ESPN Unveils New 2-Round NFL Mock Draft After Combine Trades

The 2026 NFL Draft is just over a month away, and ESPN's Jordan Reid has released his latest 2-round mock draft following a combine rocked by trades.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:03pm

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The 2026 NFL Draft is a little more than a month away, and ESPN's Jordan Reid unveiled his latest 2-round mock draft following the NFL Scouting Combine. The draft isn't as quarterback-heavy as recent years, but there is talent all over the board. The mock features several notable trades, including the Jets moving up to No. 12 to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, and the Cardinals trading up to No. 28 to take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

Why it matters

The 2026 NFL Draft is a crucial event for teams looking to build their rosters and set themselves up for future success. With the league's landscape constantly evolving, these early mock drafts provide valuable insight into how teams may approach their selections and where the top prospects are projected to land.

The details

In Reid's mock, the Las Vegas Raiders select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. Other notable selections include Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese going to the Jets at No. 2, Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey landing with the Cardinals at No. 3, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love being picked by the Saints at No. 8.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is a little more than a month away.
  • The NFL Scouting Combine took place prior to this mock draft.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The Heisman Trophy winner and national champion from Indiana, who threw an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns in 2025.

Arvell Reese

The Ohio State linebacker who was named an All-American after recording 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and two pass deflections in 2025.

David Bailey

The Texas Tech edge rusher who led the FBS in sacks with 14.5 in 2025 after transferring in from Stanford.

Jeremiyah Love

The Notre Dame running back who ran for 1,372 yards, 18 touchdowns, and averaged 6.9 yards per carry in 2025.

Makai Lemon

The USC wide receiver who the Jets traded up to select at No. 12 overall.

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What they’re saying

“This draft isn't as quarterback heavy as the last couple of years, but there is talent all over the place!”

— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in the coming weeks, and teams will look to add these top prospects to their rosters as they aim to build championship-caliber teams.

The takeaway

With several high-profile trades already shaking up the 2026 NFL Draft order, teams will need to be strategic in their approach to finding the right fits for their rosters. This mock draft provides an early glimpse into how the top prospects could be selected and the potential impact they could have on their new franchises.