Arch Manning is the favorite to be the #1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft according to odds.

• With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, we forecast the top pick of the 2026 NFL Draft
• Texas pivot Arch Manning is the early favorite to be the #1 pick
• Read below for the NFL 2026 Draft No. 1 pick odds

This year’s bumper crop of NFL freshmen have barely completed their opening media sessions with their new franchises and we’re always into the crystal ball for 2026.

One of football’s blue-blood families has tabs on that top spot, as Texas QB Arch Manning — grandson of Archie and nephew of Peyton and Eli — is the early betting favorite with +200 odds.

A lot can change over the course of the summer, let alone the upcoming season, so let’s take a look at some of the early contenders aiming to have Roger Goodell call their name on first in Pittsburgh in 2026.

2026 NFL Draft No. 1 Pick Odds

Odds as of April 28th. Claim the DraftKings promo code before making any NFL futures bets.

Top Picks Worth Considering

When there’s a Manning on the board, you take note, and it’s usually at the top of the charts. Archie started it all off, with son Peyton the best of the bunch, though Eli has just as many titles.

Arch will finally take the reins as starting pivot for the Longhorns in 2025, and he’ll finally be putting together that all important tape. Last year, he went 61-for-90 for 939 yards, with nine TD passes against two interceptions, while also rushing for 108 yards.

There’ll be plenty of time to catch the hype, as Texas should be in the title mix, ranking second in the 2025 college football championship odds, with Manning opening as co-favorite in the Heisman Trophy odds.

Sticking with the pivots, Drew Allar is coming off a big year for Penn State, setting carer highs in completion percentage (66.5%) and 3,327 passing yards.

Another solid campaign, and perhaps cracking the 30-TD pass plateau might be the juice he needs to supplant Arch. At 6-foot-5 and 238 pounds, he’s already got the pro build part down.

We’ll wrap this trio of pivots with LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, who shined in his first year as a starter with the Tigers. The junior threw for 4,052 yards with 29 touchdowns, though a concerning 12 interceptions.

Longshots Who Could Rise

Clemson’s TJ Parker (+2500) is a name to watch as he enters his junior season.

The 6-foot-3 defensive end doubled his sack production from his freshman campaign, racking up 11 sacks for the Tigers in 2024, while also adding six forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.

Parker had the talent to go Day 1 in this year’s draft. He should be terrorizing opposition backfields again in 2025.

Staying on the defensive line, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr (+5000) is down the draft boards because he only played five games last year because of a calf injury.

Still, he finished the year with 3.5 sacks and 23 total tackles. In his lone healthy campaign in 2023, he showed his promise as a freshman, picking up 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

We’ll finish the longshots with hulking offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor (+5000). The Alabama junior is 6-foot-7 and 369 pounds, and it’s no surprise he’s a road grader, able to consistently move defenders off the line of scrimmage in the run game.

He’s also stout against the pass, able to handle bull rushes, but has the footwork and agility to pull and make blocks in space.

Arch Manning, the highly touted quarterback prospect from Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, has been generating a lot of buzz in the football world. The nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch has been making a name for himself with his impressive play on the field.

According to recent odds released by sportsbooks, Arch Manning is the favorite to be the #1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This comes as no surprise to those who have been following his career closely. Manning has shown incredible poise and skill as a quarterback, leading his high school team to multiple state championships and earning numerous accolades along the way.

At 6’4″ and 220 pounds, Manning has the prototypical size and arm strength that NFL scouts covet in a quarterback. He also possesses excellent football IQ and decision-making skills, often making quick reads and delivering accurate passes to his receivers. His ability to extend plays with his legs and make plays on the run further adds to his appeal as a top prospect.

Manning comes from a long line of successful quarterbacks, with his grandfather Archie Manning and uncles Peyton and Eli all having illustrious careers in the NFL. This pedigree has undoubtedly played a role in shaping Arch’s development as a quarterback, as he has been able to learn from some of the best in the business.

While it’s still early in his career and anything can happen between now and the 2026 NFL Draft, it’s clear that Arch Manning has all the tools to be a successful quarterback at the next level. If he continues to develop and improve his game, there’s no doubt that he will be a highly sought-after prospect come draft day.

For now, fans and scouts alike will be eagerly watching Manning’s progress as he continues to make a name for himself on the football field. With his combination of talent, work ethic, and pedigree, it’s no wonder that he is considered the favorite to be the #1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.