2026 NFL Draft Odds: How Many of Each Position Will Be Selected in First Round?

Based on the odds, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza will be the first player whose name comes off the board later this month in the NFL Draft. But how many quarterbacks will join Mendoza as first-round picks? For that matter, how many running backs, wide receivers and other positions will have the distinction of being selected in Round 1? Here are the latest odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 22. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. 2026 NFL Draft Total Quarterbacks Drafted in First Round Over 1.5: -250 (bet $10 to win $14 total)Under 1.5: +180 (bet $10 to win $228 total) What to know: According to FOX Sports Betting Analyst Geoff Schwartz, one more quarterback will accompany Mendoza as a first-round pick, although he doesn't particularly agree with the strategy. "I wouldn’t draft Ty Simpson in the first round, but I’m not the Jets," he wrote. "The long history of NFL failure for players who started only one year in college would concern me. But it appears the Jets seem unbothered by this." Total Cornerbacks Drafted in First Round Over 4.5: +425 (bet $10 to win $52.50 total)Under 4.5: -700 (bet $10 to win $11.43 total) Total Offensive Linemen Drafted in First Round Over 7.5: -300 (bet $10 to win $13.33 total)Under 7.5: +220 (bet $10 to win $32 total) Total Running Backs Drafted in First Round Over 1.5: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)Under 1.5: -700 (bet $10 to win $14 total) What to know: Could there be only one running back drafted in the first round in 2026? The Over/Under suggests that could be the case, with Under 1.5 having the shortest odds in this spot. But Lead College Football Analyst Joel Klatt disagrees. He has Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price — both from Notre Dame — coming off the board in Round 1. "A lot of people believe Love is the best non-quarterback in the draft. Arizona would get a running back who can move between the tackles, hit home runs on the outside and catch passes as a slot receiver," Klatt wrote about Love. About Price, he continued, saying, "I know Price was Love's backup, but he's clearly the second-best running back in this draft." Total Safeties Drafted in First Round Over 2.5: -210 (bet $10 to win $14.76 total)Under 2.5: +155 (bet $10 to win $25.50 total) Total Tight Ends Drafted in First Round Over 1.5: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)Under 1.5: -2000 (bet $10 to win $10.50 total) Total Wide Receivers Drafted in First Round Over 5.5: -165 (bet $10 to win $16.06 total)Under 5.5: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total) What to know: Several NFL squads will look to fill the WR position in 2026, and for some, the search for their next great wide out begins in April. But exactly how many receivers will come off the board in the first round? In his most recent mock draft, Klatt has five — Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Makai Lemon (USC), Omar Cooper (Indiana) and Denzel Boston (Washington). Schwartz, on the other hand, has five. His include Tate, Lemon, Cooper, KC Concepcion and Tyson.

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2026 NFL Draft Sleepers: 5 Underrated Prospects Outside the First Round

While headlining names like Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate will steal the spotlight in the first round of the NFL Draft, Days 2 and 3 should still bring plenty of excitement, as teams look to find hidden gems in the later rounds. This is where rosters are built, depth is strengthened and diamonds in the rough are found. Over the last decade, some of the NFL’s most valuable and impactful players have come from outside the first round, going on to win Super Bowls, break records, and earn major awards. In Rounds 2 and 3, players like quarterback Jalen Hurts have led their teams to multiple Super Bowl appearances and won Super Bowl MVP. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp delivered a historic season, setting the single-season record for total receiving yards and winning both Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP in 2021. In Rounds 4-7, the list of impact players is even more impressive. Puka Nacua, a fifth-round pick in 2023, has quickly developed into one of the top wide receivers in the league. Tyreek Hill and George Kittle are other marquee names that were selected on Day 3. At quarterback, Dak Prescott has been a franchise cornerstone for nearly a decade after being drafted in the fourth round, and Brock Purdy went from Mr. Irrelevant to the San Francisco 49ers' $265 million franchise quarterback. Strong organizations don’t just hit on their first pick; they consistently find contributors throughout the rest of the draft. With that in mind, here are the top-five sleeper prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Keionte Scott, DB, Miami Keionte Scott checks all the boxes as a modern nickel defender in the NFL. In his last season at Miami, he had 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles, showcasing rare production from the slot and a very explosive profile. Scott backed up his tape with an elite Pro Day performance. He posted a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, a 44-inch vertical and a 10-foot-3 broad jump. His vertical would have led all defensive backs at the 2026 NFL Combine. Add in Scott's physicality against the run and strong football IQ, and he projects as a true three-down impact player who could come off the board earlier than expected. Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas Taylen Green is one of the most intriguing high-upside quarterback sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft. After transferring to Arkansas, he showcased a rare blend of size, athleticism and production, throwing for 2,714 yards with 19 touchdowns while adding 777 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground. At 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, Green pairs that dual-threat production with amazing testing numbers, including a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. Those marks place him among the most athletic quarterbacks ever tested, backed by a near-perfect 9.99 Relative Athletic Score. He remains a raw passer with inconsistencies, but his physical tools and playmaking ability give him a very high ceiling. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington After following Jedd Fisch from Arizona to Washington, Jonah Coleman had 1,053 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 before adding 758 yards and 15 scores in 2025 despite battling a late-season knee injury. Built at 5-foot-9 with a powerful frame, Coleman thrives on finishing through contact, often requiring multiple defenders to bring him down. Even more impressive is his ball security. In 552 career rushing attempts, he fumbled just twice. While he lacks elite breakaway speed at the NFL level, his vision, contact balance and power make him a strong candidate to outperform his draft slot. Teams looking for a physical, three-down back could target him on Day 2 or early Day 3. Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois Gabe Jacas is one of the more underrated edge defenders in this class and a strong Day 2 sleeper. As a four-year starter at Illinois, he was asked to do far more than just rush the passer, consistently setting the edge, dropping into coverage and handling multiple responsibilities within the defense. At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Jacas brings a powerful, physical style of play that's rooted in his wrestling background. Despite taking on that all-around role with the Fighting Illini, he still produced at a high level in 2025 with 11 sacks, 34 pressures and 13.5 tackles for loss, while finishing his career with 26 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss. He may not have the flashiest pass-rush arsenal, but his strength, versatility and consistency give him a high floor as a reliable three-down edge. Teams looking for a complete defensive end could value him higher than expected, making him a likely Round 2 selection with a floor in Round 3. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State Bryce Lance, the brother of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance, is one of the top FCS prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft and a high-upside sleeper with legit vertical ability. The North Dakota State standout put together two straight 1,000-yard seasons, including a breakout 2024 campaign with 75 receptions for 1,053 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns. He followed that up in 2025 with 51 catches for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging an unbelievable 21.2 yards per reception. At 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, Lance pairs that production with a 4.34 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical, making him one of the more explosive receivers in the class. With his size, speed and downfield tracking ability, Lance profiles as a true deep-threat weapon at the next level, drawing comparisons to players like Alec Pierce and Christian Watson.

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NFL Draft: What are the 10 Best Draft Classes Produced by a College Since 2000?

Ohio State could do something that no program has done in nearly 60 years when the 2026 NFL Draft commences on Thursday. With Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles, wide receiver Carnell Tate and safety Caleb Downs all viewed as among the top prospects in this year's draft, the Buckeyes could become the first program to have four top-10 picks in the NFL Draft since Michigan State did so in 1867. As those four players will almost assuredly be taken in the first round, Ohio State might have another player get selected in the first 32 picks. Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald has been featured as a first-round pick in several mock drafts. Suffice it to say, this Ohio State draft class could be among the best a school has produced in a single year. So, that got us thinking: What are the 10 best draft classes ever produced by a college in a single year? Well, we picked the 10 best, all based on college production and with some help from FOX Sports Research. We decided to leave the 2026 Ohio State draft class off this list as we don't know how many Buckeyes will be drafted this weekend. But don't fret, Ohio State fans, your team is represented on this list. 10. 