How Mel Kiper and Bucky Brooks' Latest NFL Mock Drafts Compare 1 Day Until Draft

The 2026 NFL draft is only a day away, and we're beginning to get a clearer picture of how things might unfold. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department recently released its final big board of the cycle, and new mock drafts have been released to reflect the new first-round draft order.

The New York Giants now control the 10th overall selection after trading defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Here, we'll examine the latest mock drafts from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Media's Bucky Brooks to see how they compare and to try to uncover any notable new draft trends.

Mock Draft Comparison

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Indiana QB prospect Fernando Mendoza

Kiper's Round 1

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

6. Dallas Cowboys (Projected trade): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

7. Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

10. New York Giants (from Cincinnati): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

12. Cleveland Browns (Projected Trade):  Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

14. Baltimore Ravens: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

19. Carolina Panthers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

20. Cleveland Browns (Projected Trade): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

25. Chicago Bears: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

26. Buffalo Bills: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

27. San Francisco 49ers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

28. Houston Texans: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

30. Arizona Cardinals (Projected Trade): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

31. New England Patriots: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Brooks' Round 1

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

4. Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

5. New York Giants: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tade, WR, Ohio State

7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

10. New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

12. Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

14. Baltimore Ravens: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

18. Minnesota Vikings: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

22. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

25. Chicago Bears: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

26. Buffalo Bills: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

27. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

28. Houston Texans: Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver): Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon

31. New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Is David Bailey the Pick at No. 2?

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Texas Tech Edge prospect David Bailey

It's generally understood that the Las Vegas Raiders are taking Fernando Mendoza at No. 1. This means the draft really begins at No. 2 with the New York Jets. Over the past few weeks, there has been plenty of debate about whether the Jets will take Ohio State edge-rusher Arvell Reese or Texas Tech edge-rusher David Bailey.

Reese was a popular pick for some time, but Kiper and Brooks are both leaning toward Bailey now.

"With Aaron Glenn taking over defensive play-calling duties, the acquisition of a highly disruptive defender is a top priority," Brooks wrote. "Bailey is the most explosive pass rusher in the draft, with a collection of speed-rushing maneuvers that will overwhelm offensive tackles on the edges."

The belief that the Jets will favor Bailey certainly isn't universal. The Athletic's Dane Brugler, for example, has them taking Reese. Some of the uncertainty may stem from the fact that New York cancelled its top-30 visit with Bailey.

According to Jets GM Darren Mougey, however, that might not mean anything.

"I wouldn't look too much into a cancellation because there were other ones we may have changed as well," Mougey told reporters.

We certainly can't know what the Jets will do until they're on the clock, but at least two draft experts believe they'll take the more polished Bailey.

Offensive Linemen Everywhere

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Miami OT prospect Francis Mauigoa

Offensive linemen rarely generate a ton of predraft buzz, especially when there doesn't appear to be a truly special prospect at the top of the position pool. However, the 2026 class features several quality line prospects who could hear their names called on opening night.

Kiper and Brooks seem to agree that Miami's Francis Mauigoa, Utah's Spencer Fano, and Alabama's Kadyn Proctor will be the first three tackles off the board. Both have Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling and Arizona State's Max Iheanachor as first-rounders, too.

Interior lineman Olaivavega Ioane of Penn State was also a first-rounder in each mock.

While other linemen also went in the first round of each mock, some names differed between the two. Kiper, for example, included Clemson tackle Blake Miller, while Brooks included Utah tackle Caleb Lomu, Texas A&M lineman Chase Bisontis, and Oregon lineman Emmanuel Pregnon.

The discrepancy late in Round 1 helps show the depth of this O-line class. Kiper had seven linemen in his first round, while Brooks had nine, and they weren't the exact same players.

There's a real chance that a quarter of this year's first round is comprised of offensive linemen.

Two Running Back in Round 1?

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Notre Dame RB prospect Jeremiyah Love

This year's class isn't expected to be particularly deep at running back. Yet—or, perhaps, because of that—we may see a pair of Notre Dame ball-carriers go in Round 1.

Jeremiyah Love is a lock for the early first round. In fact, there's a chance he could be off the board within the first three selections. His floor, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, is at No. 7.

"Love is considered by many to be the best player in this class and could become the first running back drafted in the top five picks since the Giants selected Saquon Barkley No. 2 in 2018. There are some who believe he could go as high as No. 3 to Arizona and no lower than No. 7 to Washington."

There's a chance, though, that Love's former teammate, Jadarian Price, also comes off the board on Thursday night. Kiper and Brooks both have him landing with the Seattle Seahawks with the final pick of Round 1.

"Price might not have been the RB1 at Notre Dame, but he can be one in the NFL," Kiper wrote. "He's powerful and fast, averaging 6.0 yards per carry over his career and scoring 11 touchdowns last season."

With Kenneth Walker III departing in free agency, Seattle could use another back to complement Zach Charbonnet. Price would fill the void, and while the 32nd pick may be a bit high for him, Seattle might not have a choice if it wants to draft a starting back.

Love, Price, and Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr. are the only RBs ranked inside the top 120 prospects by the B/R Scouting Department this year.