Raiders lead the 2026 NFL waiver order as rosters shrink to 53

NFL teams will claim waived players in a 2026 waiver process set by the spring draft order (and 2025 final standings), with the Raiders holding the opening slot. The order stays in place for the first three weeks of the season; players with fewer than four accrued NFL seasons must clear waivers, and the team with the higher opening-order position gets the player if multiple teams claim. Vest ed veterans (four or more accrued seasons) are not subject to waivers and can sign elsewhere as free agents. Practice squads are formed starting Aug. 31, can carry up to 16 players (six of whom can be veterans), and players must clear waivers before joining a squad; waivers and practice squads run alongside the final 53-man rosters on cutdown day.