2015 Florida State (11 players selected, 2 players in first round) Notable players: Jameis Winston (No. 1 overall pick), Cam Erving (19), Mario Edwards Jr. (35), Eddie Goldman (39), Ronald Darby (50), Nick O'Leary (194), Bobby Hart (226) The Seminoles won a national title in 2013 and took their only 2014 loss in the championship game to Oregon, with Winston winning a Heisman Trophy and becoming the No. 1 overall pick. He started five years in Tampa but couldn't limit his turnovers, throwing 33 touchdowns to 30 interceptions in 2019 in his last year as a full-time starter. His one Pro Bowl is the only one from this class, but he, Edwards, Goldman and Hall are still active players more than a decade later. 9. 2010 Florida (9 players selected, 3 players in first round) Notable players: Joe Haden (7), Maurkice Pouncey (18), Tim Tebow (25), Carlos Dunlap (54), Brandon Spikes (62), Major Wright (75), Aaron Hernandez (113) The Gators won national championships in 2006 and 2008 behind this group, and made a strong case to win three titles in four years. Tebow, a Heisman winner, never found the same success in the NFL and Hernandez played only three seasons before his arrest and conviction for murder. Pouncey had nine Pro Bowl selections and Haden had three, finishing with 29 career interceptions, while Dunlap quietly got to 100 career sacks. 8. 2006 Ohio State (9 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: A.J. Hawk (5), Donte Whitner (8), Bobby Carpenter (18), Santonio Holmes (25), Nick Mangold (29) As the Buckeyes prepare to potentially have five players go in the first round of this year's draft, they had five players go in Round 1 20 years ago. In terms of NFL production, the late Nick Mangold headlined the group, earning seven Pro Bowl nods. But Hawk (a two-time All-American), Whitner (All-Big Ten) and Holmes (two-time All-Big Ten) each had productive NFL careers. Hawk and Whitner both played more than 150 games and Holmes was a Super Bowl hero, catching the winning touchdown for the Steelers to beat the Cardinals with 35 seconds left. The 2005 Buckeyes went 10-2 and finished fourth, making the national title game in 2006 only to lose to Florida. 7. 2016 Ohio State (12 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: Joey Bosa (3), Ezekiel Elliott (4), Eli Apple (10), Taylor Decker (16), Darron Lee (20), Michael Thomas (47), Vonn Bell (61), Nick Vannett (94), Cardale Jones (139) Ten years after it had five players go in the round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Ohio State had five players go in the first round in the 2016 draft. That group of first-rounders, plus the likes of Thomas, helped the Buckeyes win a national title in 2014 and went 12-1 in 2015, but fell short of going back-to-back. Still, seven of these players were named an All-American at some point during their time at Ohio State. In terms of NFL production, Bosa has made five Pro Bowls and six players from this class have at least 100 career games. Elliott and Thomas were both dominant early on, with three Pro Bowls in their first four seasons, but none after that. That 2015 Buckeyes team included future stars in Joe Burrow, Terry McLaurin and Marshon Lattimore as freshmen. 6. 2020 LSU (14 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: Joe Burrow (1), K'Lavon Chaisson (20), Justin Jefferson (22), Patrick Queen (28), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (32), Grant Delpit (44), Kristian Fulton (61), Damien Lewis (69), Lloyd Cushenberry III (83) One of the most dominant college football teams of all-time created one of the best draft classes for a program ever. LSU went 15-0 to win the national title in 2019, and Burrow and Jefferson are now NFL superstars, making a combined $415 million on their second pro contracts. Delpit, meanwhile, was a star in college, earning the Thorpe Award for the nation's best defensive back in 2019. As evidenced by Burrow's and Jefferson's contracts, this draft class has translated well in the NFL. The combined career Approximate Value for this class is 346, according to Pro Football Reference. For context, it's quickly approaching the combined AV of the 2002 Miami (Fla.) class (357), which holds the record. That 2019 Tigers team was supremely talented, with future top-five picks like wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and cornerback Derek Stingley also on the roster, and Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady there as passing game coordinator. 5. 2018 Alabama (12 players selected, 4 players in first round) Notable players: Minkah Fitzpatrick (11), Da'Ron Payne (13), Rashaan Evans (22), Calvin Ridley (26), Ronnie Harrison (93), Da'Shawn Hand (114), Anthony Averett (118), JK Scott (172), Bradley Bozeman (215) Alabama won national titles in 2015 and 2017 with a wealth of future NFL talent, as evidenced by the draft class it put out in 2018. Fitzpatrick was the headliner of this group in college and the NFL. He won the Bendarik and Thorpe Awards in college before earning five Pro Bowl nods in his NFL career. Several other players from this Alabama group were named first or second-team All-SEC as well. Ridley has had a strong NFL career, but the depth of this class has also stood out. Bozeman, a sixth-round pick, just retired after eight seasons, and Hand and Scott are still playing as third-day picks. The Tide's draft class didn't include three future NFL starting quarterbacks from 2017 in Jalen Hurts, Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa, along with underclassmen like Quinnen Williams and Josh Jacobs. 