• The Patriots and Saints sit at the top of the early 2026 NFL Draft order after Week 1.
  
• Miami’s stunning offensive collapse against Indianapolis raises major concerns about their season trajectory.
  
• Several franchises may already be eyeing quarterbacks like Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier in the upcoming draft class.

Early Draft Order Shake-Up After Week 1

It might only be Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, but the first set of results already gives us a glimpse at how the 2026 NFL Draft order could take shape. A few teams lived up to preseason doubts, while others—like the Miami Dolphins—delivered early warning signs that this year could unravel quickly.

Here’s the current draft order projection following the opening week of action:

Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order (After Week 1)

1. New England (0-1)
   
2. New Orleans (0-1)
   
3. New York Jets (0-1)
   
4. Baltimore (0-1)
   
5. Miami (0-1)
   
6. Carolina (0-1)
   
7. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta – 0-1)
   
8. Cleveland (0-1)
   
9. Tennessee (0-1)
   
10. New York Giants (0-1)
    
11. Dallas (0-1)
    
12. Detroit (0-1)
    
13. Kansas City (0-1)
    
14. Seattle (0-1)
    
15. Houston (0-1)
    
16. Minnesota (0-0)
    
17. Chicago (0-0)
    
18. Pittsburgh (1-0)
    
19. Washington (1-0)
    
20. San Francisco (1-0)
    
21. Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
    
22. Las Vegas (1-0)
    
23. Cleveland (via Jacksonville – 1-0)
    
24. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
    
25. Buffalo (1-0)
    
26. Tampa Bay (1-0)
    
27. Dallas (via Green Bay – 1-0)
    
28. Cincinnati (1-0)
    
29. Arizona (1-0)
    
30. Indianapolis (1-0)
    
31. Denver (1-0)
    
32. Philadelphia (1-0)

Saints and Patriots Lead the Way

The New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints headline the draft board after their Week 1 losses. For the Saints, this wasn’t unexpected. Their quarterback situation is shaky at best, and outside of stars like Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave, the roster lacks consistent playmakers.

Scoring just 13 points at home in the opener, New Orleans could be facing a season-long struggle to move the ball. The silver lining? The 2026 draft class projects to be quarterback-heavy, with names like Arch Manning (Texas) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) drawing early hype. Both families have ties to the Saints franchise, making the storyline even more intriguing for fans in New Orleans.

Miami’s Alarming Week 1 Performance

If there’s a team raising eyebrows after Week 1, it’s the Miami Dolphins. Scoring only eight points against Indianapolis, the Dolphins looked far from playoff-ready. While New York and Houston also had single-digit outings, both those squads can point to potential bright spots. The Giants, for example, can shift from Russell Wilson to Jaxson Dart and plan for the future, while the Texans are still widely considered a postseason contender.

Miami, on the other hand, might be headed for trouble. Despite having what seemed like an easier opening stretch on paper, they couldn’t deliver in a winnable game. That doesn’t doom their season just yet, but it does put them in the conversation as an early surprise candidate for a top draft pick in 2026.

Read also: 2025 NFL Week 1 Injury Report

Final Thoughts

It’s only the first week, but the early 2026 NFL Draft order already hints at which franchises might spend this season in the rebuilding lane. New England and New Orleans were somewhat expected to struggle, but Miami’s flat start adds a dramatic twist.

With promising quarterback prospects like Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier on the horizon, struggling teams may find a silver lining in the months ahead. For now, Week 1 has shown us that expectations can flip fast—and some fanbases may already be looking ahead to April 2026.

Aliha

Hi, I’m Aliha! I’ve been a huge NFL fan for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing my thoughts, updates, and insights about the game. Whether it’s big plays, team news, or behind-the-scenes stories, writing about the NFL gives me a chance to connect with fellow fans who share the same passion for football.