Who Are Likely To Be The Top Picks In The Forthcoming NFL Draft?
Every year, the end of April heralds the three days of crazed excitement as the NFL holds its annual draft. The top collegiate talent from across the United States (and sometimes beyond), will be drafted across seven rounds and a total of 257 picks.
Most of the focus will be on Thursday night as the 32 picks in the First Round of the draft will be selected. The cream of the Gridiron talent will be taken in this first round, which will also feature added drama in the shape of teams trading picks and even players in order to move up, or down, places in the draft.
Each year, fans of the spectacle will place bets on which players will be taken with the first few picks of the draft, so who are the players that will be taken off the board early in the first few picks of the draft this year?
Let’s take a look at the first ten picks in the draft and which teams hold those picks.
NFL Draft Picks 2026 – 1 to 10.
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
- Cleveland Browns
- Washington Commanders
- New Orleans Saints
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cincinnati Bengals
Bearing in mind the needs of the teams picking early in the first round, let’s now take a look at some of the players likely to be taken off the board with these first few picks of the draft.
NFL Draft Class 2026 – Likely Early First Round Picks
Fernando Mendoza (QB – Indiana)
With the Raiders needing a franchise QB, Mendoza is the obvious choice. After leading Indiana to the National Championship and an unbeaten season, he is the unanimous choice for NFL experts to be first off the board.
Arvell Reese (LB – Ohio State)
Reese was one of the standout performers in the dominating Ohio State defense over the last few years. A powerful, pacy linebacker who can have a Fred Warner-like influence on the team, he is expected to go somewhere in the top five with the Jets second pick a strong favourite.
David Bailey (Edge – Texas Tech)
If the Jets don’t go with Reese, then David Bailey will likely be the name they call. The powerful Edge Rusher is one of the top prospects in this position in the class of 2026. If the Jets don’t call his name second in the draft then expect the Cardinals to do so with the third pick.
Jeremiah Love (RB – Notre Dame)
For many, Love is a franchise running back and the best player in this years draft. However, with less emphasis on the running game, Love may well drop to fourth in the draft where he would be a good pick up for Tennessee. If the Titans don’t bite, then Love could fall outside the top ten in the first round.
Reuben Bain Jr. (Edge – Miami)
For many months, Bain Jr. was mentioned as a possible top pick in this draft. He may not go that highly based on the needs of the Raiders, but he is a real potential option for either the Jets, Cardinals or Titans. If he doesn’t go in the top five, he could also be snagged by New Orleans at eight, or the Chiefs at nine.
Other Players that could go in the Top 10
- Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)
- Francis Mauigoa (OT – Miami)
- Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)
- Caleb Downs (S – Ohio State)
- Monroe Freeling (OT – Georgia)
- Mansoor Delane (CB – Louisiana)
- Makai Lemon (WE – USC)
- Spencer Dano (OT – Utah)
- Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)
- Dillon Thieneman (S – Oregon)
- Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)
- Olaivavega Ioane (OG – Penn State)
- Akheem Mesidor (DT – Miami)
- Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)
- C.J.Allen (LB – Georgia)
- Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson)
- Denzel Boston (WR – Washington)
- Kadyn Proctor (OT – Alabama)
- Blake Miller (OT – Clemson)
The Draft Dates for the 2026 NFL Draft are as follows:
- First Round – Thursday 23rd April
- Second and Third Rounds – Friday 24th April
- Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Rounds – Saturday 25th April
You can follow the draft live on Sky Sports or on Game Pass available at DAZN.