4. 2002 Miami (Fla.) (11 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: Bryant McKinnie (7), Jeremy Shockey (14), Phillip Buchanon (17), Ed Reed (24), Mike Rumph (27), Clinton Portis (51) As we mentioned earlier, this college class is the best in terms of NFL production, according to Pro Football Reference's AV stat. McKinnie, Shockey and Portis were each stars in college and the NFL. Of course, Reed had a Hall of Fame NFL career after being named a first-team All-American twice at Miami. McKinnie played 179 games, Shockey had 547 catches and Portis rushed for just under 10,000 yards. Not only did Miami go 12-0 in winning a national title in 2001, but it also held eight of 12 opponents to seven points or fewer, with only one victory decided by single digits (see their 2004 draft haul as part of that). 3. 2022 Georgia (15 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: Travon Walker (1), Jordan Davis (13), Quay Walker (22), Devonte Wyatt (28), George Pickens (52), James Cook (63), Nakobe Dean (83), Jamaree Salyer (195) Another ridiculously deep group. The 15 total draft picks from the Dawgs are a record for one school in one draft, and the five first-rounders are one off the record. All five first-rounders were on defense, and that doesn't include Dean, who was an All-American in college. The two Walkers, Davis and Dean have signed free-agent deals worth a combined $264 million. Georgia won the 2021 national championship thanks to that defense, but that offense had some playmakers, too. Cook has now been a success in the NFL, getting a $48 million contract a year ago, and Pickens is in line for a megadeal at some point soon. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken is now the Cleveland Browns' head coach, too. Freshmen on that 2021 team included Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, Broderick Jones, Amarius Mims and Kamari Lassiter, all future top-50 picks. 2. 2021 Alabama (10 players selected, 6 players in first round) Notable players: Jaylen Waddle (6), Pat Surtain II (9), DeVonta Smith (10), Mac Jones (15), Alex Leatherwood (17), Najee Harris (24), Landon Dickerson (37), Christian Barmore (38) Eight players from one school in the top 40 picks is incredible, but it makes sense considering how dominant this Alabama group was. The Crimson Tide went undefeated in 2020 and won the national championship, winning all but one of its 13 games by double-digits. Smith won the Heisman Trophy that year, while Jones set the single-season record for completion percentage at the time. In terms of pro production, Alabama's 2021 class has logged an AV of 265 in just five seasons, which is an impressive number. Waddle, Surtain, Smith, Dickerson and Barmore have already signed extensions worth a combined $396 million. 1. 2004 Miami (Fla.) (9 players selected, 6 players in first round) Notable players: Sean Taylor (5), Kellen Winslow (6), Jonathan Vilma (12), DJ Williams (17), Vernon Carey (19), Vince Wilfork (21) The six first-rounders are still tied for the most by one school in one draft. Even though this Miami class is the only one in the top six of this list to ot win a national championship in the preceding college season, this Canes group was still dominant in college. They helped the program win the national title in 2001 before going 11-2 under Larry Coker in 2003. Brock Berlin was at quarterback and Jarrett Payton led the 2003 team in rushing, showcasing how talented this group was. Five of the six Canes players taken in the first round were named an All-American in 2003. The only one of that group who wasn't named an All-American, Wilfork, arguably had the best NFL career of the group, though. Wilfork had five Pro Bowl nods, but Vilma had three. Taylor was also a two-time Pro Bowler before he was tragically shot and killed at 24 after only four seasons in the NFL.

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2026 NFL Draft Betting Report: Lack of Information Creates Chaos for Books

If you’re thinking of betting on NFL Draft odds for the No. 1 overall pick, don’t waste your time. At -20000 odds — meaning it takes a $200 bet to win one dollar — Fernando Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite. The Indiana quarterback is practically signed, sealed and delivered to the Las Vegas Raiders. But things get more interesting from there. "When someone is that big a favorite, the conversation seems to shift to pick No. 2. And it has," Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. "That’s the most-bet prop, the biggest-bet market right now." Feazel helps break down the most notable 2026 NFL Draft odds, ahead of the Thursday-Saturday event in Pittsburgh. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Information Age Before addressing the No. 2 overall pick, it’s first worth noting how NFL Draft betting differs from what bookmakers typically face. "In the trading department, we like to use math," Feazel said, alluding to how odds are set for games. "But the NFL Draft is information-based. When a bet comes in on information, the difficulty is deciding whether it’s a rumor or if the bettor on the other side has information. And whether a rumor is true or not. "When you take math out of the equation, it normally isn’t that helpful to us." Sharp bettors often heavily engage in NFL Draft odds, and they tend to do well. It’s a tough event for sportsbooks to win. "We have won sometimes, and we’re certainly trying to win. But we’re not expecting a lot of the information to go our way," Feazel said. Two-Man Battle The No. 2 overall pick is still very much in flux, although it’s clearly a two-man battle between Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey. It’s so close, in fact, that as of Tuesday afternoon, Reese and Bailey are -115 co-favorites at Caesars. After those two, odds stretch out to +6000 for Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. No surprise, information is affecting this NFL prop bet. "It was starting to look like David Bailey was gonna be the No. 2 pick, so we moved him to the favorite. But then it was thought that the Jets were maybe trying to trade the pick," Feazel said. Don’t be surprised if Reese and Bailey’s odds continue to be volatile. And if a trade happens at No. 2, things could get much murkier. "There could be someone who’s not even expected to be in the mix," Feazel said. QBs or Not QBs Among the slew of NFL Draft prop bets available, one of the most popular is on the number of quarterbacks drafted in the first round. This year, the expectations are quite low. Pretty much every sportsbook has the Over/Under at 1.5. However, the Over 1.5 is a growing favorite, now at odds of -225, with Under 1.5 a +175 underdog. Mendoza is obviously a lock. The deciding factor is whether Alabama QB Ty Simpson is deemed first-round worthy. "It’s kind of been going up and down. And it correlates to the price of Simpson to be drafted in the first round," Feazel said. In fact, it directly correlates. On the separate NFL Draft prop of players to be first-round picks, Simpson is -225. However, there is a difference of opinion among bettors. "It’s been two-way action, all based on speculation on Simpson," Feazel said. "There are rumors that the Cardinals or someone else might be interested." Arizona has the No. 3 overall pick — which it certainly won’t use on Simpson — then the second pick of the second round, No. 34 overall. The thought is that the Cards might try to trade up from that No. 34 slot, into the first round, to draft Simpson. But if you think Arizona holds pat and Simpson slips to Round 2, then there might be some betting value on Under 1.5 QBs. At +175, a $100 bet would net $175 profit (total payout $275). More Popular Plays Feazel said three more markets consistently draw attention in NFL Draft prop bets: players to be picked in the top 5, top 10 or the first round. "Bettors are trying to find value at a plus-money price," Feazel said. "One thing we saw recently, with the Giants sneaking back into the top 10, was interest on Jordyn Tyson, the wide receiver from Arizona State." Tyson had hamstring issues that kept him out of the NFL combine and ASU’s initial pro day. And previous injuries are a concern, as well, including a multi-ligament knee tear in 2022. On Friday, though, he had a private workout that, by all accounts, went well. And the rumors are that the Giants are a strong possible suitor, after they traded Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals in exchange for the 10th pick. "Early on, we had Tyson at +220 to go in the first 10 picks. Now, we’re at -375," Feazel said of the wideout going from an underdog to a favorite in that market. "He’s expected to be picked early." Tyson’s top-10 prop ties into the market for the number of wide receivers to go in the first round. Feazel said that Caesars opened Over 5.5 as a modest -125 favorite, but those odds are now out to -190. Also, Caesars opened the prop of offensive linemen drafted in the first round at 7.5, with odds of -115 on both the Over and Under — a pick ‘em. However, Over 7.5 is now a substantial -280 favorite. "A lot of people are expecting a big run of offensive linemen, from picks 10 to 20," Feazel said.

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How Ohio State Could Make NFL Draft History With Top 2026 NFL Draft Picks

The NFL cares more about who wins the College Football Playoff national championship than most fans do. Just look at the past five years of first-round NFL Draft selections. Since 1968, only eight programs have seen five of their players selected in the first round of the same NFL Draft, and three of those classes represented have all come in the 2020s. This year, Ohio State could make history with top-10 NFL Draft picks — and without a quarterback in the mix. Looking back at past draft classes across all rounds, LSU (2019) had five players from that championship-winning group selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. Alabama (2020) had six players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft after it won the national title, and Georgia (2021) had five players drafted in 2022 after it won it all. Of that trio, only Georgia’s 2021 draft class didn’t feature a quarterback selected in the first round. LSU’s Joe Burrow (2020) and Alabama’s Mac Jones (2021) were each top-15 picks. Digging just a little deeper into elite draft classes from a singular program, only the 2020 Alabama squad had three of its players selected inside the first 10 picks of the draft this decade. That's tied with seven other programs for the most selections in the first 10 picks of any draft. There's one program that stands apart, though, not unlike the NFL’s 1972 Miami Dolphins, with an NFL Draft record that many believed might never be duplicated: 1967 Michigan State. That year, four players off the 1966 Michigan State national championship team were top-10 NFL Draft picks. Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, Ohio State could become the first program in modern history to duplicate the Spartans’ feat with four potential top-10 picks. And the Buckeyes could do it not only without a quarterback but also with just one offensive player selected: wide receiver Carnell Tate, safety Caleb Downs and linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese. These now-former Ohio State players were part of a team that didn't so much as sniff playing in the national title game last season and have not won a Big Ten title in their careers. Yet, the Buckeyes have developed four stars who could all hear their names called before the dinner served on the West Coast has a chance to get cold. Given what NFL Draft analysts and NFL player personnel department members have intimated about Ohio State, the best team in the sport — perhaps the team that should’ve defeated Indiana in the Big Ten title game and on the way to a national championship — should’ve done more. "That’s right," an NFL area scout for a team with a top-10 pick told me. "Just take the Reese kid, for example. I’m a college football fan. I know about the Downs kid. I know about [the] Styles kid and [the] Tate kid, but their best player is [Reese], a guy who couldn’t even get onto the field until 2024. They’re loaded. "It’s Ohio State. They’re always loaded, but I would call last year a letdown based on what the league thinks of their class." After dropping the Big Ten championship matchup in December to eventual national champion Indiana, the Buckeyes lost to Miami (Fla.) in the CFP quarterfinals. A quarterback in this class would elevate it to a different level, just as it would’ve for Georgia in 2022. However, unlike the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes have a signal-caller in Julian Sayin that many believe will be a first-round selection in 2027. That was not the case with former Georgia passer Stetson Bennett, who never projected as a first-round talent and was ultimately selected in the fourth round. [SOUND SMART: 5 Observations Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft] And unlike Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, Ohio State's Ryan Day has a knack for developing quarterbacks into first-round NFL Draft selections. He did it with Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields and again with C.J. Stroud — and that’s just since he joined the Buckeyes in 2017. That part is well-known. What Day and his staff have done at other positions, particularly wide receiver, is about to become just as prominent a fact. Consider not just that Ohio State wideouts have become prized commodities in the NFL but also that such a development has been recent and consistent. Between 2008 and 2021, the Buckeyes didn't develop a single first-round selection at wide receiver, despite players like Michael Thomas (a second-round pick) and Terry McLaurin (a third-round selection) turning out to be All-Pro-caliber wideouts in the NFL. Since 2022, however, no program has a better claim to "WRU" than the Buckeyes. In fact, Ohio State has had a wide receiver selected in the first round of the NFL Draft every single year since then. No other program has seen more than three consecutive years of wideouts selected from its program, and there are only two on the list: Tennessee (1982-1984) and Alabama (2020-2022). I’m only counting years, not players. If I counted players, the Buckeyes have had five wide receivers selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in the past four years. If Tate is drafted in the first round on Thursday, that would make him the sixth Ohio State receiver selected in the first round in five consecutive years. Then there’s still the man who has been tagged as the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft since the day he arrived in Columbus, Ohio: wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith, who presumably will join Sayin in the 2027 draft, could lead yet another rather remarkable Ohio State draft class next year while furthering what has become a burgeoning Buckeyes tradition of seeing a wide receiver selected in the first round. There are more on deck, too. [NFL DRAFT: Ranking the top-12 quarterbacks in 2026 class] The performance 6-foot-5, true freshman Chris Henry, Jr. put in just last Saturday during Ohio State’s spring game feels like a harbinger of what’s to come. Junior receiver Brandon Inniss earned the spot across the field from Smith that once belonged to former first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and Tate. If Inniss plays as well as his predecessors, he could join Smith in the first round of next year's draft. This is also proof that Ohio State’s recruiting strategy is working in this college football era filled with volatile transfer portal activity and undisclosed millions changing hands from businesses, universities and donors to players — dare I say "student-athletes." The Buckeyes' brass understands its fans demand excellence, and the NFL is more than happy to take advantage of Ohio State’s appetite to develop and be the best football program in America.

