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Mel Kiper Jr.Mar 17, 2026, 11:55 AM ET
- Mel Kiper Jr. has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He’s a widespread contributor on “SportsCenter,” ESPN studio reveals and ESPN Radio. He’s the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes veritably for ESPN+.
Editor’s cloak: This mock draft became updated Tuesday morning after the Broncos traded the No. 30 pick to the Dolphins in a deal intriguing Jaylen Rush. Pick Nos. 11, 13 and 30 all changed which capability that.
So a lot has came about since I made my remaining home of pick projections for the 2026 NFL draft. First, we watched hundreds of possibilities work out at the combine in Indianapolis. Then, we saw a bunch of free brokers designate for extensive money with new teams and alter roster needs all the draw by the league. And at remaining, we had a few changes within the Day 1 draft uncover. The Rams dealt their No. 29 selection to the Chiefs. Then the Broncos sent their No. 30 selection to the Dolphins. (The No. 14 pick became additionally home to head to the Raiders — sooner than the Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby substitute, maintaining that pick in Baltimore.)
So with all that in mind, I am rolling out an updated mock draft, predicting landing spots for 32 high possibilities in Spherical 1. Issues are likely to be no longer closing right here — pro days, interviews and extra offseason strikes will tranquil shake up the board a tiny — however we’re getting a mighty clearer describe of the early picks as we conclude to the Raiders’ first selection on April 23.
Here is my pondering on how Spherical 1 may maybe glimpse in step with fresh group needs and what I am listening to from sources within the league. And for added, take a look at out “NFL Draft Daily” at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2 all week.
Extra on the 2026 NFL draft:
Kiper’s Mountainous Board | Latest mock drafts
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
In conjunction with the No. 1 selection in mock drafts is factual a formality at this level. It’d be Mendoza, and the Raiders hang spent the past two weeks attempting to neat up the atmosphere for his arrival. The group’s greatest signing became heart Tyler Linderbaum on a extensive three-Twelve months, $81 million deal; he will wait on Mendoza with environment protections and pork up the interior blocking. The Raiders additionally moved on from their old starting QB by procuring and selling Geno Smith to the Jets. That leaves Aidan O’Connell as essentially the most straightforward passer on the roster. It’s time for the Mendoza skills to initiate in Las Vegas.
2. Sleek York Jets
David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech
In my January mock draft, I had Ohio Express linebacker Arvell Reese right here. In February, I went with Ohio Express safety Caleb Downs. Now, it be Bailey. These are all lawful suggestions for a protection that can per chance exercise a amount of wait on, however the Jets if truth be told need an immediate affect edge rusher. They were Thirty first in sacks remaining season (26) and traded Jermaine Johnson, further scaling down the unit. They want to search out foundational gamers off the brink. And Bailey is explosive and productive, posting 14.5 sacks (tied for first within the FBS), 71 pressures (second) and a 20.2% tension payment (first) remaining season.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio Express
The Cardinals weren’t loads higher than the Jets within the sack division, tying for Twenty eighth with 30. Josh Sweat needs a running mate, and Reese has the instincts and burst to discover home on the QB. Pointless to suppose, Reese additionally performed off-ball linebacker at Ohio Express, and despite the very fact that he acknowledged at some level of the combine that he may maybe be an NFL edge rusher, that place of versatility is a astronomical plus. He had 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss remaining season.
4. Tennessee Titans
Jeremiyah Admire, RB, Notre Dame
Here is where things discover attention-grabbing. We haven’t seen a running relieve trot within the high four since Saquon Barkley (No. 2 in 2018), and the Titans no doubt hang a prolonged record of components — even after aggressively spending in free company remaining week. Nonetheless Tennessee is dedicated to boosting the offense spherical second-Twelve months quarterback Cam Ward, and Admire would care for conclude the bustle sport to one more stage while additionally serving as a dynamic circulate catcher. His sport aspects 4.36 tempo, excellent imaginative and prescient, bustle-you-over vitality and mushy palms.
