Mel Kiper Jr. predicts 64 picks across the first two rounds of the NFL draft, including two potential trades, a few QB landing spots and plenty of impact additions.
, which kicks off April 23 in Pittsburgh with 32 first-round picks before continuing with Rounds 2-3 on April 24 and Rounds 4-7 on April 25. But my final mock draft for this cycle will be a little different than theTo make these predictions, I'm leaning on team needs, evaluations and what I'm hearing in conversations with execs, coaches and scouts around the NFL .
This isn't what I would do; it's what I believe each team, but things get interesting very quickly from there. You'll notice some surprise late risers in both rounds. And to shake the picks up even more, I projected two in-draft trades -- including one in the top 10.Las Vegas could theoretically turn the draft card in now and start celebrating the landing of its new franchise quarterback. Mendoza is accurate with the football, can pick up the sticks with his legs when necessary and is able to execute any NFL-level throw. Considering the Raiders have been among the bottom five in QBR over the past five seasons , there's no reason to overthink this. Let's get to the Jets at No. 2, where the draftdebate. New York was 31st in sacks last season with 26. It was 27th in pressure rate at 28.8%. Something has to change, and bringing in a player who led the FBS in pressure rate and tied for the lead in sacks last season could do the trick. Bailey would be an instant-impact player off the edge for the Jets. New coach Mike LaFleur will want some foundational players on his defense, and Reese has a sky-high ceiling. He has extended experience at off-ball linebacker and off the edge, and Arizona could use him at either spot. His future is probably rushing the passer, though, and he had 6.5 sacks last season. The Cardinals -- who were in the bottom five in pressure rate last season -- need someone such as Reese oppositewent No. 2 eight years ago, but Love has the goods to come off the board in the top five. And while the case could easily be made that Tennessee has other, more important holes to fill on its roster, it'd be a mistake to look at Love solely as a traditional running back. He's a playmaker who can put a jolt in the Titans' offense in the backfield with quarterback. Love will break free for home runs, he will haul in tough catches when flexed outside, and he will power over defenders to extend drives.If things fall this way, the Giants will have a tough call to make on three Ohio State prospects. I could seequarterbacking the defense from the middle linebacker spot. But I keep coming back to what Downs could do from the back end of this secondary. Next to, his incredible instincts would pop in this defense. Downs would be the first safety taken in the top five since Eric Berry went to the Chiefs in 2010, and he'd be worth it.Let's have some fun here. Dallas and Cleveland each have two first-round picks coming into the draft, which gives those front offices some ability to maneuver. With an elite prospect still on the board, I have Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calling up Browns general manager Andrew Berry to try to make something happen. In this scenario, Dallas would trade pick Nos. 12 and 20 to Cleveland for Nos. 6 and 39. That means the Browns suddenly haveDallas wasn't stopping anyone last season. It allowed 6.1 yards per play, second worst in the NFL. It allowed 30.1 points per game, worst in the NFL. And it was far and away the league's least effective defense by EPA. We've all wondered whether the Cowboys would use both of their first-round picks on defense this month, but this trade up the board might have a greater impact, even if it means sacrificing one of those Day 1 selections. Styles is my No. 4 prospect, and he is explosive , rangy and productive .. would have to get a look. But they also have their pick of the receiver class. Tate is currently my No. 2 receiver behind Arizona State's, but he's atop a lot of receiver boards around the league and doesn't come with the same injury questions that Tyson does., Tate would bring clean route running, reliability and some big-play ability. