2026 NFL Draft First Position Pick Odds: 21 Team Market Analysis

We’re less than a week from the 2026 NFL Draft, and there are odds on the first position that 21 of 32 NFL teams may select first. Below, I’ll analyze each division and team and provide what position I believe will be selected first and whether or not it’s worth a wager, provided by DraftKings Sportsbook. We’ll break each section down by division, beginning with the AFC North. 

• NFL Draft Betting Central
• First Round Position Totals
• Mr. Irrelevant Market Analysis
• Ty Simpson Draft Analysis
• Jeremiyah Love Draft Analysis
• Kenyon Sadiq Draft Analysis

2026 NFL Draft AFC North Odds

The AFC North has three new head coaches, which could make for some fun draft selections, including one who was previously the offensive coordinator for an inter-division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, in Todd Monken, who’s now with the Cleveland Browns. Additionally, the Ravens hired former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and the Pittsburgh Steelers brought in Mike McCarthy. 

In terms of odds that are available at DraftKings, it’s just the Ravens and Steelers. These are two of the more intriguing teams, as the Steelers may or may not need a quarterback depending on what Aaron Rodgers decides, and the Ravens now have their No. 14 overall pick “back” after the deal for Maxx Crosby fell through.

Baltimore Ravens 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

Atop the odds for the Ravens is the offensive line, and that makes a lot of sense. At No. 14 overall, they could have several options, including Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Olaivavega Ioane, Kaydn Proctor, Monroe Freeling, and the list goes on and on. The team lost center Tyler Linderbaum to the Las Vegas Raiders, Ronnie Stanley is often injured, and they recently lost guard Daniel Faalele to the New York Giants. 

That said, there are some other factors to consider: Quarterback Lamar Jackson needs some weapons, and the new head coach is defensive-minded. There could be numerous offensive weapons available, including any of the top receivers like Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, or even tight end Kenyon Sadiq. They could also consider someone like Denzel Boston, who’s a bigger-body receiver. 

Even though Minter is defensive-minded, this pick has to be on the offensive side to help Jackson. This guy hasn’t had many weapons whatsoever over the years, and I believe that changes here. Along with Minter, they brought in Declan Doyle to be the offensive coordinator. He has a background as a tight ends coach and was the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears last season when they took Colston Loveland No. 10 overall. 

If he’s on the board, Sadiq would be extremely difficult to pass on. Remember, they also lost Isaiah Likely to the Giants. 

Pick: Tight End (+350)

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

I’ll cut to the chase here and say I believe Rodgers will be back. He’s staying in shape, and McCarthy would be his head coach again. There’s no way he passes up on that. Along with D.K. Metcalf, he’ll now have Michael Pittman Jr. to throw to. Not only that, but he knows McCarthy’s offense, and they brought in Brian Angelichio to be the offensive coordinator after spending the last few seasons as the Minnesota Vikings’ pass game coordinator and tight ends coach. 

Thus, the quarterback, which is +700, is immediately eliminated. The No. 1 odds are wide receiver, and I actually think that’s a smart play. Yes, they have Metcalf and Pittman Jr., but adding another weapon to go along with them to give Rodgers as many options as possible in what could be his final season is the right move.

Just imagine this: Metcalf or Pittman Jr. as a big slot and KC Concepcion working outside to beat man coverage. 

Pick: Wide Receiver (+185)

2026 NFL Draft AFC South Odds

A few years ago, the AFC South was looked down upon, but in recent years, there’s been quite a resurgence. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts don’t pick until the second round, and the Houston Texans are a prime trade-down candidate. 

Houston Texans 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

Of the three teams with odds available for the AFC South, the Texans are the only team picking in the first round. The offensive line is the overwhelming favorite at -140. As we saw last season, the offensive line struggled, but they did make some decent additions in Wyatt Teller, Braden Smith, and Evan Brown. 

At No. 28, there will be some options along the offensive line, including Max Iheanachor, Emmanuel Pregnon, and Caleb Lomu. Pregnon played left guard in college, and Lomu, while he played left tackle, would likely start as a guard before being kicked outside. 

There are just a few too many question marks for me about what caliber of offensive lineman could be available. One position I’ve often considered for this team in mock drafts is interior defensive line, such as Caleb Banks, Peter Woods, Christen Miller, or Lee Hunter. 

