With each passing week of the college football season, we learn a little bit more about the prospects who could make up the 2026 NFL Draft class. And with each week of the NFL season, more is revealed about the teams who could be drafting those players.

There’s still a lot of football left, on both levels, but it’s never too early to look ahead — especially for those NFL teams struggling to stay afloat.

Ahead of the NFL games on Oct. 19 and 20, The Athletic’s Playoff Simulator has the Jets, Browns, Titans, Raiders, Giants, Vikings, Saints and Cardinals projected to finish in last place in their respective divisions. How could those franchises take a step forward via the ’26 draft? Which prospects make the most sense for each of them?

Our NFL Draft experts, Dane Brugler and Nick Baumgardner, take a team-by-team look:

AFCNew York Jets (AFC East)

Currently in line to hold the No. 1 pick, the Jets — should they remain in that position — would have the opportunity to draft the best overall prospect in the class. But if they believe in any of these quarterbacks, that position has to be their pick.

This quarterback class is tough to talk about right now, because each of the first-round candidates is an underclassmen who has a realistic chance of returning to school. Oregon’s Dante Moore and Alabama’s Ty Simpson are essentially first-year starters; South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers is still raw in key areas and would benefit from another year in college (with his current team or elsewhere); Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the likeliest QB to declare, but he won’t be viewed as a slam-dunk, No. 1-type prospect by every team.

However, the Mendoza-Jets pairing makes sense. The Indiana passer would give New York a quarterback with the football IQ to understand where pressures are coming from and how to attack vulnerable spots in coverage. Mendoza had an up-and-down game in a win over Oregon last week, but he was nearly perfect Saturday against Michigan State, completing 85.7 percent of his passes (24 or 28) for 332 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-13 victory.

Mendoza 🎯 Cooper Jr. @IndianaFootball adds on with the 48-YD TD 🙌

📺: Peacock pic.twitter.com/uuO7Zc4Aq0

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 18, 2025

Cleveland Browns (AFC North)

The theme of the Browns’ 2026 draft class will be offense, offense, offense. Quarterback (again) will be at the top of the priority list, but will a highly graded passer be available when the Browns are on the clock? They’ll be hoping a few of those underclassmen quarterbacks declare to give them more options.

Because of Simpson’s poise and execution, I’d bet he will be a quarterback the Browns’ coaching staff gravitates toward — assuming Kevin Stefanski is back as head coach. Along with his smarts and intangibles, Simpson also has the athleticism that makes him a threat to extend plays, both with quick feet and quick eyes that help him find the open man without forcing throws.

In a scenario that sees a thin QB class and the Browns blocked (like in 2025) from taking a quarterback in the top five, Cleveland’s focus likely would shift to offensive tackle or wide receiver. There might not be a Joe Alt-level prospect in this class, but Utah’s Spencer Fano would upgrade one of the Browns’ tackle spots immediately. And with its second first-round pick this draft (via Jacksonville), Cleveland could address wide receiver by selecting Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate or Chris Bell, depending on who’s available.

Tennessee Titans (AFC South)

Tennessee needs to make personnel decisions this offseason with its young quarterback, Cam Ward, in mind. And for that reason, Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson would be an interesting option in the top 10. Tyson’s ball skills and ability to create separation make him a WR1 candidate, and he was pivotal in Arizona State’s upset of Texas Tech on Saturday.

The Titans have invested in their offensive line the last few years, but there is more work to do there, as well, so Miami’s Francis Mauigoa could be another possibility.

If the Titans simply focus on taking the best player available, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. would be a nice upgrade. Built more like Brandon Graham than Myles Garrett, Bain uses his first-step quickness, body leverage and natural power to be disruptive against both run and pass. Bain didn’t have a productive night Friday, but Louisville specifically game planned its offense to run away from him or used extra blockers to his side of the field.

