Our NFL draft-day mock: Yates’ final predictions for all 32 picks, plus Kiper’s notes

April 23, 2026 No Comments

2026 NFL mock draft: Yates’ Round 1 predictions, Kiper’s intelplayDeciphering Freeling, Simpson’s first-round chances ahead of NFL Draft (3:06)ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Field Yates breaks down Monroe Freeling and Ty Simpson’s strengths as he discusses what makes them both great prospects for the first round. (3:06)Field YatesClose

Field Yates

ESPN NFL Insider

Field Yates is a fantasy football expert and NFL draft analyst for ESPN. You can find him on Fantasy Football Now on Sunday mornings and regularly on NFL Live throughout the week, as well as the Fantasy Focus and First Draft podcasts. A graduate of Wesleyan University (CT) and native of Weston, Mass., Yates has previous experience interning with the New England Patriots on both their coaching and scouting staffs.

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Mel Kiper Jr.

Football analyst

Mel Kiper Jr. has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on “SportsCenter,” ESPN studio shows and ESPN Radio. He is the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes regularly for ESPN+.

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Apr 23, 2026, 06:40 AM ET

We’ve finally reached the 2026 NFL draft, and Field Yates is in Pittsburgh. But before the Raiders are officially on the clock at No. 1, he projected all 32 first-round picks in his final mock draft — which includes one big late trade for a team to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

After months of studying the top prospects, he wove together what he’s hearing, big team needs and how the board stacks up to match players to each pick. The first selection is clear at this point, but the questions start immediately with the Jets at No. 2.

At the bottom here, Mel Kiper Jr. shared some buzz he’s hearing in the final hours before Round 1 begins. He has notes from conversations with executives, coaches and scouts from around the NFL on some top picks and late risers.

Let’s get to it, starting with Yates’ final predictions for Round 1.

Jump to:
Yates’ picks | Kiper’s notes

See more on the NFL draft:
Yates’ top 150 | Kiper’s top 150
Recent mock drafts

Yates projects Round 1

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

In an unpredictable draft, Mendoza to the Raiders has been the only sure thing for months. According to ESPN Research, this pick would put him alongside Joe Burrow, Jameis Winston and Cam Newton as the only quarterbacks to win the Heisman Trophy, a national championship and then be selected No. 1 since 1967.

Mendoza is an accurate, well-built and experienced. He has the arm strength and precision to drive the football to all levels of the field. A new era in Las Vegas will center on Mendoza and rookie head coach Klint Kubiak.

Editor’s Picks

Yates’ final rankings for the NFL draft: Sizing up the top 150 prospects

Field Yates

Kiper’s final 2026 Big Board: Ranking the top 150 NFL draft prospects, plus position reports

Mel Kiper Jr.

Miller’s final NFL mock draft — with Fowler’s recent intel: Projecting 32 first-round picks

Matt Miller and Jeremy Fowler

2. New York Jets

David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

The Jets made meaningful progress this offseason through free agency additions on defense, but the team must add more youth to their pass rush room. Will McDonald IV was the only Jets player with more than four sacks last season, but half of his eight sacks came in Week 10 against the Browns.

I had Bailey here in my last mock draft, and I’m sticking with him again. Bailey boasts the best first step in the class and plays with aggressive hands and instincts. He had 14.5 sacks in 2025, tied for the most in the FBS.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Arizona has far greater needs on both sides of the ball, but Love is No. 2 on my board and late momentum has suggested the Cardinals will take him here if they don’t trade back. Love can supercharge an offense with his elite ability as both a rusher and a receiver. He had an FBS-best 40 scrimmage touchdowns since 2024, per ESPN Research. Arizona still has a lot of work to do on offense, and its RB1 James Conner sat out the majority of the 2025 season after surgery on his right foot.

4. Tennessee Titans

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

This pick would come down to a pair of Buckeyes defenders, as Arvell Reese is still available. I’m expecting the tiebreaker to go to Styles since he is less of a projection than Reese, who was not a full-time edge rusher in college.

Styles is an incredibly versatile, high-IQ prospect who could immediately be the field general in new coach Robert Saleh’s defense. His tackle rate of 98% was third in the FBS last season, per ESPN Research.

5. New York Giants

Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

Reese falling to No. 5 might not be a scenario the Giants have contemplated much, but he’s too good to keep sliding. Is it oversaturation to take a third pass rusher with a top-five selection in the past five years when you already have Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux? Not in my eyes, especially after they tied for the sixth-fewest sacks without blitzing in the league last season (22), per ESPN Research.

