Based on the odds, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is a shoo-in to be the first name called in April’s NFL Draft.
The Hoosiers quarterback had a dynamic season, to say the absolute least. He passed for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns and secured the Heisman back in December. Then in January, Mendoza led his team to a 27-21 win over Miami to capture the College Football Playoff championship.
It’s easy to understand why Fernando is the heavy favorite to be drafted No. 1. But what about No. 2?
Let’s take a look at the lines at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 25 for which player could be selected second in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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NFL Draft 2026 Second Pick Betting Odds
Arvell Reese (Ohio State): -250 (bet $10 to win $14 total)
David Bailey (Texas Tech): +290 (bet $10 to win $39 total)
Sonny Styles (Ohio State): +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Rueben Bain, Jr (Miami): +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame): +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Caleb Downs (Ohio State): +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Ty Simpson (Alabama): +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Fernando Mendoza (Indiana): +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State): +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Carnell Tate (Ohio State): +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Francis Mauigoa (Miami): +12000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total)
Here’s what to know about the oddsboard:
The Buckeye, The Raider: Cleveland native Arvell Reese could be trading his Buckeye Scarlet for Gang Green if the New York Jets draft him with the second pick. Over the last month, his odds in this spot have shortened to -250 from +120. At the beginning of last season, Gus Johnson acknowledged the linebacker as the first player to his “Got It” team for being a devastating talent on the field. In 2024 and 2025 combined, he had 52 solo tackles and assisted on 60. The 6-foot-4 Reese had seven total tackles in the Buckeyes’ semifinal loss to Miami, including three solo. Behind him on the board is Texas Tech’s David Bailey. The 6-foot-3 linebacker spent his first three seasons at Stanford before transferring to Tech in 2025. As a Red Raider, he racked up 32 solo tackles, assisted on 20 and had three defended passes.
Case for a QB: Ty Simpson’s odds to go second are on the longer side, but the Jets are in need of a quarterback. So could he be in play here? Well, according to FOX Sports Lead College Football Analyst Joel Klatt, NYJ could take Simpson but might wait until their 16th pick instead of grabbing him at two. “The Jets got Geno Smith in a trade with the Raiders,” Klatt wrote. “Let’s be real, though, New York shouldn’t be saying, ‘We’re all set’ at quarterback after that move. I can’t get Simpson out of my head, either … with Smith in tow, Simpson doesn’t need to start right away.”
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