They’ll have quite the crop of talent there to choose from to help fortify their defensive line even more. 

Pick: Defensive Line/Edge (+160)

Indianapolis Colts 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The Colts traded away Pittman Jr. after signing Alec Pierce to a massive contract. Now, though, this wide receiver depth chart is fairly shallow after Pierce and Josh Downs. They do have tight end Tyler Warren, but they could certainly add another weapon to help keep quarterback Daniel Jones going on his positive trajectory after coming back from his Achilles injury. 

The two receivers I have in mind are Chris Bell and Germie Bernard. Bell is coming off a torn ACL, but he can play outside with Pierce while Downs handles the slot. As for Bernard, he’s a lot like Robert Woods; he doesn’t exactly flash in any area, but he’s a consistent receiver from a top college program. 

Pick: Wide Receiver (+425)

Jacksonville Jaguars 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The Jaguars’ first pick won’t come until No. 56 overall, so this could certainly be just a best-player-available approach. Looking over the depth chart, they could bring in another linebacker to replace Devin Lloyd. They could also add another tight end to help out Brenton Strange, but the defensive line makes sense too, with DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead set for free agency. 

It’s difficult to project way out to No. 56 overall, but if linebackers like Josiah Trotter or Jake Golday are there, I could see them being the pick. That said, if an uber athlete like tight end Eli Stowers fell, he could be hard to pass up on, as Strange is also set for free agency. 

Tough call, but I’ll lean toward linebacker. 

Pick: Linebacker (+550)

2026 NFL Draft AFC East Odds

The AFC East is a tale of two universes, as the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots are among the best teams in the league, while the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins are always picking high. The only odds available are for the Patriots and Bills, two teams that have some rather obvious needs based on their postseasons last year. 

Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The odds-on favorite for the Bills is defensive line/edge, and maybe it’s not a good idea to think this way, but the Bills can seemingly never draft quality defensive linemen. That’s a position that, if I were them, I’d just sign as proven commodities. I can’t recall the last time they drafted a quality defensive line besides Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau. They did sign Bradley Chubb, who will provide some help when healthy, but I wouldn’t exactly rely on him. 

At No. 26 overall, they could have their choice of players like Kayden McDonald, T.J. Parker, or Woods, all defensive linemen. 

However, when I look at their roster, they should add another receiver. I know, they traded their second-round pick for D.J. Moore, but why not continue to add more weapons? At this spot, we could see players like Boston or Concepcion available, or if he falls more due to injury, Tyson could potentially (though unlikely) be in play. 

The Bills are also another prime trade-down candidate with a team like the Arizona Cardinals, who may want a fifth-year option for Ty Simpson. At No. 34 overall, there are options like Chris Bell, or if any of the other receivers like Boston or Concepcion fall. 

Wide receiver is the position I’m targeting if I’m with the Bills. 

Pick: Wide Receiver (+475)

New England Patriots 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

For a team that went to the Super Bowl, the Patriots do have some needs. The offensive line will be fine, but a right tackle to replace Morgan Moses will be needed eventually, and they could also use help along the defensive line, at linebacker, and at wide receiver. They cut Stefon Diggs, and sure, they signed Romeo Doubs, but I’m sorry, that’s not enough. 

No. 31 overall will present a lot of options, including some fringe first-round offensive line talents, such as Lomu, Iheanachor, or some guards like Pregnon, Chase Bisontis, or, as Peter Schrager put it in his first mock draft, Keylan Rutledge out of Georgia Tech.

This one is a toss-up, but with the number of offensive linemen that will be there, this makes sense, especially if Lomu or Iheanachor are there to fill in where needed and take over for Moses if he gets hurt or retires in the near future. 

Pick: Offensive Line (+200)

2026 NFL Draft AFC West Odds

The AFC West, somewhat like the AFC South, has many excellent teams, and we all know the Raiders are about to take their quarterback of the future in Fernando Mendoza. As for the other teams, the Denver Broncos traded away their first-round pick for Jaylen Waddle, the Kansas City Chiefs are picking twice, including No. 9 overall, which is something we may not see again for some time, and the Chargers are a bit of a “mystery team” in terms of where they could go in this draft. 

Denver Broncos 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The Broncos’ first pick won’t come until No. 62 overall in the second round, which is just three picks away from the third round. 

