Matt MillerCloseMatt MillerNFL draft analystMatt 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 X, Jordan ReidCloseJordan ReidNFL draft analystJordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.Follow on X, Field YatesCloseField YatesESPN NFL InsiderField Yates is a fantasy football expert and NFL draft analyst for ESPN. You can find him on Fantasy Football Now on Sunday mornings and regularly on NFL Live throughout the week, as well as the Fantasy Focus and First Draft podcasts. A graduate of Wesleyan University (CT) and native of Weston, Mass., Yates has previous experience interning with the New England Patriots on both their coaching and scouting staffs.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsApr 10, 2026, 06:35 AM ET
Matt Miller analyzes what the Jets might do with second pick (1:51)Matt Miller joins “The Rich Eisen Show” and analyzes Arvell Reese’s draft stock and whether he’ll be the Jets’ pick at No. 2. (1:51)
Mini-mock of the week: Perfect seven-round draft for teams picking outside the top 10
With the 2026 NFL draft less than two weeks away (April 23-25), we asked analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates to break down the latest intel from around the league.
Jump to a section: Bold predictions | Jets’ No. 2 pick Certain picks | Uncertain picks Seven-round mock drafts: CAR, DET, LAC Emptying notebooks: What we’re hearing
Reid: Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez will be the second linebacker off the board … inside the first round. To be clear, I’m placing Arvell Reese (Ohio State) at edge rusher here. It’s fair to assume that Sonny Styles (Ohio State) will be the first linebacker drafted, sometime in the top 10 picks. After Styles, there aren’t many second-level defenders as accomplished as Rodriguez. Teams absolutely love his mental makeup, instincts and playmaking ability (seven forced fumbles, four INTs in 2025).
Rodriguez has continued to check all boxes during the predraft process, and many evaluators have strong second-round grades on him. But don’t be completely shocked if someone takes the leap late on Day 1.
Yates: In canvassing people around the NFL, the overwhelming majority of them have defaulted to Texas Tech’s David Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese as the pick. Each player would provide the Jets with a young, building-block pass rusher. Bailey is regarded as the more refined, pro-ready rusher, while Reese is considered the higher-ceiling prospect with better fluidity and overall athleticism. But … the Jets have given no indication on the pick.
Miller: I’ll echo what Field has heard, although I did hear that the Jets really like Tate and would consider him if the team was better set at quarterback. As of today, it sounds like Bailey has more fans in the building. The Jets understand that an impact player is needed right now for coach Aaron Glenn’s defense. Bailey’s 14.5 sacks in 2025 and speed around the edge make for an ideal fit for a team moving to more of a 3-4 defense.
Reid: I’ve heard the same line of thinking as Field and Matt, though I ultimately believe the Jets go with Reese and his upside at No. 2. Opinions are mixed on which position he projects best at in the NFL, but I have him graded as an off-ball linebacker who could be sparingly used as an edge rusher. This is a pick that truly feels 50-50.
Miller: I don’t feel higher than 75% confidence in any pick outside of No. 1 right now, but if the Titans find themselves at No. 4 with Reese and Bailey off the board, I would expect Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to be the selection. And he might be the pick regardless of who is available based on how active the Titans were in adding pass rushers this offseason. Love will go somewhere in the top five, and I think Tennessee has eyes on pairing him with quarterback Cam Ward.
Reid: Sources have told me the Dolphins are big fans of Utah lineman Spencer Fano and would take him at No. 11. The team loves his versatility, believing he can play any interior spot or be a plug-and-play starter at right tackle. Austin Jackson is entering a contract year, and there are a lot of question marks surrounding his durability. New front offices have leaned on selecting an offensive lineman to start their tenure, so this pairing makes a lot of sense.
Yates: It’s extremely hard for me to see the Bengals passing on LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane if he is on the board at No. 10. Delane fills a priority need for Cincinnati and is an extremely clean prospect. He had a dominant 2025 season, ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at his pro day and has rock-solid size (6-foot, 187 pounds). Will he make it to No. 10? I’m not sure, given the cornerback need for other teams with top-10 picks.
