NFL Week 17 picks include Jaguars, Steelers and Niners
Lorenzo Reyes shares his three picks for NFL games through Christmas week.
‘Tis the season for holiday cheer, gifts and time spent with loved ones and football.
A triple-header of games on Christmas gives millions of Americans lots of NFL action to enjoy after unwrapping their gifts. It’s long been a holiday for NBA games but lately the NFL has expanded their holiday traditions to Dec. 25 as well.
Fans of all franchises may have woken up to gifts showing off their favorite team. For fans of nearly half the league, it’s a welcome slice of joy as 14 teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Another gift they could be looking forward to is the 2026 NFL Draft. The latest crop of college football stars set to hit the NFL in a few months’ time could provide a turnaround needed to take a franchise from a top-10 pick to a playoff contender à la the New England Patriots in 2025.
We’re still a couple of weeks away from most of the first-round order finalizing after Week 18. For now, here’s a look at the order entering Week 17:
Here’s a look at the latest draft order for the first round with strength of schedule information via Tankathon:
New York Giants: 2-13 record; .531 strength of scheduleLas Vegas Raiders: 2-13; .543 SOSCleveland Browns: 3-12, .492 SOSNew York Jets: 3-12, .539 SOSTennessee Titans: 3-12, .573 SOSArizona Cardinals: 3-12; .576 SOSWashington Commanders: 4-12; .504 SOSNew Orleans Saints: 5-10; .498 SOSCincinnati Bengals: 5-10; .516 SOSMiami Dolphins: 6-9; .490 SOSAtlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 6-9; .502 SOSKansas City Chiefs: 6-9; .512 SOSBaltimore Ravens: 7-8; .504 SOSTampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-8, .529 SOSDallas Cowboys: 7-8-1; .438 SOSDetroit Lions: 8-8; .496 SOSMinnesota Vikings: 8-8; .515 SOSIndianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-7; .537 SOSCarolina Panthers: 8-7, .518 SOSPittsburgh Steelers: 9-6; .504 SOSGreen Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-5-1; .476 SOSPhiladelphia Eagles: 10-5; .473 SOSHouston Texans: 10-5; .537 SOSBuffalo Bills: 11-4, .463 SOSLos Angeles Chargers: 11-4; .457 SOSSan Francisco 49ers: 11-4, .494 SOSJacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 11-4; .494 SOSLos Angeles Rams: 11-4, .529 SOSChicago Bears: 11-4; .445 SOSNew England Patriots: 12-3; .380 SOSDenver Broncos: 12-3; .431 SOSSeattle Seahawks: 12-3; .502 SOS2026 NFL mock draft
Here’s how the top five picks could pan out per USA TODAY Sports’ Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz’s latest mock draft:
New York Jets (proposed trade w/NYG): QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaLas Vegas Raiders: QB Dante Moore, OregonCleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio StateNew York Giants (proposed trade w/NYJ): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona StateTennessee Titans: LB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State