Mel Kiper Reveals Favorite Prospects & Sleepers at Every Position After Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. followed up his final 2026 NFL mock draft by listing his favorite prospects at each position.

Kiper noted Sunday these prospects weren't the best at their positions, but they are players he likes "more than consensus after studying their film."

"Coaches rave about their love of the game, high football IQ and work ethic," Kiper wrote. "They are exactly the type of players you want on your team.

Just three of the 15 prospects on Kiper's list are projected as first-round picks in the latest Bleacher Report mock draft in Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon and SE Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor.

North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton made Kiper's list after recording 2,719 passing yards and 777 rushing yards during his first starting season in 2025. Kiper wrote that teams could use him a similar role to the New Orleans Saints' Taysom Hill.

Kiper also gave a nod to Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, a former soccer player from Nigeria who took up football in 2022, as a player who "should be a first-rounder based on his potential."

Pittsburgh safety Kyle Louis got a shoutout for what Kiper wrote is his ability to "line up all over the place."

A trio of what Kiper described as "tough cornerbacks" made the list in Terrell, Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds and Duke's Chandler Rivers.

Kiper also highlighted Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson alongside two wide receivers in Georgia's Zachariah Branch and Tennessee's Chris Brazzell II.

Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon, Florida center Jake Slaughter, Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas and Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder also made Kiper's list.

Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft is set to begin Thursday in Pittsburgh, followed Friday by Rounds 2-3 and Saturday by Rounds 4-7.