Matt MillerMar 30, 2026, 06:10 AM ETCloseMatt Miller is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. A Missouri native, Matt joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live and ESPN Radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Matt spent 11 years as a senior draft analyst at Bleacher Report.Follow on XMultiple Authors
play0:22Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. blocks Texas A&M FG attemptRueben Bain Jr. gets his hand up to block Texas A&M’s Jared Zirkel’s kick to keep the score 0-0 in the 2nd quarter.
play1:18Jordan Reid to McAfee: Ty Simpson a ‘huge risk’ for the JetsNFL draft analyst Jordan Reid joins Pat McAfee to break down Ty Simpson’s chances of being selected by the Jets.
play0:47Bell grabs 2nd TD to give Cardinals double-digit leadMiller Moss finds Chris Bell who takes off for a 36-yard touchdown to extend the Cardinals’ lead to 24-13.
play0:38Alabama comes up with late fumble recovery in Iron BowlDeontae Lawson recovers the fumble to secure a 27-20 victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
play0:20Tacario Davis grabs interception vs. Illinois Fighting IlliniTacario Davis grabs interception vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Why Mel Kiper Jr. sees a big gap between Mendoza and Simpson (0:55)Mel Kiper Jr. explains why he disagrees with the notion that Ty Simpson is closing the gap on Fernando Mendoza ahead of this year’s NFL draft. (0:55)
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. blocks Texas A&M FG attemptRueben Bain Jr. gets his hand up to block Texas A&M’s Jared Zirkel’s kick to keep the score 0-0 in the 2nd quarter.
Rueben Bain Jr. gets his hand up to block Texas A&M’s Jared Zirkel’s kick to keep the score 0-0 in the 2nd quarter.
Jordan Reid to McAfee: Ty Simpson a ‘huge risk’ for the JetsNFL draft analyst Jordan Reid joins Pat McAfee to break down Ty Simpson’s chances of being selected by the Jets.
NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid joins Pat McAfee to break down Ty Simpson’s chances of being selected by the Jets.
Bell grabs 2nd TD to give Cardinals double-digit leadMiller Moss finds Chris Bell who takes off for a 36-yard touchdown to extend the Cardinals’ lead to 24-13.
Miller Moss finds Chris Bell who takes off for a 36-yard touchdown to extend the Cardinals’ lead to 24-13.
Alabama comes up with late fumble recovery in Iron BowlDeontae Lawson recovers the fumble to secure a 27-20 victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Tacario Davis grabs interception vs. Illinois Fighting IlliniTacario Davis grabs interception vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off in Pittsburgh on April 23. That’s only 24 days away. And while boards can still be shaken up a bit more, it’s time to stop messing around and predict the entire 2026 draft. That’s right — I’m projecting all seven rounds and 257 draft picks.
Predraft events are winding down, and teams are starting to finalize their plans. We have a clearer idea of what every roster needs with the bulk of free agency complete. How might each front office approach its picks? How many teams will target a quarterback? Which positions will run deepest, and where can teams find value?
Here are my predictions for Rounds 1-7. I provided complete breakdowns for the first three rounds and listed names for the final four. Asterisks indicate compensatory picks. It all starts and ends in the AFC West, with the Raiders at No. 1 and the Broncos at No. 257. And for more on these predictions, check out our new show “NFL Draft Daily” at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
As soon as the Raiders were locked in with the first overall pick, they were expected to select a quarterback, and Mendoza is the clear QB1. Mendoza is a smart, accurate, poised quarterback with enough arm talent and mobility to be a threat, but his trademark is his ability to layer the ball as a thrower to the right spot for his receivers. He threw an FBS-high 41 touchdown passes and just six interceptions last season en route to a Heisman Trophy and national championship.
Based on their inaction at quarterback so far, the Browns seem content to roll into 2026 with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel or Deshaun Watson. So they could use this pick to help whoever is under center. Tate is the next man up in the talented Ohio State pipeline of receivers, and the sure-handed 6-foot-2 receiver had just one drop last season. Tate could eventually take over for the inconsistent Jerry Jeudy as Cleveland’s WR1 to form a young tandem with Isaiah Bond, last year’s UDFA find.
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. blocks Texas A&M FG attempt
Rob Havenstein’s retirement left an opening at right tackle. While Warren McClendon Jr. could fill that spot, it opens the door for the Rams to draft for the future. Fano started his career at left tackle before moving to the right side and excelling. His length is a concern (32⅛-inch arms), but teams love his toughness and quickness on top of his three seasons of starting experience. Fano would represent a long-term solution at right tackle opposite emerging left tackle Alaric Jackson.
