2026 NFL mock draft: 32 first-round predictions, plus intel - ESPN

When 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 rankings

Miller's pick prediction: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The 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