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The 2026 NFL Draft, at least at the top, will follow a somewhat traditional order.
Obviously, a quarterback will become No. 1 when the Raiders take Fernando Mendoza. But after that, there’s a good chance that big, predictable positions will immediately follow, as the Jets and Cardinals will be second and third, respectively.
Let’s check the odds for the exact order of the top three picks on DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 20.
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Exact order of the top three in the 2026 NFL Draft
1. Fernando Mendoza, Arvell Reese, David Bailey: +135 (bet $10 to win $23.50 total)
2. Mendoza, Bailey, Reese: +260 (bet $10 to win $36 total)
3. Mendoza, Reese, Jeremiah Love: +280 (bet $10 to win $38 total)
4. Mendoza, Bailey, Love: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
5. Mendoza, Reese, Francis Mauigoa: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 in total)
6. Mendoza, Bailey, Mauigoa: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 in total)
7. Mendoza, Reese, Sonny Styles: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Based on the top seven options on the odds board, after quarterback, the other positions up for grabs in the top three are edge rusher (Bailey), linebacker (Reese and Styles), running back (Love), and offensive tackle (Mauigoa).
NFL franchises certainly need every one of these spots and plenty of them.
Let’s take a quick look at the recent history of the top three picks:
2025: QB (Ward), WR/CB (Hunter), DE (Carter)
2024: QB (Williams), QB (Daniels), QB (Maye)
2023: QB (Young), QB (Stroud), LB (Anderson)
2022: DE (Walker), DE (Hutchinson), CB (Stingley)
2021: QB (Lawrence), QB (Wilson), QB (Lance)
2020: QB (Terrier), DE (Young), CB (Okudah)
2019: QB (Murray), DE (Bosa), DT (Williams)
2018: QB (Mayfield), RB (Barkley), QB (Darnold)
2017: DE (Garrett), QB (Trubisky), DE (Thomas)
2016: QB (Goff), QB (Wentz), DE (Bosa)
So, over the last 10 drafts, 16 quarterbacks have gone in the top three, alongside nine defensive linemen, two cornerbacks, a running back, a linebacker and a WR/CB hybrid.
Regardless of position, what’s notable is that all three top picks over the last decade have enjoyed immense success at the NFL level. Among those accolades are Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl LX win, Myles Garrett’s two Defensive Player of the Year awards and Will Anderson’s record-breaking contract signed last week.
