2026 NFL Draft Rounds 1-3 Recap: Mendoza Goes #1, Jets Make Noise, and Early Rookie of the Year Odds

The first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft are officially in the books, and the landscape of the league has been fundamentally altered. After months of speculation, smokescreens, and shifting betting odds, the Las Vegas Raiders officially made Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza the No. 1 overall pick. Mendoza, fresh off a magical run that saw him capture both a national championship and the Heisman Trophy, brings immense hope to a Raiders franchise desperate for stability under center. With Klint Kubiak calling the plays and weapons like Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty at his disposal, Mendoza is stepping into an ideal situation to succeed immediately. The Ohio State Dominance If there was one major takeaway from Thursday night's first round, it was the sheer dominance of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Four players from Columbus were selected within the top 11 picks, showcasing the elite talent factory Ryan Day has built. The Tennessee Titans pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the night by selecting wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4 overall. Tate, who spent time in the shadow of Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, is an elite route runner who will immediately become a primary target in Brian Daboll's new offense in Nashville. The Buckeyes' defense also shined bright on draft night. The New York Giants grabbed edge rusher Arvell Reese at No. 5, the Washington Commanders secured linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7, and the Dallas Cowboys drafted safety Caleb Downs at No. 11. Jets Triple-Dip in the First Round The New York Jets were the undisputed protagonists of Round 1, making three selections and drastically improving their roster on both sides of the ball. Gang Green started their night by taking Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2 overall. Bailey, who racked up 14.5 sacks last season, gives the Jets a terrifying pass-rushing duo alongside Will McDonald IV. New York wasn't done there. They added Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16 to give their offense another dynamic weapon, and rounded out their first-round haul by selecting Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30. Early Rookie of the Year Betting Angles With the top prospects finding their new homes, the Rookie of the Year betting markets have officially opened. According to FanDuel, Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love is the early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year at +290. Love, who eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in both 2025 and 2026 at Notre Dame while averaging 6.9 yards per carry, was selected third overall by Arizona. He sits just ahead of Mendoza, who opened at +320 to win OROY honors in Las Vegas. Carnell Tate (+650) and Saints receiver Jordyn Tyson (+850) offer intriguing value as dark horses. On the defensive side of the ball, Jets edge rusher David Bailey is the betting favorite for DROY at +470. He's closely followed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (+500), who fell slightly due to combine measurable concerns but remains an elite run defender who posted 9.5 sacks at Miami last season. Arvell Reese (+700) and Sonny Styles (+850) round out the top contenders. --- Related reading: - NFL Draft 2026 First Round Preview & Betting Guide - NFL Draft 2026 Mock Draft: Top 10 Picks and Betting Odds - What Does -110 Mean? A Beginner's Guide to Betting Odds