The ramifications of the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ loss to the Las Vegas Raiders are massive for both teams. With the Raiders’ draft pick dropping from first overall to sixth, the win put their future at risk. Meanwhile, the Jaguars’ loss drastically increased the odds that they will have a top draft choice, as they sit third following week 15. The fallout from the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders is immense, and the draft changes only scratch the surface.
Fallout For 2025 Following The Jaguars Loss To the Raiders
For the twelfth time in 2024, this time in the Jaguars vs Raiders week 16 matchup, the Jaguars lost. Despite plenty of matchups having implications for the NFL playoffs in 2024-2025, this loss is the most meaningful from the week 16 slate. Thanks to the massive changes in the draft order and how it affects the future of both teams involved, the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders was one of the most important games of week 16.
The Jaguars are in a position where they can make a team-shifting pick at third overall, a jump in multiple spots, which only happened with the Jaguars loss to the Raiders. The loss is franchise-altering in the best possible way for Jacksonville. From draft selection possibilities in 2025 to the overall appeal of the situation for any head coach or general manager candidate, the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders has massive effects on the Jaguars’ future.
Draft Impact
Of all the after-effects following the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders, the Jaguars’ improved draft pick is the most important. In the 2025 NFL Draft, they were penciled in for the sixth pick before week 15. But, following the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders, Jacksonville jumped to third overall. A higher draft choice is always a good thing, but for the Jaguars, such a jump is huge for their potential player pool.
The New York Giants have the first overall pick and are likely to stay and select a quarterback. Second overall are the New England Patriots, and they could make a few different selections. However, no matter who they take, the Jaguars would have the choice to take one of the top players in the draft based on consensus. Whether it’s Travis Hunter, Will Johnson, Mason Graham, or another top defensive player, the Jaguars are in a prime position to add a high-quality player to the draft.
The potential for these players would not be the same at the sixth pick, especially with the 2025 draft class having a weak quarterback class. Having a chance to select one of the top players in the draft is only possible, thanks to the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders. While a disappointing loss and one that only adds to the frustration, the future of the Jaguars’ roster looks a lot better going forward.
Another huge reason why the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders matters a lot is the flexibility that they have with their draft choice. For a lot of teams near the top of the draft class, like the Giants and Raiders, quarterback is a top need. Jacksonville already has their quarterback of the future, which opens the door for them to make an impact selection on defense or at receiver.
It’s a unique opportunity to have a luxury pick, one that can be the best player available, at such a high draft spot. With a lot of holes across the roster, mainly on defense, having the ability to take one of the top defensive players is a huge advantage. At worst, the Jaguars could use their high draft choice to trade down for more capital and take one of the many solid players a little further down the board.
All in all, the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders had massive ramifications on the 2025 NFL Draft order, and its effects impact far into both the Jaguars’ and Raiders’ futures.
Opened Doors After the Jaguars Loss
The 2025 draft order isn’t set in stone, but the impact the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders has had is a huge factor in the Jaguars’ chances at getting a top-three pick. But, the loss also opens a lot of doors that the franchise can travel through. Those doors are only open thanks to the situation that they have and every piece of the puzzle fitting together.
The first piece is the quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, and his role as the team’s star player. Any team with a quarterback that can play at Lawrence’s level has a chance to make some noise in the playoffs, and with the Jaguars in the AFC South, the division should be more than winnable in 2025.
The second piece is the young players and core the Jaguars have to welcome any new players into. The Offensive line is all but set for multiple years into the future with Mitch Morse at center, Walker Little at left tackle, Ezra Cleveland at left guard, and Anton Harrison at right tackle. With that offensive line, the Jaguars have the necessary players to, at worst, compete with the top defensive lines, a prerequisite to being a competitive team.
However, the most important thing the Jaguars have going for them are the rookies from the 2024 draft class and a couple of other young players making their impact on the field. Jarrian Jones has been one of the Jaguars’ most important players defensively, and his emergence as the starting nickel corner is instrumental in their future success. Devin Lloyd has become one of the best linebackers in the NFL, and Travon Walker is continuing to improve every month.
All of those players are great, but no player is more impactful for the Jaguars’ future than Brian Thomas Jr. The rookie receiver went toe-to-toe with fellow rookie phenom Brock Bowers. In the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders, both were far and away, the most important players on offense. Bowers had 99 yards on 11 catches, including a 32-yard strike. But Thomas went a few steps further, as he had 132 yards on nine receptions and a touchdown, which was on a 62-yard bomb down the field.
If the Jaguars were forced to name a team MVP, the award would be Thomas’ without any challengers. His emergence as not only an elite rookie receiver but also a top receiver across the NFL makes his value astronomical for the Jaguars. The Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders was a tough loss for the Jaguars, but Thomas had a very encouraging day. His performance with a backup quarterback and no other starting receivers around him makes his play all the more impressive and solidifies his position as the Jaguars’ most important future star to watch each week.
Both the improved draft pick and the various key pieces on the roster combine to form the door that is open for the NFL coaching world to see. If the Jaguars fire Doug Pederson, which is the obvious decision, the opening in Jacksonville will be one of the most coveted. In a struggling division, with a great quarterback and an elite young receiver, the hardest-to-find pieces of the puzzle are already in place.
Outside of keeping Trent Baalke as general manager, which would be a complete disaster scenario, the Jaguars head coaching gig would be one of, if not the best in the NFL. Ben Johnson, from the Detroit Lions, is the top candidate across the league, and the Jaguars situation would be perfect for him. From building his own culture to having the ammo needed to shape the team, the Jaguars situation is perfectly suited for Johnson to come in and make his mark as one of the most hyped-up head coaching candidates in a long time.
How The Jaguars Loss To The Raiders Can Shape Jacksonville’s Future
Out of all 12 losses the Jaguars have had all season long, the Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders is by far the best one. The ripple effects it has had on the NFL will loom large, both for the 2025 NFL Draft and the future of all the organizations picking within the top ten. Jacksonville now has the door open to make a resurgence in 2025, and it is all thanks to the Jaguars loss to the Raiders.
Despite the loss, the Jaguars came out on top. Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce was questioned over the win and why he’s not apologizing for not tanking. A head coach admitting to tanking will never happen and for a coach like Pierce, who was made full-time head coach after being an interim in 2023, his passion for the game and resolve make him less likely to tank. Pederson openly tanked with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, which led the Eagles to take DeVonta Smith in the draft, acquire better draft capital, and drastically alter the future of the franchise.
Now, Pederson has a chance to do the same thing once more. Just like in 2020, he can tank down the stretch and create a much more favorable future for the organization. While he is likely fired after 2024, there would be plenty of amicable Jaguars fans if he successfully leads a tank. A win in weeks 17 or 18 is meaningless for the Jaguars, while a loss can boost the franchise significantly.
The Jaguars’ loss to the Raiders should just be the tip of the ice-burg for the offseason and the future of the team, with so much at stake for Jacksonville in the final two weeks of the season. Wins could lead the Jaguars to ruin, while losses would set them up for success when it matters most. With the loss, it should no longer be a pseudo tank; it should be a full-fledged tank mode. The future is bright following the Jaguars loss to the Raiders.
Main Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
