Which NFL team looks likely to receive the #1 draft pick in 2026?

 

 

The Tennessee Titans had the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and selected Cam Ward as they looked to change their woes. However, the quarterback hasn’t helped change their fortunes, as the franchise remains the worst in the league this season.

 

Ward has struggled, but the rookie has started to put in some stronger numbers with recent performances. The Titans’ loss to the Houston Texans in Week 11 wasn’t solely on him, as he had a clean game without an interception and managed just his sixth passing touchdown of the year (six interceptions all season). His completion rate was 64.9%, as he completed 24 of his 37 attempts for 194 yards.

 

Statistically, it was his third-best performance for the team, which may intrigue daily fantasy sport bettors. Ward’s output was his best in terms of fantasy points this season, and bettors who use the Dabble promo code may be keen to see how well he performs in future games.

 

However, will he be able to do enough for the team to improve this season, or are they destined to end up with the #1 overall pick in next year’s draft?

 

Tennessee Titans Most Likely To Have #1 Pick

 

With a record of 1-9 after 11 weeks of football, the Titans are rock-bottom in terms of overall standings, meaning they will have the #1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft if the season were to end today. However, will they still be in this position by the time the regular season reaches its conclusion?

 

The probabilities would suggest this is highly likely. The Titans currently have the worst record, but their remaining schedule includes multiple playoff-caliber teams, making it unlikely their win total will improve significantly.

 

They have the Seattle Seahawks (7-3), Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4), Cleveland Browns (2-8), San Francisco 49ers (7-4), the Kansas City Chiefs (5-5), New Orleans Saints (2-8), and the Jaguars again in the season finale. Aside from the Browns and the Saints, the others are all looking for a spot in the postseason. The Titans’ only win came against the Arizona Cardinals (3-7), so few expect the team to add to this column.

 

Who Else Is In Contention For The #1 Pick?

 

When it comes to looking at other teams involved in the race for the #1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants (2-9) , and New York Jets (2-8) are in contention.

 

The Browns have a brutally tough closing schedule, facing three divisional opponents ranked in the top 10 defenses.​ Sheduer Sanders recently had to come in at quarterback for his first snaps following starter Dillon Gabriel’s removal from the game due to a concussion. The team has struggled all year to score, accumulating just 162 points throughout the season.

 

The Saints have been worse, as they’ve only managed 155; only the Titans (143) and Las Vegas Raiders (139) are worse. They lack depth, and the strength of their remaining fixtures is brutal. They have just one remaining matchup against a team below .500.

 

Both New York teams have similarly daunting schedules remaining and are mired in quarterback uncertainty, with repeated benchings and injury issues reducing their upset potential. Jaxson Dart is in concussion protocol for the G-Men, while Justin Fields has been benched for Tyrod Taylor ahead of Week 12.

 

The Giants have both a rigid away schedule and face several teams still fighting for playoff spots, which may worsen their record as very few wins are expected under interim head coach Mike Kafka, especially as they continue to blow fourth-quarter leads.