Updated NFL draft order: Here’s the list after the Bears, Bills, Texans and 49ers exit the playoffs
Here’s the updated Draft list after the latest round of games.
With the NFL postseason narrowing to just four contenders heading into conference championship weekend, the draft slots for teams eliminated this past weekend are now locked in.
After losses in their respective games, the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans have solidified their places near the end of the first round based on their regular-season records and playoff exits.
How is the NFL Draft order determined?
The draft order is decided primarily by a club’s regular-season win-loss record, with strength of schedule used to break ties among teams with the same record.
The 2021 NFL Draft Cheat Sheet is live!
— Mike Band (@MBandNFL) April 29, 2021
Here’s a look at what each team’s big board could look like based on pre-draft reports, team needs, and organizational philosophies.#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/RZC7eSQLc8
Playoff results also factor in, meaning teams that progress further pick later than those knocked out earlier at equivalent records.
With that in mind, the Bears sit highest among the recently eliminated quartet at 25th overall, followed by the Bills at 26, the 49ers at 27 and the Texans at 28.
This leaves the first 24 picks of the draft already set.
Across the league, struggling franchises from the 2025 season will have early opportunities to add talent as they try to bounce back in 2026.
NFL Draft order (as of 19 Jan)
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
- Cleveland Browns
- Washington Commanders
- New Orleans Saints
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Miami Dolphins
- Dallas Cowboys
- Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons)
- Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts)
- Detroit Lions
- Minnesota Vikings
- Carolina Panthers
- Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers)
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Chicago Bears
- Buffalo Bills
- San Francisco 49ers
- Houston Texans
Topping the list is the Las Vegas Raiders, who will have the No. 1 overall pick thanks to their league-worst record. They are followed by the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals in the top three. The Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders round out the top seven selections as things stand.
The remaining top choices, 29 to 32, are still to be decided. Those slots will be determined by the outcomes of the NFC and AFC championship games and, ultimately, Super Bowl LX. Teams that fall in the conference title games will receive the later first-round picks, with the Super Bowl champion and runner-up getting the final two spots, respectively.
ESPN ranked the Saints Draft class as the most productive in the NFL this season 🫡 pic.twitter.com/YCgeZ5mADo
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 16, 2026
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