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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
 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
 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
| 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 most productive 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
| 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 Titans should do.
Odds to be drafted No. 5
| 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 our best betting apps. Sign up with our FanDuel promo code, or get one of our other sportsbook 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
| 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 futures bet 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
