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 1-11, the Tennessee Titans are the current holders of the No. 1 overall pick. However, the race to the bottom isn't over yet, with the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders all owning just two wins on the season.
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.
The Saints will give their leader, Kellen Moore, more time at the helm, but, like the Titans, they have a talent issue all over the roster. At least Moore has been able to see what his young players can provide on the field, offering a glimpse into future roster construction. It also helps that they will be out of their long-standing cap constraints within the next couple of seasons, opening the front office up for more moves.
The Jets are hoping for their first No. 1 overall pick since 1996, when they selected WR Keyshawn Johnson. Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson provide a strong offensive base to build around, but Justin Fields clearly isn't the answer under center. The front office dealt away its two defensive stars in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, but the extra picks should help them land their new QB1, whether in 2026 or 2027.
The Giants hope they have their franchise QB in Jaxson Dart, 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, or it's time for an outside hire to establish a new culture in the Big Apple.
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