6. Cleveland Browns

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Browns enter the draft with a desperate need at both offensive tackle and wide receiver. Wide receiver should be easier to fill at a later time, as it’s the deepest position in the draft. So the Browns should go with Freeling, who is a personal favorite of mine. He checks all the boxes in terms of his physical tools: 6-foot-7, 315 pounds and 34¾-inch arms. I firmly believe he can develop into the best pass protector in this class.

7. Washington Commanders

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Defense was a consideration here, with two talented defensive backs still on the board in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. But Washington is thin at wide receiver after Terry McLaurin; Deebo Samuel is still a free agent after leading the team with 727 receiving yards last season. Tate has reliable hands (only four drops on 162 career targets), runs precise routes and is among the most pro-ready prospects in this class.

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. Illustration by ESPN8. New Orleans Saints

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Like the Commanders, the Saints are in a need of more firepower in their receiver room. New Orleans’ projected No. 2 wide receiver behind Chris Olave is Devaughn Vele, who had 25 receptions and 293 receiving yards in 2025. Tyson is one of the most explosive prospects, regardless of position. He can stretch a defense with his combination of size and vertical burst, plus he has a knack for picking up yards after the catch.

9. Kansas City Chiefs

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Cornerback, wide receiver and pass rusher are logical positions to consider for the Chiefs. But Downs is too good to pass up, as the impactful, tone-setting safety from Ohio State can help reshape a secondary that saw Bryan Cook depart to the Bengals.

10. New York Giants (via CIN)

Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

For their second pick in the top 10, the Giants can address what will surely be a need next season at the recent: interior offensive line. Ionae is among the highest-floor players in the class, with power, athleticism and dependability. Only four interior offensive linemen have been taken in the top 10 since 1990, per ESPN Research. The most recent was guard Quenton Nelson to the Colts at No. 6 in 2018.

11. Miami Dolphins

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

There are needs all over this roster for Miami, but I believe general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will adhere to the inside-out approach to roster construction that he is bringing from Green Bay. Mauigoa can be a fixture for another Miami offensive line, as the rock-steady right tackle allowed a 1.1% pressure percentage in 2025 (third best among FBS tackles).

12. Dallas Cowboys

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Dallas is a team that people around the NFL believe would move up the board in the right scenario, but at what cost? The stick-and-pick approach pays off here, as the team lands the No. 1 cornerback after giving up a league-high 46 completions of 25-plus yards in 2025, per ESPN Research. Delane’s size, run-support skills and ball disruption are NFL ready.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Is there a decided need right now for the Rams along the offensive line? There isn’t, but Fano is a good enough player and there is no such thing as too much offensive line depth. That’s especially true for a team led by a quarterback in Matthew Stafford who lacks mobility. Fano was an offensive tackle throughout college, but some evaluators say they believe he has the goods to play any of the five positions.

14. Baltimore Ravens

Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

The Ravens’ pass rush will be much better with Trey Hendrickson in tow, but this pick represents a blend of remaining need and value. Bain is a rugged, powerful pass rusher who doesn’t appear to have the ideal size (30⅞-inch arm length specifically) and athleticism for the position, but that’s not enough to drop him any more than this. Baltimore’s 30 sacks in 2025 was its second fewest in the team’s 30-year history, per ESPN Research.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Tight ends for the Buccaneers totaled only two touchdowns in 2025, and their top player at the position right now is a steady but not dynamic athlete in Cade Otton. Sadiq is one of the most physically-gifted prospects we’ve ever seen at the position, with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He would help quarterback Baker Mayfield and this passing attack get back on track.

16. New York Jets (via IND)

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Wide receiver is a must for the Jets early in the draft, and Lemon is coming off an incredible 2025 season in which he won the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s best wide receiver. He’s extremely tough and fierce with the football in his hands. In 2025, he tied for the nation lead in two categories: receptions of 15-plus yards (31) and games with at least 150 receiving yards (four).

17. Detroit Lions

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

I wouldn’t put it past general manager Brad Holmes to be aggressive and trade up, especially with four offensive linemen already off the board in this scenario. At 6-foot-7, 352 pounds, Proctor is a massive player to fill the Lions’ massive need — they had the second-worst pass block win rate in 2025 (56%). He must be more consistent but has major upside at just 20 years old.

Kadyn Proctor’s NFL draft profile

Check out some of the top highlights from Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor.

18. Minnesota Vikings

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

This is the most common pairing in 2026 mock drafts outside the first handful of picks. The Vikings need to fill some gaps in the safety room and Thieneman is the best ball hawk in the class. He can quickly augment Brian Flores’ defense and showed improvement as a tackler in 2025, finishing with eight missed tackles compared to 22 in 2024.

19. Carolina Panthers

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Carolina signed two defensive playmakers in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd, but they still need to address their defensive tackle depth after releasing A’Shawn Robinson. McDonald, like Robinson, is a standout run defender with excellent size and power at the point of attack. He had a breakout season in 2025, which included three sacks and a 7.8% run stop win rate (sixth highest in the FBS).

