Overview
- Las Vegas will clinch the top selection by losing at home to the Chiefs in Week 18, while a Raiders win coupled with a Giants loss would move New York to No. 1 on strength of schedule.
- Atlanta’s 27-24 win over the Rams removed the Jets from No. 1 contention, narrowing the race to the Raiders and Giants, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
- Indiana’s Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is viewed as the early favorite for the first pick if he declares, though Oregon’s Dante Moore remains a viable alternative.
- The Raiders recently shut down Maxx Crosby, Brock Bowers and Jeremy Chinn, and a 34-10 loss to the Giants underscored their need at quarterback after Geno Smith’s league-high 17 interceptions.
- Las Vegas projects about $105 million in cap space, giving GM John Spytek significant flexibility as questions persist about coach Pete Carroll’s long-term status.