New Peter Schrager NFL Mock Draft 2026 Drops, How Does It Compare to Mel Kiper & Daniel Jeremiah's?

ESPN colleagues Peter Schrager and Mel Kiper Jr. are on the same page when it comes to the first four picks of the 2026 NFL draft.

Schrager published his first mock Tuesday. He led off by having Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. Texas Tech edge-rusher David Bailey, Ohio State edge-rusher/linebacker Arvell Reese and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love were the next three of the board.

That's how Kiper kicked off his mock draft from March 17.

Peter Schrager Mock Draft — Top 10

1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

3. Cardinals: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State

4. Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

5. Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

6. Browns: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

7. Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

8. Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

9. Chiefs: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

10. Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Two of the four choices also align with the most recent projections from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah. He had the New York Jets taking Reese over Bailey, who slipped to the New Orleans Saints at No. 8. Jeremiah also predicted the Arizona Cardinals will use the No. 3 pick on Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.

Reese and Bailey were also flipped in Bleacher Report's most recent mock draft, with Mendoza and Love bookending the top four.

Schrager seems to be on the lower end of the spectrum with his evaluation of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Kiper listed Downs as the No. 5 overall pick, which Jeremiah slotting him in at No. 10.

The Jim Thorpe Award winner went 12th to the Dallas Cowboys in Schrager's mock. That might reflect more the fact that safety isn't a premium position than say anything about Downs as a prospect. He has the highest overall grade (9.2) in Bleacher Report's big board.

Cowboys fans would probably be thrilled if the Ohio State star wound up in Dallas.

Schrager also veered a bit by having Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson as the first wide receiver off the board. That honor was reserved for Ohio State's Carnell Tate in Kiper and Jeremiah's mocks.

Tyson, Tate and USC star Makai Lemon went within five picks of one another in Schrager's projection, so the gap between the best pass-catchers isn't that high. They're ninth, 11th and 14th, respectively, in the B/R big board.

The trio could plausibly be drafted in any order.

Both Schrager and Jeremiah have Mendoza as the only quarterback going in the first round. Kiper is the notable outlier with Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson climbing to 16th with the Jets' second Day 1 selection.

Because the position is so important, it won't be a shock if New York or another team in need of a quarterback takes the plunge with Simpson. Draft experts are sending plenty of signals he's not a prospect who warrants that kind of consideration, though.