The 2026 NFL Draft is generating enormous excitement as one of the most talent-rich classes in recent years. Stacked with elite prospects across position, including Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza, explosive edge rushers like Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and Rueben Bain Jr., plus other standout talents, the incoming talent is truly stacked.
Many teams’ fate may dramatically change based on who they select, with franchise-altering picks available at the top and throughout early rounds. This deep, high-upside class promises to reshape rosters and shift power balances league-wide.
With that said, let us take a look at the odds for which players are the favorites to get drafted as the 2nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Draft – Top 5 Favorites to Get Drafted as the No.2 Overall Pick
Listed below are the top 5 candidates to get drafted as the No.2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft 2026, as per Draftkings.
Candidates
Position
College
Odds
Arvell Reese
LB
Ohio State
-230
David Bailey
LB
Texas Tech
+230
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
+1200
Rueben Bain Jr.
DE
Miami
+1800
Jeremiyah Love
RB
Notre Dame
+4000
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Arvell Reese (-230)
Arvell Reese is the favorite to go as the No.2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft at -230 odds. The Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher has emerged as one of the draft’s premier non-quarterback prospects with his elite 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, instincts, and a 4.46 forty time, scouts view him as a transformative, high-floor impact defender. The New York Jets, holding the No.2 pick, desperately need defensive upgrades across the board, making Reese the near-consensus choice with massive ceiling at just 20 years of age.
David Bailey (+230)
David Bailey is the second favorite to go No.2 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft at +230 odds. The Texas Tech edge rusher dominated in the 2025 after transferring from Stanford, leading the country with 14.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and a 20.2% pressure rate while also earning unanimous All-American honors and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Bailey is without one of the best defenders in this year’s draft class and at terrific size paired with elite explosiveness, a 4.50 forty time, great hands, and relentless pursuit, scouts view him as the best pure pass-rusher in the class with high three-down potential. The New York Jets, holding the No.2 pick and desperate for edge help after ranking near the bottom in sacks, make Bailey the clear alternative if they somehow pass on Arvell Reese.
Sonny Styles is the third favorite at +1200 odds to go No.2 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft as the top linebacker prospect and one of the draft’s highest-upside non-quarterbacks. The Ohio State linebacker, a former five-star safety who transitioned seamlessly to the position, stands 6’5″ and 244 pounds with rare athleticism, including a 4.46 forty time, an absurd 43.5-inch vertical, and elite coverage fluidity.
Scouts praise his range, tackling, instincts, run defense, and man-coverage skills, projecting him as an immediate impact starter with All-Pro potential. The New York Jets, holding the No.2 pick and desperate for linebacker and defensive upgrades, make Styles a strong alternative if they bypass the top edge rushers like Reese or Bailey.
Rueben Bain Jr. is the fourth favorite to go No.2 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft at +1800 odds. The Miami Hurricanes edge defender dominated in 2025 with 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, and over 90 pressures while earning All-American honors and ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Standing at 6’3″ and 268 pounds, scouts rave about his explosive first step, violent hands, relentless motor, power, and three-down versatility despite shorter arms. As a high-floor, disruptive force with immediate starter upside, Bain appeals strongly to the New York Jets, who hold the No.2 pick and desperately need edge help after ranking near the bottom in sacks last season.
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Jeremiyah Love (+4000)
Jeremiyah Love is the fifth favorite to go No.2 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft at +4000 odds as the consensus top running back and one of the highest-upside non-quarterback, non-edge prospects. The Notre Dame standout exploded in 2025 with 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, and 280 receiving yards while showcasing three-down versatility.
At 6’0″ and 212 pounds with a blazing 4.36-second 40-yards dash, elite vision, contact balance, and receiver-like hands, scouts view him as a scheme-independent running back with Pro Bowl potential. The New York Jets, holding the No.2 pick and seeking both offensive and defensive firepower, could view Love as a game-changing addition if they pass on defensive talents.
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