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch last season en route to 875 yards and nine trips to the end zone. Considering the Commanders would be relying on If the Commanders were to select Bain at No. 7, Tate could be the pick here. The boards in Washington and New Orleans might look similar in this range. But with Tate gone, there should be solid receiver options in Round 2 to fill the void opposite, so Bain fits. The Saints' defense is getting a bit of a refresh this offseason, and regardless of whether defensive endcomes back, they need more youth and juice on the edge. Bain might have short arms for the position, but he also has immense power, plenty of explosion and the deep pass-rush toolbox to beat offensive tackles with consistency.? We can't ignore Tyson's durability concerns, considering he missed a third of his possible college games because of injuries, but we also can't ignore his fantastic skill set when he is on the field. He makes tough catches in traffic and had 711 yards last season. I'm already picturing Mahomes buying time in the pocket and firing 50-50 balls to Tyson in the end zone.is up for grabs in Cincinnati. The Bengals have to do something on defense to catch that unit up to the offense a bit; it allowed 7.8 yards per pass attempt in 2025, fourth worst in the league. Delane is technically sound, and he can make plays to get the defense off the field and put the ball in quarterbackThe Dolphins entered this mock draft with 11 total picks, including seven in the first three rounds. They need them as they continue to make big changes under new leadership. One of the key components to a successful rebuild is shoring up the offensive tackle spots., and Mauigoa would plow open some rushing lanes. If the Dolphins preferred, they could kick him inside, where I think he has a Pro Bowl ceiling. Cleveland is on the clock with the first of three Day 1 picks after the projected trade down. The two positions often associated with the Browns' early picks are wide receiver and offensive tackle. With the way the board fell, that probably means Proctor, Utah lineman. would be in the mix. Fano's future might be at guard, and the receiver class has more value in the early 20s, where the Browns pick two more times. So I'm going with Proctor. He has been buzzy this month, and while his tape is a little inconsistent, the traits are all there. Proctor could lock down the left tackle spot for an offensive line undergoing big alterations.on the Rams' depth chart and question them using a top-15 pick at receiver. But Adams turns 34 late in the 2026 season and is in the last year of his deal, and the receiver depth falls off dramatically after those two standouts. Besides, the Rams are again in win-now mode with quarterbackon a year-to-year status at this point. General manager Les Snead has never shied away from going for it, and adding a tough-as-nails competitor with sure hands out of the slot could put this offense over the top in the team's quest for another Super Bowl. Taking Fano here would give Baltimore options. He could stick at his traditional position and become a swing tackle in Year 1 behindsigned with the Raiders; Fano took snaps at the combine to show teams he could handle the pivot. No matter where he lines up, Fano has the size , agility and technique to keep quarterbackThere's a chance we see more two-tight-end sets in Tampa Bay with coordinator Zac Robinson's offense coming to town and the loss of receiveras a major deterrent to the Bucs looking at Sadiq as an option in the middle of Round 1. Sadiq is the clear top tight end in the draft class, and he was one of the biggest winners of the combine, running a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at 241 pounds and leaping 43 inches in the vertical. That explosion is obvious on the tape, too. He had 560 receiving yards last season, and a lot of it came after the catch. After going defense at No. 2 with David Bailey, the Jets should take a look at the receiver class at No. 16. Just look at the depth chart. There'slast season, and the Jets still haven't added another receiver this spring. It won't matter if it'sor Joe Namath under center if the Jets can't find more pass-catching threats. Cooper had 937 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Freeling has a huge 6-foot-7, 315-pound frame and long 34-inch arms, and he can erase pass rushers with his quickness and handwork. His 18 starts of experience might worry some teams, but I'd bet Detroit would be happy to land Freeling in this range. He has a ton of potential, and the Lions were 31st in pass block win rate last season . Because Freeling played left tackle at Georgia,'s status, but it's sort of irrelevant because the Vikings have to start planning for the future at safety whether or not Smith is back there in 2026. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores would have Thieneman lined up all over the place to create havoc. He can create turnovers , too.on offense. The 2023 No. 1 draft pick took a step forward last season, but the offense was still 25th in ESPN'sbehind the Panthers' really solid cornerback duo could be the team's next savvy move on defense after signing edge rusher. And drafting McNeil-Warren would actually help Young -- by getting him the ball more often. McNeil-Warren had five interceptions and an incredible 10 forced fumbles over four seasons in college. Whether it's two or three first-rounders for the Browns, they have to leave Day 1 with a new receiver. Their receivers caught four touchdowns, and things are looking up. After all, Boston had 11 touchdowns himself last season. His dependable hands and ability to box out defenders with his strength make the quarterback's job a lot easier.will be in black and yellow once more next season, but frankly, No. 21 is too early for Ty Simpson -- or any other QB -- regardless of what the depth chart looks like on April 23. I think it's more likely Pittsburgh takes a signal-caller on Day 2. Instead, the Steelers can use this pick to beef up the protection in front of their to-be-determined passer. Ioane plays with pure power, wrenching defenders out of the way. But he's also pretty swift on his feet at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds. He would be an easy swap for That sound you hear is the Chargers' brain trust collectively slamming the war room table when the Steelers snagged Ioane one pick before they came on the clock. Los Angeles gave up 60 sacks last season, tied for the second most. A lot of that had to do with the, and the Chargers did make a few moves on the interior in free agency, but that still has to be a focus for the team at the draft., but he's 32 years old. Woods could be a long-term fixture at 3-technique. He's as strong as they come, and he'd help plug the middle against the run and try to tap into his pass-rushing potential as he gets acclimated in the pros. The Eagles don't typically let future needs become current problems. General manager Howie Roseman is tactful in how he keeps the roster stocked with depth and future replacements. The question here, though, is whether Roseman will add the next in line behind receiver. The value is better for the latter in this projection, and Miller is a perfect fit after playing over 3,500 snaps at right tackle in college. This could be a good draft day for Cleveland. Proctor and Boston would tick the two biggest need boxes, and finding McCoy -- one of the top cornerback prospects in the class -- at No. 24 would be the cherry on top. Of course, McCoy hasn't played a football game since 2024; hein January 2025 and sat out all of last season. But the tape is really good, and his ball skills are tremendous.a running mate off the edge have fallen short, but Young could finally be the answer. He piled up 6.5 sacks, 46 pressures and 18 tackles for loss last season, showing a mix of power and quickness. The Bears are suddenly legit contenders in the NFC, but their 35 sacks last season tied for seventh fewest in the league. I mentioned this in-- in which I also had Young to Chicago -- but it's worth repeating: The Bears haven't used a top-50 pick on an edge rusher sincein 2025? Would they continue to hammer the receiver position? Would they even consider a trade back if another team started seeing Ty Simpson fall? All valid options for a perennial contender. But I have Buffalo taking a chance on a prospect with a ton of impressive physical traits and upside. Faulk is scheme-versatile, and he can make an impact in the pass rush and against the run. His production didn't take the expected jump last season , but getting him in the building withon his contract situation, but this pick works regardless of the outcome. The legendary left tackle is turning 38 during training camp this summer, meaning San Francisco has to think about the future no matter what. Iheanachor started 31 games in college, has long 33-inch arms and is quick out of his set. But he's also relatively new to football, having never played before 2022. He could use a little time to develop before eventually becoming the guy.. The other option would be considering an offensive lineman, but it'd be a slight reach to go get someone on the interior. So, let's keep this defense strong and replenished.hurting for talent. Hood is long and physical, and he had 17 pass breakups over the past two seasons. Kansas City could still add to the position beyond Hood with one or two of its seven remaining picks outside Round 1.It's getting late in Round 1, and all of the non-Mendoza quarterbacks are still on the board. The Jets have the 33rd pick to kick off Round 2, so I wouldn't be surprised if one of these QB-needy teams tries to trade back into Round 1 to get ahead of New York and also secure the fifth-year option on Ty Simpson. In this projected deal, the Cardinals send Nos. 34 and 65 to the Dolphins for Nos. 30 and 94. The Dolphins would then have five total picks in the top 75 and still be able to get an impact player early on Day 2.being anything more than bridge options. The Cardinals could absolutely wait until 2027 to find their next franchise QB, and this small trade up at the end of Round 1 wouldn't keep them from doing so anyway. But there's an opportunity for Arizona to land a talented passer at