There is basically only one sure thing when it comes to the 2026 NFL Draft: Fernando Mendoza will be the first overall pick and join the Las Vegas Raiders. After that, no one is fully sure of anything else. And that’s with the draft only one day away.
Given how ambiguous the rest of the draft is, it’s set to be a thrilling first round, starting as soon as the New York Jets are on the clock for pick No. 2. Third overall is where the trade rumors are in full force, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys reportedly looking to potentially move up.
It’s fair to ask if a big trade-up like that benefits either of those teams. Regardless, every franchise wants the draft to play out a certain way. That isn’t always the case, though. Identifying five teams, we can run through the best- and worst-case scenarios for them in the first round.
Arizona Cardinals Best and Worst Case 2026 NFL Draft Scenarios
Ideal Scenario: The Dallas Cowboys give up both of their first round picks and more for Arizona’s No. 3 selection, allowing the Cardinals front office to stack picks and rebuild the roster.
Worst Scenario: No one is willing to trade up to Arizona’s third overall pick, and they draft best player available with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love despite having Tyler Allgeier, James Conner and Trey Benson on the roster.
Tennessee Titans Best and Worst Case 2026 NFL Draft Scenarios
Ideal Scenario: The Chiefs or Cowboys are desperate to trade up for a defensive player, and are willing to give up multiple first round picks to do it. The Titans oblige and stockpile more valuable selections for a rebuilding team.
Worst Scenario: The Titans stick at No. 4 but are left without their top options – Arvell Reese and David Bailey get taken right before them. They then have to decide between Sonny Styles and Jeremiyah Love, two players at devalued positions in the modern NFL.
Cleveland Browns Best and Worst Case 2026 NFL Draft Scenarios
Ideal Scenario: The Browns don’t have to move up the draft board to secure the players they need at wide receiver and offensive line.
Worst Scenario: Cleveland gets sniped for their preferred option at No. 6, trade down and start to panic as the board begins to not fall the way they envisioned.
Kansas City Chiefs Best and Worst Case 2026 NFL Draft Scenarios
Ideal Scenario: The board falls Kansas City’s way without needing to trade up, giving them Mansoor Delane at pick No. 9 and Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 29.
Worst Scenario: The Chiefs trade all the way up to No. 3 or No. 4 overall. They secure a top EDGE player, but still have holes on the roster that could have been filled with the extra picks.
Dallas Cowboys Best and Worst Case 2026 NFL Draft Scenarios
Ideal Scenario: Dallas stays true to their No. 12 and No. 20 selections, and the perfect players fall to them: Rueben Bain Jr. at 12th overall and a supposedly healthy Jermod McCoy at 20th overall.
Worst Scenario: Dallas gives up both of their first round picks and even more future draft capital to move up to No. 3 overall and select Sonny Styles, an off-ball linebacker.
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