Admire may maybe be a straight away upgrade over Tony Pollard for label new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
5. Sleek York Giants
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio Express
The Giants hang some suggestions at safety — including newly signed Jason Pinnock and Ar’Darius Washington — however Downs is on one more stage. He’s a complete football participant, and Sleek York ought to tranquil haven’t any hesitation in taking him right here (top draft slot for a safety since Eric Berry in 2010). Placing him alongside Jevon Holland on the relieve end would wait on no longer simplest in creating turnovers (the Giants had 15 remaining season, twenty fifth within the league) however additionally shoring up a if truth be told contaminated bustle protection.
6. Cleveland Browns
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Browns are hitting the reset button on their offensive line. First, they traded for Tytus Howard. Then they signed Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins, and re-signed Teven Jenkins on the interior. Toss in getting Dawand Jones relieve from a season-ending knee trouble, and this is a fully totally different unit from what we saw boring in 2025. Freeling may maybe be the the relaxation portion of the puzzle. His decision to uncover for this class became first and fundamental a tiny of bit of a surprise, pondering he had 18 college starts. Nonetheless I observe franchise left tackle traits; he is speedily and alert in circulate pro, using his prolonged 34¾-dawdle arms to his profit.
7. Washington Commanders
Sonny Sorts, LB, Ohio Express
The Commanders couldn’t pause someone remaining season, and linebacker Bobby Wagner appears to be headed in totally different locations as a free agent. Bringing in Sorts — my No. 6 prospect no topic home — to group up with Frankie Luvu and new addition Leo Chenal makes some sense. After a 77-tackle season, Sorts posted an improbable 43½-dawdle vertical leap at the combine, a search into his explosion. Washington needs lawful ball gamers, and Sorts is factual that.
I could maybe additionally observe Washington going with a receiver right here, maybe Carnell Tate, Sorts’ teammate at Ohio Express. The Commanders’ offense is making an strive to search out extra juice reverse high wideout Terry McLaurin.
8. Sleek Orleans Saints
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio Express
The Saints’ famous signings hang come on offense — guard David Edwards and running relieve Travis Etienne Jr. — and that is the explanation additionally where I would demand them to glimpse at some level of the draft. They want to surround second-Twelve months quarterback Tyler Shough with as mighty skills as imaginable, and the No. 2 wide receiver on the roster is Devaughn Vele (25 receptions remaining season). Tate brings a wisely-rounded scouting document, with stable route running and the ability to come down with tricky catches resulting from his palms and body care for an eye fixed on. He’d be great reverse Chris Olave — one more excellent receiver to come out of Ohio Express in newest years.
9. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
After procuring and selling Trent McDuffie and shedding Jaylen Watson in free company, cornerback need some repairs. LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy want to be considerations right here. Nonetheless be conscious, the Chiefs now hang two first-spherical picks. And Bain may maybe be very tricky to circulate up at this enviornment. In spite of 30⅞-dawdle arms that precipitated reasonably the plod at the combine, Bain is dominant off the brink. He simply finds ways to discover to the QB, whether it be alongside with his tempo, vitality or savviness. He had 71 pressures remaining season en path to 9.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Even with Boye Mafe within the fold, the brink hunch leaves loads to be desired. Nonetheless with Bain off the board, there’ll not be always if truth be told a circulate rusher whose imprint suits right here. The Bengals must be triumphant in for Missouri’s Zion Young, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk or Miami’s Akheem Mesidor, and it be factual too early for any of these guys. Nonetheless Cincinnati became additionally no doubt one of four teams to stop extra than 7 yards per opponent dropback in 2025, and it would cherish to hang a lawful No. 1 corner. Delane can place plays on the ball (11 circulate breakups, two interceptions remaining season) in either man or zone coverage.
11. Miami Dolphins
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona Express
I first and fundamental had lawful tackle Francis Mauigoa (Miami) right here; Austin Jackson has performed 14 video games combined over the last two seasons, and Larry Borom is off to Detroit. There is a hole on the lawful aspect of the O-line. Nonetheless … then the Dolphins traded Jaylen Rush to the Broncos, forcing me to tweak a few picks. Malik Washington and new addition Jalen Tolbert are the high two receivers in Miami lawful now. That is no longer if truth be told a great setup for Malik Willis, whom the group factual signed for $67.5 million over three years.
