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The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock.
A loss would have earned the Raiders the No. 1 overall pick in April, but they didn’t have to wait until their own game kicked off to learn their fate.
The New York Giants had an outside shot at the No. 1 pick, a selection they controlled heading into their game against the Raiders last week.
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A general view of the field shows the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
However, the Giants beat the Raiders, losing control of the draft to Las Vegas. New York needed a loss and a Raiders win to regain the top pick, but the Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys, 34-17, giving the Raiders the selection.
It is widely believed that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be a Raider. Las Vegas acquired veteran quarterback Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks during the offseason, but in the midst of a dreadful season for the Raiders, Smith was a disappointment. Entering Sunday, he had totaled 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns against 17 interceptions in 15 games.
Geno Smith of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
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Smith, 35, has two years left on his contract, but it’s hard to imagine the Raiders passing up the Heisman Trophy winner who could finish a perfect season with a national championship.
The 2-14 Raiders will face the Kansas City Chiefs to finish their regular season. The last time the Raiders had the first pick was in 2007, when they selected JaMarcus Russell out of LSU. Russell became one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history, playing in 31 games, the last being in 2009.
Maybe Indiana’s quarterback could have a better outcome.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws before an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Giants, meanwhile, could fall as far as 7th with their 4-13 record, depending on how the 4:25 p.m. games go.
