The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 23. We have complete pictures on most prospects, providing the opportunity to provide final rankings for position groups in the upcoming draft.
As usual, the offense takes the spotlight of the 2026 NFL Draft, mainly skill positions like quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. Let’s go over the top 2026 NFL Draft prospects by position on offense, providing the top five players for each group.
Plus, PrizePicks Team Picks offers payouts for 2026 NFL Draft predictions, including which players will be selected first in their position groups.
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Top 2026 NFL Draft Offensive Prospects By Position
The quarterback and running back classes are underwhelming compared to past years, but several wide receivers are expected to land in the first round. Tight ends feature a list of superb athletes, and offensive linemen may finally get their recognition as perhaps the strongest position group on offense for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Below, we’ll provide a brief breakdown of each position group supported by payouts via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 35 states.
Payouts indicate real-money earnings if a 2026 NFL Draft prediction is correct; for example, 2x on a $100 entry would pay out $200 on PrizePicks Team Picks. “Yes” payouts represent the player being drafted in the top 10 selections; “No” payouts indicate players not drafted among the top 10 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.
All 2026 NFL Draft payout data is from PrizePicks Team Picks. It's live as of writing but is subject to change.
Top 5 Quarterback Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft
Let’s begin with the top five quarterback prospects of the 2026 NFL Draft.
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza No. 1 Overall Pick Payout: Yes N/A | No 33.33x
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
Second Quarterback Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.03x | No 5.88x
Drafted in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.56x | No 2.04x
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Third Quarterback Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.81x | No 1.47x
4. Drew Allar, Penn State
Fourth Quarterback Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.69x | No 1.07x
5. Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
Third Quarterback Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 2.32x | No 1.09x
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is the clear leader of the clubhouse as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and national champion. He’s run away as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall selection, currently held by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Following Mendoza, Alabama QB Ty Simpson is favored to be the second signal-caller off the board thanks to quick processing time and solid playmaking. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier struggled with consistency and ball security throughout his collegiate career, but a franchise will likely take the risk on his intriguing arm talent that can hit targets from any angle.
Similar to Nussmeier, Penn State QB Drew Allar is another raw prospect that just hasn’t pieced it together. He has an ideal 6’5”, 228-pound frame and a cannon for an arm, but his processing and ball placement have been underwhelming.
Following his 2024 season plagued by turnovers, Miami (FL) QB Carson Beck bounced back with quick processing time and solid anticipation throws in 2025.
Mendoza seems to be the only shoo-in to be a first-round draft pick, as Simpson, Nussmeier, Allar, and Beck could all land on day two of the draft.
Top 5 Running Back Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft
Similar to QBs, there’s a clear top running back for the 2026 class, followed by a steep drop-off. Who are the top running backs for the 2026 NFL Draft?
1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Drafted Top Five in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.4x | 2.43x
2. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Second Running Back Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.23x | No 3.7x
3. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Third Running Back Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 2.08x | No N/A
4. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
Third Running Back Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.88x | No 1.14x
5. Jonah Coleman, Washington
Third Running Back Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 2.17x | No 1.07x
After posting 1,125 and 1,372 rushing yards over his final two collegiate seasons, paired with a career 6.7 yards per carry, there are no production questions around Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love. His impressive 4.36 40-yard dash is the icing on the cake.
Notre Dame produced another high-level running back talent, as Jadarian Price is expected to be the second running back off the board. He displayed impressive patience and vision with 710.0 rushing yards per season and 6.1 yards per rushing attempt in his final two seasons with the Fighting Irish.
Rounding out the top five, Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson racked up 1,451 rushing yards and 5.8 yards per carry last season. Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. is led by a terrific 9.88 relative athleticism score (99th percentile since 1987) with his 4.33 40-yard dash and 10’8” broad jump.
Washington RB Jonah Coleman posted 905.5 rushing yards per season and 5.2 yards per carry over his last two seasons, sporting three-down potential thanks to his strong blocking.
Love is the only tailback expected to land in the first round, as Price has a 4.16x payout to be a first-round pick, per PrizePicks Team Picks.
