Raiders fans now have a rooting interest outside games involving the Silver and Black and, most likely, individuals on a fantasy football team.
They’ll either want the Raiders to win for glory or lose for a better draft pick. Depends on whether you embrace the tanking concept.
There are two teams all Raiders fans will cheer to lose. It’s better for the Silver and Black if the Bears and Cowboys stink.
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Why? Chicago gave up first-round picks in 2019 and 2020 (as part of a larger exchange) for Khalil Mack. Dallas traded its 2019 first-round pick for Amari Cooper.
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The Raiders have five first-round picks over the next two years -- adding those acquired in trade to their own -- to strengthen a deficient roster.
If the season were to end today -- yeah, we know it doesn’t -- the Raiders would be thrilled with their draft haul. They would have three first-round picks, all within the top 17.
NFL
Here are the Raiders' 2019 first-round draft picks, as they stand right now:
No. 4 overall
How it was earned: This would be the Raiders’ pick, after compiling a 1-5 record to start the season. Given the state of the Raiders' roster and the climate in the locker room, the Silver and Black could be in contention for the top pick, definitely something in the top 5.
No. 10 overall
How it was earned: This pick was given up for Cooper by the Cowboys, who have hovered around .500 all season and lost some close games. They have a strong run game with Ezekiel Elliott, but they need to improve their air attack. Cooper could help them do that in a wide-open NFC East that the Cowboys still believe they can win.
No. 17 overall
How it was earned: This is part of the package sacrificed by Chicago for Khalil Mack. The Bears have proven competitive against all comers, thanks in large part to Mack’s impact and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s improved play. The Bears are in a difficult NFC North and have some tough games ahead, so their overall record (and therefore draft position) could land in a wide range.
Complete NFL draft order (per NFL.com) as of Tuesday;
1. New York Giants
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. Oakland Raiders
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Cleveland Browns
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. New York Jets
10. Oakland Raiders (from the Dallas Cowboys)
11. Jacksonville Jaguars
12. Tennessee Titans
13. Atlanta Falcons
14. Denver Broncos
15. Seattle Seahawks
16. Detroit Lions
17. Oakland Raiders (from the Chicago Bears)
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. Miami Dolphins
20. Baltimore Ravens
21. Houston Texans
22. Cincinnati Bengals
23. Green Bay Packers
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
25. Minnesota Vikings
26. Carolina Panthers
27. Washington Redskins
28. Los Angeles Chargers
29. New England Patriots
30. Green Bay Packers (from the New Orleans Saints)
31. Kansas City Chiefs
32. Los Angeles Rams
