Miller's final NFL mock draft -- with Fowler's latest intel: Projecting 32 first-round picks

Matt MillerCloseMatt MillerNFL draft analystMatt Miller is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation's top pro prospects. A Missouri native, Matt joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live and ESPN Radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Matt spent 11 years as a senior draft analyst at Bleacher Report. and Jeremy FowlerCloseJeremy Fowlersenior NFL national reporterJeremy Fowler is a senior national NFL writer for ESPN, covering the entire league including breaking news. Jeremy also contributes to SportsCenter both as a studio analyst and a sideline reporter covering for NFL games. He is an Orlando, Florida native who joined ESPN in 2014 after covering college football for CBSSports.com.Apr 22, 2026, 04:25 PM ETWhen the 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and ESPN App), we're confident that the first pick will have the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.As for the other 31 picks in Round 1? The possibilities are endless.In an attempt to cut through the rumors and silliness that envelop draft week, Matt Miller has used info from NFL scouts and evaluators to power this final mock draft. He has been making calls and firing off text messages to get the latest about each team's draft strategy. He also got help from national NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, who canvassed his sources to get the latest info. Fowler has shared nuggets from his own calls below for a handful of picks, too.Of course, this could all be made moot on Thursday with a trade or an unexpected pick, especially in a year in which prospects with first-round grades are few and far between. But this is Matt and Jeremy's best attempt to forecast the rapidly approaching draft.Here is what we're hearing entering Thursday, including information on when the second quarterback (Ty Simpson) could be picked, which teams could be the most aggressive, and where the elite Ohio State foursome might end up. We even forecast a trade! We'll start things off with Mendoza and the Raiders.See Miller's final rankings1. Las Vegas RaidersMiller's pick prediction: Fernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaThe 2026 draft might be the most difficult to predict in a long time, but it won't start that way. There are no surprises coming at No. 1: Mendoza will be the first selection and the Raiders are thrilled to have him. The biggest question might be what the Raiders plan to do with their remaining nine picks. I'm told the Raiders don't anticipate a move back into Round 1 from pick No. 36 given the lack of players with a true first-round grade in this class. The Raiders view any player available late in Round 1 as similarly graded to the players who will be available at 36.2. New York JetsMiller's pick prediction: David Bailey, Edge, Texas TechThe buzz entering this week was that the Jets preferred Bailey here. Despite some late speculation that momentum might have swung to Arvell Reese, I'm sticking with the consistent info that Bailey is the pick. It's essentially a choice between two strategies -- build for the future with Reese's higher ceiling or get the more pro-ready, sure thing in Bailey. The Jets can afford to go either route, but all signs right now point to Bailey as the pick based on conversations with more than a half dozen NFL sources.Fowler's intel: The Jets had settled on their pick as of late last week and have shifted to the No. 16 selection and how the board might fall there. The team had not received any inquiries for the No. 2 pick as of midday Wednesday. My potential sleeper QB for the Jets in the middle rounds is Carson Beck (Miami).3. Arizona CardinalsMiller's pick prediction: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio StateArizona is one of the toughest teams to predict given the buzz around it wanting to move out of this spot. I called around multiple times to see if this might be a place where the Chiefs move up from No. 9 for a pass rusher but was told it's unlikely the Cardinals would want to move back that far. I wouldn't rule out a surprise here -- maybe Jeremiyah Love or Francis Mauigoa -- but I'm sticking with the chalk pick of Reese to boost a defense that allowed 28.7 points per game last season (29th in the NFL). But if you're looking for a spot for your mock draft to get shaken up, it's right here.Fowler's intel: The Love buzz has persisted for a few weeks, with the belief that Arizona really likes him. But the Cardinals could be looking to drum up trade interest, too, with either Love or Reese as a catalyst. The draft, in a way, starts at No. 3. And some teams are wondering if Arizona is bluffing on the Love pick when edge rusher and offensive tackle are such obvious needs.play1:50Why Graziano says Cardinals should avoid drafting Jeremiyah Love at No. 3Dan Graziano discusses why taking Jeremiyah Love early in the NFL draft could be a bad financial decision.4. Tennessee TitansMiller's pick prediction: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameHere's another team that would love to trade down in Round 1. However, there's