2026 NFL Draft: No. 3 Overall Pick Odds

Asher Hyre Updated: Apr 09 2026 16:59

The Arizona Cardinals currently hold the rights to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft where they'll have a large pool of talented players to select from.

The Cardinals are entering this offseason with a new head coach - Mike LaFleur. The former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator may bring a new philosophy for how he wants the team to be built after replacing the defensive-minded Jonathan Gannon.

Arizona has plenty of holes on its roster, so any position should be up for consideration. Of course, trading back is always an option.

Here's a look at the favorites to be selected No. 3 overall.

2026 NFL Draft - No. 3 Overall Pick Odds

*Last updated: April 9.

David Bailey (Texas Tech)	+220
Arvell Reese (Ohio State)	+250
Francis Mauigoa (Miami FL)	+400
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)	+850
Sonny Styles (Ohio State)	+900
Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami FL)	+1200
Monroe Freeling (Georgia)	+1800
Spencer Fano (Utah)	+1800
Ty Simpson (Alabama)	+1800
Caleb Downs (Ohio State)	+6000

Unlike the first two picks in the draft which seem to be trending towards Fernando Mendoza going to the Las Vegas Raiders and Arvell Reese heading to the New York Jets, there is no clear favorite to be selected No. 3 overall.

Texas Tech's David Bailey (+220) is the favorite after leading the country in pressures (81) and sacks (14.5), and led the Big 12 in tackles for loss (19.5) in his lone season with the Red Raiders after spending his first three years at Stanford.

If Arvell Reese (+250) falls to this pick, he would be extremely difficult to pass up. A freak of nature that has been compared to Micah Parsons would be an ideal piece to build the defense around.

Offensive Tackle Francis Mauigoa (+400) is this on the list as Arizona could look to pair franchise left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with and athletic pass protector.

The Cardinals finished No. 5 in sacks allowed this season and shoring up the offensive line is always a good idea for a rebuilding team.

Jeremiyah Love (+850) is the best running back in this class and he can do it all. His speed, agility, strength, and pass catching skills stand out especially. He'll be one of the better running backs in the league from Day 1.

Rueben Bain Jr. (+1200) dominated the CFP with his quick get-off and bull-rush move that sends tackles pedaling backwards into their quarterback. He's a uniquely built EDGE rusher and his arms are some of the shortest ever measured, but his lower-half is extremely strong.

Sonny Styles (+900), Spencer Fano (+1800), and Monroe Freeling (+1800) each put on a show at the combine and are certainly worthy of being picked in the top three. Mauigoa has elevated himself above the Fano and Freeling as the most likely offensive lineman to be taken by the Cardinals.

Styles had perhaps the best combine performance in history from a linebacker, jumping 43.5 inches in the vertical leap and running a 4.46 40-yard-dash.

Quarterback Ty Simpson is +1800 to be selected No. 3 overall. A desperate team in need of a QB could theoretically trade up to this spot to select Simpson.

Caleb Downs (+6000) would be another solid pick for Arizona. He's a quarterback on defense as his football IQ and wisdom make him special. It's rare to see a safety taken this high, but after seeing the impact of safeties such as Nick Emmanwori and Kyle Hamilton, it seems worth it nowadays.