In his first mock draft ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr., chooses between David Bailey and Carnell Tate for the Tennessee Titans.

There are just four teams left in the NFL playoffs. Once a Super Bowl champion is crowned, the final piece of the 2026 NFL Draft order will be the league's announcement of compensatory selections. In today's thought exercise,

The first 2026 NFL mock draft from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. is here.

According to a recent FOX Sports mock draft, New York will instead set their sights on shoring up defense with their selections at No. 2 and No.16. Perhaps this pivot is for the best; in the 2025 regular season, the Jets ranked an abysmal 31 st in points allowed with a historical zero interceptions recorded.

The Bengals get bold with a top 10 pick in a new mock draft.

The Saints will have the No. 8 overall pick when the first round takes place on April 23 in Pittsburgh. Last season, the team selected offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. and quarterback Tyler Shough in the first two rounds of the 2025 Draft. Both Shough and Banks were named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team.

The Indiana quarterback is projected to go No. 1 overall, potentially pushing a top-tier defender down to the Commanders at No. 7.

Bengals fans will love what Mel Kiper Jr. has to say in his newest 2026 mock draft.