Jordan ReidApr 20, 2026, 06:20 AM ETCloseJordan 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 XMultiple Authors
play0:39Why Fernando Mendoza is Field Yates’ top prospect in the 2026 draftField Yates and Ben Solak discuss what makes Fernando Mendoza the top player in the 2026 NFL draft.
play2:09Darlington: Eagles to operate in draft as if A.J. Brown will be tradedJeff Darlington, Domonique Foxworth and Mike Tannenbaum discuss the Eagles’ potential draft plans and what it could mean for A.J. Brown.
play0:39Anthony Hill Jr.’s NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr..
play0:34Daylen Everette comes up with an electric scoop-and-score for GeorgiaOle Miss fumbles the ball, and Georgia’s Daylen Everette picks up the loose ball and returns it 46 yards to the house.
play0:15Brenen Thompson takes off for 44-yard Miss St. TDBlake Shapen airs it 44 yards to Brenen Thompson for a Mississippi State touchdown.
play0:26Cade Klubnik fumbles, recovers, and scores a TDCade Klubnik loses the football but manages to scoop it up and score a 10-yard rushing touchdown.
Reid on UGA’s Allen: ‘This dude is a sledgehammer’ (2:06)SEC Now’s Jordan Reid compliments linebacker CJ Allen’s GPS-like mind while Matt Stinchcomb discusses Georgia’s ability to produce NFL-ready players. (2:06)
Why Fernando Mendoza is Field Yates’ top prospect in the 2026 draftField Yates and Ben Solak discuss what makes Fernando Mendoza the top player in the 2026 NFL draft.
Darlington: Eagles to operate in draft as if A.J. Brown will be tradedJeff Darlington, Domonique Foxworth and Mike Tannenbaum discuss the Eagles’ potential draft plans and what it could mean for A.J. Brown.
Jeff Darlington, Domonique Foxworth and Mike Tannenbaum discuss the Eagles’ potential draft plans and what it could mean for A.J. Brown.
Anthony Hill Jr.’s NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr..
Daylen Everette comes up with an electric scoop-and-score for GeorgiaOle Miss fumbles the ball, and Georgia’s Daylen Everette picks up the loose ball and returns it 46 yards to the house.
Ole Miss fumbles the ball, and Georgia’s Daylen Everette picks up the loose ball and returns it 46 yards to the house.
Brenen Thompson takes off for 44-yard Miss St. TDBlake Shapen airs it 44 yards to Brenen Thompson for a Mississippi State touchdown.
Cade Klubnik fumbles, recovers, and scores a TDCade Klubnik loses the football but manages to scoop it up and score a 10-yard rushing touchdown.
The 2026 NFL draft gets rolling Thursday from Pittsburgh at 8 p.m. ET (on ESPN/ABC/ESPN App), so it’s time for me to unveil my last mock draft, and every selection is accounted for.
That’s right, this seven-round mock draft features 257 prospects who I believe will be selected this week. I’ve compiled these projections based on my latest intel from conversations with sources throughout the league, months of scouting the entire class and examining each team’s biggest positional needs. I didn’t project any trades, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be surprises and intrigue.
You can write this pick in Sharpie. The Raiders have been searching for a franchise QB, and Mendoza has the size, arm strength and decision-making ability to be their long-term starter. Mendoza’s resiliency helped him overcome several moments of adversity last season and position himself as the No. 1 pick. He finished with an FBS-high 41 touchdown passes to only six interceptions while leading the Hoosiers to a historic 16-0 record and a national championship.
Why Fernando Mendoza is Field Yates’ top prospect in the 2026 draft
Field Yates and Ben Solak discuss what makes Fernando Mendoza the top player in the 2026 NFL draft.
The pick comes down to Reese vs. Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. I believe the Jets would prefer Reese’s upside even though Bailey is a more polished pass rusher right now. Reese is an interchangeable player with explosive power who has the ability to be a high-caliber starter at either linebacker or edge rusher. The Jets are in the early stages of their rebuild and searching for foundational players. Reese fits that vision, as he’s a defender they can build a scheme around.
Protecting the quarterback has been a constant issue for the Cardinals, who allowed 59 sacks last season (fifth most in the NFL). The Cardinals’ offensive tackles also finished with the lowest run block win rate at the position last season, and Mauigoa provides an immediate plug-and-play starter on the right side. Arizona signed Elijah Wilkinson this offseason, but that shouldn’t prevent it from searching for a long-term fixture at right tackle.