20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)

Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

The defensive overhaul for the Cowboys continues with Faulk, a 21-year-old who looked like a potential top-10 pick coming into this past season. His production tapered (only two sacks in 2025 after seven in 2024), but he has a lot of desirable traits. Faulk was the tallest (6-foot-5⅞) and heaviest (276 pounds) among all edge rushers at the combine. He is strong against the run and has positional versatility.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, there is uncertainty surrounding the health of Broderick Jones after a setback with his neck injury from last season. The Steelers could shore up their offensive tackle depth with Iheanachor, who is still piecing it together after not playing high school football. He has nimble feet and excellent size at 6-foot-6 and 321 pounds.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

The Chargers must add to their pass-rushing depth, as they have three edge rushers entering the final year of their contracts (Tuli Tuipulotu, Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree). Mesidor would help that cause, with six years of experience that includes some time at defensive tackle. He’s an explosive rusher, showing an arsenal of pass-rush moves that work both off the edge and when he kicks inside.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Right tackle Lane Johnson validated in February that he’s back for 2026, but the Eagles have a chance to do what general manager Howie Roseman has consistently done: address “wants” before they become “musts.” Miller logged nearly 3,700 career snaps as a four-year starter at Clemson, and he gave up only nine pressures and two sacks in 2025.

24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Cleveland has a clear path to fill its two biggest needs in the draft, and taking Boston here helps solidify the wide receiver void. Boston broke out over the past two seasons, totaling 20 receiving touchdowns and only three drops on nearly 200 targets. He has size (6-foot-4, 212 pounds) to go with fluidity, empowering him to operate both on the perimeter and as a big slot receiver.

25. Chicago Bears

R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma

Chicago has put an emphasis on getting faster this offseason, and Thomas would support that push. He has an excellent first step, powerful hands and a high-level motor to help the Bears be less reliant on scheming pressure via blitzes. Last season, Chicago ranked 29th in pressure rate (28%).

26. Buffalo Bills

Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

As the Bills move to more of a 3-4 system under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, they’re going to need athletic edges to play from a stand-up alignment at the line of scrimmage. Lawrence has excellent chase ability and closing speed, posting a 4.52-yard dash in the 40 at the combine (second fastest among defensive linemen).

27. San Francisco 49ers

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

San Francisco needs to add to the receiver room and Cooper would bring a run-after-catch element that fits well with coach Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. He broke out in 2025 with 13 receiving touchdowns, showing excellent vision, patience and contact strength.

Omar Cooper Jr.’s NFL draft profile

Check out some of the top highlights from Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr.

28. Houston Texans

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Texans are as talented as any team on defense, but defensive tackle is an area for them to get younger. Woods has a starter kit of tools to suggest he can produce much more than his 5.0 sacks over the past two seasons. He’s an explosive, nimble pass rusher with strong hands to disengage at the point of attack.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

A double-dip at defensive back for the Chiefs lands them with Hood, the explosive, confident cornerback who has a competitive streak that shows up on tape. The Chiefs must replenish the cornerback spot after trading Trent McDuffie and seeing Jaylen Watson depart as a free agent.

Projected Dolphins-Cardinals trade

This is the only new trade I’m predicting, as there already has been plenty of action concerning first-round picks. Miami can continue to stockpile draft capital, trading the pick it received from Denver in the Jaylen Waddle trade to the QB-needy Cardinals. But to move back into the first round through this scenario, Arizona would have to give up pick Nos. 34 and 65.

30. Arizona Cardinals (via projected trade with MIA through DEN)

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Arizona continues to be the most logical landing spot for Simpson, who is clearly the second-best QB prospect and — in my estimation — a worthy first-round pick. The Cardinals could suddenly have an exciting, young offensive core with Simpson, Love and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Check out ‘NFL Draft Daily’ on ESPN2Want to know more about the 2026 NFL draft class? ESPN’s new show ‘NFL Draft Daily’ airs Monday-Friday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2, ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu. Join Mel Kiper Jr., Field Yates and other experts for the recent on top prospects.

31. New England Patriots

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The Patriots’ offensive line needs to be fortified, as quarterback Drake Maye took 21 sacks in the playoffs (15 more than any other QB in the postseason). Lomu would be a versatile player for coordinator Josh McDaniel. He did not give up a sack in 2025, though he must continue to build out his core strength at the NFL level.

32. Seattle Seahawks

T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

General manager John Schneider stated the Seahawks are hoping to move back at some point in the draft, as they have currently have a league-low four selections. But I don’t think they will trade this pick, as they have a chance to add a rugged, tough edge rusher to coach Mike Macdonald’s defense. Parker has a similar profile to current Seahawks rusher Derick Hall.

