Imagine your team is drowning in a sea of losses, burdened by a quarterback situation that's costing a fortune and delivering nothing but headaches. Sounds like a nightmare, right? For the Las Vegas Raiders, this was reality. But, incredibly, amidst the gloom of a disastrous season, a glimmer of hope emerged – a gift-wrapped opportunity to potentially solve their $100 million quarterback problem: the number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Before they even stepped onto the field for their final game, fate had already smiled (or smirked?) upon the Raiders. Thanks to an unexpected assist from the New York Giants, who upset the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas secured the coveted top spot in the upcoming draft. This marks the first time since 2007, when they infamously selected JaMarcus Russell, that the Raiders will have the first overall pick. We all remember how that turned out, don't we?
Speaking of quarterbacks, the Raiders' current situation is… complicated. Geno Smith is locked in with a two-year, $75 million contract, with a hefty $66.5 million guaranteed. But here's where it gets controversial... Despite the financial commitment, Smith's performance this season was far from stellar, highlighted by a league-worst 17 interceptions. This leads to the obvious question: Is he truly the long-term answer, or are the Raiders stuck with an expensive mistake?
This season was brutal for the Raiders. They limped into their final game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a dismal 2-14 record, tying the franchise record for most losses in a single season (previously set in 2016). They also endured a painful 10-game losing streak. To add to the uncertainty, the future of their coach, Pete Carroll, hangs in the balance. While the Raiders did manage to pull off an upset victory against the Chiefs in their season finale, the win had no impact on their draft position. The Jets, Titans, and Cardinals were unable to surpass them in the draft order.
The Giants' earlier victory over the Raiders in Week 17 proved to be a crucial turning point. Big Blue's subsequent win over the Cowboys solidified the Raiders' claim to the top pick. Had the Giants lost those games, they would have held the number one spot. Now, the Giants will be selecting somewhere between the third and sixth picks, depending on the outcome of other Week 18 games. This is a massive shift in fortune, and it highlights how quickly things can change in the NFL.
Beyond the first overall pick, the Raiders also possess a number of selections in rounds two through seven of the draft, plus additional picks acquired in the Jakobi Myers trade with Jacksonville. This gives them significant flexibility to address multiple needs on their roster.
Here's the full projected NFL Draft order (excluding playoff teams):
- Raiders
- Jets
- Cardinals
- Titans
- Giants
- Browns
- Commanders
- Saints
- Chiefs
- Bengals
- Dolphins
- Cowboys
- Falcons (traded to Rams)
- Buccaneers
- Colts (traded to Jets)
- Ravens
- Lions
- Vikings
Projected Playoff Teams (Draft order determined by playoff results):
- Panthers
- Packers (traded to Cowboys)
- Steelers
- Chargers
- Eagles
- Bills
- Bears
- 49ers
- Texans
- Jaguars (traded to Browns)
- Rams
- Patriots
- Broncos
- Seahawks
So, what's next for the Raiders? The pressure is on to make the right choice with that number one pick. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is currently projected as the potential top selection, but it’s very early in the process and that could easily change. And this is the part most people miss... the Raiders need to consider not only the quarterback position, but also the overall health of their roster. Do they need to build up the offensive line? Bolster their defense? Or do they truly believe a new quarterback is the missing piece?
Ultimately, the Raiders' fate rests in their ability to capitalize on this unexpected opportunity. Will they finally find their franchise quarterback and turn the tide of their losing ways? Or will they repeat the mistakes of the past? What do you think the Raiders should do with the number one pick? Should they draft a quarterback, or address other needs on the roster? Sound off in the comments below!
