The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the teams that fell short in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Raiders are the best team in the NFL this season in terms of losing games. They lost a game to the New York Giants on Sunday that had a huge impact on the draft. Entering Sunday’s game, both teams tied for the worst record in the NFL this season with 2-13 records. The Giants could have lost the No. 1 pick in the draft, but their 34-10 victory opened that path for the Raiders. Depending on the strength of the schedule’s first tiebreaker, a Raiders win over Kansas City in the final game of the season could allow a three-win team to leapfrog them for the No. 1 pick.
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The Raiders currently have the worst record in the NFL at 2-14 with one game remaining and no need to worry about a tiebreaker if they lose next week. That hasn’t been an issue for much of the season.
Giants take lead
The Raiders are playing like they want to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are the worst team in football.
Geno Smith threw a bad pass that was intercepted by linebacker Bobby Okereke and returned 47 yards. Devin Singletary scored a touchdown to make it 7-0. Jaxon Dart scored a touchdown late in the half to give the Giants a 14-3 lead. At halftime, the Giants were 2-13 and leading 17-3 on the road. The Raiders are just that bad.
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The Raiders made some great plays when they converted multiple fourth downs in a 14-play drive that ended with a Tyler Lockett touchdown, and they struck right back. Giants cornerback Deonte Banks returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. It may not have made Giants fans cheer for the loss, but after the game, Banks’ teammates mobbed him on the sidelines in celebration, resulting in an unsportsmanlike penalty. The Giants lead 27-10 at this point, and the Raiders are one step closer to entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Geno Smith, who has been on the receiving end of penalties all season, was hit hard while chasing a tackle after his second interception of the game and limped back to the locker room. It’s that kind of season in Las Vegas.
Battle of the No. 1 pick
The Giants and Raiders could both benefit from the No. 1 pick in the draft, but their situations are different at the quarterback position. The Raiders need more help, and some of their moves this week are clearly aimed at getting the No. 1 pick.
When the Raiders place tight end Brock Bowles and defensive end Max Crosby on injured reserve, don’t buy into the explanation that it’s simply in the best interest of the players. The Raiders are in dire need of a quarterback, and the best way to get one is with the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft. Indiana Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is widely considered the favorite to be selected with the No. 1 pick, although Oregon State quarterback Dante Moore would be a No. 1 pick if he left school and entered the NFL draft. The Raiders were unhappy with the Geno Smith trade this past offseason and need some hope for the future of the quarterback position.
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The Giants aren’t that desperate at quarterback. They drafted Dart in the first round, and he has excellent playmaking ability, although his performance has been inconsistent and the time he missed due to injury has been worrying. If the Giants land the No. 1 pick, whether they should draft a quarterback in the first round for the second straight season will be hotly debated. But the Raiders’ loss likely ensures the Giants don’t have to worry about the No. 1 pick, although they will have the top seven picks and a chance to acquire some good quarterback prospects.
After being beaten by a bad Giants team, the Raiders undoubtedly need help in next year’s draft more than any other team in the NFL. They are close to locking in the No. 1 pick.