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Top 5 Wide Receiver Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft
As usual, expect a crop of wideouts to be drafted in the first round of the draft. In fact, all five players for our top wide receivers are projected to land in the first round.
1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Drafted Top 10 in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.21x | 3.44x
2. Makai Lemon, USC
Second Wide Receiver Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 2.17x | No 1.61x
3. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Second Wide Receiver Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 3.03x | No 1.31x
4. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Fourth Wide Receiver Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 2.85x | No 1.28x
5. Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M
Third Wide Receiver Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 3.57x | No 1.26x
Thanks to strong route-running and ball tracking, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate has separated as the top target of the 2026 NFL Draft.
USC WR Makai Lemon won the 2025 Biltnikoff Award, recording 1,156 receiving yards, 11 receiving TDs, and 14.6 yards per reception, silencing some of his speed concerns. Arizona WR Jordyn Tyson isn’t far behind Lemon for WR2, with his ability to produce from all three wideout spots.
WR Omar Cooper Jr. was integral in Indiana’s national championship run, racking up yards after the catch from the slot position. Texas A&M WR Kevin Concepcion is another slot target but has even more versatility than Cooper, boasting strong versatility, elite burst, and quick cuts.
Washington WR Denzel Boston, who has a 1.75x payout to be a first-round pick, is another target who could find a home on day one of the draft.
Top 5 Tight End Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft
The top five tight end prospects of the 2026 NFL Draft carry strong measurables. Who stands out among the bunch?
1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Drafted in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.02x | No 14.28x
2. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
Second Tight End Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.26x | No 2.7x
3. Oscar Delp, Georgia
Third Tight End Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 3.03x | No 1.07x
4. Max Klare, Ohio State
Third Tight End Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.96x | No 1.33x
5. Justin Joly, NC State
Third Tight End Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 3.03x | No N/A
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq set a record for tight ends with his 4.39 40-yard dash, leading to a 9.52 RAS (95th percentile). His career high was only 560 receiving yards for a season, but Sadiq’s measurables are difficult to ignore.
Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers logged 638 and 769 receiving yards while totaling an impressive 12.7 yards per reception in his last two seasons. Georgia TE Oscar Delp is another prospect with elite athleticism, carrying an eye-popping 9.82 RAS (98th percentile).
Rounding out the list, we have a pair of talented pass-catchers in Ohio State TE Max Klare (448 receiving yards in 2025) and NC State TE Justin Joly (489 receiving yards in 2025).
Top 5 Offensive Linemen Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft features a strong group of offensive tackles for the offensive linemen group.
1. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
First Offensive Lineman Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.35x | No 2.63x
2. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Second Offensive Lineman Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 2.43x | No 1.42x
3. Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Third Offensive Lineman Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 2.94x | No 1.13x
4. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Second Offensive Lineman Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: 3.33x | No 1.28x
5. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Drafted in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.17x | No 4.34x
Miami (FL) OT Francis Mauigoa has been the top offensive lineman for most of this cycle, possessing a strong, stout 6’5½”, 329-pound frame. He’s an exceptional run blocker, paired with the agility to produce in pass protection, drawing comparisons to Lions All-Pro RT Penei Sewell.
NFL.com gave Utah OT Spencer Fano the top athleticism score among tackles (93), and he has experience playing both tackle spots. Georgia OT Monroe Freeling passes the eye test with flying colors, carrying a 9.99 RAS score in a 6’7”, 315-pound frame.
Penn State IOL Olaivavega Ioane is regarded as the top guard prospect, backed by his power in the run game and strong hands. Clemson OT Blake Miller is another athletic prospect, standing at 6’7” with a 9.90 RAS score.
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Make 2026 NFL Draft Predictions on PrizePicks
That wraps up our top 2026 NFL Draft prospects for each position group on offense. Mendoza, Love, Tate, and Mauigoa are trending to be the first offensive players off the board.
Stay tuned for our top 2026 NFL Draft defensive prospects by position.
On PrizePicks Team Picks, the possibilities are endless. You can make predictions on specific 2026 NFL Draft picks, team selections, position groups, and more. Additionally, the NFL tab is already open with Super Bowl LXI winner picks available.
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