As the 2025 NFL season barrels toward its final stretch, the Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in a position that’s become all too familiar for their fanbase: looking ahead to the draft. After a Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Raiders now hold the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With five games left on the schedule, there’s still plenty of movement to come - and not just from the Raiders themselves.
While every snap the Silver and Black take from here on out will matter, several non-Raiders matchups loom large in shaping the top of the draft board. Let’s break down five games that could have a direct impact on where the Raiders ultimately land in the pecking order - and why fans should be watching more than just what happens in Vegas.
Week 14: Titans @ Browns - A Battle of the Bottom
This one’s a heavyweight clash - if we’re talking about draft implications. The Tennessee Titans come into Week 14 with the league’s worst record at 1-11, which currently puts them in pole position for the No. 1 overall pick. They’ll face the 3-9 Cleveland Browns, who are sitting just behind the Raiders at No. 5 in the draft order.
Cam Ward leads the Titans, while Shedeur Sanders is under center for the Browns - two young quarterbacks trying to salvage something from a tough season. For the Raiders, this game is massive. A Titans win could shake up the top of the board and potentially open the door for Vegas to inch closer to a top-three slot, depending on how their own season plays out.
Week 16: Jets @ Saints - Two Teams, One Big Draft Impact
The New York Jets, fresh off a surprising win over the Atlanta Falcons, are now 3-9 - just a tick better than the Raiders. In Week 16, they’ll take on the New Orleans Saints, who are currently projected to land a top-three pick.
The stakes here are high. A Jets win could drop them further down the draft board, bumping the Raiders up by comparison.
But if the Saints lose - especially after their Week 17 matchup with Tennessee (more on that in a moment) - they could lock in a top-two pick, keeping the Raiders on the outside looking in. Either way, this game is one to circle.
Week 17: Saints @ Titans - The Draft-Order Super Bowl
This might just be the most consequential game left on the NFL calendar when it comes to the draft. The Saints and Titans are both in line for top-three picks, and their Week 17 showdown could decide who walks away with the No. 1 overall selection.
For the Raiders, this is the kind of game that could swing the entire draft landscape. If one of these teams manages to grab a win, it could push them out of the top three - and potentially allow Vegas to sneak in. It's the ultimate scoreboard-watching scenario for Raiders fans, who will be hoping for just the right combination of results to boost their draft capital.
Week 17: Giants @ Raiders - A Must-Lose for Vegas?
No one’s ever going to say it out loud in the locker room, but let’s be honest: when it comes to draft positioning, this game could be pivotal. The New York Giants are currently sitting at No. 2 overall after a Monday night loss to the Patriots. The Raiders, just behind them, will host New York in Week 17.
This is one of those rare games where the outcome could hurt more than it helps. A win might feel good in the moment - especially for a team trying to build a culture - but it could cost the Raiders precious draft positioning.
If the Giants lose, they’ll tighten their grip on a top-two pick. But if Vegas drops this one, they could leapfrog the Giants depending on how the rest of the season shakes out.
The Raiders’ own performance down the stretch will obviously be the biggest factor in determining where they pick in April. But make no mistake - what happens in Tennessee, Cleveland, New Orleans, New York, and beyond will shape the landscape just as much.
For a team that’s looking to reset and reload, these next few weeks aren’t just about finishing strong. They’re about setting the stage for what could be a franchise-altering draft.