Comparing Mel Kiper Jr. and Daniel Jeremiah's New 2026 NFL Draft Big Board Rankings

There are a few notable differences between the latest 2026 NFL draft prospect rankings released this week by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.

Both analysts ranked Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love as the top two prospects in the upcoming draft.

Kiper and Jeremiah both went on to rank Ohio State linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles alongside Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey in the top five.

Outside of those top five picks, however, Kiper and Jeremiah had some split opinions on where top prospects should be ranked.

One differing pick was LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, who earned the No. 8 ranking on Jeremiah's list but came in at No. 17 on Kiper's.

The two analysts also differed in their assessments of Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (No. 7 by Jeremiah, No. 15 by Kiper) and Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (No. 21 by Jeremiah, No. 7 by Kiper).

Only Kiper had Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, Georgia linebacker CJ Allen and Missouri defensive end Zion Young in his list of top 25 players.

Simpson wasn't assessed as a top-25 player by Jeremiah, who was also the only one of the two analysts to rank Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr, Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller, Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker or Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.

The latest Bleacher Report mock draft projects Mendoza, Reese and Bailey coming off the board as the top three picks by the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, respectively. Love is predicted to go to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4.

Simpson is later projected to come off the board at No. 26 as the second quarterback taken in the draft behind Mendoza in this latest B/R mock.