The NFL teams playing out the string of the 2025 season — we're talking to you, Giants, Raiders, and Titans — are eyeballing the college stars who could help them make a leap next campaign, which has us wondering who might be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Utilizing PrizePicks Team Picks payouts on NFL Draft futures for who will be the first pick, let’s break down the top 2026 NFL Draft prospects and who could go No. 1. With PrizePicks, you can make your pick on who will be the No. 1 pick in the draft and earn money when you're right.
Who Will Be the No. 1 Pick of the 2026 NFL Draft?
According to PrizePicks Team Picks, the Raiders have a 1.66x payout for “Yes” to have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Behind Las Vegas, the Jets (2.94x payout), Giants (3.84x payout), Browns (4.16x payout), Saints (4.16x payout), and Titans (4.76x payout) round out the favorites to land the top selection.
New York's Jaxson Dart and Tennessee's Cam Ward are locked in as their team's QB1s, so those two clubs would likely look for a non-QB prospect.
The Raiders ,on the other hand, are in desperate need of a franchise QB. As the current favorite to land the top selection, this explains why Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza carries the lowest payout to be the top selection.
If the NFL season ended today, here's how the first would look:
Current 2026 NFL Draft Order
- New York Giants (2-11)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)
- Tennessee Titans (2-11)
- Cleveland Browns (3-10)
- New Orleans Saints (3-10)
- Washington Commanders (3-10)
- New York Jets (3-10)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
- Los Angeles Rams (via 4-9 Atlanta Falcons)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
And here are ten of the college stars who will be under the microscope over the coming weeks and months. The payouts listed are via PrizePicks Team Picks on the "Yes" for each player to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Top NFL Draft 2026 Prospects
- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (1.78x payout)
- Dante Moore, QB, Oregon (3.84x payout)
- Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL) (5.88x payout)
- Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama (6.25x payout)
- Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (10x payout)
- Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL) (11.11x payout)
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (16.66x payout)
- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (16.66x payout)
- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (16.66x payout)
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, EDGE, Auburn (16.66x payout)
(Team Picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change)
Let's see what's special about the 2026 draft class:
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
Hoosiers signal caller Mendoza engineered the Indiana's’ 13-0 season and leads the pack with a 1.05x payout for Yes to win the Heisman Trophy.
Pro Football Focus gives the 6'5" slinger a90.5 player grade and an 88.2 passing grade, as he racked up 2,980 passing yards, 9.3 yards per passing attempt, 33 passing touchdowns, and 6 interceptions ahead of the playoffs.
NFL Draft Buzz highlights his elite accuracy, ability to manipulate secondaries, and sneaky mobility as strengths. Mendoza can secure his stock as the top pick with a solid postseason.
Oregon QB Dante Moore
While Mendoza is currently the favorite to be the top pick, Moore isn’t far behind (3.84x payout). Both QBs will participate in the College Football Playoffs, and could collide on the same side of the bracket.
Moore checks all of the boxes, from a quick release to impressive accuracy and a strong arm. However, the former five-star recruit has only one season as a full-time starter. Will his sheer talent be enough to surpass Mendoza's experience?
Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
The Miami (FL) Hurricanes snuck into the CFP as the final at-large bid. Two elite NFL prospects will be display on the lines of scrimmage, those being EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. and OT Francis Mauigoa.
Bain has led the pack as the draft’s top defensive line prospect for most of the college football season. He’s trending to be the first non-QB selected (5.88x payout) thanks to his first-step quickness, elite bend, and pure strength.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson
Similar to Moore, Alabama QB Ty Simpson is another top prospect with only one season as a full-time starter under his belt. The junior is also a former five-star prospect with a quick release and exceptional ball placement.
Simpson’s intangibles don’t jump off the screen like Mendoza and Moore, but his quick processing and ability to manipulate secondaries make him a threat to be the first overall selection — with a 6.25x payout to be first on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
Proctor is viewed as the top offensive line prospect ahead of the CFP. With a 10x payout to be the No. 1 pick, he's right behind Bain among top non-QB prospects. The 6'7", 366-pounder has freakish athleticism in a massive frame, which he uses to fine effect in the run game.
Who Would You Select With the No. 1 Pick of the NFL Draft?
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