Mel Kiper Jr 2026 Mock Draft and Notable Picks from ESPN Expert's Final Predictions

As NFL draftheads prepare for the most exciting day of the offseason, ESPN insider Mel Kiper Jr.'s final mock draft is an essential piece of the preparation puzzle. 

This year, Kiper's final mock dropped on April 18, the Saturday before the draft kicks off. He was able to update it to account for the shakeup caused by the New York Giants trading defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals that same day. 

Kiper's mock draft is a prediction of what teams will do, not what he thinks they should do. He projects two in-draft trades in the first round and some late risers coming into play. 

Keep reading for Kiper's fourth and final mock draft, as well as notable projected selections.

Mel Kiper Jr.'s Final Mock Draft

AP Photo

Mel Kiper's final mock ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft dropped on April 18:

Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

New York Jets: David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech

Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State

Tennessee Titans: Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame

New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Dallas Cowboys (via projected trade with CLE): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

New Orleans Saints: Reuben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

Kansas City Chiefs: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

New York Giants (via CIN): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

Miami Dolphins: Mansoo Delane, CB, LSU

Cleveland Browns (via projected trade with DAL): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama 

Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Baltimore Ravens: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

New York Jets (via IND): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Carolina Panthers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo 

Cleveland Browns (via proj. trade with DAL/GB): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Pittsburgh Steelers: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Chicago Bears: Zion Young, DE, Missouri 

Buffalo Bills: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

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

Houston Texans: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Arizona Cardinals (via proj. trade with MIA/DEN): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama 

New England Patriots: Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami

Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Notable Picks

AP Photo

RB Jeremiah Love to Titans at No. 4

Many other expert mocks have Love going at No. 3 overall to the Cardinals. Kiper's ESPN colleague Peter Schraeger has Love being taken third overall, while SI's Connor Orr has the Rams trading up to target Love at No. 4. As the draft order currently stands, it's widely understood that the Titans at No. 4 is his floor. Regardless, Love will almost certainly be the second-highest drafted running back in the last eight years, after Saquon Barkley went No. 2 overall to the New York Giants. Kiper believes the Titans will see an opportunity to give their offense a "jolt in the backfield" by pairing Love with quarterback Cam Ward. 

LB Sonny Styles to Cowboys at No. 6

Kiper projects two trades in his final mock draft, and the first is that the Cowboys acquire the Browns' selection at No. 6 overall to move up and nab Styles. As Kiper notes, Dallas was last in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing an average of 30.1 points per game. The Cowboys also allowed 6.1 yards per play, the second worst total in the league. Jerry Jones wants to see production from this unit, and Kiper has identified a way for Dallas to get it. 

OT Francis Mauigoa to Giants at No. 10

The Giants shook up the draft when they traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Bengals the Saturday before the draft. The newly acquired pick is the Giants' second in the top 10, and after mocking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs to the Giants at No. 5, Kiper has them addressing a need on the offensive line with Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa, considered the top offensive tackle in this class.