Through 12 games, the Cardinals are way closer to the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft than they are to even the NFC Wild Card race, as Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers mathematically eliminated Arizona from playoff contention.

The 3-9 Cardinals are one of only five teams with the “E” next to their name on the standings, and if the season ended after Week 13, Arizona would pick eighth in the 2026 draft.

The club is on pace to secure a top-10 pick for the fifth time in the last eight seasons.

There is potential for a lot of shuffling at the top of the draft board over the final five weeks to keep track of.

The 1-11 Tennessee Titans are positioned for the top pick for the second straight year, trailed closely by the 2-10 New Orleans Saints and New York Giants.

Four teams are 3-9 through 12 games: the Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders and New York Jets. Strength of schedule is used for the tiebreaker in the draft order, as the team with the lower opposing winning percentage would pick higher.

Arizona would be penalized for this, as it has faced a tough schedule (.565) with two more games against the 9-3 Los Angeles Rams and a duel with the surging Houston Texans (7-5) left on the slate.

The Saints play the Jets and Titans, while the Giants face the Commanders again, so there will be shakeup.

Arguably the most important team for Cardinals fans to root for down the stretch are the Atlanta Falcons, who at 4-8 slot in right behind Arizona. The issue with Atlanta is that it traded its 2026 first-round pick to Arizona’s division rival, the Rams. The likely playoff-bound Rams picking ahead of a Cardinals team looking to reset after a vastly disappointing team would add insult to injury.

Arizona hosts Atlanta on Dec. 21.

The Cardinals are in need of help on the offensive line, along with offensive playmakers and potentially a quarterback.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. placed quarterbacks Dante Moore (Oregon) and Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) atop his big board. His top wide receiver was Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, top running back was Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and best offensive lineman was tackle Francis Mauigoa from Miami.

Where the Arizona Cardinals slot in NFL Draft through 13 weeks

1 – Tennessee (1-11)
2 – New Orleans (2-10)
3 – NY Giants (2-10, Monday Football pending)
4 – Las Vegas (2-10)
5 – Cleveland (3-9)
6 – Washington (3-9)
7 – NY Jets (3-9)
8 – Arizona (3-9)
9 – Atlanta (4-8, traded to Rams)
10 – Cincinnati (4-8)
11 – Minnesota (4-8)
12 – Miami (5-7)