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The 2026 NFL Draft, at least at the top, will follow a somewhat traditional order.
Obviously, a quarterback will be number one when the Raiders take Fernando Mendoza. But after that, odds say prominent and predictable picks will immediately follow, as the Jets and Cardinals pick second and third, respectively.
Let’s look at the odds for the exact order of the top three picks at DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 20.
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Exact order of the top three of 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, Jeremiyah 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 total)
6. Mendoza, Bailey, Mauigoa: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 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 in the mix that will be taken in the top three are edge rusher (Bailey), linebacker (Reese and Styles), running back (Love) and offensive tackle (Mauigoa).
NFL franchises certainly need each of those spots, and plenty of them.
Let’s take a brief 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 (Throws)
2020: QB (Burrow), 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, in the last 10 drafts, 16 quarterbacks have been in the top three, along with nine defensive linemen, two cornerbacks, a running back, a linebacker and a WR/CB hybrid.
Regardless of the position, what is notable is that the top three picks of the last decade have had immense success at the NFL level. Among those accolades are Sam Darnold’s victory in Super Bowl LX, Myles Garrett’s two Defensive Player of the Year awards and Will Anderson’s record-breaking contract signed last week.
