Oakland Raiders News: NFL's Worst Record Gives Team No.2 Overall Draft Pick, 49ers Have No.1 Pick

The Oakland Raiders lost again in Week 12, falling on the road to the Baltimore Ravens 34-17. Not only did the game ensure that the team will finish the 2018 NFL season with a losing record, but it kept them in the race to secure the No.1 overall pick in the 2019 draft.

If the season ended Monday, the Raiders would have the No.2 overall selection. The San Francisco 49ers currently own the top selection in the first round. The Arizona Cardinals are currently in line to get the third pick.

Oakland, San Francisco and Arizona appear to be in a three-team race for the No.1 draft pick. They are all tied for the worst record in football at 2-9. The 49ers hold the top spot because they’ve got the worst strength of schedule, which is the tiebreaker, though a lot can change over the season’s final five weeks.

According to ESPN’s FPI projections, the Cardinals have the best chance to finish the season with the No.1 pick. That prediction is based on the remaining schedule for every team. San Francisco is favored to get the No.2 pick, and Oakland is projected to get the No.3 overall pick, according to the formula.

The Raiders have defeated the Cardinals and lost to the 49ers this season. Oakland also beat the four-win Cleveland Browns.

The Raiders own three first-round picks in the 2019 draft. They acquired the Chicago Bears’ selection in the Khalil Mack trade, and they received the Dallas Cowboys’ No.1 pick when they dealt Amari Cooper.

Chicago and Dallas lead their respective divisions after Week 12. There’s a good chance neither pick will be in the top 20.

The New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants are all tied at 3-8. Four NFL teams are 4-7.

The Raiders close the season with a very difficult schedule. They’ve got two games left against the Kansas City Chiefs and a Week 14 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Oakland will also visit the Cincinnati Bengals and host the Denver Broncos, both of whom are 5-6.

Oakland took offensive tackle Kolton Miller with the No.15 pick in last year’s draft.