🏈 2026 NFL Draft Predictions: Our Expert Mock Draft, Prospect Profiles & Live Draft Odds
Last Updated: April 16, 2026 5:57 PM EDT • 4 minute read X Social Google News Link
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off next Thursday, April 23, at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/NFL Network) with Fernando Mendoza widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders. But what about the other 256 picks across the three-day draft in Pittsburgh?
Our NFL draft expert Rob Paul has been studying this draft class all season, and we've gathered his 2026 NFL draft predictions and expert analysis for every team along with prospect profiles for the top players and the latest draft odds entering next week.
Bookmark this page and check back later this week, as we'll be updating this page daily with additional player profiles, positional rankings, team-by-team guides with ideal prospect fits, and our best bets and advice for how to bet the NFL draft this year.
🏈 2026 NFL mock draft predictions
Paul released his latest NFL mock draft 2.0 with updated picks, projected trades, and the latest draft odds for all 32 picks and the top selections for every team without a first-round pick. He also breaks down each prospect's RAS score, pro comparison, and how they fit with their projected landing spot in the full mock draft.
Here's a look at the projected top 10 picks in the 2026 NFL draft, according to Paul:
| Pick | Team | Player (POS) | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | Fernando Mendoza (QB) | Indiana |
| 2 | New York Jets | Arvell Reese (EDGE/LB) | Ohio State |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | David Bailey (EDGE) | Texas Tech |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | Jeremiyah Love (RB) | Notre Dame |
| 5 | New York Giants | Sonny Styles (LB) | Ohio State |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | Francis Mauigoa (OL) | Miami |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | Carnell Tate (WR) | Ohio State |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | Rueben Bain Jr. (DL) | Miami |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | Spencer Fano (OL) | Utah |
| 10 | Cincinnati Bengals | Caleb Downs (SAF) | Ohio State |
⬇️ Full NFL mock draft projections (Round 1)
Our NFL draft expert Rob Paul breaks down all 32 picks in the first round in his updated NFL mock draft, including full analysis for every selection.
🔍 2026 NFL draft prospect profiles & scouting reports
Paul has spent months watching film and grading the top prospects in the 2026 NFL draft class. (If you don't believe me, follow Bobby Football on X.) Ahead of the first round on Thursday, he's breaking down 10 of the top prospects with full scouting reports on their strengths, weaknesses, and draft grade. He also breaks down the latest prediction market odds for their landing spot with his projection of which team will draft them.
➡️ Arvell Reese draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jeremiyah Love draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Carnell Tate draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
Check back over the next week as we add more player profiles for the top prospects, including Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, Rueben Bain Jr., Sonny Styles, Ty Simpson, Caleb Downs, and David Bailey.
📊 2026 NFL draft odds, rankings & team predictions
In addition to breaking down the top prospects and landing spots, Paul also gathered the live NFL draft odds for each of the top eight picks with the latest odds from the best NFL betting sites ahead of the first round. If you plan to bet on the draft next week, start there to make sure you're getting the best value on every wager.
We'll also be publishing NFL draft position rankings this week for the highest-profile positions, which should also help those fantasy football owners looking for early draft advice for your dynasty leagues. Later this week, I'll be dropping team-by-team guides detailing all 32 teams' biggest needs, available draft picks, best prospect fits, and more.
📋 2026 NFL Draft order
| Pick | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | 3-14 |
| 2 | New York Jets | 3-14 |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | 3-14 |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | 3-14 |
| 5 | New York Giants | 4-13 |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | 5-12 |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | 5-12 |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | 6-11 |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-11 |
| 10 | Cincinnati Bengals | 6-11 |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | 7-10 |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys | 7-9-1 |
| 13 | Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) | 8-9 |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | 8-9 |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8-9 |
| 16 | New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) | 8-9 |
| 17 | Detroit Lions | 9-8 |
| 18 | Minnesota Vikings | 9-8 |
| 19 | Carolina Panthers | 8-9 |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) | 9-7-1 |
| 21 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-7 |
| 22 | Los Angeles Chargers | 11-6 |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | 11-6 |
| 24 | Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) | 13-4 |
| 25 | Chicago Bears | 11-6 |
| 26 | Buffalo Bills | 12-5 |
| 27 | San Francisco 49ers | 12-5 |
| 28 | Houston Texans | 12-5 |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams) | 12-5 |
| 30 | Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos) | 14-3 |
| 31 | New England Patriots | 14-3 |
| 32 | Seattle Seahawks | 14-3 |
❓2026 NFL Draft FAQs
Who is the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza closed as the favorite to be the No. 1 pick, according to the 2026 NFL Draft odds. His odds closed at -20000, implying a 99.5% probability he'll go No. 1 in April, according to our odds converter.
Who has the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after finishing 3-14. The New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants round out the top five picks in the draft.
Who was the first overall pick last year?
The Tennessee Titans selected Miami QB Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
When is the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held from April 23-25. The first round of the draft will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 23.
Where is the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh.
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