The NFL draft order is locked in heading into the final Sunday of the 2025 regular season. The Las Vegas Raiders have secured the No. 1 pick with a historic 10-game losing streak that matches one of the worst records in franchise history. The New York Giants and New York Jets follow closely with identical 3-13 records, setting up a critical Week 18 finale.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Raiders at 2-14 with nearly 80% probability to secure the No. 1 overall pick
- Raiders’ 10-game skid marks fifth-longest in franchise history
- Giants and Jets tied at 3-13, with Giants at No. 2 and Jets at No. 3
- Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB) widely expected as Draft Day selection for Raiders
Raiders’ Historic Skid Earns Top Draft Pick
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The Las Vegas Raiders have endured a catastrophic season, but their struggles have secured them positioning for a generational talent. After losing 10 straight games, the Raiders hit rock bottom with a 2-14 record that stands alone as the worst in the league. This devastating skid represents the fifth-longest losing streak in the entire history of the Raiders organization.
The December 28 defeat to the Giants (34-10) sealed the Raiders’ fate, dropping them far behind the rest of the NFL. Head coach Pete Carroll and the organization now look toward the draft as a chance for genuine transformation. With Vegas clinching at worst the No. 2 pick, the team can finally pivot away from their disastrous season toward rebuilding.
Giants and Jets Battle for Playoff Hopes Gone Bad
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Both the New York Giants and New York Jets own identical 3-13 records, but their Week 18 outcomes will determine their draft positioning. The Giants currently hold the No. 2 pick after snapping a nine-game losing streak with their dominant victory over the Raiders. Ironically, that win moved them away from draft position and closer to a more challenging rebuild process.
The Jets occupy the No. 3 slot with one final chance to impact their record in Week 18. Both organizations face uncertain futures, but the 2026 draft offers a pathway to reinvention. With tiebreaker scenarios still potentially at play, both NY teams will monitor their respective matchups with extreme interest before the draft truly becomes final.
Top Ten Teams and Draft Positioning for 2026
| Draft Position | Team | Record |
| No. 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-14 |
| No. 2 | New York Giants | 3-13 |
| No. 3 | New York Jets | 3-13 |
| No. 4 | Tennessee Titans | 3-13 |
| No. 5 | Arizona Cardinals | 3-13 |
| No. 6 | Cleveland Browns | 4-12 |
| No. 7 | Washington Commanders | 4-12 |
| No. 8 | New Orleans Saints | 6-10 |
| No. 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-10 |
| No. 10 | New England Patriots | 4-12 |
Fernando Mendoza Emerges as Clear Choice for Raiders
Raiders fans remain focused on one prospect: Fernando Mendoza from the University of Indiana. The 6-5, 225-pound quarterback led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and won the Heisman Trophy, establishing himself as the consensus QB1 in the draft class. Mock drafts overwhelming favor the Raiders selecting Mendoza with the No. 1 pick.
Mendoza boasts impressive 68.1% career completion rate and a 63 touchdowns to 22 interception ratio, demonstrating his ability to protect the football. The Raiders see him as a potential franchise cornerstone after years of QB instability. With the winning lottery ticket basically in hand, Las Vegas finally has the chance to build around a generational talent heading forward into 2026.
What Does the December 28 Giants-Raiders Matchup Mean for the NFL Draft Order?
The Giants’ 34-10 victory on December 28 became pivotal in the draft order race. By beating the Raiders, the Giants snapped their nine-game losing streak while simultaneously pushing the Raiders further toward the No. 1 pick. This unique scenario created the first matchup since 1981 where teams with the two worst records in the league faced each other during the regular season finale stretch.
The Raiders’ devastation opened the door for other struggling franchises. Though the Giants moved back into No. 2 after their win, they sacrificed draft positioning for a morale-boosting victory. Meanwhile, the Jets remain at No. 3 with their own final game determining whether they can move higher. The draft order lock heading into Week 18 essentially guarantees the Raiders their shot at Mendoza, barring any shocking last-minute developments.
Follow the 2026 NFL Draft conversation: Teams across the league now turn their attention toward Vegas’ historic opportunity. Coverage on ESPN continues to build momentum for Mendoza and the Raiders.
Sources
- ESPN – 2026 NFL Draft order projections and team records
- NFL.com – Official draft order confirmation for all 32 teams
- USA Today – Mock draft analysis and quarterback prospect evaluations
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.