not a logical trading partner for the Titans at this point of the draft, especially with the top two edge rushers off the board. Mike Borgonzi would start his second draft as Titans GM by getting my top-ranked player in the class, as Love is an impact running back to pair with second-year quarterback Cam Ward.Fowler's intel: Tennessee has considered linebacker Sonny Styles (Ohio State) at this spot, per a source. The Titans like his game. One of the top edge rushers would also be an option, and possibly an offensive tackle such as Spencer Fano (Utah). Rival teams say Love makes a lot of sense for Tennessee to help Ward.5. New York GiantsMiller's pick prediction: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateI went back and forth on this pick multiple times. I heard from a reliable source that the Giants don't expect Love to be on the board but would make him the pick if he's available. With Love going to Tennessee in this mock, there are three real options: Styles, Tyson or safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State). In the three-way battle among the two Buckeyes defenders and Tyson, I'm told the team has Tyson as WR1. "No team did more work on Tyson or visited Tempe more than the Giants," a rival area scout said.Fowler's intel: The Giants' coaching staff is very high on Tyson. So, if New York prioritizes such a thing, Tyson very well could become a Giant. But if Love falls to No. 5, there will be some in the building who will be lobbying for him to become the pick.6. Cleveland BrownsMiller's pick prediction: Francis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiThe Browns have been linked to the top offensive tackles in this class by rival scouts, with some thinking Mauigoa is the move here. But there has been steam picking up this week that Cleveland could trade out of this spot and target Fano. But if no deal emerges that the Browns like, sticking and selecting the consensus best offensive tackle is a great way to boost a unit that needs immediate attention. One thing is certain: Cleveland plans to leave Thursday night with a new tackle and a new wide receiver. The order in which it does that is the biggest question mark.Fowler's intel: Fano is also an offensive tackle who has been matched to the Browns in league circles late in the process. "That makes a lot of sense for the Browns," a veteran NFL personnel evaluator told me.The Browns have a short list of players, and not all of them fill their two major needs (offensive tackle, receiver). As one team source cautioned, Cleveland was unpredictable last year with the Travis Hunter trade and could be again. To peg it solely as going receiver/tackle in Round 1 is short-sighted, the source said. So, while I don't expect the Browns to take Styles or Downs, defensive help isn't totally off the table, even if it's an entry point to trade back. And yes, like many others, Cleveland wants to trade down, not up.7. Washington CommandersMiller's pick prediction: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateI've consistently heard that Styles will be the pick if he's on the board. The Commanders have also done work on the wide receiver class in the event that Styles is gone. But Commanders coach Dan Quinn has reportedly told contacts that Styles is his favorite player in the class, and without a second-round pick, Washington must determine which positions have depth. Wide receiver is one of them, as Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee) could be the team's Round 3 target.Fowler's intel: Teams I've talked to believe Styles would be a dream Dan Quinn pick, but they also wonder whether the Commanders are leaning offense. Wide receiver Carnell Tate (Ohio State) is a popular name here, and Washington has spent a lot of time with him.8. New Orleans SaintsMiller's pick prediction: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateThe Saints would be upset if Tyson was off the board, but getting another Ohio State wide receiver to join former Buckeye Chris Olave would be a good consolation prize. Tate's floor seems to be No. 8 overall, with the possibility he could go as early as No. 4. The other consideration here could be another Buckeye in Downs, as the team would love to add an overhang safety in Brandon Staley's defense.Fowler's intel: Tate is considered the "cleanest" receiver prospect among some league personnel evaluators, and the Saints have been linked to him. But it's possible that Tate is gone before this. Defensive line is also an option here since the Saints have receivers they like on Day 2 such as De'Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss). A pass rusher is also on the table for New Orleans.9. Kansas City ChiefsMiller's pick prediction: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, MiamiAs one source in Kansas City told me, "We don't expect to be drafting this high again for a long time," and the Chiefs have inquired about moving up the board even more. While I wouldn't completely rule it out, they're likely to stick and pick at No. 9 unless Bailey slips a bit. Based on multiple conversations with scouts, Bain's sub-31-inch arm length is not a concern, despite defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo historically preferring players with long arms. Bain's speed and power off the edge are seen as difference-making traits.Fowler's intel: Bain is firmly on Kansas City's radar. The Chiefs would like to address corner, wide receiver and possibly offensive line at some point early in the draft, depending on how things fall. It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs, who have worked the phones, sense the Saints would take Bain and try to maneuver. Some people I've talked to think that's at least a possibility.10. New York Giants (via CIN)Miller's pick prediction: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio StateDowns would be in play for New York's first pick at No. 5, but based on what we're hearing, the Giants are doing homework and having discussions to see which of their two targets -- Tyson or Downs -- could conceivably fall to No. 10. As a premium player at a non-premium position, Downs is more likely to slip, which is common for safeties in Round 1. In this scenario, the Giants would have to hope the Saints don't select Downs. He is my No. 3 overall player.play0:49Caleb Downs' NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from Ohio State's Caleb Downs.11. Miami DolphinsMiller's pick prediction: Spencer Fano, OT, UtahWhen polling NFL sources on what the Dolphins' new regime led by former Packers scout Jon-Eric Sullivan might do, opinions varied between wide receiver, cornerback and offensive line. "If they're going with the Green Bay philosophy, it'll be tackle, then cornerback," said an NFC North area scout. Fano, who played both tackle spots at Utah, has positional flexibility across the offensive line -- another hallmark trait coveted by the Packers' scouting staff. There is buzz that Miami really likes Makai Lemon (USC), but it would be a surprise if this staff drafted a wide receiver in Round 1.12. Dallas CowboysMiller's pick prediction: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSUThe Cowboys could be aggressive in trading up -- that rumor hasn't gone away -- and it sounded as if they were willing to package both first-round picks in order to make a super-bold move up the board for one of the top defenders. As I've heard it, the Cowboys don't consider Bain one of them based on the team's move to a 3-4 scheme. That leaves them in play for a corner, and in talking to teams and agents during the pre-draft process, Delane's range to come off the board is anywhere between No. 7 and this pick.Fowler's intel: Dallas is monitoring a trade market that has been quiet so far. The Cowboys are comfortable staying put at Nos. 12 and 20 if need be because they feel they can get impact players at both picks, per a team source. Whether they can get a true blue-chip defensive player at 12 is the question, as this draft is short on them. If the Cowboys do move up, some league scouts believe Styles would be a possible target. At receiver, Dallas has a high grade on Tyson.13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)Miller's pick prediction: Makai Lemon, WR, USCThe chatter around the Rams trading up in Round 1 to grab one of the top receivers has grown louder. If that isn't possible, or if the board falls this way, I expect the Rams to stay local and pick Lemon. Could the Rams consider drafting quarterback Ty Simpson (Alabama) here or even after trading down? I was told Los Angeles sees this as a Super Bowl year and plans to use this draft accordingly. "They want impact guys, more like what they did in '24," said a rival GM.Fowler's intel: Lemon going to the Rams has been a heavy link for a while. "They love him," a source said. But one GM believes the Rams will look at pass rusher somewhere early in the draft because of rising contract costs for veteran rushers. (Byron Young is a 2027 free agent and Jared Verse enters his third season.) If Los Angeles selects a receiver outside of Day 1, Germie Bernard (Alabama) is a player it has spent time on.14. Baltimore RavensMiller's pick prediction: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn StateIn talking to my sources, no one knows what to expect from the Ravens at this spot. Rival scouts identified two likely players: Ioane and tight end Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon). Ioane is a plug-and-play mauler with elite run-game ability, and there's a need for a blue-chip interior player with the loss of center Tyler Linderbaum. One source also told me that Baltimore has done considerable work at the safety position, but not necessarily for its Round 1 pick.15. Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiller's pick prediction: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, MiamiThe Buccaneers believe they have a talented roster in "win-now" territory, making their Round 1 direction more focused on immediate impact than long-term projects. At 25 years old, Mesidor is an older prospect who should be able to play right away after racking up 12.5 sacks for Miami last season. If Mesidor is not the pick, the Bucs have done a ton of work on the defensive tackle class. This might be too early for any of the DTs, but it will be an early priority.Fowler's int