Kiper’s new NFL mock draft heading into the combine: Which teams could land a playmaker in Round 1?

Mel Kiper Jr.Feb 24, 2026, 06:20 AM ET

CloseMel Kiper Jr. has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on “SportsCenter,” ESPN studio shows and ESPN Radio. He is the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes regularly for ESPN+.Open Extended Reactions

More than 300 prospects will be in Indianapolis this week for the combine, but only 32 of them will ultimately go in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft on April 23. Let’s project those picks with my second mock draft for this cycle.

You’ll notice some similarities to my January

Link to Original Article - on ESPN