The NFL Draft is a little over a week away! Outside of Fernando Mendoza being locked into the top spot, which we’ve known for some time. Plenty of questions still abound. What will teams do, and who will they take? Today, the question is how many of what will they take? Let’s look into each position available and how many players in those positions may be drafted in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Total Quarterbacks Drafted in the First Round Under 1.5 (-110)
I absolutely love the under on this bet. They hang it at this number because we all know, if you draft a quarterback in the First Round instead of the Second Round, you get the extra year of control. The problem is, nobody this year is worth it. Not only that, but next year’s class is so loaded that the quarterback-needy teams should be holding out and not trading assets to move up here. Fernando Mendoza has been locked into the #1 pick since the Raiders secured the pick. But the position falls off a cliff after the Heisman winner.
Ty Simpson of Alabama is the consensus next man up. His mock draft landing spots bounce around, but it’s hard for me to see it happening. Pittsburgh at 21? Why take him if you are riding with Rodgers for another year? Especially when you could get him in the second round. Personally, I’d rather have LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. Ultimately, it comes down to lack of interest and a lack of reason to trade up for that extra year in this class. Under is the play.
Total Tight Ends Drafted in the First Round Over 1.5 (+850)
We’ll swing for the fences on this one. It’s expected that the under will easily hit in this market. Keyon Sadiq is expected to go in the First Round, maybe even the top 10. At -2000, we obviously won’t be betting the under. But what if Eli Stowers could find his way into the First somehow?
Stowers stock has been rising, with some making the argument not to draft him before Sadiq, but that he could end up the better prospect. Stowers is a matchup nightmare, and from a fantasy perspective, I’ll be very interested in where he lands. Multiple teams at the end of the First Round could make the surprising move if they don’t get Sadiq. The Chiefs, most notably, who I had taking Stowers in my most recent mock draft. Along with the Texans, Bills, and Patriots. While not overly realistic, of the longer shot bets, this is the one I’d put my money on.
Total Wide Receivers Drafted in the First Round Over 5.5 (+100)
I’ve routinely had six wide receivers going in my mock drafts as we head down the stretch towards the NFL Draft. Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordan Tyson seem to be the gold star prospects locked and loaded into likely the top 20 in this Draft. Omar Cooper Jr and Kevin Concepcion feel like pretty safe bets to land in the First Round as well. That leaves Denzel Boston as the likely sixth receiver, with an outside shot at Chris Bell or Chris Brazzell being selected. There are a lot of teams with receiver needs who will be looking to cash in on this strong class.
In my most recent mock, Boston went to the Patriots at pick 31, but a receiver could be a fit for really any of the final seven picks of the First Round. The Bills, 49ers, Texans, Chiefs, Dolphins, Patriots, and Seahawks all need help in that area, and getting that extra contract year on a young stud wide receiver could see that sixth or even seventh guy go off the board. Give me the over.
Total Running Backs Drafted in the First Round Over 1.5 (+400)
This is another market that piques my interest for the number we are getting. We all know it’s a weak running back class. Jeremiyah Love is the belle of the ball, then, like a quarterback, the fall off is pretty noticeable. Love’s Notre Dame teammate Jadarian Price has been climbing up boards as we get close to Draft day.
In my most recent mock, the Seattle Seahawks found their Super Bowl MVP replacement by selecting Price with the final pick of the First Round to replace the departed Kenneth Walker. If you think about the pick, it makes a lot of sense with Walker out and Charbonnet returning from injury, Price could slip right in. Miami, Houston, and even Kansas City could be possible suitors for the rising star. At 4/1, it’s worth a shot!
