2026 NFL Draft Odds: Mendoza Locked In at No. 1, Picks 2–5 Wide Open

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With the 2026 NFL Draft set for April 23-25, the top of the board is coming into focus - at least at No. 1.

Fernando Mendoza is all but locked in as the first overall pick, with his odds ballooning to -20000 as the market solidifies around the Heisman winner heading to Las Vegas.

But behind him? That's where things get interesting.

From No. 2 through No. 5, the NFL Draft odds remain volatile, with multiple names in play and recent movement signaling uncertainty across the board - creating value for bettors willing to read between the lines.

2026 NFL Draft odds to be No. 1 pick

Player	Position
Fernando Mendoza	QB	-20000
Arvell Reese	LB	+8000
Carnell Tate	WR	+12500
Spencer Fano	OT	+12500
Caleb Downs	S	+12500
Francis Mauigoa	OT	+12500

Best bet: Fernando Mendoza (-20000)

While laying -20000 is completely absurd, there is no other player in with a shout for No. 1 overall. The Las Vegas Raiders need a QB in the worst way, and Mendoza was excellent last season while leading the Indiana Hoosiers to the National Championship.

Odds to be drafted No. 2

Player	Position
David Bailey	LB	-170
Arvell Reese	LB	+140
Rueben Bain Jr.	DE	+3000
Sonny Styles	LB	+4000
Ty Simpson	QB	+8000
Fernando Mendoza	QB	+10000

Best Bet: Arvell Reese (+140)

The New York Jets are in no position to get cute with the No. 2 overall pick, and that should benefit Arvell Reese. Some would consider him the best player in the draft after his excellent Junior season at Ohio State. He's got the pace to keep up when dropping into coverage or rushing the quarterback. The Jets desperately need a versatile defensive player who can make game-changing plays.

Odds to be drafted No. 3

Player	Position
Arvell Reese	LB	+140
David Bailey	LB	+330
Francis Mauigoa	OT	+380
Jeremiyah Love	RB	+1200
Rueben Bain Jr.	DE	+1500
Sonny Styles	LB	+1500

Best bet: David Bailey (+330)

If the Jets go with Reese at No. 2, the Cardinals should follow suit with Bailey at No. 3. Bailey was the mostproductive edge rusher in college football this season, and with what the Cardinals lack on offense, they can hope the defense figures it out in a hurry. This is a starting point.

Odds to be drafted No. 4

Player	Position
Jeremiyah Love	RB	+145
David Bailey	LB	+550
Arvell Reese	LB	+600
Rueben Bain Jr.	DE	+650
Carnell Tate	WR	+700
Sonny Styles	LB	+700

Best bet: Jeremiyah Love (+145)

Pop quiz: What's the best way to protect your second-year quarterback?

Answer? Get him a workhorse running back who can take some of the pressure off of him.

This is exactly what the Titansshoulddo.

Odds to be drafted No. 5

Player	Position
Sonny Styles	LB	+165
Francis Mauigoa	OT	+420
Caleb Downs	S	+550
Jeremiyah Love	RB	+600
Carnell Tate	WR	+950
Mansoor Delane	CB	+2000

Best bet: Francis Mauigoa (+420)

There's something to be said about Carnell Tate at +950 to bolster the receiving corps, but I think protecting your franchise QB is paramount in John Harabuagh's first year in charge. At +420, this is tremendous value.

Odds as of 4-13.Odds courtesy of FanDuel, one of ourbest betting apps. Sign up with ourFanDuelpromo code, or get one of our othersportsbook promos.

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NFL Draft betting trends

Quarterback is the most important position on the football field, and following Tennessee taking Cam Ward at No. 1 in 2025, 21 of the last 28 first-overall picks have been QBs.

All but two of the last 18 NFL Drafts have seen an offensive lineman get picked in the Top 10, with 2025 being no different, as Will Campbell went fifth, Armand Membou went seventh, and Kelvin Banks Jr. was picked ninth.

List of first overall NFL Draft picks

Year	Player	Position
2025	Cam Ward	QB
2024	Caleb Williams	QB
2023	Bryce Young	QB
2022	Travon Walker	DE
2021	Trevor Lawrence	QB
2020	Joe Burrow	QB
2019	Kyler Murray	QB
2018	Baker Mayfield	QB
2017	Myles Garrett	DE
2016	Jared Goff	QB
2015	Jameis Winston	QB
2014	Jadeveon Clowney	DE
2013	Eric Fisher	OT
2012	Andrew Luck	QB
2011	Cam Newton	QB
2010	Sam Bradford	QB
2009	Matthew Stafford	QB
2008	Jake Long	OT
2007	JaMarcus Russell	QB
2006	Mario Williams	DE

How to bet on the 2026 NFL Draft

Sportsbooks will post odds for the player to go first overall in the draft as soon as the previous year's draft is over. Once the college football season begins in September, these odds could change weekly depending on how players are performing as well as the evaluations of trusted draftniks such as Mel Kiper Jr.

In addition, this NFL futuresbet may also take into account the team needs of the worst team(s) in the NFL.

After the NCAA football season is over, NFL Draft odds will solidify after key events such as the underclassmen declaration deadline, the NFL Scouting Combine, and pro days. In the weeks leading up to the draft, sportsbooks will offer more NFL Draft prop bets.

Understanding NFL Draft odds

The odds of going first overall in the NFL Draft will typically look like this:

• Arch Manning +200

This means that if you placed a $100 bet on Manning, you would win $200 if the Longhorns QB goes first overall in 2026. When you get closer to the draft and there is a consensus on who will go first overall, you might see a player with a minus sign (-) ahead of his odds, like this:

• Carson Beck -550

This means you'd have to bet $550 to win $100 on Beck being drafted first overall.

Above we have posted the American odds for the 2026 NFL Draft. However, these are easy to convert to decimal odds or fractional odds with our odds converter tool.

Get more NFL Draft betting tips and strategies with our draft betting guide.

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