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NFL Draft: Raiders' No. 1 Pick Falls in Rounds
24 Apr
Summary
- NFL draft order determined by worst record, with tiebreakers applied.
- Teams tied in standings rotate draft picks in subsequent rounds.
- Historical ties for worst record have led to significant draft shifts.
The NFL draft order follows a straightforward system where the team with the worst record selects first, while the champions pick last. In 2026, the Las Vegas Raiders, tied for the league's worst record, secured the No. 1 overall pick after tiebreakers were applied.
However, the draft order undergoes a rotation for teams tied in the standings. Following the first round, clubs involved in ties will alternate positions in subsequent rounds. This explains why the Raiders' initial top pick will fall to fourth in the second round.
This rotation system has historical precedent, with notable examples from 2003 and 2015 involving multi-way ties for the worst record. These ties have previously led to significant shifts in draft order and the selection of prominent players.