Tyson is practically constantly available to the football, making tricky plays in tight coverage. If no longer for some sturdiness concerns, Tyson would maybe be the high receiver within the category. Miami would need him to make a contribution in a astronomical manner as a rookie.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Dallas gave up a league-worst 7.3 yards per dropback remaining season, and the secondary became gashed for a league-high 46 passing plays of 25 or extra yards. I loved the Jalen Thompson signing at safety, and Cobie Durant will chip in at cornerback alongside DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel Jr., however the Cowboys are tranquil attempting to search out their No. 1 cornerback.
McCoy doesn’t come with out questions; he tore an ACL in January 2025, sat out the season and then did no longer work out at the combine. Nonetheless he can flat-out play when he is on the self-discipline. McCoy had four interceptions in 2024. If Dallas likes what it sees at his March 31 pro day, this is veritably a trim pick.
0:37
Jermod McCoy: I am all lawful for my pro day
Top NFL cornerback prospect Jermod McCoy breaks down his bodily wisely being before his pro day.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL)
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The dominoes of the Jaylen Rush substitute impacted the Rams’ pick. I had Jordyn Tyson right here as their new WR3 behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, however there may be no manner Miami would let the high-tier receiver hunch past No. 11. As a change, I am pivoting the Rams’ selection to the lawful tackle home. Mauigoa started 42 video games in college, over which time he build together some if truth be told lawful tape. He uses his energy to dominate circulate rushers, and he can sure out running lanes. Warren McClendon Jr. is below contract for simplest one extra season, and bustle blocking is so main within the Rams’ offense.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
It seemed this pick became going to Las Vegas. As a change, Baltimore will tranquil be on the clock at No. 14. Fano is customary as a circulate protector, with double-digit starts at each tackle enviornment. Nonetheless with 32⅛-dawdle arms, he may maybe if truth be told streak interior at the next stage.
Groups labored out Fano at heart at some level of the combine, and he may maybe fully deal with that operate as a replacement for Tyler Linderbaum on the Ravens. Fano may maybe additionally be half of new addition John Simpson as a starting guard. And on high of all that, he’d provide mighty-wanted depth behind Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten at tackle. (The opposite path may maybe be taking a extensive receiver — do no longer be very a lot surprised if this ends up being Jordyn Tyson or USC’s Makai Lemon.)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
For the principle time since he became drafted in 2014, Mike Evans couldn’t be suiting up for the Buccaneers. The mature receiver signed with the 49ers, and despite the very fact that Tampa Bay tranquil has Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan, it may per chance maybe trot away out Evans’ 6-foot-5 dimension downfield and within the red zone.
Sadiq may maybe get some of that void. Defenses wrestle to take a look at up with him resulting from his astronomical 6-3 frame and 4.39 tempo, and he has the explosive traits to head up and discover 50-50 balls. Sure, the Bucs re-signed tight end Cade Otton, however new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson ran 12 personnel (two tight ends) 38.2% of the time in Atlanta remaining season, second most within the NFL.
16. Sleek York Jets (from IND)
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Jets don’t hang to draft a quarterback right here. They traded for Geno Smith as a bridge option and hang three first-spherical picks in 2027, when the QB class ought to tranquil be loads higher. Nonetheless this is a lawful fluctuate for Simpson, who has simplest 15 profession starts however throws with accuracy, processes rapid and strikes wisely within the pocket. He threw 28 landing passes in 2025 and is a famous-spherical QB in my ebook.
Simply build, Sleek York has to care for conclude some swings to determine the prolonged-term solution below heart. I could maybe observe the Jets drafting Simpson and letting him be taught and build a tiny of behind Smith sooner than he strikes into the starter operate.
0:57
Why Louis Riddick charges Ty Simpson so highly
Louis Riddick raves about why he thinks Ty Simpson has earned a enviornment as a high-15 pick within the 2026 NFL draft.
17. Detroit Lions
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Lions entered free company with a Taylor Decker-sized hole at left tackle after the mature requested for his release. They signed Larry Borom, however they mustn’t pause there. Proctor’s play became a tiny of uneven remaining season, however I think he can stick at left tackle within the NFL and may maybe wait on care for Jared Goff upright as Detroit tries to discover relieve to the playoffs. Proctor has 40 starts fee of experience, knows easy systems to care for conclude away opponent circulate-hunch strikes and strikes very wisely for a 6-7, 352-pound blocker.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
We tranquil do no longer know whether 37-Twelve months-ragged Harrison Smith will care for playing (and if so, whether he’ll return to Minnesota as a free agent). Joshua Metellus, Jay Ward and Theo Jackson are the high safeties on the Vikings’ depth chart. In a division with Caleb Williams, Jordan Admire and Jared Goff, this has to be a priority at the draft no topic whether Smith is relieve for Year 15.
