A look at where the Cardinals stand in the 2026 draft after Week 16.
The Arizona Cardinals lost their seventh consecutive game on Sunday, falling 26-19 to the Atlanta Falcons to make them 3-12. However, their place in the 2026 NFL draft order hasn’t changed.
They are still one of four 3-12 teams, and because of their strength of schedule, they remain at the back of them all.
Where would the Cardinals pick in the 2026 NFL draft if the season ended today?
Cardinals stay put in 2026 NFL draft order
Despite falling to 3-12, they did not move up. A week ago, they held the sixth overall pick.
After Week 16, they still are sixth.
The New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, both 2-13, have the top two picks with the Giants at the top.
The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans are all tied with the Cardinals with 3-12. However, the Cardinals’ .576 strength of schedule puts them at the back of the line, even though the Titans beat the Cardinals head-to-head. Head-to-head wins mean nothing in the draft.
Updated 2026 NFL draft order
Below are the top 18 picks of the draft as of today. Starting with pick No. 19, playoff exit begins to matter, so we will only show the top 18.
New York Giants, 2-13 (.531 SOS)Las Vegas Raiders, 2-13 (.543 SOS)Cleveland Browns, 3-12 (.492 SOS)New York Jets, 3-12 (.539 SOS)Tennessee Titans, 3-12 (.573 SOS)Arizona Cardinals, 3-12 (.576 SOS)Washington Commanders, 4-11New Orleans Saints, 5-10 (.498 SOS)Cincinnati Bengals, 5-10 (.516 SOS)Miami Dolphins, 6-9 (.490 SOS)Atlanta Falcons (traded to Rams), 6-9 (.502 SOS)Kansas City Chiefs, 6-9 (.512 SOS)Dallas Cowboys, 6-8-1Baltimore Ravens, 7-8 (.504 SOS)Minnesota Vikings, 7-8 (.520 SOS)Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-8 (.529 SOS)Detroit Lions, 8-7 (.492 SOS)Indianapolis Colts (traded to Jets), 8-7 (.537 SOS)
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