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ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Reveals Updated Full First-Round 2026 NFL Draft Predictions

John Canady

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32) Seattle Seahawks: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Seattle closes out the first round with Colton Hood, a long, athletic corner who broke up 10 passes last season. With a clear path to early playing time, he fits seamlessly into a defense that values length and versatility.

"He fits perfectly with the Mike Macdonald defense." - Kiper Jr.

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1) Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The Raiders don’t overthink it here. Fernando Mendoza steps in as the clear-cut franchise quarterback after a dominant season with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. With Las Vegas reshaping the roster around him, this is about handing him the keys from Day 1 and building forward.

"It’s going to be Mendoza, and the Raiders have spent the past two weeks trying to clean up the surroundings for his arrival." - Kiper Jr.

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2) New York Jets: OLB David Bailey, Texas Tech
The Jets desperately need pass-rush production, and David Bailey brings exactly that after racking up 14.5 sacks, 71 pressures, and a 20.2% pressure rate. His explosiveness off the edge gives New York a much-needed tone-setter defensively.

"The Jets really need an instant impact edge rusher." - Kiper Jr.
3) Arizona Cardinals: OLB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Arizona adds a versatile front-seven weapon in Arvell Reese, who posted 6.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss. His ability to play both off-ball and on the edge gives the Cardinals flexibility while addressing a major need.

"Reese has the instincts and burst to get home on the QB." - Kiper Jr.
4) Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
This is a statement pick. Jeremiyah Love brings elite explosiveness with 4.36 speed and true three-down ability, giving Tennessee a dynamic weapon to elevate its offense around Cam Ward.

"Love would take the run game to another level while also serving as a dynamic pass catcher." - Kiper Jr.
5) New York Giants: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Giants land a defensive cornerstone in Caleb Downs, a do-it-all safety who can impact both the pass and run game. His presence instantly raises the ceiling of a defense that struggled to create turnovers.

"Downs is on another level. He's a complete football player." - Kiper Jr.
6) Cleveland Browns: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Cleveland continues rebuilding its offensive line with Monroe Freeling, a high-upside tackle with elite physical tools. Despite limited experience, his traits point toward a long-term answer on the edge.

"I see franchise left tackle traits." - Kiper Jr.
7) Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Washington injects athleticism and playmaking into its defense with Sonny Styles, who recorded 77 tackles and flashed elite explosiveness. He fits perfectly as a modern linebacker who can do a bit of everything.

"Washington needs good ball players, and Styles is just that." - Kiper Jr.
8) New Orleans Saints: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
The Saints continue to build around their young quarterback by adding Carnell Tate, a polished receiver known for strong hands and route running. He complements the offense as a reliable No. 2 option.

"Tate brings a well-rounded scouting report, with solid route running and the ability to come down with tough catches." - Kiper Jr.
9) Kansas City Chiefs: DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Kansas City adds another disruptive force in Rueben Bain Jr., who totaled 71 pressures, 9.5 sacks, and 18.5 tackles for loss. His ability to win with power and technique makes him hard to pass up.

"He simply finds ways to get to the QB." - Kiper Jr.
10) Cincinnati Bengals: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
The Bengals address a major defensive weakness with Mansoor Delane, a physical corner who produced 11 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. He brings the traits of a true CB1.

"Cincinnati would love to have a true No. 1 corner." - Kiper Jr.
11) Miami Dolphins: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Miami stays local and strengthens its offensive line with Francis Mauigoa, a powerful tackle with 42 career starts. His strength and experience make him a plug-and-play option.

"Mauigoa uses his strength to dominate pass rushers, and he can clear out running lanes." - Kiper Jr.
12) Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Dallas takes a calculated risk on Jermod McCoy, a talented corner coming off injury who recorded 4 interceptions in his last full season. If healthy, he could quickly become their top cover option.

"He can flat-out play when he's on the field." - Kiper Jr.
13) Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The Rams keep stacking weapons, adding Jordyn Tyson, who thrives in contested situations and consistently finds ways to get open. With Puka Nacua and Davante Adams already in place, Tyson slides in as a high-upside WR3 who could quickly outperform that role.

"He plays the game a lot like Adams, and if not for some durability concerns, Tyson would probably be the top receiver in the class." - Kiper Jr.
14) Baltimore Ravens: OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Baltimore lands a versatile offensive lineman in Spencer Fano, a steady pass protector with experience across the line. With double-digit starts at both tackle spots, his ability to potentially slide inside adds major value.

"He could absolutely handle that role as a replacement for Tyler Linderbaum." - Kiper Jr.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Tampa Bay replaces lost size and explosiveness with Kenyon Sadiq, a mismatch nightmare at 6-foot-3 with 4.39 speed. His ability to win downfield and in the red zone makes him an immediate weapon.

