The Cardinals got some help with their draft pick from the Saints and Commanders.
The Arizona Cardinals lost on Sunday to the Houston Texans, their sixth consecutive loss, dropping them to 3-11 on the season. If there is any silver lining, it is that, because of wins by the Washington Commanders and New Orleans Saints, the Cardinals now have moved up a pair of spots in the 2026 NFL draft order.
Where would the Cardinals pick if the season ended today?
Where are the Cardinals in 2026 NFL draft order in Week 16?
The Cardinals currently have the sixth overall pick in the 2026 draft, based on their current record at 3-11.
They are now one of three teams with the same record, along with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. As has been the case for weeks, the Cardinals lose the tiebreaker for the draft. Teams with a weaker strength of schedule get the higher pick. Why? Well, if a team has a weaker schedule than another team and has the same record, they are the “worse” team. The Cardinals have a .571 strength of schedule, while the Browns’ is .485 and the Jets’ is .536.
Updated 2026 NFL draft order in Week 16
These are the top 18 picks right now. After the 18th pick, the order is determined by a combination of record and playoff exit.
New York Giants, 2-12 (.536 SOS)Las Vegas Raiders, 2-12 (.548 SOS)Tennessee Tiatans, 2-12 (.576 SOS)Cleveland Browns, 3-11 (.485 SOS)New York Jets. 3-11 (.536 SOS)Arizona Cardinals, 3-11 (.571 SOS)New Orleans Saints, 4-10 (.492 SOS)Washington Commanders, 4-10 (.506 SOS)Cincinnati Bengals, 4-10 (.523 SOS)Atlanta Falcons (traded to Rams), 5-9Miami Dolphins, 6-8 (.483 SOS)Kansas City Chiefs, 6-8 (.519 SOS)Minnesota Vikings, 6-8 (.523 SOS)Dallas Cowboys, 6-7-1Baltimore Ravens, 7-7 (.502 SOS)Carolina Panthers, 7-7 (.517 SOS)Detroit Lions, 8-6 (.498 SOS)Indianapolis Colts (traded to Jets), 8-6 (.529 SOS)
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.