BREAKING: The first 18 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft are locked. The Las Vegas Raiders now control the top of the board, and they are officially on the clock. The regular season is over, the math is complete, and the dominoes are lining up. This first wave of draft order clarity just changed every front office plan in the league.
I can confirm the Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick. The top 18 selections are set for non-playoff teams.
The Top 18 Are Locked
The order comes straight from record, then strength of schedule. If teams tie in both, a coin decides it. With the non-playoff field set, boards across the league lit up today. General managers now have a target to plan around, and rivals know who sits in front of them.
The rest of Round 1 will slot in after the postseason. Picks 19 through 32 depend on how the playoffs shake out. The Super Bowl winner will pick 32nd.
Draft order is set by record, then strength of schedule, then a coin flip if needed.
What No. 1 Means for the Raiders
This is the biggest moment the franchise has held since the move to Las Vegas. Raider Nation knows the weight of the number one pick. It decides identity, not just the depth chart. You use it on a franchise player, full stop. 🏈
The quarterback question
Quarterback always comes up first. If the Raiders believe there is a true cornerstone passer in this class, the debate ends there. You do not overthink quarterback at one. But you must be all in on the player, the makeup, and the plan to develop him.
Defense is in the room
If their board says a defender is the best player, they will listen. An elite edge rusher can change games. A shutdown corner can tilt the field. The front seven can set the tone in the AFC, where you must hit elite offenses every year.
The premier tackle option
A blindside tackle at one is rare, but not crazy if the grade is special. Protecting the quarterback, whoever he is, is the long game. The best teams invest in the line, then fill skill spots with speed and value.
The Early Ripple Effects
With the Raiders at one, trade calls already start. Teams behind them will try to move up. Others will wait to see who falls. The shape of the top ten will be a weekly story from now to April.
- Quarterback needy teams must decide, pay the price to go up or stand pat.
- Edge heavy teams can play the board, quality usually stretches through the teens.
- Offensive line anchors gain value, especially for clubs with young passers.
- Cornerback depth looks strong, which could push receivers up or down.
Trade Scenarios Begin Now
If the Raiders do not love a quarterback at one, the phone will not stop. A trade down can be a franchise windfall. You add premium picks, still land a blue chip player, and fuel a multi-year build. But there is risk. Passing on the right quarterback at one can haunt a team for a decade.
On the flip side, a team in the top ten with a veteran bridge quarterback might try a bold move. Jump to one, take the future, and let him learn for a year. That model has worked for patient rosters with stable coaching.
Trades will reshape who actually makes these picks. The order is set, the owners of the picks may change.
How the Rest of Round 1 Could Shift
Picks 19 through 32 will depend on the playoffs. A hot January run can drop a team deep into the round. That changes value for contenders who love a certain position. It also tests scouting depth. The best playoff teams scout the bottom third of the round with the same focus as the top.
Position depth will steer strategy
This class looks strong in the trenches and at corner. That matters. Teams that need premium linemen can stay calm and trust the board. Wide receiver is always flashy, yet the true value often sits late in Round 1 or early Round 2. Smart clubs buy traits, then lean on coaching.
Culture and fit matter now
These picks come with face-of-the-franchise weight. Leadership, toughness, and football IQ are not buzzwords in April. They are tiebreakers for teams trying to build a room that lasts. The Raiders know this well. Las Vegas is a stage. The pick must be able to carry it.
What Comes Next
All eyes move to the all-star games, the combine, and pro days. Boards will adjust. Medicals will matter. Interviews will sort leaders from talkers. But the road starts here, with the top 18 set and the Raiders holding the key.
The league just got its first big off-season twist. Las Vegas sits at one, and that means the silver and black will set the tone for everyone else. The phones are warming up. The scouts are grinding. And the clock, at last, is ticking in the desert.
