The 2026 NFL Draft begins with the first round on Thursday, April 23, and draft rumors are all the rage in the final days before the Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick.
The latest draft news is helping fuel mock drafts, providing an idea of how the first round could unfold. Will the latest rumors give us the inside track for 2026 NFL Draft first-round predictions?
Let’s dig through payouts for the 2026 NFL Draft on PrizePicks Team Picks and break down three predictions for Thursday night’s first round.
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2026 NFL Draft First Round Predictions
PrizePicks Team Picks has payouts for who could be a top-10 pick or first-round selection, which position each franchise will select with its first pick, and much more. Below, we’ll focus on prospect-centered predictions.
For example, where could Ohio State edge Arvell Reese land? He’s remained a hot topic through the entire draft process, ranked as the fourth-best player on our 2026 NFL Draft Big Board.
Or will recent hype surrounding Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson truly lead to a lower draft slot? Who will be drafted first between two athletic marvels, Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq and Georgia OT Monroe Freeling?
Don’t wait until draft night — make your 2026 NFL Draft picks on PrizePicks and earn real money if you’re right.
New York Jets Select Arvell Reese with No. 2 Overall Pick
Beginning with the No. 2 overall pick held by the New York Jets, debate has surrounded which defensive player will don the Gotham green.
For the Jets’ first position selected, PrizePicks Team Picks has linebacker with the shortest payout (2x), ahead of wide receiver (3.57x) and offensive lineman (3.57x). This could provide a tip of who is headed to New York.
The debate has consistently been Ohio State edge Arvell Reese or Texas Tech edge David Bailey? Here are the payouts for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Arvell Reese: Yes 1.38x | No 2.85x
- David Bailey: Yes 3.22x | No 1.31x
There's a steep drop-off following the two players, with the remaining prospects carrying 33.33x payouts. Now, why would New York be linked to the linebacker position?
As pointed out in our best edge rushers for the 2026 class, Reese mainly played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State. He still has linebacker traits, but he will likely transition to an edge rusher position thanks to his unique skillset.
Furthermore, the Jets have the shortest payout to draft Reese (1.26x), ahead of the Cardinals at 3.84x, who select No. 3 in the first round.
Make Arvell Reese NFL Draft predictions for real money on PrizePicks.
New York Giants Draft Jordyn Tyson
Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson has been square in the spotlight since his private workout on Friday, April 17. According to Jordan Schultz, over 20 NFL teams were in attendance, including the Giants, Commanders, and Dolphins.
Tyson showcased his twitchy athleticism that once made him a potential top-five NFL Draft selection.
Injuries have become a clear concern, as the former Sun Devil suffered a multi-ligament knee tear in 2022, followed by a broken collarbone in 2024 and hamstring strains in each leg in 2025.
However, Tyson looked as healthy as ever in his workout, reminding everyone of his 2024 season with 1,101 receiving yards and 14.7 yards per catch over only 12 games.
Check out the payouts for which franchise will select Tyson in the 2026 NFL Draft on PrizePicks Team Picks.
- New York Giants: Yes 1.88x | No 1.78x
- New Orleans Saints: Yes 2.32x | No 1.38x
- Kansas City Chiefs: Yes 5.88x | No 1.05x
- Washington Commanders: Yes 6.25x | No 1.03x
Tyson also has a 1.29x payout for “Yes” to be drafted in the top 10 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft, compared to 3.33x for “No,” via PrizePicks Team Picks. That furthers the agenda for the Giants and Saints as potential suitors.
New York holds the No. 5 and 10 selections, while New Orleans has the No. 8 pick in the first round. After trading former All-Pro DT Dexter Lawrence, the Giants acquired the 10th pick from the Cincinnati Bengals.
The NFC East franchise was quickly linked to Tyson with the No. 10 selection, and that was further emphasized by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday morning.
Tyson has a 4.34x payout to be the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Make Jordyn Tyson NFL Draft predictions for real money on PrizePicks.
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Monroe Freeling Off the Board Before Kenyon Sadiq
PrizePicks Team Picks has a few draft matchup payouts. This pits two prospects with the opportunity to predict which player will be selected first.
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq vs. Georgia OT Monroe Freeling catches the eye, and here are the payouts for who will be drafted first on PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Kenyon Sadiq: Yes 1.21x | No 1.58x
- Monroe Freeling: Yes 2.04x | No 1.21x
In our 2026 NFL Mock Draft, Freeling is drafted No. 17 overall by the Detroit Lions, and Bey is selected with the 23rd pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. There’s an intriguing case for the offensive tackle prospect to hear his name called before Bey on draft night.
Freeling is arguably the top left tackle of the 2026 class, while Bey has an 11.11x payout for “No” to be the first tight end drafted on PrizePicks.
Each prospect has elite athleticism, as Bey set the tight end record with a 4.39 40-yard dash and posted a 9.52 relative athleticism score (95th percentile).
Freeling has the picture-perfect frame at 6’7 3/8” and 315 pounds with long arms. Plus, he scored a 91 athleticism score on NFL.com (second among offensive tackles) and boasts an absurd 9.99 RAS that’s second out of 1,548 offensive tackles evaluated since 1987.
Adding to the OT’s case to be drafted before Bey, he allowed only 8 pressures and earned an 86.1 pass-blocking grade in 2025, via Pro Football Focus. Meanwhile, Bey logged only 308 and 560 receiving yards in his final two collegiate seasons.
Freeling has the same level of athleticism to match Bey and likely touts the production advantage. Furthermore, left tackle is regarded as one of the NFL’s most valued positions.
In fact, a franchise could be willing to take a swing early on the Georgia product, as Freeling carries a 5.26x payout to be a top 10 pick compared to Bey’s 6.66x mark.
Make Monroe Freeling and Kenyon Sadiq NFL Draft predictions for real money on PrizePicks.
Make 2026 NFL Draft Predictions on PrizePicks
Reese and Tyson are two prospects to watch in the top 10 picks of the first round on Thursday, April 23. Meanwhile, Freeling makes an intriguing case to move up boards for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Don’t wait until the clock starts ticking — make your 2026 NFL Draft picks on PrizePicks and earn real money if you’re right.
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