Raiders claim No. 1 pick, Jets second in 2026 draft

Field Level Media|published: Sun 4th January, 20:21 2026

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans

Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll before playing against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Raiders locked up the No. 1 overall pick and enter the offseason in the driver's seat of the NFL draft for the first time since selecting LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2007.

Las Vegas defeated the Chiefs in Week 18 but clinched the top pick because the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys earlier Sunday. The Raiders finished the season 3-14 and went 4-13 in 2024.

The New York Jets (3-14) received the No. 2 pick, the third time the franchise has claimed a pick in the top five since drafting BYU quarterback Zach Wilson at No. 2 in 2021.

The Arizona Cardinals are slotted third in the draft order ahead of the Tennessee Titans. Both teams were also 3-14. The Cardinals possessed a .571 strength of schedule and the Titans were at .574.

The Giants (4-13) defeated the Raiders last week and fell to No. 5 Sunday by beating the Cowboys for the first time in 10 tries.

Results of the Ravens-Steelers game on Sunday night could shift the rankings below the 12th pick.

Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is projected to be a top pick in the draft, and each team in the top three is expected to be in the market for an upgrade at quarterback.

The 2026 NFL Draft order (picks 1-18) as of Sunday 8:15 p.m. ET:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14 (.538 strength of schedule)

2. New York Jets: 3-14 (.552)

3. Arizona Cardinals: 3-14 (.571)

4. Tennessee Titans: 3-14 (.574)

5. New York Giants: 4-13 (.524)

6. Cleveland Browns: 5-12 (.486)

7. Washington Commanders: 5-12 (.507)

8. New Orleans Saints: 6-11 (.495)

9. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11 (.516)

10. Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11 (.521)

11. Miami Dolphins: 7-10 (.488)