Giants, Raiders lead race for No. 1 in 2025 NFL Draft

Field Level Media|published: Tue 17th December, 08:17 2024

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen takes a drink of water before the pre-draft press conference in 2002.

An averted comeback sent the Las Vegas Raiders to their 12th loss of the season on Monday, even with the New York Giants for the worst record in the NFL this season.

The Giants (2-12) are up on the Raiders (2-12) by mere percentage points with three weeks remaining in the race for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Schedule strength indicates more than a two-horse field for the premium placement in the 2025 draft.

The New England Patriots (3-11) are No. 1 in the NFL with two dates against the Buffalo Bills (11-3) and a Week 17 visit from the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6).

The Chicago Bears appeared to be out of the running for a repeat of the No. 1 pick but dropped to 4-10 in a blowout 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. The setback put the Bears in the top 10 of the current draft order in the shadow of the New York Jets (4-10).

But the Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns all reside a rung higher in the order with three wins with three to play.

In the franchise's 100th season, the Giants appear to be a lock to select in the top six of the draft for the fifth time in seven years since selecting Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in 2018.

The Raiders last picked in the top three in 2007 when they selected LSU's JaMarcus Russell No. 1. Hall of Famers Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) was No. 2 and Joe Thomas (Browns) third.

Here's the current order for the 2025 NFL Draft:

1. New York Giants

2. Las Vegas Raiders

3. New England Patriots

4. Carolina Panthers

5. Tennessee Titans

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

7. Cleveland Browns

8. New York Jets

9. Chicago Bears

10. New Orleans Saints

11. Miami Dolphins