As owners of a six-game losing streak, the Las Vegas Raiders currently own the fourth overall selection of next year’s NFL draft. The question now shifts to how the remaining schedule will affect that top pick. A pick that’ll have far-reaching consequences for the franchise.
With Week 17 soon approaching, the Raiders-Giants matchup may determine who secures the first overall draft pick. The Giants, currently sitting at No. 2 after a loss to the Patriots, travel to face a Raiders team with a history of winning games that hurt their long-term outlook. Securing a win here could once again mean missing out on a franchise quarterback, undermining the organization’s future—especially considering the coaching staff and roster may look completely different by 2026.
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The Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans will be dueling in Week 14; both organizations addressed their quarterback situation in last year’s draft. The Titans, who picked Cam Ward first overall, might actually end up picking in the same spot depending on how things play out. You then have the Browns, who came away with Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders after nailing an impressive rookie class last year in their own right. These two squads are locked in at the top with the Raiders.
Will the Raiders end up with the No. 1 pick?
If that weren’t enough, the Raiders are battling the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints as well. Both of these teams are just as repugnant, and unfortunately for the Silver and Black, they, too, are in contention for the top pick.
In Week 16, the Jets and Saints will come together for a game that could shake things up not only between them at the top of the order but would have consequences for the Raiders. Then, in Week 17, the aforementioned Titans will host the Saints as Raider Nation will undoubtedly be watching this one. It’s going to be intriguing how everything plays out in these final weeks in the NFL. All of the organizations in play have much riding on the final draft order.
Strangely enough, you could argue that the Titans don’t need a quarterback, so landing No. 1 could very well lead to a handsome trade haul if someone like the Raiders wants to move up. For now, we’ll continue to see how the dominoes fall.
*Top Photo: NFL.com