NFL · 1 hour ago

Mel Kiper Jr. Reveals 2026 Mock Draft 1.0: Huge Surprises in the Top 10

John Canady

Host · Writer

Did Kiper Get It Right?

Is Mendoza a "no-brainer" for Vegas, or did Mel overlook a defensive star?

Will Carnell Tate be the first wideout selected?

See our list of the top 50 quarterbacks who entered the transfer portal.
Mel Kiper’s 2026 Mock Draft 1.0: A Heisman Hero Takes No. 1
A Heisman Hero Takes No. 1: Mel Kiper Jr. has officially released his first big board. With a legendary college season in the books, the draft order is mostly set, and a new franchise savior has emerged in Las Vegas. Here is how the Top 10 shakes out.

2026 NFL Draft Order:
1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Washington Commanders
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.
#1 – The Heisman Savior Heads to Las Vegas
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 41 TDs | 6 INTs | 2025 Heisman Trophy Winner
- The Need: Replace Geno Smith, who ranked 27th in QBR and threw 17 interceptions last season.
- The Fit: A "no-brainer" with precision throws and a winning pedigree (16 straight wins) to anchor the Raiders' new offense.
Kiper's Take: "Mendoza could join Joe Burrow and Cam Newton in going undefeated... winning the Heisman and the national championship, and going No. 1 in the draft all inside a 12-month window."
#2 – New York Grabs the Top Defensive Prospect
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 69 Tackles | 6.5 Sacks in 2025
- The Need: Jets ranked 31st in sacks; linebacker Quincy Williams is entering free agency.
- The Fit: A Butkus Award finalist with elite burst and instincts who can play off the ball or as an edge rusher.
Kiper's Take: "Reese played off the ball before moving into an edge rusher role in 2025, and he has the traits to make an impact there in the NFL. I love his instincts and burst."
#3 – Protection First for the Cardinals Main Text Box:
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 42 Consecutive Starts | Over 2,800 Career Snaps
- The Need: Incumbent RT Kelvin Beachum is a free agent; the Cardinals' quarterback situation remains unsettled and requires protection.
- The Fit: A dense, powerful blocker with a "mauling play style" and a stiff anchor to seal off interior runs.
Kiper's Take: "Mauigoa could slide in at right tackle and help spring James Conner and Trey Benson for big runs next season. The quarterback situation is still unsettled, but no matter who is under center, the protection has to be right."
#4 – Tennessee Pairs Simmons with a Sack Artist
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 14.5 Sacks | 23 Tackles for Loss (1st in FBS)
- The Need: Improving the defense is a priority for new coach Robert Saleh; the Titans need an edge threat to complement Jeffery Simmons.
- The Fit: A "super freak" athlete with an elite blend of speed and quickness to stress NFL offensive linemen.
Kiper's Take: "Pairing Bailey with defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on the D-line could be a big step in the right direction... His stats tell the story: 14.5 sacks, 20.2% pressure rate."
#5 – A Reliable WR1 Comes to MetLife Main Text Box:
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 51 Receptions | 875 Yards | 9 TDs in 2025
- The Need: Wideout Wan'Dale Robinson is a free agent; Jaxson Dart needs more reliable targets alongside Malik Nabers.
- The Fit: An elite route runner with fantastic length and body control who has started 28 straight games.
Kiper's Take: "Tate would bring fantastic route running and reliable hands to MetLife Stadium... This also would be the fifth straight year we've seen a first-round wideout from Ohio State."
#6 – Cleveland Anchors the Line with an Award Winner
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 0 Sacks Allowed in 2025 | 11.5% Pass-Rush Win Rate
- The Need: Starters Cam Robinson and Jack Conklin are free agents; Cleveland needs to improve middle-of-the-road pass protection.
- The Fit: An Outland Trophy winner and elite athlete who can play both tackle spots with "sky-high" pro potential.
Kiper's Take: "Fano allowed just four sacks [in 37 career games], and the most recent came in Week 1 of the 2024 season... he has the size, power, and technique to excel at either tackle spot."
#7 – Washington Finds a Sacking Machine Main Text Box:
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 9.5 Sacks | 17.5 Tackles for Loss in 2025
- The Need: Defense allowed 6.0 yards per play (tied for 3rd worst); sack leader Von Miller turns 37 and is a free agent.
- The Fit: A versatile pass rusher with elite angles who can create mismatches across the defensive line.
Kiper's Take: "Bain knows how to reach the quarterback... He has a great mix of power, speed, and bend, and the Commanders could move him around on the defensive line to create mismatches."
#8 – Saints Secure a Red Zone Powerhouse
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 61 Receptions | 8 Touchdowns in 2025
- The Need: Beyond Chris Olave, no Saints wide receiver cleared 300 yards this season; more pass-catching depth is vital for Tyler Shough.
- The Fit: A high-volume perimeter target who uses his strength and contested-catch ability to thrive in the red zone.
Kiper's Take: "Tyson could immediately be a red zone target for Shough thanks to his strength and ability on contested catches."
#9 – Mahomes Gets a Game-Changing Ground Threat
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 1,372 Rushing Yards | 18 Rushing TDs in 2025
- The Need: Chiefs ranked in the bottom half of the league in yards per carry (4.2); incumbents Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are free agents.
- The Fit: A Heisman finalist with "breakaway speed" who can catch out of the backfield to open up the offense.
Kiper's Take: "Improving the run game could open up the offense in a big way... Love is the second-best prospect on my Big Board. Vision. Burst. Power. Speed. Receiving skills. He has it all."
#10 – Cincinnati Lands an Elite Defensive Anchor
The Breakdown:
- Key Stats: 2 INTs in each of his three college seasons | Unanimous All-American
- The Need: Cincinnati allowed the NFL's most yards per play in two of the past three campaigns, including 6.2 yards in 2025.
- The Fit: A high-speed wrap-up tackler with elite ball skills who stabilizes a struggling back end.
Kiper's Take: "Downs reads plays so well and has the speed and wrap-up technique to wrangle and take down ball carriers... He's exactly the type of player the Bengals need on the back end."
Did Kiper Get It Right?

Is Mendoza a "no-brainer" for Vegas, or did Mel overlook a defensive star?

Will Carnell Tate be the first wideout selected?

See our list of the top 50 quarterbacks who entered the transfer portal.
Mel Kiper’s 2026 Mock Draft 1.0: A Heisman Hero Takes No. 1
A Heisman Hero Takes No. 1: Mel Kiper Jr. has officially released his first big board. With a legendary college season in the books, the draft order is mostly set, and a new franchise savior has emerged in Las Vegas. Here is how the Top 10 shakes out.

2026 NFL Draft Order:
1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Washington Commanders
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.