good value. You might have heard that Simpson has started only 15 games, and that lack of experience is a concern. But he is also accurate, mobile and smart in the way he dissects opponent defenses. He threw 28 touchdown passes to only five interceptions last season. Why not take a swing at the most important position in the game? Mesidor is supremely talented, with 12.5 sacks, 58 pressures and 11 run stops in 2025. But he's also 25 years old and has some injury history over his long six-year college career. If the Patriots are comfortable with the durability risk, they could absolutely use his production. Their 35 sacks tied for seventh fewest last season, and swapping inwas the team's main change on the edge this offseason. Mesidor could quickly become a feared disruptor in the AFC East. Seattle has to make every pick count, with four total selections and picking at the end of each round. I originally considered projecting Arizona to trade up into this spot simply because the Seahawks would welcome any additional draft capital, but I wasn't convinced we'd actually get an in-division trade like that involving a quarterback pick. Instead, Seattle stays home and closes out Round 1 with our second running back off the board.. Price might not have been the RB1 at Notre Dame, but he can be one in the NFL. He's powerful and fast, averaging 6.0 yards per carry over his career and scoring 11 touchdowns last season. Allen is a three-down 'backer who always seems to be around the ball because he anticipates so well. He racked up 97 tackles last season and flashed as a blitzer with 3.5 sacks. The Jets brought in Demario Davis this offseason, but he's 37.since this time last year, the Dolphins will be sizing up this receiver class. Bernard has underrated speed and superb hands, and new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik could get creative in how he uses him. Bernard had 862 yards and seven TDs as a pass catcher last season, but he also ran for 101 yards and two scores. There's certainly a chance Lawrence is off the board before Round 2 -- he has risen the board quickly over the past month or so. He had seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss last season, showcasing real closing speed. Tennessee still has a need for edge rushing help, even after, McDonald can plug the middle at 6-foot-2 and 326 pounds. He had 17 run stops last season. But he's more than just a run stopper; McDonald added 3.5 sacks and has some untapped potential in that area. He emerged in a big way during the 2025 season, and he could do wonders for the Raiders' defense.shouldn't keep the Giants from adding to their interior offensive line. Rutledge started 43 games in college and gave up only two sacks. He could slide into a starter's role as a rookie. Here's that interior lineman Houston badly needs. Bisontis played 1,300 snaps at left guard over the past two seasons, and he plays with an edge at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds.provided decent early returns as a second-round pick last year, and Bisontis could do the same for Houston on the inside this year. Here's the final pick involved in my projected Cleveland-Dallas trade. I love Parker's speed-to-power and how he plays to the whistle. His sack count dipped from 11 to five in 2025, but he knows how to cause problems for opponent QBs, with 114 pressures over the past three years. The CowboysBengals fans will see "Texas A&M edge rusher" and have flashbacks to last April, when the team tookdespite his 4.5 sacks over three seasons with the Aggies. Stewart ended up with one sack as a rookie. Howell wears the same uniform but is on the other end of the spectrum. He had 11.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss last season. That's big-time production for a Cincinnati team that just lost. But they are still lacking on the WR front behind Chris Olave. Concepcion is elusive and could slot in as the new No. 2 wideout after 919 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Johnson has 4.4 speed and posted four interceptions and nine pass breakups last season. He is probably going to be my CB3 in the class when my final rankings drop next week, so this could end up being a steal for the Dolphins. They would love to find a starter in the middle of Round 2; they are in particularly rough shape at corner.passes last season. I like Cisse's awareness in coverage, and he's fast to the football. He had only two interceptions in college, but he did have 12 pass breakups., he is turning 31 in early September. Stowers caught 146 passes over the past three years, including 11 touchdowns. And he piled up 769 yards last season., and now it can add a true tackling machine. Rodriguez ranked second in tackles in the FBS over the past two seasons ., but they don't really have another viable starter