"Defenses struggle to match up with him because of his big frame and speed." - Kiper Jr.
16) New York Jets (via IND): QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
The Jets take a swing on the future with Ty Simpson, who threw 28 touchdowns and continues to flash accuracy and poise. Sitting behind a veteran gives him time to develop into a potential starter.

"I think he’s a first-round QB." - Kiper Jr.
17) Detroit Lions: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Detroit fills a major need with Kadyn Proctor, a massive tackle with 40 career starts and rare movement skills for his size. He projects as a long-term solution protecting the blindside.

"He moves very well for a 6-foot-7, 352-pound blocker." - Kiper Jr.
18) Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Minnesota adds a high-IQ playmaker in Dillon Thieneman, whose instincts and ball skills give him strong playmaking upside in the secondary.

"He reminds me a lot of Harrison Smith in the way he reads the QB and reacts." - Kiper Jr.
19) Carolina Panthers: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Carolina continues building its defense with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a playmaker who produced 10 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions in college. His instincts and versatility stand out.

"He has the speed and instincts to make plays." - Kiper Jr.
20) Dallas Cowboys (via GB): LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Dallas doubles down on defense with CJ Allen, a do-it-all linebacker who recorded 97 tackles and impacts every phase of the game.

"Allen can play all three downs." - Kiper Jr.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Pittsburgh shores up the interior with Olaivavega Ioane, a powerful guard who didn’t allow a sack last season and brings physicality to the trenches.

"He’s the top pure guard in the class." - Kiper Jr.
22) Los Angeles Chargers: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
The Chargers bet on upside with Peter Woods, whose raw production (2 sacks) doesn’t reflect his disruptive potential as an interior penetrator.

"His potential is robust as an NFL 3-technique." - Kiper Jr.
23) Philadelphia Eagles: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Philadelphia adds a developmental tackle in Max Iheanachor, who pairs elite size with athleticism, running a 4.91 40-yard dash at 6-foot-6, 321 pounds.

"What better way to develop than learning behind an elite right tackle?" - Kiper Jr.
24) Cleveland Browns (via JAX): WR Makai Lemon, USC
Cleveland grabs a dynamic playmaker in Makai Lemon, who totaled 1,156 receiving yards in 12 games. He plays bigger than his size and brings much-needed juice to the offense.

"I'm a huge fan of Lemon, and he could go earlier than this." - Kiper Jr.
25) Chicago Bears: DE Zion Young, Missouri
Chicago adds edge help with Zion Young, who recorded 6.5 sacks and 46 pressures while playing with relentless energy.

"He’d bring some intensity to the Bears' front." - Kiper Jr.
26) Buffalo Bills: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Buffalo looks to rebuild its secondary with Avieon Terrell, a sticky man-coverage corner who broke up nine passes last season.

"He’s great in man coverage, showing the ability to stick on receivers." - Kiper Jr.
27) San Francisco 49ers: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
San Francisco upgrades the line with Blake Miller, a reliable tackle who played 97% of his snaps at right tackle and brings consistency to the unit.

"He would bring consistency and reliability to this O-line." - Kiper Jr.
28) Houston Texans: DT Christen Miller, Georgia
Houston continues building a dominant front with Christen Miller, a quick interior disruptor who posted 7.5 tackles for loss over two years.

"He’s active and quick, and he keeps getting better." - Kiper Jr.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Kansas City addresses the corner with Brandon Cisse, an explosive athlete who recorded 12 pass breakups and posted a 41-inch vertical at the combine.

"He anticipates and closes well." - Kiper Jr.
30) Denver Broncos: DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Denver keeps its dominant front rolling with Keldric Faulk, a physical presence at six-foot-six, 276 pounds, who can impact both phases. After posting 11 run stops, he adds strength against the run while bringing real power as a pass rusher.

"He has the power to toss blockers aside on his way to the quarterback." - Kiper Jr.
31) New England Patriots: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
New England adds explosiveness with KC Concepcion, a big-play threat who averaged 15.1 yards per catch and totaled 449 yards after the catch. His ability to stretch the field and create after the catch gives Drake Maye another dynamic weapon.

"He’d stretch the field but also turn quick routes into big gains." - Kiper Jr.
32) Seattle Seahawks: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Seattle closes out the first round with Colton Hood, a long, athletic corner who broke up 10 passes last season. With a clear path to early playing time, he fits seamlessly into a defense that values length and versatility.

"He fits perfectly with the Mike Macdonald defense." - Kiper Jr.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1) Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The Raiders don’t overthink it here. Fernando Mendoza steps in as the clear-cut franchise quarterback after a dominant season with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. With Las Vegas reshaping the roster around him, this is about handing him the keys from Day 1 and building forward.

"It’s going to be Mendoza, and the Raiders have spent the past two weeks trying to clean up the surroundings for his arrival." - Kiper Jr.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Reveals Updated Full First-Round 2026 NFL Draft Predictions

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