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49ers 7-Round Mock Draft: San Fran Addresses Areas of Need at WR, Pass Rusher

Barring a trade down or a trade of a player (Brandon Ayiuk, anyone?), the San Francisco 49ers will have their fewest number of picks in a single draft since 2020 in the 2026 NFL Draft. But the 49ers have shown an ability to make the most out of their picks in the past. Of course, San Francisco took quarterback Brock Purdy as Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft. Five years earlier, it landed All-Pro tight end George Kittle in the fifth round. So, what do 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have up their sleeves this April? Well, they have some obvious areas they need to address. They grabbed defensive end Mykel Williams in the first round of last year's draft, when they had a league-high 11 picks.  However, Williams and perirenal All-Pro Nick Bosa both finished 2025 with season-ending knee injuries, so improving the pass rush remains a priority for San Francisco. Along with adding to their pass rush, finding an eventual replacement for future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams should also be high on the list. The 37-year-old Oklahoma product was recently involved in another contract stalemate with the front office before reaching a resolution on Monday. So, with that in mind, let’s map out what the 49ers should do with a seven-round mock draft. Round 1 (No. 27 overall): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington The 49ers finished 12-5 last season and believe they are still in a Super Bowl window, but San Francisco could use more reliable, young playmakers on offense. Mike Evans and Christian Kirk were signed in free agency, but those two are veteran stop gaps and do not serve as a long-term answer for the receiver room. At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Boston is a big, physical receiver in the mold of Jauan Jennings who can win contested catches down the field. And with 20 receiving touchdowns over the last two seasons, Boston would help in the red zone. The 49ers have a good mentor for Boston on the roster in Evans, and the Washington product could eventually take over that role once he retires. San Francisco brought Boston in for a pre-draft visit. Round 2 (No. 58 overall): Malachi Lawrence, DE, Central Florida The 49ers finished with a league-low 20 sacks last season and need help off the edge with both Bosa and Williams recovering from knee injuries. Lawrence finished with 20 career sacks in college, so the production off the edge is there. And at 6-4 and 253 pounds with long arms and explosive traits, Lawrence provides the skill set new San Francisco defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is looking for in an athlete mover coming off the edge. He posted a 4.52-second 40 time, along with recording a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine. Lawrence was used to drop in coverage at Central Florida, so he offers versatility in a scheme where Morris will use a variety of defensive looks. The 49ers brought Lawrence in for a pre-draft visit. Round 4 (No. 127 overall): Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (Fla.) A fifth-year senior for the Hurricanes, Thomas offers physicality and playmaking skills for a San Francisco defensive secondary looking for more athletic bodies. Thomas finished with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups in his final season at Miami. At 6-1 and 211 pounds. Thomas has good size for the position. Thomas is a willing tackler in the running game, and while his 4.57-second 40 time will not wow scouts, he shows decent football instincts and can make plays in space. Thomas also showed the ability to develop into a good blitzer at the next level and can contribute on special teams. Round 4 (No. 133 overall): Alex Harkey, G, Oregon At 6-5 and 308 pounds, Harkey’s versatility is his strong suit. Harkey has the skill set to play all five offensive line positions and played tight end in high school, but he tracks to play guard at the next level. San Francisco offensive line coach Chris Foerster excels at getting the most out of developmental projects and will value Harkey’s unique skill set. The 49ers could use help in the interior of the offensive line, along with a contingency plan should an aging Williams deal with injuries again. Harkey could be part of that development strategy. San Francisco had a pre-draft visit with Harkey and met with him at the NFL Scouting Combine. Round 4 (No. 138 overall): Travis Burke, OT, Memphis Burke would be another developmental prospect for the 49ers to mold into a polished product that can play winning football on game days. At 6-9 and 325 pounds with long arms, Burke has the tools to grow into a consistent contributor along the offensive line for the 49ers. With San Francisco once again in contract negotiations with Williams, Burke would provide another option down the line as a player who could play in a pinch with a couple years of seasoning while working in an NFL facility. Round 4 (No. 139 overall): Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State At 6-5 and 312 pounds with long arms, Jackson has the physical profile to serve as a two-gap defensive tackle who can eat up blocks in the middle of San Francisco’s defense front. He also showed some pass-rush ability two years ago, finishing with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 2024. The 49ers are thin up front defensively and could use a rotational player at defensive tackle. Jackson’s uncle is Dexter Jackson, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety and MVP of Super Bowl XXXVII. Jackson was a teammate of San Francisco GM John Lynch with the Bucs.

