2026 NFL Draft Predictions & Best Bets: Mock Draft, Odds, and Expert Picks

Latest NFL Draft bets

Philadelphia position of first drafted player: Offensive Lineman (+115)

The offensive line is the beating heart of what the Eagles’ scheme is all about, but that group is getting older, with plenty of wear and tear over the past few seasons. Philadelphia needs to shore up the next generation of "Tush Pushers" and most mock drafts point to Philly selecting an offensive lineman with the 23rd pick. Names like Monroe Freeling (Georgia), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama), Blake Miller (Clemson), and Caleb Lomu (Utah) are potential targets for Howie Roseman.

Houston position of first drafted player: Offensive lineman (-140)

There are a couple of popular mock drafts that have the Texans taking something other than offensive line help with their first pick. That’s anchoring the price on OL being the first draft position for Houston. But considering their positioning (28th) and the desperate need for protection the past three seasons — as well as a reinvestment in QB C.J. Stroud — all logic says the Texans beef up the o-line. Guys like Max Iheanachor (Arizona State), Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M), or trading up for tackle Spencer Fano (Utah) are listed as options in the first round.

2026 NFL Draft predictions: First Round Mock

We know Fernando Mendoza will be going first overall... but after that? See who we're projecting when our final NFL mock draft is released on Monday, April 20!

Latest NFL Draft odds

Odds to be No. 1 overall pick

Not much analysis is needed here: Fernando Mendoza is -10000 (and as short as -20000 at some books) to be the first name called on April 23.

Odds to be No. 2 overall pick

The New York Jets are almost assuredly taking one of the premier EDGE rushers in the draft — it's just a matter of whether it's Ohio State's Arvell Reese or David Bailey from Texas Tech. Reese was -165 to go here a month ago, but it's now flipped to Bailey being the strong favorite to land in East Rutherford.

Odds to be No. 3 overall pick

Arizona has plenty of holes, including quarterback, but Ty Simpson is too much of a reach here — so the Cardinals are projected to take whichever premier pass rusher the Jets pass on.

Odds to be No. 4 overall pick

Tennessee is projected to give young QB Cam Ward another offensive weapon, sitting at even money to take the best running back available in the draft.

Odds to be No. 5 overall pick

The other New York team will likely be looking at a best-player-available scenario, with combine riser Sonny Styles — or his Buckeyes teammate Caleb Downs, the premier safety in the draft — the current favorites to be John Harbaugh's first selection as the Giants head coach. He could also take a tackle to protect franchise QB Jaxson Dart, as Francis Mauigoa is also in the mix based on the odds.

2026 NFL Draft betting market analysis

There is no shortage of ways to bet on the NFL Draft — here is a list of the types of bets commonly found at major sportsbooks.

Pick Number odds

As seen above, you can bet on which player will be taken in each specific spot, generally ranging from "who will go No. 1" through to the No. 1 pick. You can also select whether a player will be:

• Drafted in Round 1
• Drafted in the Top 5/10

Position-specific odds

You can bet on who will be the first (and sometimes second, third, and fourth) player selected at each key position, such as:

• First QB drafted.
• First RB drafted.
• First WR drafted.
• First TE, OL, DE, LB, CB, S as well.
• What position will Mr. Irrelevant be?

Player-specific odds

You can also bet on which team will specifically draft a player, as well as their draft position Over/Under including:

• Who will draft Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., and David Bailey?
• Who will draft Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, and Carnell Tate?
• Who will draft Carson Beck and Garrett Nussmeier?
• Caleb Downs draft position Over/Under 9.5 spots
• Omaer Cooper Jr. Over/Under 23.5 spots

Team-specific odds

Also available is what position a team will select first, such as:

• Will Kansas City select an offensive lineman, running back, cornerback/safety, or quarterback first?
• Will Arizona select a running back, quarterback, cornerback/safety, tight end, or defensive lineman first?

Other NFL Draft props

Overall draft Over/Unders are also available to bet, such as:

• Over/Under 1.5 quarterbacks selected in the first round.
• Over/Under 4.5 cornerbacks selected in the first round.
• Over/Under 15.5 offensive players selected in the first round.
• Over/Under 11.5 Big Ten players selected in the first round.

2026 NFL Draft schedule

The 2026 NFL Draft officially kicks off on Thursday, April 23 at 8 pm ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Each team will have eight minutes on the clock during Round 1. That time limit ticks down on Day 2 to seven minutes per selection, and drops again to five minutes per selection on Day 3.

2026 NFL Round 1 draft order

The 2026 NFL Draft order starts with the reverse order of the previous season’s standings with the worst teams picking first, and the Super Bowl champion picking last. If teams finish with the same record, the first tiebreaker is strength of schedule, with the easier schedule picking earlier.

That’s why the lowly Las Vegas Raiders are No. 1 after finishing 3–14, while the Seattle Seahawks are No. 32 as Super Bowl LX champions. Trades can move picks between teams, but the original slot is still based on record, playoff finish, and league tiebreakers.

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.