Giving Lamar Jackson the fastest tight end to ever test at the combine seems like a good idea, especially with Isaiah Likely departing in free agency and Mark Andrews entering his age-31 season. Besides his 4.39 speed, Sadiq is an elite red zone threat who had eight touchdowns in 2025. His effort and upside in the run game as a blocker makes him a true blue-chip tight end prospect for a team that badly needs another threat in the passing game.
Having Thieneman replace Harrison Smith is one of the cleanest and easiest picks to predict in this draft. Thieneman has been a playmaker in both of his college stops, notching eight career interceptions between Purdue and Oregon while never allowing more than 11 receptions in a single season. Minnesota could slide Thieneman into the starting split safety spot in Brian Flores’ defense and watch him flourish.
The loss of Odafe Oweh in free agency opens the door for a speed rusher in Round 1. Howell led the SEC with 11.5 sacks and added 40 pressures. The 6-foot-3 edge doesn’t have ideal NFL length with 30¼-inch arms but is a blur off the line of scrimmage, and he consistently wins with burst and a low center of gravity. Howell can learn from Khalil Mack for a season while working in sub-package roles.
With Jaelan Phillips departing in free agency, the Eagles have to prioritize adding capable rushers early in this draft. At 25 years old, Mesidor is an older prospect, but he’s a pro-ready pass rusher with the tools to beat offensive tackles with his powerful hands, technique and moves. Mesidor broke out last season with 12.5 sacks and 58 pressures under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.
I feel like I predict that the 49ers will draft their offensive tackle of the future every year, yet they never do. Considering that All-Pro Trent Williams will be 38 and is in the midst of a contract impasse, this would be a good time for San Francisco to finally make that pick. Lomu started at left tackle during the past two seasons, allowing only three sacks (all in 2024). He plays with the agility and balance needed for the 49ers’ offensive scheme.
Signing 30-year-old Braden Smith to a two-year contract solves Houston’s right tackle need for the moment, but the Texans’ plan to build a young (and inexpensive) offensive line around C.J. Stroud is still in place. Miller started 54 college games at right tackle and improved every season, allowing only two sacks in 2025. With 34-inch arms and a strong base to block from, Miller profiles as a solid starter with higher-end potential as he develops his run-blocking talents.
Receiver isn’t the only position where the Dolphins suffered significant personnel losses. Miami was also decimated in the secondary after Kader Kohou, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas all left. That created a sizable hole at corner, and the 6-foot, 193-pound Hood could fill it. He has 4.44 speed and excellent ability to play the press scheme new coach Jeff Hafley prefers.
Christian Barmore and Milton Williams provide considerable pass rush from the interior, but the Patriots need a nose tackle after losing Khyiris Tonga in free agency. Banks missed much of last season because of a left foot injury but impressed during the Senior Bowl and combine, showing rare movement ability at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds with a 5.04 40. Banks’ power and push in the middle could open things further for Barmore and Williams to rush the passer.
A strong defense guided the Seahawks to the Lombardi Trophy last season, and coach Mike Macdonald will look to keep that unit strong despite key free agent departures. DeMarcus Lawrence was instrumental last season but is 34 years old and needs an heir apparent. Faulk is a high-potential prospect at 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds with pro-level power and agility. At just 20 years old, there’s room for him to grow and develop beyond what he did at Auburn, where he had only two sacks last season.
There could be calls for the Jets to trade up into Round 1 to secure a fifth-year option on Simpson, but trading away picks in the 2027 draft, which is expected to be the most talent-rich in recent history, wouldn’t be smart. New York can take him here, allow him a year to develop behind Geno Smith, then evaluate his future. Simpson is a talented distributor who is accurate in a clean pocket but struggled down the stretch. His questionable decision-making could drop him to Round 2.
Jordan Reid to McAfee: Ty Simpson a ‘huge risk’ for the Jets
The Cardinals would just miss on Simpson falling to them here, though they could trade up, which is what they did in Field Yates’ and Jordan Reid’s most recent mock drafts. Young would be a strong consolation prize, giving Arizona a powerful defensive end to complement the speed Josh Sweat and Baron Browning provide.
Tennessee needs an immediate starter on the interior, with guard Kevin Zeitler a free agent and center Lloyd Cushenberry III being released. Bisontis played right guard and right tackle before settling in at left guard. He has the versatility to start out of the gate at right guard opposite former first-round pick Peter Skoronski.