Las Vegas Raiders (AFC West)

Another team that will be in the quarterback market next offseason. If Moore and Sellers declare, they would be high-upside options — and they wouldn’t be asked to start from day one, but rather to develop behind Geno Smith until they’re ready to see the field.

However, I could argue it doesn’t matter who lines up at quarterback for the Raiders unless they address their offensive line. Whether they’d ultimately play tackle or guard for Las Vegas, either Fano and Mauigoa would be an upgrade.

If Las Vegas focuses on its defense, Ohio State’s Arvell Reese would look awesome in a Raiders uniform. He can play off the ball while also providing pass-rush production. — Dane Brugler

NFCNew York Giants (NFC East)

New York still needs another anchor at tackle opposite Andrew Thomas, who has truly blossomed into a consistent presence on the left side. The Giants could land in position to take OT1 — right now, that’s Fano, the hyper-athletic Utah tackle capable of playing either side in the NFL.

With Dart and rookie RB Cam Skattebo, the Giants have the potential to lean more into their physical run game and all the explosive play-action shots that can be created off it. In Fano (or another OT, such as Mauigoa), New York should have the opportunity to make a big improvement up front this offseason.

But they may want another weapon instead. The Giants might have finally found their quarterback in Jaxson Dart, which would make this whole draft thing way easier for the front office. Malik Nabers will be back next year, but the Giants still need more help at receiver — specifically, another physical presence who can work outside.

Enter Tyson, who had 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown (his eighth of the season) in an upset Saturday of No. 7 Texas Tech. Four of Tyson’s eight catches came on the Sun Devils’ game-winning drive. Tyson, Tate and Lemon have been the top of the heap so far at the receiver position.

Minnesota Vikings (NFC North)

With Tennessee star corner Jermod McCoy (ACL) sidelined for the first half of the year, Avieon Terrell has found himself in good position to push for the top cornerback spot in the ’26 class. A super-competitive player, despite being a tad undersized, Terrell (5 feet 11, 180 pounds) is constantly around the ball and has been disruptive — in both man and zone — throughout his Clemson career.

McCoy (6-0, 195) could be an option, too. He’s a bigger, more explosive corner who could be a top-10 lock when healthy.

Reese plays linebacker, but in reality, he’s just a front-seven playmaker. With serious pass-rush ability (at 6-4, 240), he offers enough speed and range to cover anything a stack linebacker might need to. The NFC North is about the trenches and Reese would check off multiple boxes for the Vikings’ defense as a versatile disruptor with big-time potential.

New Orleans Saints (NFC South)

We can’t close the book on Spencer Rattler. The Saints are not a good football team, and Rattler — now in his second NFL season — has delivered some serious flashes in 2025. That said, the Saints’ QB position is still unsettled long-term, and there could be a number of starting-level options to choose from come April.

Mendoza is my QB1 at the moment, as he continues to improve for surging Indiana and head coach Curt Cignetti. He was surgical Saturday afternoon against Michigan State to help keep the Hoosiers unbeaten.

Bain  — like his team — had a much more forgettable game Friday night against Louisville. Still, the 6-3, 275-pounder has been the most active edge defender in the class this season. His ability to win with speed or power off the edge brings people in the door, but his power and twitch against the run keeps their attention. When he’s consistent, Bain can be a terrific player.

Arizona Cardinals (NFC West)

The Cardinals are one of the worst run-blocking outfits in the NFL right now. And though plenty of the critiques of Kyler Murray’s game are fair, we’ve still never really seen what he can do with a truly competent and consistent run game.

Mauigoa has been a physical anchor up front for Miami since his early days, and he should be able to add pop, either at tackle or inside at guard.

As with Nabers in New York, though, Marvin Harrison Jr. could use a running mate. How about Tate, a fellow Buckeye? So much attention is paid to Ohio State phenom Jeremiah Smith (who’s still only a sophomore), and rightfully so, but Tate has been awesome this season. He went off again Saturday, catching six passes for 111 yards and two scores versus Wisconsin. — Nick Baumgardner