2026 NFL Draft Order Projections

As we move through Week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season, it's time to take an early look at the projected first-round draft order for the 2026 NFL Draft. Utilizing ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), we simulate the remainder of the season 10,000 times to provide the most accurate projections. The draft order is determined by the records projected for each team after 17 games, along with their average draft position across these simulations.

Top Contenders for the No. 1 Pick

• Tennessee Titans (0-2)

  • Average draft position: 5.3
  • FPI chance to earn No. 1 pick: 20.8%
  • FPI chance to earn top-five pick: 64.3%
  • FPI chance to earn top-10 pick: 87.2%

• New Orleans Saints (0-2)

  • Average draft position: 7.2
  • FPI chance to earn No. 1 pick: 12.1%
  • FPI chance to earn top-five pick: 48.7%
  • FPI chance to earn top-10 pick: 76.6%

• New York Giants (0-2)

  • Average draft position: 7.4
  • FPI chance to earn No. 1 pick: 10.1%
  • FPI chance to earn top-five pick: 46.0%
  • FPI chance to earn top-10 pick: 75.3%

Dolphins in the Mix

The Miami Dolphins (0-2) are also in contention for a top-five pick:

• Average draft position: 7.4
• FPI chance to earn No. 1 pick: 10.3%
• FPI chance to earn top-five pick: 46.3%
• FPI chance to earn top-10 pick: 75.0%

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, these projections will continue to evolve. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers are also in the hunt for early draft picks. Keep an eye on how these teams perform in the coming weeks to see how the draft order might shift.

For more detailed projections and insights, check out ESPN's full analysis and stay tuned for updates as we approach the 2026 NFL Draft.