2026 NFL Mock Draft: First Round Predictions and Analysis

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event will span three days, with the first round taking place on April 23, followed by rounds 2 and 3 on April 24, and concluding with rounds 4 through 7 on April 25.

The Las Vegas Raiders hold the first overall pick in the draft. According to a projection released on March 30, 2026, by ESPN analyst Matt Miller, the Raiders are expected to select Fernando Mendoza, a quarterback from Indiana. Miller identified Mendoza as the clear QB1 for the 2026 cycle.

Quarterback Projections and Prospect Analysis

Fernando Mendoza has emerged as a primary focus for draft analysts. Mel Kiper Jr. Has characterized Mendoza as a franchise QB. In a discussion regarding the talent gap at the position, Kiper stated that there is a big gap between Mendoza and Ty Simpson, disagreeing with the perspective that Simpson is closing the gap on Mendoza ahead of the draft.

The demand for quarterbacks is expected to be a significant theme of the draft. On April 8, 2026, ESPN analyst Ben Solak released a quarterback-only mock draft that projected nine quarterback selections across all seven rounds.

Top Non-Quarterback Prospects

Beyond the quarterback position, Jeremiyah Love is identified as one of the leading players in what Brendan Donahue described as a deep class. Love’s landing spot has been a point of speculation among analysts.

In a mock draft published on March 27, 2026, Mike Band projected that Jeremiyah Love would be selected by the Washington Commanders, where he would join a young quarterback.

Analytical Perspectives and Mock Drafts

A wide array of projections has been produced by ESPN analysts to prepare for the events in Pittsburgh. These mock drafts have evolved as teams finalized their rosters following the completion of the bulk of free agency.

The following projections have been released as part of the 2026 draft cycle:

• Peter Schrager released an insider mock draft on April 7, 2026, projecting all 32 first-round picks based on internal intelligence.
• A collaborative mock draft involving Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates was released on April 2, 2026, covering the top 100 picks.
• Matt Miller produced a comprehensive seven-round mock draft on March 30, 2026, projecting all 257 picks.
• Field Yates released a two-round projection on March 24, 2026, identifying 64 landing spots.
• Mel Kiper Jr. Released a post-free agency mock draft on March 17, 2026, which factored in recent trades, cuts, signings, and franchise tags.
• Jordan Reid published a post-combine mock draft on March 3, 2026, mapping how various prospects climbed the draft board following their combine workouts.
• Mel Kiper Jr. Provided a pre-combine projection on February 24, 2026.
• Field Yates released a post-Super Bowl mock draft on February 11, 2026, once the full first-round order was established.

The full scope of the draft ranges from the first overall pick held by the Las Vegas Raiders to the 257th pick. Matt Miller’s March 30 projection indicates that the Denver Broncos will hold the final selection of the draft, the slot traditionally referred to as Mr. Irrelevant.

As the April 23 start date approaches, teams are finalizing their plans based on roster needs and the available talent pool. The draft will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and the ESPN app.