The Las Vegas Raiders control their destiny when it comes to the No. 1 pick. All they have to do is lose their last two games.
As of now, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the favorite to be the first player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Considering the Raiders have a need at quarterback, there’s a very good chance they’d take him if they do get the top pick.
The Raiders have been trying to find a long-term solution at quarterback for years since moving on from Derek Carr. Getting the No. 1 pick represents the best path for them to finally address the position the right way.
Star defensive end Maxx Crosby has had to watch some really poor quarterback play the last few seasons. There’s a chance he could be fed up with the team and ask for a trade this offseason. If the Raiders land Mendoza, that could keep him happy. Crosby is a big fan of the young quarterback and thinks he’s a real player.
“He’s talented, he’s a big quarterback,” Crosby said of Mendoza on “The Rush.” “He can make all the throws, and he’s an underrated athlete. So yeah, big shoutout to him. And his speeches … all time.”
Raiders Not Trying to Tank
Though the Raiders are tied for the worst record in the NFL, it’s clear they haven’t been trying to tank. All of their key players continue to play, and there’s even talk of bringing back left tackle Kolton Miller, who got injured earlier in the season.
The Raiders have been losing because they’re a very bad team, not because they’re trying to lose.
Head coach Pete Carroll made that clear after the Week 16 loss to the Houston Texans.
“I’m not really that concerned about any of that,” Carroll said of the Raiders potentially getting the No. 1 pick during his Monday press conference. “I don’t think you want me to be. We’re going to go play and play the best we can and see what happens.”
Raiders Could Have Hard Time Getting No. 1 Pick
Many believe that the Raiders are the worst team in the NFL. The problem facing them is that they play two very bad teams to finish the season. The Giants are a mess and might be just as bad as the Raiders.
The Kansas City Chiefs are riddled with injuries and appear to have given up on the season. The Raiders might be able to beat one or both of them just through sheer effort.
It’s hard to overstate how much of a disaster that would be for the organization. The Raiders haven’t had the No. 1 pick since 2007, which is the last time they used a first-round pick on a quarterback.
Mendoza might be the only quarterback worth taking at No. 1 in 2026. The Raiders need the top pick if they’re going to get him. Very few things have gone right for the organization across the last two decades, but this could finally be the lifeline they’ve needed if they don’t screw it up and manage to win a game.
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