John Harbaugh teams have historically had a commanding presence at middle linebacker. There hasn’t been an off-ball linebacker drafted in the top five since 2019 (Devin White), but Styles is a rare linebacker prospect in a draft class that lacks true high-end options at high-leverage positions. Styles’ size, instincts, movement ability and continued development make him an ideal fit in the middle of the Giants’ defense.
Wide receiver and offensive tackle are the two clear, major holes on Cleveland’s roster, and the Browns’ brass will have to determine which position has the most depth. That could have Cleveland going for a receiver first. Taking Tate would give the Browns a major target to add to veteran wideout Jerry Jeudy and tight end Harold Fannin Jr., last year’s third-round revelation. Tate is a diverse route runner with excellent hands who could be an immediate starter in new coach Todd Monken’s system.
The Commanders need help everywhere, so I have them taking the player I feel is the best in this year’s class. Love is an explosive play waiting to happen and would unlock multiple layers of the playbook that Washington couldn’t access last season. He rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025 and had 39 runs of 10 or more yards, fourth most in the FBS. Having quarterback Jayden Daniels and Love together would strike fear in NFL defenses.
Woody: Jayden Daniels and Jeremiyah Love would be ‘terrifying’ together
Delane shined in his only season at LSU after transferring from Virginia Tech and is the top-rated cornerback on my board. He is a polished technician who can play press-man while being equally good in zone coverage. The Saints can keep pouring resources into their cornerback room here, as Delane would be a true shutdown option on the outside.
The Cowboys need a ton of help on defense after giving up the most points in the NFL last season, and Thieneman is a safety who would be capable of cleaning up a lot of Dallas’ issues on the back end. He’s capable of playing on the roof of the defense at free safety while also being able to run the alley and be reliable in run support. Thieneman has continued to rise throughout each stage of the predraft process, so don’t be surprised if he comes off the board this early.
The Rams’ roster is pretty stout, but there is a need at receiver alongside Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. Lemon is a reliable and competitive target who would be an ideal fit in Sean McVay’s scheme. He had 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, but what was most impressive was his 21 forced missed tackles (14th among FBS receivers). Matthew Stafford would love Lemon’s YAC ability and sure-handedness (one drop).
The Ravens gave up 45 sacks in 2025 (12th most in the NFL) and are still in need of clear upgrades along the interior of their offensive line. Ioane was as steady as they come during his career at Penn State. He didn’t allow a single sack over the past two seasons and is the definition of a tone-setter up front. Ioane’s strong base, balanced feet and strength would provide a major boost in protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Tight end isn’t the Vikings’ biggest need — those would be safety and defensive tackle — but Thieneman is off the board as a possible Harrison Smith replacement and there isn’t a defensive tackle worth taking at this point of the draft. Sadiq is a speedy (4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash) receiving tight end whom Minnesota could use in multiple ways in its offense.
The Chargers need interior offensive line help, but with Odafe Oweh having departed for Washington and Khalil Mack entering his age-35 season, Los Angeles also needs an edge rusher to add to Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. Mesidor would be an excellent fit into the pass-rush rotation as a relentless player with a repertoire of moves. He had 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss last season. He is also a reliable run defender who can set a firm edge.
Darlington: Eagles to operate in draft as if A.J. Brown will be traded
After an underwhelming season with five sacks (three coming in the regular-season finale), Parker was able to revive his draft stock with a strong predraft process. His game centers around pure strength, as Parker is a power rusher who can overwhelm blockers at the point of attack. The Bears need pass-rush help, and Parker would be a complementary No. 2 rusher opposite Montez Sweat.
Having a nose tackle who’s willing to eat up blocks and do the dirty work in run defense is essential to defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 scheme. McDonald would fill that role as the best run-defending interior defensive lineman in this class. His 7.8% run stop rate last season topped all FBS defensive linemen, but he can also create negative plays in the backfield with quick wins, as evidenced by his 9.5 tackles for loss.
The Chiefs have a huge hole at corner after Trent McDuffie (trade) and Jaylen Watson (free agency) were lost to the Rams. Hood is a polished technician who is capable of playing man, but his eye discipline in zone also stood out last season. His ability to play a mixture of coverages fits the Chiefs’ scheme, and Hood has the skill set to be an immediate starter in Kansas City.