2026 NFL draft: Latest buzz on No. 2 pick, bold predictions - ESPN

With the 2026 NFL draft less than two weeks away (April 23-25), we asked analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates to break down the latest intel from around the league.

This week, we're mainly attacking the draft buzz from the team side. What are we hearing on the Jets' plans at No. 2? Which teams are we most certain — or uncertain — about in Round 1? And what does the perfect draft look like for three franchises picking outside the top 10?

We also asked our experts to give some bold predictions about the top prospects. And to wrap it up, Miller, Reid and Yates emptied their scouting notebooks with what they're hearing, seeing and thinking.

Jump to a section:
Bold predictions | Jets' No. 2 pick
Certain picks | Uncertain picks
Seven-round mock drafts: CAR, DET, LAC
Emptying notebooks: What we're hearing

Reid: Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez will be the second linebacker off the board… inside the first round. To be clear, I'm placing Arvell Reese (Ohio State) at edge rusher here. It's fair to assume that Sonny Styles (Ohio State) will be the first linebacker drafted, sometime in the top 10 picks. After Styles, there aren't many second-level defenders as accomplished as Rodriguez. Teams absolutely love his mental makeup, instincts and playmaking ability (seven forced fumbles, four INTs in 2025).

Rodriguez has continued to check all boxes during the predraft process, and many evaluators have strong second-round grades on him. But don't be completely shocked if someone takes the leap late on Day 1.

Yates: We wanted bold, so how about this: Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. will go outside the top 12 picks. Bain is an exceptional player, and there is no shortage of teams with a pass rush need to pick in the first 12