As the 2026 NFL Draft nears, excitement builds for a class poised to transform team rosters after the 2025 season. Coming off a 2025 season capped by the Seahawks’ Super Bowl upset over the Patriots, teams across the league are gearing up to inject fresh talent into their rosters. This class is loaded with elite quarterback prospects. game-changing defensive playmakers, and versatile offensive weapons expected to go high in the first round.
Various franchises from across the league will be highly active, hunting pieces to finally break through in the ultra-competitive league. The draft could dramatically reshape what the league looks like next season, as some of the candidates this season could be a game changer for teams that have been rebuilding for the longest time.
With that said, let us take a look at some of the favorites to go No.1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Draft – Top 5 Favorites to Get Drafted as the No.1 Overall Pick
Listed below are the top 5 candidates to get drafted as the No.1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft 2026, as per Draftkings.
Candidates
Position
College
Odds
Fernando Mendoza
QB
Indiana Hoosiers
-20000
Arvell Reese
LB
Ohio State Buckeyes
+8000
David Bailey
LB
Texas Tech
+9000
Ty Simpson
QB
Alabama Crimson Tide
+9000
Rueben Bain Jr.
DE
Miami Hurricanes
+12000
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Fernando Mendoza (-20000)
Fernando Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to go No.1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft at -20000 odds primarily due to his exceptional 2025 college season with Indiana. After transferring from Cal, he led the Hoosiers to a national championship, won the Heisman Trophy, and dominated statistically with elite passing production, including 41 touchdowns and a top FBS passer rating.
Scouts praise his pinpoint accuracy, quick decision-making, poise under pressure, clean mechanics, and NFL-ready pocket presence. The Las Vegas Raiders, holding the top pick after a dismal season with Geno Smith, desperately need a franchise quarterback, making Mendoza the clear, near-certain choice as the consensus QB1 in a class lacking other elite signal-callers.
Arvell Reese is the second favorite to go No.1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft at +8000 odds, trailing only QB Fernando Mendoza, due to his status as one of the draft’s premier non-quarterback prospects. The Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher, hand strength, explosive run defense, and versatile pass-rushing ability from the edge or off-ball.
At 6’4″ and 243 pounds with Pro-Bowl level athleticism and instincts, scouts view him as a transformative, high-floor impact defender- potentially the best overall player in the class beyond QBs. Teams like the New York Jets (holding No.2) desperately need defensive upgrades, making Reese a near-consensus top non-QB with massive upside at just 20 years old.
David Bailey is the third favorite to go No.1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft at +9000 odds, behind only QB Fernando Mendoza and fellow edge Arvell Reese, primarily as one of the top non-quarterback prospects and elite pass rusher. The Texas Tech edge defender dominated in 2025 after transferring from Stanford, leading the nation with 14.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and a 20.2% pressure rate while earning unanimous All-American honors, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and top production grades.
Scouts rave about his explosive first step, elite bend, violent hands, his speed, and relentless pursuit, projecting him as a Pro Bowl-level disruptor with high ceiling despite modest length. Teams needing immediate pass-rush upgrades view him as the premier defensive talent in a loaded EDGE class, fueling his rise as a potential top-five lock and the clear best pure rusher available.
Ty Simpson is the third favorite to go No.1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft at +9000 odds, as the consensus QB2 in a thin quarterback class. The Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller exploded in his first full starting season in 2025, throwing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions with a 64.5% completion rate, leading the Tide to an 11-4 record, SEC title, and CFP quarterbacks.
Scouts highlight his polished pocket presence, quick release, timing accuracy, low turnover rate, leadership, and pro-style readiness, drawing comparisons to Tony Romo or Brock Purdy. Multiple QB-needy teams like Steelers, Cardinals, and others view him as a potential Day 1 or early Day 2 starter with high-floor traits, fueling his longshot No.1 buzz despite Mendoza’s dominance.
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Rueben Bain Jr. (+12000)
Rueben Bain Jr. is the fifth favorite to go No.1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft at +12000 odds, trailing QB Fernando Mendoza, edge rushers Arvell Reese and David Bailey, and QB Ty Simpson, as one of the draft’s elite defensive talents. The Miami Hurricanes standout dominated in 2025 with 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, 90+ pressures, and elite production leading to All-American honors and ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Scouts praise his explosive first step, violent hands, relentless motor, technique, and three-down versatility despite short 30 7/8-inch arms raising positional debate. As a high-floor, disruptive force with top-five upside, he appeals to teams needing immediate edge impact in a loaded class.
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