One of the biggest stories in the NBA this season has been the number of teams vying for a better position in the 2026 NBA Draft. While tanking isn't a big issue in the National Football League, where there is no draft lottery involved, some clubs are not indicating a strong desire to win next season.
It's hard to blame them. Even a year later, there is extraordinary buzz about a 2027 NFL Draft class that will include quarterbacks Arch Manning, Dante Moore and Brandon Sorsby — not to mention elite talents like wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, edge rusher Dylan Stewart and cornerback Leonard Moore.
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With that in mind, we're highlighting some teams that are already indicating they'll try next season to land a better selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.
New York Jets
The New York Jets already have three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, so we know a lot of their resources will be devoted to scouting and player evaluation for the upcoming season. Now, the front office brought in several veteran talents (Joseph Ossai, Demario Davis, Kingsley Anagbare, David Onyemata and Minkah Fitzpatrick) to help protect Aaron Glenn. Did it significantly improve the roster? Yes. However, it didn't take long as New York looked to be one of the worst NFL teams in recent memory during the second half of the 2025 campaign. New York still has a roster of bottom five players in the NFL and there is a real possibility the club has a top-three pick, a top-15 pick and a top-20 pick in Round 1 next year.
las vegas raiders
Even with the return of Max Crosby, the calculus hasn't changed much for the Las Vegas Raiders. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza will take time to adjust to playing under center, and passers who lack elite physical tools may be exposed to the talent and speed in the NFL. Additionally, the team is working to integrate a new-look offensive line and a receiving corps that, despite the recent addition of Jalen Naylor, still has a lot to prove. That is to say, Las Vegas may have to be satisfied with five to six wins in 2026.
miami dolphins
It certainly appears as if the first-year tandem of head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager John-Eric Sullivan are planning a multi-year rebuild for the Miami Dolphins. Releasing Tyreek Hill was obvious, but taking a historic dead-cap hit by cutting Tua Tagovailoa really signals that 2026 will be the season this regime tears the roster down to the studs. De'Von Achen and Jaylen Waddle are still around, which makes it a more interesting landing spot for dual-threat quarterback Malik Willis, especially since there are very few stakes in Miami. The Dolphins are making a smart bet on Willis to be their long-term quarterback. If it doesn't work out this fall, they could relatively easily move on from him and draft a top signal-caller in the 2027 NFL Draft — or, if Willis lives up to his potential, Miami could nab a top defender next year. Either way, it'll probably be one of the top five.
cleveland browns
It's certainly a decision to move quickly with Shadure Sanders and Deshaun Watson as your starting quarterback options for the 2026 NFL season. One thing is for sure: The Cleveland Browns and first-year head coach Todd Monken don't have any good options. It doesn't help that the rebuilt Browns offensive line features a below-average guard they overpaid for (Zion Johnson), a center (Elgton Jenkins) who has been in a decline for two seasons now, and Taven Jenkins on the interior. It took Myles Garrett a record-breaking season to win five games for Cleveland last season. With Jim Schwartz gone, five wins could be the maximum for the Browns this fall.
Arizona Cardinals
That's not to say the Arizona Cardinals haven't made any additions this offseason. The signing of Isaac Seumalo will improve the offensive line, and Tyler Allger is absolutely an upgrade for the run game, at least compared to the team last season after a string of injuries. However, there's probably a six-win ceiling for a team quarterbacked by Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew with a bottom-10 defense. First-year head coach Matt LaFleur will also experience growing pains on the job, likely leading Arizona to no more than five wins. With the roster situation overall, the Cardinals are certainly more focused on building an infrastructure that will welcome a quarterback like Arch Manning or Dante Moore.
