Mel Kiper Unveils Major Changes to 2026 NFL Draft Big Board Top 25

ESPN's draft expert shakes up the top prospects with a month until the draft

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:51pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented football players, draft prospects, and other symbolic elements related to the NFL Draft, rendered in a vibrant color palette.Kiper's updated NFL Draft Big Board shakes up the top prospects, with several players rising and falling in the rankings.Notre Dame Today

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has updated his 2026 NFL Draft Big Board Top 25 rankings, with several significant changes to the top 10 prospects. Indiana quarterback Mendoza remains the top-ranked player, while Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State edge rusher Reese round out the top 3. The list also features notable risers like Arizona State wide receiver Tyson and USC wide receiver Lemon.

Why it matters

Kiper's Big Board is one of the most influential draft rankings, and these changes could impact how teams evaluate and prioritize top prospects in the upcoming draft. With the draft just a month away, teams will be closely analyzing these updated rankings to help shape their draft strategies.

The details

Mendoza, the former Indiana star, remains Kiper's top-ranked player after throwing for 41 touchdowns, just 6 interceptions, and completing 72% of his passes in 2025. Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love, who Kiper says 'reminds him a lot of Reggie Bush,' stays at No. 2. Ohio State's Reese, a 'complete football player,' comes in at No. 3, followed by his Buckeyes teammate Styles at No. 4. Texas Tech's Bailey rounds out the top 5 after recording 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss last season.

  • Kiper updated his 2026 NFL Draft Big Board Top 25 rankings less than a month away from the draft.

The players

Mendoza

The former Indiana quarterback is expected to be the top selection by the Raiders. He threw for 41 touchdowns, just 6 interceptions, and completed 72% of his passes, winning the Heisman and leading Indiana to a 16-0 season and the national title.

Jeremiyah Love

The Notre Dame running back stayed at No. 2 on Kiper's Big Board. Kiper says Love 'reminds him a lot of Reggie Bush' with his vision, burst, and ability to break tackles.

Reese

The former Ohio State star edge rusher comes in at No. 3 on Kiper's Big Board. He had 6.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss in 2025, and Kiper calls him a 'complete football player.'

Styles

Reese's Ohio State teammate, the inside linebacker Styles, comes in at No. 4 on Kiper's list after a strong 2025 season with 77 tackles, 7 TFLs, an interception, a forced fumble, and a sack.

Bailey

The elite pass rusher from Texas Tech rounds out Kiper's top 5 after recording 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss last season, along with a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

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What they’re saying

“Mendoza is Kiper's top player in the 2026 NFL Draft to no one's surprise. The former Indiana star is expected to be the top selection by the Raiders.”

— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN NFL Draft Analyst

“Love didn't move in Kiper's Big Board, staying right at No. 2. It's just going to depend on who's selecting high up the draft, but Love is projected to be a top 10 selection.”

— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN NFL Draft Analyst

“Reese comes in at No. 3 on Kiper's Big Board this week. The former Ohio State star had 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2025, over the course of 14 games.”

— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN NFL Draft Analyst

What’s next

With the NFL Draft just a month away, teams will be closely analyzing Kiper's updated Big Board rankings to help shape their draft strategies and determine which top prospects they want to target.

The takeaway

Kiper's significant changes to the top of his 2026 NFL Draft Big Board, including shakeups in the top 10, demonstrate the fluidity of the draft process and how evaluations can shift in the final stretch leading up to the big event. These rankings will be closely watched by teams and fans alike as they prepare for the upcoming draft.