The Las Vegas Raiders enter Week 18 with the best odds to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 National Football League Draft after losing in blowout fashion to the New York Giants last week.
It was an ugly effort from Las Vegas, which lost 34-10 against a weak Giants opponent, and their efforts raised eyebrows around the league. Did the Raiders lose on purpose or tank to pretty much solidify getting the first pick? The Raiders and head coach Pete Carroll will deny that every day of the week, but many are convinced they lost on purpose, which could lead to the NFL adopting the draft lottery.
If the Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs and the Giants lose to the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants would select first overall. Las Vegas starting quarterback Geno Smith is doubtful to play against the Chiefs with an ankle injury, meaning backup Kenny Pickett should get the nod to start. However, we could see Aidan O’Connell as well, who has been banged up with a wrist injury all season long.
“With QB Geno Smith (ankle) doubtful to play in the season finale, Carroll plans to play Kenny Pickett and Aidan O'Connell,” ESPN’s Ryan McFadden wrote Friday. “The Raiders might favor Pickett to start because he has been QB2 throughout the season. But both players are looking forward to the opportunity to get reps, especially O'Connell -- who started the season on injured reserve because of a wrist injury. ‘I think it's been hard to sit back and watch,’ O'Connell said. ‘It weighs on everyone when they lose like this, and so just trying to stay patient and wait for my opportunity.’”
Pickett made one start in place of the injured Smith against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, and it did not go well in the slightest. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 31-0 and Pickett had a game to forget; he completed 15 of 25 passes for just 64 yards with an interception and was sacked four times for a total loss of 35 yards.
Pickett will likely get the start, but who knows how long he will play for. In 20 career games, O’Connell has a 62.6 completion percentage to go along with 3,830 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
O’Connell played well for Las Vegas in 2024 and has earned a chance to play against Kansas City in the final game of the season.