-
Ryan McFadden
The reconstruction will be based on this draft and a quarterback would be the priority
LAS VEGAS – The Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, giving the franchise, which is headed toward a rebuild, its most valuable asset to jump-start the process.
The Raiders solidified their draft position after the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 on Sunday.
Las Vegas did not anticipate being in this situation when coach Pete Carroll said the team would win a lot of games in its first season after 14 years with the Seattle Seahawks.
However, the Raiders have had one of their worst seasons in franchise history.
The Raiders entered their final game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs with a 2-14 record, tying the most losses in a season in franchise history (2006). Las Vegas has lost 10 straight games, and Carroll appears close to being fired after his first season.
Las Vegas will be the first team to pick for the third time in franchise history. The last time the Raiders had the No. 1 pick was in 2007, when they took quarterback JaMarcus Russell out of LSU.
Nearly 20 years later, Las Vegas has a chance to draft a quarterback at No. 1 once again.
The owner Geno Smith He has a contract until 2028, but he is 35 years old and his performance decreased in his first year with the Raiders. Smith threw a league-high 17 interceptions in 15 games.
The Raiders are expected to be linked to Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza throughout the draft process.