I had Thieneman to the Vikings in my remaining mock draft. He reminds me a amount of Smith within the manner he reads the QB and reacts in a flash. I could maybe observe defensive coordinator Brian Flores getting inventive with Thieneman, lining him up all the draw by the formation and letting him exercise his great ball abilities to pile up takeaways.
19. Carolina Panthers
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Three safeties within the high 20! McNeil-Warren deserves to be right here; he has the payment and instincts to place plays, amassing 10 compelled fumbles and 5 interceptions over his four seasons at Toledo. Carolina infected by protection this month, signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd to astronomical contracts. It additionally introduced relieve safety Slit Scott alongside Tre’von Moehrig, however McNeil-Warren may maybe place a astronomical place within the secondary and offers the group some suggestions. The Panthers allowed 6.5 yards per dropback remaining season (twenty second within the NFL).
20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB)
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
It’d be wise for the Cowboys to double-dip on protection (Jermod McCoy at No. 12). They gave up 6.1 yards per play in 2025, Thirty first within the NFL and third worst for any group in any of the past 5 seasons. Allen can play all three downs, as he can plunge in coverage, bustle down ball carriers and even blitz. He had 97 tackles remaining season for the Bulldogs, showcasing great read-and-react abilities.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn Express
The Steelers’ quarterback danger is tranquil a astronomical quiz. Will Aaron Rodgers return? Will one more mature step in — similar to Kirk Cousins? Or will Pittsburgh aim a designate-caller within the draft? It’s no longer if truth be told main what the Steelers conception to achieve, the high two quarterbacks are off the board right here, and there’ll not be always if truth be told a Third one noteworthy of a Day 1 selection.
As a change, Pittsburgh can strive to alter Isaac Seumalo, who signed with the Cardinals. Ioane is the high pure guard within the category, with the vitality to physically circulate circulate rushers out of the manner and the sunshine ft to erase second-stage defenders. He did no longer stop any sacks remaining season.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
After the Chargers attacked their interior offensive line project sooner than free company even opened, they are able to turn their attention to the line of defense and a high-upside participant similar to Woods within the principle spherical. Some teams will almost definitely be terrified about his lack of production remaining season (two sacks), however his doable is robust as an NFL 3-methodology. He may maybe add some punch to the Chargers’ defensive front as a penetrating interior havoc-wreaker.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona Express
Iheanachor had 31 starts at Arizona Express, however he did no longer play mighty football sooner than that, picking up the sport boring. He’ll need time to be triumphant in his doable within the NFL. Nonetheless what higher manner to construct than studying behind an elite lawful tackle in Lane Johnson? Iheanachor plays with speedily ft — he ran a 4.91-second 40-yard jog at 6-6 and 321 pounds — and great length. He may maybe provide swing tackle depth in Year 1 sooner than by some means taking on for Johnson on the lawful aspect within the waste.
24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX)
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
I am a immense fan of Lemon, and he may maybe trot earlier than 24th. The board factual place of fell this draw on this mock draft. Cleveland wouldn’t be complaining, despite the very fact that. It at level to has Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond atop its depth chart — that manner no accurate changes to a extensive receivers room that had a league-low 1,467 yards remaining season. Lemon practically met that himself with 1,156 receiving yards over 12 video games at USC. He has a slot receiver’s place at 5-11 and 192 pounds, however he plays as if he is mighty greater, with a fierce manner to the sport. Coupled with Monroe Freeling at No. 6, this would per chance be a lawful first spherical for the Browns.
25. Chicago Bears
Zion Young, DE, Missouri
The Bears had 35 sacks (tied for twenty second) and a lowly 28.0% tension payment (twenty ninth) remaining season. Montez Sweat had 10 of these sacks, however there wasn’t mighty past him. Dayo Odeyingbo became signed remaining offseason to be the second guy off the brink, however he managed one sack over eight video games sooner than an Achilles trouble ended his season. In spite of struggling to search out consistent quarterback tension for a few years now, Chicago hasn’t former a high-50 pick on an edge rusher since Leonard Floyd went ninth in 2016.
