New NFL Mock Draft Trends for Risers and Fallers from Peter Schrager, Todd McShay's Latest Picks

The 2026 NFL draft is just one day away, and a pair of experts revealed their latest predictions for how Thursday night's first round will play out.

ESPN's Peter Schrager and The Ringer's Todd McShay dropped new mock drafts on Wednesday, both of which featured some interesting projections for multiple players.

While the Jets are believed to be deciding between Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 pick, both Schrager and McShay predicted that they would select Bailey. B/R's NFL Scouting Department predicted in its mock draft that Reese would be the pick.

However, Reese was taken by the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 in McShay's mock, while Schrager had him fall to the New York Giants at No. 5. He notably had the Tennessee Titans take Reese's Ohio State teammate, linebacker Sonny Styles, ahead of him.

"I haven't seen many mock drafts having Reese slip this far, and maybe he won't," Schrager stated. "But I also remember Leonard Williams inexplicably falling out of the top five in 2015. These things happen."

Another former Buckeye with an interesting projection in McShay's mock draft is Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, who has long been considered a top-10 pick but fell all the way to the New York Jets at No. 16.

"No, Tate isn't falling—I could see him going as high as 7 to Washington or 8 to New Orleans," McShay wrote. "But a scenario does exist where Tate slips out of the top 10, and I could see the Jets making a small move up a few spots to get him. I also believe strongly that the Jets could move back."

While Schrager had the Jets use the 16th pick to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, McShay had him go to the Cleveland Browns at No. 24, and he added a warning for the rest of the wideouts in this year's class.

"Yes, it would be shocking for Lemon to fall this far, but I do think he goes later than expected. In fact, I think all the receivers not named Jordyn Tyson will slide a bit—something I was preaching back in March and probably should have stuck to," McShay stated.

McShay also curiously had the Los Angeles Rams use the No. 13 pick to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, which would be well above his projection. Schrager predicted that the Cardinals would trade back into the first round to select Simpson with the 32nd pick.

"I'm not saying it's going to happen, but I do believe Ty Simpson goes earlier than expected Thursday night, and I know the Rams think extremely highly of him," McShay explained.

It will be fun to see which expert was on the right track with their predictions when the 2026 draft officially begins on Thursday night.