NFL Draft Order Shakeup Gives Raiders a Glimmer of Hope Amid Tough Season
It’s been a long, grueling season for the Las Vegas Raiders. At 2-10 heading into Week 14, the Silver and Black have seen more lows than highs, and the fan base has every reason to feel frustrated.
Calls for change-at quarterback, at head coach-are growing louder, but the path forward isn’t exactly paved with easy answers. The free agent market isn’t overflowing with franchise-altering talent, and the coaching carousel may not offer a clear upgrade either.
But there’s one thing that can change a franchise’s trajectory in a hurry: a top pick in the NFL Draft. And after a chaotic Week 14, the Raiders suddenly find themselves in striking distance of the No. 1 overall selection.
Let’s break down how it all unfolded-and why it matters.
Raiders Climb to No. 2 in Draft Order
Before Sunday, Las Vegas sat at No. 4 in the projected 2026 NFL Draft order. But after a loss to the Denver Broncos and a series of fortunate results elsewhere, the Raiders now hold the No. 2 spot. That jump may not seem massive at first glance, but in a quarterback-heavy draft class, moving from fourth to second is a game-changer.
Here’s how the top 10 stands after Week 14:
- New York Giants
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns
- New Orleans Saints
- Washington Commanders
- New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons (pick goes to Rams)
- Cincinnati Bengals
The Titans, with just one win on the year, pulled off a surprising upset over the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, the Saints knocked off the Buccaneers. Those results, combined with the Raiders’ loss, created a ripple effect that pushed Las Vegas up the draft board.
Why No. 2 Matters So Much
There are two-possibly three-quarterbacks in this year’s draft class who are viewed as early first-round material. Sitting at No. 4, the Raiders would’ve been on the outside looking in, hoping someone ahead of them passed on a signal-caller. That’s not a great place to be when you’re desperate for a long-term answer under center.
At No. 2, the Raiders are suddenly in the driver’s seat. They may not control the top pick just yet, but they’re in prime position to grab one of the top quarterbacks-or leverage that spot for a haul if another team wants to move up. Either way, it gives Las Vegas something they haven’t had much of this season: options.
Strength of Schedule Takes a Hit-In a Good Way
Here’s where things get even more interesting. A team’s strength of schedule is a key tiebreaker in draft order, and Week 14’s results worked heavily in Las Vegas’ favor.
The Lions beat the Cowboys. The Bills stunned the Bengals.
The Vikings took down the Commanders. The Packers edged out the Bears.
And the Texans pulled off a big win over the Chiefs. All of those outcomes weakened the Raiders’ strength of schedule, which is exactly what they need if they end up tied with another team in the standings.
Even games that didn’t directly help the Raiders' draft position-like losses by the Jets, Cardinals, and Falcons-still served as insurance in case Las Vegas picks up another win down the stretch.
And there’s still one more domino that could fall: if the Eagles beat the Chargers on Monday Night Football, it would give the Raiders an even better shot at leapfrogging the Giants for the top spot.
The Path to No. 1 Is Still Open
It’s not over yet, but the path to the No. 1 overall pick is clear. If the Raiders lose out-and especially if they drop their Week 17 matchup against the Giants-they could end up with the top selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. That would be a rare silver lining in what’s been one of the most painful seasons in recent franchise history.
With promising young talent already on the roster-Maxx Crosby, Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty-and a war chest of draft capital, the Raiders are in position to make a major move. Add a top-tier quarterback to that mix, and suddenly the outlook for 2026 and beyond starts to shift.
It’s been a tough ride for Raider Nation this year. But thanks to some timely losses-and a little help from around the league-there’s now a glimmer of hope on the horizon.