at the position. Hill was getting top-10 buzz last summer, but he's firmly in the Day 2 mix now after an uneven season. He can cover a lot of ground at the second level and ran a 4.51 at the combine at 238 pounds. But he also has upside as a pass rusher, and there's a chance he plays on the edge in the pros. He'd be a good fit in Lou Anarumo's defense. There are five teams with fewer than seven picks, and one of them also lacks its first-rounder -- the Falcons. It's not the best situation. Atlanta might use the first of its five selections at receiver, perhaps with Georgia'sBut Atlanta gave up 4.6 yards per rush last season, 25th in the league, so the interior defensive line is an issue worth examining. Hunter had a ridiculous 52 run stops and 33.5 tackles for loss over the past three seasons and could be an answer.are on expiring deals, and Washington's 4.33 speed would add another element to the offense . Washington ran for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and he added 28 catches out of the backfield.. After going offensive line in the first round, this is good spot to take another cut. Moore had 10 sacks last season. And like Hutchinson, he comes from down the road in Ann Arbor.. But Lomu represents good value and a chance to add depth to a room that lost Ekwonu in the playoffs to a. Lomu -- who played left tackle at Utah -- is solid in pass protection, but he really pops as a run blocker. His ability to get to the second level is all over the tape. Terrell is dealing with a hamstring injury at the moment, but he is a consistent man-to-man corner with plenty of speed. He makes plays on the ball, and he had eight forced fumbles over the past two seasons, including five in 2025. He could potentially start for the Packers in Year 1.. But where is the quick-game specialist? That'd be an important part of the offense if Aaron Rodgers returns; he got the ball out quicker than any other QB last season . Enter Branch, who might be undersized at 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds but plays the game likeis back for one more year, but the Eagles need more options at tight end, not to mention a succession plan for the 31-year-old if he doesn't return in 2027. Delp's stats aren't going to wow you , but he's effective with the ball in his hands and has some potential to his game. And the Eagles love the Georgia pipeline. The Chargers might have missed out on Ioane in Round 1, but they get their interior lineman here on Day 2 -- one of only five total selections for general manager Joe Hortiz. Pregnon can move defenders off the ball with his power and sustains his blocks really well. He can lock out defensive tackles. The Jaguars don't have a first-round pick, but they do have 11 total selections. So, they have the chance to attack some needs. One of them is edge rusher, as they ranked 27th in sacks last season . Barham is an intriguing player to watch on Day 2, and he could be a good fit in Jacksonville. He had four sacks and 23 pressures last season.out. But it's still a need, and Stukes could step in for Lewis. The Bears have an opportunistic defense, leading the NFL in takeaways and interceptions last season. Stukes fits right in; he had four interceptions last year.last season, and their respective returns will do wonders to the edge rush. But there's no getting around the team's 20 sacks last season, by far the lowest total in the league. Jacas had 11 sacks last season; he would at the very least provide depth in case starters go down again.in the slot, and for good reason. But this is a value play on a prospect with solid ball skills and an explosive skill set. Good luck to any team trying to throw the football against Houston next season.Welcome to the draft, Denver! With a pretty deep roster, the Broncos can afford to take a little bit of a risk. Banks' talent is more in line with Round 1, but he is dealing with yet another foot injury, which could keep him on the board until the middle part of Day 2. Banks is a disruptive presence on the interior, and he can stuff the run at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds. WithIt's still possible that the Patriots trade for A.J. Brown, which would obviously take the wide receiver room to another level. Even so, Brazzell ran a 4.37 at 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds, and he finished last season with 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 16.4 yards per catch. New England should be eager to add pass catchers with physical traits and production like that, as third-year quarterbackwalk in free agency. Muhammed has 4.42 speed and broke up 10 passes in 2024. He could be a rotational player for defensive coordinator Aden Durde.San Jose man connected to string of violent attacks arrested
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