were over 75 years ago (1948 and 1949).
Green Bay hosted the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field and the adjacent Titletown District. It was the first time Green Bay hosted the NFL Draft and the second time it has been hosted in Wisconsin.
What Are the Tiebreakers for the NFL Draft Pick Order?
According to the NFL, when teams finish with identical records and strength of schedule, additional tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
1) Head-to-head results (when applicable)
2) Win percentage in common games (minimum four required)
3) Strength of victory
4) Combined ranking in points scored and allowed
5) Net points differential
6) Net touchdowns differential
7) Coin toss