🏈 Kiper's two-round NFL mock draft

16.04.2026, 07:19 espn.com

I have one more set of projections for you ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, which kicks off April 23 in Pittsburgh with 32 first-round picks before continuing with Rounds 2-3 on April 24 and Rounds 4-7 on April 25. But my final mock draft for this cycle will be a little different from the three editions I did earlier this year. This time, I'm going two full rounds.

To make these predictions, I'm leaning on team needs, evaluations and what I'm hearing in conversations with execs, coaches and scouts around the NFL. This isn't what I would do; it's what I believe each team will do once on the clock. We know the No. 1 pick will be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but things get interesting very quickly from there. You'll notice some surprise late risers in both rounds. And to shake the picks up even more, I projected two in-draft trades -- including one in the top 10.

For more on these projections and this class in general, watch "NFL Draft Daily" on ESPN2 (3 p.m. ET every weekday) and listen to the "First Draft" podcast. And be sure to check out the final update to my personal Big Board rankings when the top-150 list drops next week.

Let's get going with my NFL mock draft 4.0. Here are my predictions for the first 64 picks.

More on the 2026 NFL draft:Kiper's Big Board | Latest mock drafts

Jump to:Round 1 | Round 2First trade | Second trade

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Las Vegas could theoretically turn the draft card in now and start celebrating the landing of its new franchise quarterback. Mendoza is accurate with the football, can pick up the sticks with his legs when necessary and is able to execute any NFL-level throw. Considering the Raiders have been among the bottom five in QBR over the past five seasons (44.8), there's no reason to overthink this. Let's get to the Jets at No. 2, where the draft really starts.

David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech

I get the sense the Jets will take production over potential here in the great Bailey vs. Arvell Reese debate. New York was 31st in sacks last season with 26. It was 27th in pressure rate at 28.8%. Something has to change, and bringing in a player who led the FBS in pressure rate (20.2%) and tied for the lead in sacks (14.5) last season could do the trick. Bailey would be an instant-impact player off the edge for the Jets.

Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State

New coach Mike LaFleur will want some foundational players on his defense, and Reese has a sky-high ceiling. He has extended experience at off-ball linebacker and off the edge, and Arizona could use him at either spot. His future is probably rushing the passer, though, and he had 6.5 sacks last season. The Cardinals -- who were in the bottom five in pressure rate (28.5%) last season -- need someone such as Reese opposite Josh Sweat in a division that features quarterbacks Matthew Stafford, Sam Darnold and Brock Purdy.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Will the Titans take the plunge? We haven't seen a running back go this early since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 eight years ago, but Love has the goods to come off the board in the top five. And while the case could easily be made that Tennessee has other, more important holes to fill on its roster, it'd be a mistake to look at Love solely as a traditional running back. He's a playmaker who can put a jolt in the Titans' offense in the backfield with quarterback Cam Ward. Love will break free for home runs; he will haul in tough catches when flexed outside; and he will power over defenders to extend drives.

With both of the top edge rushers off the board, we could see a new No. 1 running back ahead of Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears and Michael Carter in Tennessee.

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

If things fall this way, the Giants will have a tough call to make on three Ohio State prospects. I could see Carnell Tate as the team's No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers. I could certainly see Sonny Styles quarterbacking the defense from the middle linebacker spot. But I keep coming back to what Downs could do from the back end of this secondary. Next to Jevon Holland, his incredible instincts would pop in this defense. Downs would be the first safety taken in the top five since Eric Berry went to the Chiefs in 2010, and he'd be worth it.

Let's have some fun here. Dallas and Cleveland each have two first-round picks coming into the draft, which gives those front offices some ability to maneuver. With an elite prospect still on the board, I have Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calling up Browns general manager Andrew Berry to try to make something happen. In this scenario, Dallas would trade pick Nos. 12 and 20 to Cleveland for Nos. 6 and 39. That means the Browns suddenly have three first-round picks. And it means the Cowboys can add...

