Only a week or so ago, the Las Vegas Raiders were in full control—of their losing season. They were, late in the 2024 campaign, the biggest losers of all, which doesn't bode well for any sort of immediate fortunes for the present season. However, for a franchise that's lacked elite talent at impact positions for quite some time, their losing record held out hope for this spring's NFL Draft.
Heading into Week 17, those hopes are now dashed. The Raiders decided to summon late-season inspiration on Sunday against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars and came away with the victory after losing 10 in a row to tank their season before that. Suddenly the Raiders fell from No. 1 to No. 6 in the draft order.
There are still two games left, so it's possible that some other losers might want to mix in some wins as a late-season salve. It's also true that two miserable teams both can't stay miserable when facing each other. Someone has to win. (It feels to write that.) So maybe we should cut the Raiders some slack.
Still, it's hilarious to think that a single December win over the Jags could cost them years of Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders—or at least they'll have to pay through the nose to leap back up in the standings to where they were just days ago.
Those are the Raiders we know and love!
Here's how the official 2025 NFL Draft order stands after Week 16.
2025 NFL Draft order (as of 12/23)
- New York Giants
- New England Patriots
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns
- Las Vegas Raider
- Carolina Panthers
- New York Jets
- Chicago Bears
- New Orleans Saints
- San Francisco 49ers
- Miami Dolphins
- Indianapolis Colts
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Dallas Cowboys
- Arizona Cardinals
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Atlanta Falcons
- L.A. Chargers
- Houston Texans
- Denver Broncos
- L.A. Rams
- Washington Commanders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Green Bay Packers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Buffalo Bills
- Minnesota Vikings
- Detroit Lions
- Kansas City Chiefs