Key Highlights
- 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+. Follow on XEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIt's an exciting time in the football calendar, with the College Football Playoff National Championship game -- congrats to Indiana on an amazing season -- and the NFL playoffs' conference championship games falling within a week's time.
- It's also when we really start to ramp up the NFL draft discussion, and I'm taking the opportunity to release my first mock draft for the 2026 class. There is only one clear first-round quarterback, followed by a few other passers who could join.
- (I projected two QBs on Day 1 here.) But we should see a bunch of talented pass catchers -- the offensive skill positions make up a quarter of my 32 pick projections below -- and impact defenders. The draft order is set for the first 28 picks, and I used ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) for the Broncos, Patriots, Rams and Seahawks, who, of course, still have some football to play before their slots lock in.
- I didn't project any trades quite yet, but four first-round picks already have been dealt to other teams.
