Carlson’s career-long kick did more than seal the victory; it shaped the draft landscape for multiple teams. The Raiders finished 3-14, tied with the Jets, Cardinals and Titans, and by the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker earned the No. 1 pick. However, the top selections in the second, third, and fourth rounds will rotate among those teams rather than remaining with Las Vegas.
Analyst Adam Schefter outlined how the kick’s consequences extended beyond one game. If Carlson had missed and the Raiders had lost, Las Vegas would have had the first pick at the top of every round. Instead, the Raiders hold the overall No. 1 pick, while the Jets, Cardinals and Titans will control the top picks in the subsequent rounds.
There was little the Raiders could have done to influence the result of that Week 18 matchup. It’s unlikely that the Chiefs—under a coach nearing the end of his tenure with an expiring contract for Carlson—were intentionally aiding Las Vegas. Regardless, Las Vegas still holds a top-four position in every round, giving them significant draft capital to pursue impact players.
No. 1 pick is the prize, though, as it affords the Raiders control over the draft’s opening selections and the opportunity to land a franchise quarterback. Many expect the team to target former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick; if Mendoza hits, the surrounding talent gained through the rest of the draft could push the class toward success.
Heading into the draft, Las Vegas can approach the process with added confidence, knowing they can shape the roster around a potential franchise quarterback while leveraging the rest of their high selections to add depth and skill across positions.
