I’m getting excited for the 2026 NFL draft<\/a>. Round 1 begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh, just over two weeks away. And while I was in Phoenix at the annual league meeting<\/a> last week, I spent a lot of time talking to sources and trying to get the latest intel on what teams might do with their first-round picks.<\/p>\n What follows is my first mock draft for the 2026 class. These 32 projections are based on what I’m hearing, rather than what I would personally do at each slot. Nothing is set in stone quite yet, which is why I’ll have a second mock draft in two weeks. But for now, this is my best guess for how things could play out.<\/p>\n Here are my predictions for Round 1. And for more, check out “NFL Draft Daily” at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2 all week long.<\/p>\n More NFL draft coverage:<\/strong> Fernando Mendoza<\/a>, QB, Indiana<\/strong><\/p>\n Barring any major — and completely shocking — news, this is all but a done deal. Mendoza has franchise QB traits, and having Kirk Cousins<\/a> in the building will help him acclimate to the pro game. The real question now: What can the Raiders do with their other nine picks to build this roster up around Mendoza?<\/p>\n David Bailey<\/a>, Edge, Texas Tech<\/strong><\/p>\n This will likely be either Bailey or Ohio State’s Arvell Reese<\/a> — New York was 31st in sacks last season with 26 — but I have to think Bailey is the guy for the Jets. He is a polished pass rusher with proven production, tying for the FBS lead in sacks (14.5) in 2025. He can be a Day 1 disrupter off the edge.<\/p>\n
Top prospects<\/a> | Latest mock drafts<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=\/i\/teamlogos\/nfl\/500\/lv.png?w=110&h=110&transparent=true\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=\/i\/teamlogos\/nfl\/500\/nyj.png?w=110&h=110&transparent=true\")
<\/p>\n