The Raiders locked up the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Sunday.
The Giants were the only other team still in the running for the top selection entering Week 18, but their victory over the Cowboys on Sunday eliminated them from contention. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs later on Sunday, moving to 3-14, but Vegas wins the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker for the first pick since its SOS is lower than that of the three other 3-14 teams (Jets, Cardinals, Titans). The Jets secured the second pick after losing to the Bills on Sunday. Rounding out the rest of the top 10 in the draft order, the Cardinals pick third, the Titans fourth, the Giants fifth, the Browns sixth, the Commanders seventh, the Saints eighth, the Chiefs ninth and the Bengals 10th.
The Raiders hold the top selection for the first time since 2007.
Things started off positively for the Silver and Black at the dawn of the Pete Carroll era, with the Raiders beating the Patriots in New England to open the season. The bottom dropped out immediately after that victory, though, with Vegas losing 14 of its next 15 games, including 10 in a row entering Sunday's contest.
Reuniting Carroll with Geno Smith was largely a disaster. Smith led the league in interceptions with 17 and the offense's struggles led to the firing of coordinator Chip Kelly after a 24-10 loss to the Browns in Week 12. QB coach Greg Olson was installed as the interim OC, but the results didn't improve, with the low-wattage unit averaging a measly 12.7 points per game since the change.
The question now is whether Carroll be playing a leading role in the roster decisions or will the franchise decide to make changes after only one season of the current administration. NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Saturday that it would be a major surprise if Carroll returned. If the organization parts ways with Carroll, minority owner Tom Brady and GM John Spytek are expected to play a key role in advising owner Mark Davis on hiring a new head coach, per Rapoport and Pelissero.
The draft will give Las Vegas a chance to hit reset at quarterback if it so chooses. The Raiders haven't drafted a QB in the first round since taking JaMarcus Russell first overall in 2007. Smith is signed through 2027, with at least $18.5 million guaranteed in 2026, and 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell remains under contract. Kenny Pickett is headed for free agency this offseason. The team has plenty of other glaring needs on the roster, too, with the offensive line standing out as an area that could use significant upgrades.
The 2026 draft is scheduled to be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