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2026 NFL Draft: Pro Player Comps for Fernando Mendoza, Other Top Draft Prospects

As NFL talent evaluators put the finishing touches on their scouting reports of the 2026 draft class, they'll look at current pros with similar traits as another data point to project how the prospects might perform in the pro game. Most scouts utilize pro comparisons to paint a picture for NFL decision-makers who make the calls when on the clock. With the 2026 draft approaching, here are my pro comps for the top prospects in this year’s class. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana The Heisman Trophy winner is a lock to come off the board as the No. 1 overall pick on Thursday. Mendoza has impressed scouts with his intelligence, toughness and management skills, while also flashing pinpoint accuracy and touch as a rhythm passer. The combination of skills and a winning pedigree makes it easy to envision the Indiana standout thriving as a QB1 for a team running a system that prioritizes mistake-free football and clutch playmaking. Although Mendoza lacks elite physical tools, his superpowers as a high-IQ game manager could result in better performance and production than his natural talent would suggest. Pro comparison: Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State The silky-smooth pass-catcher checks all the boxes as a potential No. 1 receiver. Tate can impact the game as a three-level playmaker, displaying big-play potential as a vertical threat or catch-and-run specialist. Additionally, the Ohio State star shows elite route-running skills by twisting defenders into knots with his electric stop-start quickness and ballerina-like body control. With Tate also flashing ridiculous ball skills and body control as an acrobatic pass catcher, the 6-foot-2, 194-pounder is a dominant weapon on the perimeter with "take over the game" potential as a pro. Pro comparison: Rams WR Davante Adams Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State It is hard to find a safety with a high IQ, positional flexibility, ball skills and a "hit stick" mentality that enables him to play as a center fielder or hybrid linebacker in a multi-faceted scheme. Downs not only excels as a jack-of-all-trades, but he has mastered the art of playmaking in a "see ball, get ball" defensive scheme. While skeptics dismiss his impact potential due to his modest physical traits, the evaluators who love "ball players" easily identify the game-changing skills the Ohio State star brings to the table. Considering how championship-level defenses thrive with a game changer in the middle of the field, Downs’ versatility and adaptability give him a chance to emerge as a star as a designated playmaker in a creative defensive scheme. Pro comparison: Cardinals S Budda Baker David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech The energetic speed rusher took college football by storm during his lone season with the Red Raiders. Bailey terrorized opponents with his speed, quickness and burst, as he showcased a "dip-and-rip" maneuver and slick spin move to harass quarterbacks in the backfield. The persistent pressure and constant chaos created by his relentless approach force offensive coordinators to alter their pass-protection plans when facing the dynamic pass rusher. As Bailey acclimates to the pro game and elite pass protectors, the shifty sack artist could produce double-digit sacks annually as a speed-rushing specialist. Pro comparison: Giants OLB Brian Burns [How One Key Question Changed David Bailey’s NFL Future] Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama The pinpoint, quick-rhythm passer operates like a coach on the field, with his instincts, awareness and anticipation enabling him to pick apart coverages with surgical precision. Simpson’s flawless pocket mechanics and footwork make him a quarterback coach’s dream at first glance. With his strongest supporters citing the 2025 Crimson Tide’s sizzling start and his ridiculous numbers as proof of his franchise quarterback potential, the polarizing quarterback must overcome his inexperience, lack of size and arm talent deficiencies to defy the odds as a lightweight quarterback prospect. While teams have gambled on "newbies" in previous drafts (Mark Sanchez, 2009; Cam Newton, 2011; Kyler Murray, 2019; Trey Lance, 2021; Mac Jones, 2021; and Anthony Richardson, 2023), the disappointing hit rate will require Simpson to play above and beyond expectations to justify his draft day status. In a league in which scheme and play calls matter as much as the supporting cast, Simpson must find his way to a team that features a system that makes the game easier for the quarterback. Pro comparison: 49ers QB Brock Purdy Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State After successfully transitioning from safety to linebacker at Ohio State, Styles could flourish as a designated playmaker dominating the game between the hashes. As a fast-flow linebacker who can stuff running backs in the hole or run with tight ends and slot receivers down the middle, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder exhibits rare traits as an off-ball linebacker in a passing league. With his size, length and athleticism, which shrink passing lanes down the middle of the field, Styles is a potential difference-maker for a defense employing a "vision-and-break" scheme designed to create more turnovers. Pro comparison: 49ers LB Fred Warner [Will Ohio State Have Four Top-10 Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?] Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami The disruptive edge defender is a violent butt-kicker with heavy hands and a nasty temperament. Bain outworks and outlasts blockers, showcasing an alpha-dawg mentality reflected in his relentless approach and competitive stamina. With a rugged game that complements his explosive first step and all-out effort, the Miami standout is the junkyard dog no one wants to face on a critical down. In a league where sack production can lead to blind spots for some evaluators, Bain’s energy, effort and physicality make him an essential piece of any defensive puzzle. Pro comparison: Eagles DE Brandon Graham Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson The transformation of the NFL into a pass-centric league has forced coaches and scouts to view the "Nickel" cornerback as the 12th starter. As a high-IQ defender with outstanding ball skills and a devastating knockout punch (forced fumbles), Terrell is the prototypical slot defender every defensive coordinator covets in the starting lineup. While some scouts question his top-end speed and burst, old-school coaches prefer instincts and awareness over athleticism. Terrell’s knack for making plays on the ball and smothering routes as a zone-based cover corner should result in rave reviews from teams seeking a plug-and-play option on the perimeter. Pro comparison: Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey

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