Let’s substitute that. Young had 6.5 sacks and 46 pressures remaining season, playing with vitality and a paunchy-trot motor. He’d ship some depth to the Bears’ front.
26. Buffalo Funds
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Funds’ tight salary cap led to a couple cornerback changes this offseason, with the group lowering Dane Jackson, procuring and selling Taron Johnson and letting Tre’Davious White hit free company. They’ve Christian Benford and 2025 first-rounder Maxwell Hairston in build apart, however the depth is shallow. Terrell is great in man coverage, displaying the ability to stay on receivers. He did no longer come away with any interceptions remaining season, however he broke up nine passes.
27. San Francisco 49ers
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
You maybe observe an offensive tackle to San Francisco and think “Trent Williams heir apparent.” Nonetheless Miller if truth be told performed 97% of his college snaps on the lawful aspect. Most likely he’d transition to left tackle if the Niners cannot determine Williams’ contract danger, however I cherish Miller as an upgrade over Colton McKivitz on the lawful aspect no topic what happens there. The 6-7, 317-pound Miller would ship consistency and reliability to this O-line. (San Francisco additionally signed Vederian Lowe as some insurance at left tackle.)
28. Houston Texans
Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Why would the Texans trot protection? Yes, it be their energy, however they want to care for it their energy. Spruce teams conception ahead. And having the probability to construct apart a disruptive interior lineman between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter is thrilling. Miller is active and speedily, and he retains getting higher. With opponents infected by stopping Anderson and Hunter, Miller may maybe discover tension interior and place some plays within the backfield. He had 7.5 tackles for loss over the last two years.
29. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (from LAR)
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
I teased it earlier, however the Chiefs cannot if truth be told afford to head away Spherical 1 with out a CB. I had them going with Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 9, however this pick then has to be in regards to the cornerbacks room, as Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are all gone. Kansas Metropolis has signed simplest Kader Kohou so a ways to stock up the home.
Cisse confirmed off his explosiveness at the combine, leaping 41 inches within the vertical. He anticipates and closes wisely, with 12 circulate breakups over the last two seasons. He may maybe streak lawful in to the starting lineup.
1:47
Why did the Chiefs let trot of All-Official CB Trent McDuffie?
Pat McAfee & Co. strive to decipher why the Chiefs hang traded All-Official cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams.
30. Miami Dolphins (from DEN)
Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
Miami now has two first-spherical picks, and after it took Jordyn Tyson to wait on substitute Jaylen Rush at No. 11, I’m going protection right here. Faulk is 6-6 and 276 pounds, and he has the vitality to toss blockers apart on his manner to the quarterback. He’d additionally boost the Dolphins’ bustle protection; he had 11 bustle stops remaining season. Miami traded Jaelan Phillips at the substitute deadline remaining season and then released Bradley Chubb in a cap-saving measure. This has to be a spotlight at the draft.
31. Sleek England Patriots
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Patriots signed receiver Romeo Doubs to a four-Twelve months deal fee as a lot as $80 million to alter Stefon Diggs, who became released this month. I cherish the signing loads, however I am no longer sure it fully checks the wide receiver box for Sleek England. Concepcion averaged 15.1 yards per gain remaining season, and he’d stretch the self-discipline for quarterback Drake Maye. Nonetheless don’t sleep on his ability to additionally turn speedily routes into astronomical gains. Concepcion had 449 yards after the gain remaining season. He’d additionally place an immediate affect within the return sport (two punt returns in 2025).
32. Seattle Seahawks
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Twenty picks after Jermod McCoy got right here off the board, one more Tennessee corner closes out Spherical 1 of this mock draft. Hood suits completely with the Mike Macdonald protection as a cornerback with length and decent tempo, and while he had simplest one interception in 2025, he broke up 10 passes. The defending Huge Bowl champions returned Josh Jobe and introduced in Noah Igbinoghene, however Riq Woolen is off to the Eagles. Hood may maybe discover main reps on the outdoors in Year 1.
