The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 23, with round one coverage broadcast live on ESPN and the NFL Network. The draft represents renewed optimism for basement-dwelling teams including the Las Vegas Raiders, which according to most NFL Draft odds is all but assured to select Indiana junior QB Fernando Mendoza.
NFL Draft Odds 2026: What Happens after the First Pick?
- Check out our best value NFL Draft odds
- Arvell Reese or David Bailey second overall?
- Could the Rams select a QB?
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Fernando Mendoza is a -20000 favorite to go first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. The real question is who goes second overall?
While Mendoza is a near lock in NFL 1st pick draft odds, what happens next is anybody’s guess. Many NFL predictions feature standout defensive players and offensive linemen going high in the draft – but where will they fall and what about top playmakers like QB Ty Simpson and RB Jeremiyah Love?
Get primed for Thursday’s draft by checking out some of our best-value NFL Draft odds below.
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NFL Draft Odds 2026: High-Value Picks
| Market | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| OLB David Bailey Number 2 Pick | +110 | 47.62% |
| LA Rams to Draft QB Ty Simpson | +1000 | 9.09% |
| DT Peter Woods to be a 1st Round Pick | +100 | 50.00% |
Odds provided by FanDuel – accurate as of April 22
OLB David Bailey 2nd overall pick | +110 at FanDuel
Mendoza had a breakthrough season at Indiana, leading the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 record and a national championship, while also leading the nation in TDs (41) and yards per attempt (9.3). He also won the Heisman. There’s almost no doubt he’s going first overall, with FanDuel NFL Draft odds listing him as a -20000 favorite.
OLB Arvell Reese is the favorite in FanDuel’s “Number 2 Overall Pick” market with -150 odds. OLB David Bailey, however, offers much better value priced at +110.
Bailey led the FBS in pressure rate (20.2%) last season, which is an area in which the Jets struggled mightily. He also tied for the lead in sacks (14.5) and is a potential immediate game-changer, whereas Arvell, albeit with a higher upside, is more of a raw talent who may take time to be a dominant force in the NFL.
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NFL Draft Odds for 2nd Overall Pick
| Player | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Arvell Reese | -120 | 54.55% |
| David Bailey | +110 | 47.62% |
| Rueben Bain Jr. | +12500 | 0.79% |
| Sonny Styles | +12500 | 0.79% |
| Ty Simpson | +15000 | 0.66% |
Odds provided by FanDuel – accurate as of April 22
Los Angeles Rams: Team to Draft Ty Simpson | +600 at FanDuel
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QB Ty Simpson is likely to be the second quarterback off the board – but what NFL team is going to step up and select the 6-foot-2 Alabama product? The Arizona Cardinals (-125) and Jets (+210) are the NFL Draft betting odds favorites to pick him, but there’s also great value in the team with the third-shortest odds: the Los Angeles Rams (+1000).
LA has the 13th overall pick and Simpson has been listed in mock drafts going anywhere from 12-30th. Most expect him to be the second QB selected and the Jets and Cardinals seem like great fits, but he’s unlikely to go second or third overall. The Rams could step up and take Simpson at No. 13.
Matthew Stafford had a surprisingly efficient season last year with the Rams, but he’s 38 and entering the final year of the two-year extension he signed last May. Simpson would benefit immensely from learning under Stafford next season, while also serving as a safety net in the event of a Stafford injury.
To Be a First-Round Pick: Peter Woods | +100 at FanDuel
Among the picks to be a first-round selection at FanDuel, the most attractive I found was Clemson’s Peter Woods at +100. He’s one of the best DTs in the draft and happens to play a position where many teams have needs.
Woods has also shown up frequently in the first round of NFL mock drafts, most notably Mel Kiper Jr. The ESPN analyst has Woods going 22nd overall to the Los Angeles Chargers.
NFL Draft Schedule
The NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, April 23 near Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Live coverage of the first round begins at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and the NFL Network.
- Thursday, 8 p.m. ET: Round 1
- Friday, 7 p.m. ET: Rounds 2-3
- Saturday, noon ET: Rounds 4-7
NFL Draft Order
The Las Vegas Raiders are picking first overall in the NFL Draft. It’s their first time selecting first since taking QB JaMarcus Russell in the 2007 NFL Draft.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Washington Commanders
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Cincinnati Bengals
11. Miami Dolphins
12. Dallas Cowboys
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)
14. Baltimore Ravens
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts)
17. Detroit Lions
18. Minnesota Vikings
19. Carolina Panthers
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Los Angeles Chargers
23. Philadelphia Eagles
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)
25. Chicago Bears
26. Buffalo Bills
27. San Francisco 49ers
28. Houston Texans
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams)
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos)
31. New England Patriots
32. Seattle Seahawks
Most Recent NFL Draft First Overall Picks
Nine of the last 11 first overall picks have been quarterbacks, highlighting a key trend that surely informs NFL Draft betting odds for 2026.
2025: Cam Ward (TEN)
2024: Caleb Williams (CHI)
2023: Bryce Young (CAR)
2022: Travon Walker (JAX)
2021: Trevor Lawrence (JAX)
2020: Joe Burrow (CIN)
2019: Kyler Murray (ARI)
2018: Baker Mayfield (CLE)
2017: Myles Garrett (CLE)
2016: Jared Goff (LAR)
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NFL Draft FAQs
When is the NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft takes place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marking the first time it has been held in the Steel City since 1948. The first round begins Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET. Rounds 2-4 are on Friday and rounds 4-7 are Saturday.
Who is the projected NFL Draft first pick?
Indiana junior QB Fernando Mendoza is the unanimous NFL draft odds first pick. At FanDuel about one week before the draft, Mendoza had -8000 odds to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, which are in desperate need of a franchise-altering quarterback.
What can I bet on for the NFL Draft?
In addition to the first overall pick, there are several other NFL Draft odds markets available, with a few differences between sportsbooks. Common markets include second, third, fourth, and fifth overall picks, Player X to be selected in the top 10 or first round, and what team will select X player.
Chris Roberts
