NFL mock drafts 2026: Compare Mel Kiper Jr., Dane Brugler, Daniel Jeremiah and other expert picks

Q: Which team is likely to select Fernando Mendoza in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to select Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick.

Q: What factors might influence trades in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Analysts believe the draft could be trade-heavy due to team needs and the variability in player talent rankings.

Q: What makes the 2026 NFL Draft predictions uncertain?

The unpredictability of player selections and potential trades contributes to the uncertainty in draft predictions.

NFL mock drafts 2026: Compare Mel Kiper Jr., Dane Brugler, Daniel Jeremiah and other expert picks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 NFL draft is approaching. Now is the time of year when football analysts do their best to compile reports, look at team needs and try to predict where each prospect will be selected.

This year's class has at least one selection that is all but assured, as Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely anticipated to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. The fun part will come after that. Starting with the second pick, there's a lot of variability in what industry experts think will happen.

Some think that this year's draft will be extremely trade-heavy, others think that this class will have talented players fall into the laps of powerhouse teams that happened to have down years and ended up with higher draft picks than they are used to.

While the exact order of selections and landing spots in the NFL Draft isn't ever perfectly anticipated, that is what adds to the fun of the event.

Here is more on how the NFL experts think the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft will unfold.

MORE: Everything to know about the 2026 NFL Draft

NFL mock drafts 2026

Vinnie Iyer's mock draft (The Sporting News)

Iyer's latest mock was three rounds and was released on Wednesday, April 15.


Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Raiders	Fernando Mendoza	QB	Indiana
2	Jets	David Bailey	EDGE	Texas Tech
3	Cardinals	Arvell Reese	LB/EDGE	Ohio State
4	Titans	Jeremiyah Love	RB	Notre Dame
5	Giants	Sonny Styles	LB	Ohio State
6	Browns	Carnell Tate	WR	Ohio State
7

MORE: Ranking the 10 best EDGE rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft

Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN)

Kiper's most recent mock draft was released on Wednesday, April 15.


Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Raiders	Fernando Mendoza	QB	Indiana
2	Jets	David Bailey	EDGE	Texas Tech
3	Cardinals	Arvell Reese	EDGE	Ohio State
4	Titans	Jeremiyah Love	RB	Notre Dame
5	Giants	Caleb Downs	S	Ohio State
6	Cowboys (via Browns)	Sonny Styles	LB	Ohio State

Notes:

Kiper Jr. has the trade between the Cowboys and the Browns being for both of Dallas' first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20) for Cleveland's No. 6 and 39 picks.
Kiper Jr. has the Cardinals sending the Dolphins Nos. 34 and 65 with Miami sending back Nos. 30 and 94.

MORE: Full 2026 NFL Draft order

Dane Brugler (The Athletic)

Brugler's most recent mock draft was released on Wednesday, April 15.


Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Raiders	Fernando Mendoza	QB	Indiana
2	Jets	Arvell Reese	EDGE	Ohio State
3	Cardinals	Francis Mauigoa	OT	Miami
4	Titans	David Bailey	EDGE	Texas Tech
5	Giants	Caleb Downs	S	Ohio State
6	Cowboys (via Browns)	Sonny Styles	LB	Ohio State
7

Notes:

Brugler has the Cowboys sending No. 12, No. 20 and a 2027 fourth-round pick in exchange for No. 6 and No. 39.

MORE: Ranking the 10 best TEs in the 2026 NFL Draft

Todd McShay (The Ringer)

McShay's most recent mock draft was released on Wednesday, April 15.


Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Raiders	Fernando Mendoza	QB	Indiana
2	Jets	David Bailey	EDGE	Texas Tech
3	Saints (via Cardinals)	Arvell Reese	EDGE	Ohio State
4	Titans	Jeremiyah Love	RB	Notre Dame
5	Giants	Francis Mauigoa	OT	Miami
6	Cowboys (via Browns)	Sonny Styles	LB	Ohio State

Notes:

McShay has the Saints trading Nos. 8, 42 and a 2027 second-round pick for the No. 3 pick.
McShay has the Cowboys trading Nos. 12, 92 and a 2027 second-rounder for No. 6. It is worth pointing out this deal would allow Dallas to keep its second round pick.
McShay has the Jets trading Nos. 14, 44, and 140 to the Commanders for the No. 7 pick.
McShay has the Chargers moving up three spots using the No. 25 and 129 picks to get No. 22 from the Bears
In McShay's final trade in the first round, the Cardinals trade the No. 34, 143 and 183 picks to the Dolphins for No. 30.

MORE: Ranking the 10 best WRs in the 2026 NFL Draft

Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network)

Jeremiah's most recent mock draft was released on March 17.


Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Raiders	Fernando Mendoz	QB	Indiana
2	Jets	Arvell Reese	EDGE	Ohio State
3	Cardinals	Francis Mauigoa	OT	Miami
4	Titans	Jeremiyah Love	RB	Notre Dame
5	Giants	Sonny Styles	LB	Ohio State
6	Browns	Carnell Tate	WR	Ohio State
7