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Dallas wasn't stopping anyone last season. It allowed 6.1 yards per play, second worst in the NFL. It allowed 30.1 points per game, worst in the NFL. And it was far and away the league's least effective defense by EPA. We've all wondered whether the Cowboys would use both of their first-round picks on defense this month, but this trade up the board might have a greater impact, even if it means sacrificing one of those Day 1 selections. Styles is my No. 4 prospect, and he is explosive (43½-inch vertical jump), rangy (4.46 in the 40-yard dash) and productive (77 tackles last season).

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Commanders need defensive help, and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. would have to get a look. But they also have their pick of the receiver class. Tate is currently my No. 2 receiver behind Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, but he's atop a lot of receiver boards around the league and doesn't come with the same injury questions Tyson does.

Paired with another Ohio State product in Terry McLaurin, Tate would bring clean route running, reliability and some big-play ability. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch last season en route to 875 yards and nine trips to the end zone. Considering the Commanders would be relying on Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown behind McLaurin, this makes sense.

Check out some of the top highlights from Ohio State's Carnell Tate.

Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Florida)

If the Commanders were to select Bain at No. 7, Tate could be the pick here. The boards in Washington and New Orleans might look similar in this range. But with Tate gone, there should be solid receiver options in Round 2 to fill the void opposite Chris Olave (spoiler!), so Bain fits. The Saints' defense is getting a bit of a refresh this offseason, and regardless of whether defensive end Cameron Jordan comes back, they need more youth and juice on the edge. Bain might have short arms for the position, but he also has immense power, plenty of explosion and the deep pass-rush toolbox to beat offensive tackles with consistency.

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

As Patrick Mahomes works back from his torn left ACL, the Chiefs' offense is seeking playmakers. Tight end Travis Kelce is back, but he's 36 years old. Veteran receiver Hollywood Brown is gone to the Eagles. Third-year wideout Xavier Worthy has flashed but scored only one touchdown last season. Where are the real difference-making pass catchers beyond Rashee Rice? We can't ignore Tyson's durability concerns, considering he missed a third of his possible college games because of injuries, but we also can't ignore his fantastic skill set when he is on the field. He makes tough catches in traffic and had 711 yards last season. I'm already picturing Mahomes buying time in the pocket and firing 50-50 balls to Tyson in the end zone.

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

This has become a pretty popular mock draft match, and it makes sense. Cam Taylor-Britt signed in Indianapolis, and the No. 2 corner spot opposite DJ Turner II is up for grabs in Cincinnati. The Bengals have to do something on defense to catch that unit up to the offense a bit; it allowed 7.8 yards per pass attempt in 2025, fourth worst in the league. Delane is technically sound, and he can make plays to get the defense off the field and put the ball in quarterback Joe Burrow's hands. Over four college seasons -- including three at Virginia Tech -- Delane had 27 pass breakups and eight interceptions.

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Florida)

The Dolphins entered this mock draft with 11 total picks, including seven in the first three rounds. They need them as they continue to make big changes under new leadership. One of the key components to a successful rebuild is shoring up the offensive tackle spots. Patrick Paul takes care of the left tackle spot, but there are questions at right tackle after Austin Jackson missed 11 games in 2025. Miami figures to have a run-heavy offense next season behind mobile quarterback Malik Willis and talented running back De'Von Achane, and Mauigoa would plow open some rushing lanes. If the Dolphins preferred, they could kick him inside, where I think he has a Pro Bowl ceiling.

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Cleveland is on the clock with the first of three Day 1 picks after the projected trade down. The two positions often associated with the Browns' early picks are wide receiver and offensive tackle. With the way the board fell, that probably means Proctor, Utah lineman Spencer Fano, USC receiver Makai Lemon or Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. would be in the mix. Fano's future might be at guard, and the receiver class has more value in the early 20s, where the Browns pick two more times. So I'm going with Proctor.

He has been buzzy this month, and while his tape is a little inconsistent, the traits are all there. Proctor could lock down the left tackle spot for an offensive line undergoing big alterations.

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

You might see Puka Nacua and Davante Adams on the Rams' depth chart and question them using

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