While I’d say receiver is still a need, they did lose Dre Greenlaw and John Franklin-Myers in free agency. Greenlaw didn’t play all too much, but more linebacker depth couldn’t hurt, especially with how strong this class is. 

I’d also say tight end could be an option with Evan Engram entering the last year of his deal. Some options could include Stowers, but there’s also Max Klare, Sam Roush, and even Oscar Delp. 

Based on their depth chart, I’m torn between defensive line/edge and tight end. 

Pick: Defensive Line/Edge (+235)

Kansas City Chiefs 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

After years of watching their offense sputter and seeing tight end Travis Kelce decline in overall production, their No. 9 overall selection needs to be an offensive weapon, and more specifically, a wide receiver. Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice even went out of his way to mention Tate specifically, and he could either be there at No. 9, or I’d even be willing to trade up with any of those teams in the top five or six to get him. 

I realize they have needs along the offensive line. I also realize that Rueben Bain Jr. would be great in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense,e and they also lost both of their starting cornerbacks.

That said, when quarterback Patrick Mahomes returns from his torn ACL, he will need players to throw to, and Tate would complement Rice fantastically. 

Pick: Wide Receiver: (+320)

Los Angeles Chargers 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

I could do five mock drafts, picking five different players and positions for the Chargers to take. They could use another receiver to help Justin Herbert, they could use more offensive line help, especially on the interior, they could use some interior defensive line help, and safety is another position of need, with Derwin James entering the final year of his deal. 

Ioane would be an absolute dream scenario, but I don’t believe he’ll be there. One player I’d have my eye on is Proctor to play inside and kick outside if he needs to, due to injury. 

There are some defensive linemen like McDonald or Banks, but the offensive line talent at o. 22 overall is something they shouldn’t pass on; we’ve seen how bad their luck is injury-wise at those spots. 

Pick: Offensive Lineman (+155)

2026 NFL Draft NFC North Odds

The NFC North is the only division that has odds for all four teams at DraftKings Sportsbook. This is another division that can have a different winner each season, given how strong all of these teams can be when at full health. However, the Green Bay Packers don’t pick until the second round, while the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Bears pick at No. 17, No. 18, and No. 25 overall. 

Chicago Bears 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The Bears are picking the latest in the 2026 NFL Draft from the division at No. 25 overall. They have needs at center with Drew Dalman retiring, they could add some interior defensive line talent to help stop the run, and safety is another massive need after losing Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. 

Safety is the position I’d take if I’m the Bears, but I’m honestly not sure if any of Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman, or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren will be there. I know that safety is typically a position that slips in drafts, but this isn’t the year that’s going to happen as much. 

With that, I’ll pick defensive line/edge. 

Pick: Defensive Line/Edge (-130)

Green Bay Packers 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The Packers pick at No. 52 overall after trading their first-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for Micah Parsons. 

This offseason, they lost some impactful players like Doubs, Quay Walker, Elgton Jenkins, and Rasheed Walker. 

A player I’d target if I were the Packers would be Iowa tackle Gennings Dunker. He’s probably more of a guard at the next level, and he’d fit in perfectly with his athleticism. 

Pick: Offensive Lineman (+165)

Minnesota Vikings 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The Vikings definitely need to add more juice at the running back position,n and while Jadarian Price would be excellent, No. 18 overall is just a bit too early. 

The position I always come back to for them at that spot is safety, because they may have their choice between Thieneman and McNeil-Warren. 

That said, they did lose Javon Hargrave to free agency, and Jonathan Greenard could be dealt, so that I wouldn’t rule out the defensive line either. There are some ready-made players like Akheem Mesidor, but I can’t see them passing up on Thieneman or McNeil-Warren; there’s way too much talent there. 

Pick: Safety (+165)

Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The odds of -300 for the offensive line tell you everything you need to know; this is certainly a need for the Lions. They do have center Cade Mays, but they could use an upgrade at left guard to replace Christian Mahogany and to potentially replace Larry Borom, who’s only on a one-year deal.

Some players who could play left tackle fit that bill, including Monroe Freeling and Kaydn Proctor. 