Kiper’s draft-day notebook

We know the top three safeties (Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren) all have Round 1-caliber traits, but people around the league are excited about two guys in the next tier at the position. Pitt’s Kyle Louis can line up all over the field, and while I have him graded as a safety, he could be a linebacker at the next level. I just see a Derwin James Jr. type of player who can diagnose and close on the ball in a flash. He’s a second-rounder. And Arizona’s Treydan Stukes is one of the hottest names in the league right now. There’s a chance he gets into the late part of Round 1 but shouldn’t make it past the middle of Round 2. He wears so many hats in the secondary; he covers, he hits, and he has opportunistic ball skills. Keep an eye on Stukes as a potential surprise pick late on Day 1.
Two of the hottest names coming out of my calls around the league: Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood (appears to be a solid first-rounder now) and Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis (could sneak in late in Round 1).
Among the hottest Day 3 sleepers? Remember these names Saturday: Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim, Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg and UConn receiver Skyler Bell.
While we’re talking about receivers named Bell, it’s worth mentioning Louisville’s Chris Bell. He was playing like a first-rounder before a torn ACL last season; I think he could have gone in the No. 12-20 range. But even with the injury, he probably goes in Round 3 … and might just clip Round 2. Some team is going to get a hell of a player on Day 2.

Chris Bell’s NFL draft profile

Check out some of the top highlights from Louisville’s Chris Bell.

There might not be many Day 1 quarterbacks this week — and there might be only one — but there are a few guys to watch for teams like the Steelers and Jets on Day 2 and into the early parts of Day 3. Keep an eye on Miami’s Carson Beck and Penn State’s Drew Allar, who have the physical traits that Pittsburgh and New York want under center. They are big, strong passers with solid arm strength. I could see those franchises looking at Beck and Allar in the third or fourth round.
There’s a lot of buzz about the offensive line class. Let’s call out a few first-round tackles to start. A lot of people I’ve talked to mention how many Clemson prospects underperformed in 2025, but right tackle Blake Miller just kept standing out. He’s durable, consistent and experienced, and that makes him a safer prospect. Listen for his name in the 20s. And then Georgia’s Monroe Freeling is an interesting one because he shot up the board after declaring for the draft but has quietly settled a little under the radar over the past month or so. I can’t get past the fit with Detroit at No. 17; the Lions need a left tackle, and Freeling is great in pass protection. But I don’t know if he even reaches Detroit. Field has him at No. 6 to Cleveland, and I’ve similarly heard he could get into the top 14 picks.
A lot of people are also talking about the top two guards. The Chargers would love Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane, but I’d be surprised if he reaches them at No. 22. Think middle of Round 1 for the big, mauling guard who should be a plug-and-play starter and likely Pro Bowl selection in the NFL. But there also is a lot of love for Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon. He’s a fantastic run blocker, and his floor is probably the early-to-middle part of Round 2.
The center group is very underrated. It’s actually a really good year to need a center. Iowa’s Logan Jones has second- or third-round upside, and Auburn’s Connor Lew and Florida’s Jake Slaughter (super underrated) look like picks for the third or fourth round. Texas A&M’s Trey Zuhn III and Duke’s Brian Parker II are both moving from offensive tackle to center, and they join Kansas State’s Sam Hecht to round out a really strong group. I also like Michigan State’s Matt Gulbin as a late-round steal. We’re not talking about these centers enough.
Four prospects might be losing a little ground late in the process. Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy might slip to Round 2 as he comes off a torn ACL. Two Texas A&M teammates — receiver KC Concepcion (injuries, drops) and edge rusher Cashius Howell (shorter arms) — also seem like Day 2 guys now. And Tennessee edge rusher Joshua Josephs might now be a Day 3 prospect.

Catch up on NFL free agency• Top remaining players | Grading deals
• Ranking 32 classes | Lingering questions
• Every team’s signings | More reactions

Here are a few guys I want to call out because (A) they are really good football players, and (B) they come up in conversations with people in the league. I’ll do some quick-hitters. Georgia linebacker CJ Allen is a second-rounder who can play all three downs and is a 15 on a 1-10 character scale. … Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell has slid into Round 2 but is savvy and feisty in coverage. … Terrell’s teammate Antonio Williams is an underrated receiver in the Day 2 mix after playing well down the stretch off a hamstring injury. … I called out Duke corner Chandler Rivers (Rounds 3-4), Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (Day 3) and Indiana corner D’Angelo Ponds (Round 2) in my list of favorite players last weekend, and they are all — along with Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (Round 4) and Miami corner Keionte Scott (Day 2) — getting some buzz around the league.