Reid: The Browns at No. 6 is one that sources have been conflicted on. Offensive tackle and wide receiver are clearly two of their biggest holes, but which order would they attack those positions with their two first-round picks (No. 24 being the latter)? Or would they stick to taking the “best player available” here?
17. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama 50. Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois 118. Kamari Ramsey, S, USC 128. Zane Durant, DT, Penn State 157. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest 181. Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama 205. Barion Brown, WR, LSU 213. Pat Coogan, C, Indiana 222. Collin Wright, CB, Stanford
19. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon 51. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern 83. Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky 119. Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati 158. Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky 159. Logan Fano, Edge, Utah 200. Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
Miller: Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson will take a draft-day tumble outside the top 20 picks. His hamstring issues are concerning for teams, causing him to miss three straight games in November. He also had eight drops in 2024. Teams I’ve talked to like Tyson’s juice as a route runner and his production, but the injuries and drops are causing him to slide behind Carnell Tate (Ohio State) and Makai Lemon (USC) on the receiver board. It’s even possible Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana) gets picked before him.
Miller: Kansas City is a confusing team at No. 9 for a few reasons. The roster has many needs at core positions such as wide receiver, right tackle, defensive end, defensive tackle, cornerback and safety. Any of those spots could be the pick at No. 9, depending on how the board falls. And that’s the second part of the issue with accurately predicting the team’s first pick — which pass rushers and wide receivers will still be there? Would Kansas City pivot to Fano if it doesn’t like anyone on the board at pass rusher or wide receiver? The variety of options available to general manager Brett Veach makes this a tough prediction.
Despite re-signing Nick Scott to a one-year deal, Carolina enters the draft with a primary need at safety. It also should have an eye toward the future along the offensive line. Thieneman is my second-ranked safety, with the best ball skills of any defensive back prospect. Tiernan is an experienced left tackle at 6-foot-8, though he has just 32¼-inch arms. On Day 3, Carolina could find more effective pass catchers behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Royer and Law have both shown great skills after the catch.
Edge rusher and interior offensive line are two major needs for the Chargers, who are tied with the Falcons for the second-lowest number of picks. Parker is a heavy-handed and powerful run defender, while having upside as a complementary pass rusher. Pregnon is a physical tone-setter with enough foot quickness to fit in the team’s zone scheme. Elarms-Orr provides immediate depth and competition for a linebacker room that needs it. Rivers is one of the top nickel corners in this class, as he has developed enough to be a starter this season.
Matt Miller analyzes what the Jets might do with second pick (1:51)Matt Miller joins “The Rich Eisen Show” and analyzes Arvell Reese’s draft stock and whether he’ll be the Jets’ pick at No. 2. (1:51)
Matt Miller joins “The Rich Eisen Show” and analyzes Arvell Reese’s draft stock and whether he’ll be the Jets’ pick at No. 2. (1:51)
CloseMatt MillerNFL draft analystMatt 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 X
CloseJordan ReidNFL draft analystJordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.Follow on X
CloseField YatesESPN NFL InsiderField Yates is a fantasy football expert and NFL draft analyst for ESPN. You can find him on Fantasy Football Now on Sunday mornings and regularly on NFL Live throughout the week, as well as the Fantasy Focus and First Draft podcasts. A graduate of Wesleyan University (CT) and native of Weston, Mass., Yates has previous experience interning with the New England Patriots on both their coaching and scouting staffs.Follow on X
Teams are going to wait on wide receivers this year. It’s a trend we’ve seen recently with depth at receiver in seemingly every class — teams understand they can wait until later in Round 1 or even Round 2 to find starting-quality talent. This could play out in 2026, as only Tate and Lemon are poised to go in the top 15. Teams will likely wait for Omar Cooper Jr., Jordyn Tyson, KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) and others.