Pick: Pass

2026 NFL Draft NFC South Odds

The NFC South continues to be one of these teams where a losing record, as we saw last year, could win the division. With that, hitting on some draft picks could be the difference between getting that key division win or not. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have needs on offense to catch the Carolina Panthers this season. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons won’t pick until the second round after trading their 2026 first-rounder for James Pearce Jr., who may never play in the NFL again. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

If he’s there, I’m not sure how the Buccaneers pass on Sadiq, but the Ravens will likely snipe him away before they’re able to turn the card in. 

With him off the board, adding another receiver wouldn’t be a bad idea, but my goodness, does this team need more offensive line talent. 

Quarterback Baker Mayfield was brutalized behind this offensive line last season, and adding a player like Ioane, Proctor, or even Blake Miller would help. 

Get Mayfield some protection. 

Pick: Offensive Lineman (+330)

Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The Panthers are another spot that if Sadiq were there, I’d have general manager Dan Morgan run to the podium himself to announce the pick, but again, he’ll be off the board before this. 

With that, this is a team I could absolutely see drafting yet another wide receiver in the first round to support quarterback Bryce Young. For example, if Tyson starts to fall, he’d be an excellent pickup. 

I’d target an outside receiver to move Xavier Legette to the bench. This could include players like Tyson, Boston, or even Concepcion. 

Keep throwing weapons at Young and watch this offense continue to improve. 

Pick: Wide Receiver (+290)

Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The Falcons are another team that I’d target a wide receiver for at No. 48 overall. They certainly could add some talent along the defensive line, given Pearce’s situation. Still, if they were to go defense, linebacker, especially after losing someone like Kaden Ellis, would be a good selection, too. 

At this spot, there could be plenty of linebacker talent, like Jacob Rodriguez, Golday, and Trotter. As for receivers, someone like Bernard would be an upgrade over Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. I’ll lean more toward receiver, but linebacker wouldn’t surprise me either. 

Pick: Wide Receiver (+320)

2026 NFL Draft NFC East Odds

The NFC East is home to two teams, the Washington Commanders and the Giants, that are picking inside the top seven. There’s also the Cowboys, who have two first-round picks. Then, there’s the Eagles, who made it to the divisional round last season and picked No. 23 overall while trade rumors swirl around incumbent wide receiver A.J. Brown. 

Philadelphia Eagles 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

If Brown stays on the team, I could see wide receiver still being a potential position to draft to help make the weapons that much stronger, but losing so much defensive line talent over the years, including Jaelan Phillips this offseason, I’d go with an edge rusher. 

The Eagles are always in the hunt, so if I were them, I would have my eyes on Mesidor, who’s going to be an older rookie, but he can step in and play right away. 

Pick: Defensive Line/Edge (+450)

2026 NFL Draft NFC West Odds

The NFC West is home to the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, along with the Los Angeles Rams,s who have the No. 13 overall pick, the San Francisco 49ers,s who select at No. 27, and the Arizona Cardinals, who have the No. 3 overall pick and a significant need at quarterback. 

Los Angeles Rams 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

If the Rams took an offensive lineman like Mauigoa or Fano, I wouldn’t hate that, but to me, as Stafford sails off into the sunset here eventually, draft a receiver to go along with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to be truly dominant. 

If he’s there, Lemon is the pick, and I’m not thinking twice. However, he could be an option for the New Orleans Saints at No. 8. 

Tyson does have some injury concerns, but he could step in and help now, and also take over Adams’ role when he decides to hang ‘em up. 

Given the odds of receiver at -135 and offensive line at +300, value-wise I’d lean towards offensive line only because I’m unsure if someone like Lemon will make it that far. 

Pick: Offensive Lineman (+300)

Seattle Seahawks 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The Seahawks lost some secondary talent in free agency, so restocking that could be a place for them to go. Alternatively, adding a running back to go with Zach Charbonnet or more edge rush help could also be a direction to go in. 

I’ve seen prominent NFL insiders mock Price here, but I’m just not confident in that. There will be some good cornerback talent there, whether that’s Colton Hood, Brandon Cisse, Chris Johnson, or maybe even Avieon Terrell. 

Pick: Cornerback (+155)

San Francisco 49ers 2026 NFL Draft First Drafted Position Odds, Picks

The most glaring need for the 49ers is offensive line help. Trent Williams could retire soon, and they need a left guard. 

At No. 27, there will be some options, whether that’s Miller, Iheanachor, Lomu, Bisontis, and more. 

This one is simple. Take the best offensive lineman available. 

Pick: Offensive Lineman (+115)

Photo Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar