Mel Kiper Jr.
Matt Miller
Matt Miller
NFL draft analyst
Matt Miller is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, offering in-depth scouting on the nation’s prime professional prospects. A Missouri native, Matt joined ESPN in 2021 and in addition contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Reside and ESPN Radio. Previous to becoming a member of ESPN, Matt spent 11 years as a senior draft analyst at Bleacher Report.
Jordan Reid
Jordan Reid
NFL draft analyst
Jordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, offering in-depth scouting on the nation’s prime professional prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and in addition contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He performed quarterback at North Carolina Central College after which went on to teach there from 2014-18.
Subject Yates
Subject Yates
ESPN NFL Insider
Subject Yates is a fantasy soccer skilled and NFL draft analyst for ESPN. Yow will discover him on Fantasy Soccer Now on Sunday mornings and repeatedly on NFL Reside all through the week, in addition to the Fantasy Focus and First Draft podcasts. A graduate of Wesleyan College (CT) and native of Weston, Mass., Yates has earlier expertise interning with the New England Patriots on each their teaching and scouting staffs.
Kalyn Kahler
Kalyn Kahler
ESPN
Kalyn Kahler is a senior NFL author at ESPN. Kalyn stories on a variety of NFL subjects. She reported in regards to the affect of teaching brokers on NFL hiring and came upon what present and former Cowboys gamers actually take into consideration the tour teams of followers that roam about The Star day by day. Earlier than becoming a member of ESPN in July of 2024, Kalyn wrote for The Athletic, Defector, Bleacher Report and Sports activities Illustrated. She started her profession at Sports activities Illustrated as NFL columnist Peter King’s assistant. She is a graduate of Northwestern College, the place she was a varsity cheerleader. In her free time, Kalyn takes Spanish courses and teaches Irish dance. You’ll be able to attain out to Kalyn by way of e mail.
A number of Authors
The NFL mix is rolling by means of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this week — a key occasion within the lead-up to the 2026 NFL draft. Greater than 300 prospects will converge on Indy, the place they are going to obtain official measurements, endure medical evaluations, interview with groups and work out in entrance of NFL scouts, coaches and entrance workplace executives.
The on-field drills start Thursday, and draft consultants Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Subject Yates are right here to interrupt down what they’re in search of out of one of the best gamers within the class. Which prospects are going to make an impression? Who has essentially the most to show or acquire? Which quarterbacks may flip heads, and naturally, who will run the quickest 40-yard sprint? NFL reporter Kalyn Kahler additionally shared one new tweak to the mix exercises that would matter.
Defensive linemen, linebackers and particular groups are up first Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. Defensive backs and tight ends carry out their exercises at 3 p.m. ET Friday, adopted by the quarterbacks, vast receivers and working backs at 1 p.m. ET Saturday. The offensive linemen end issues with their exercises at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
Listed here are some prime names to observe and what to anticipate over the following 4 days.
Bounce to:Prime exercise watch | Prospects with loads to proveTop QBs to observe | Quickest 40-yard dashesExplosive jumps | Measurements that matterMedicals to observe | Newest buzz | Daring predictions
Which prospect goes to dominate his mix exercise?
Miller: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon. The thrill surrounding Sadiq’s expertise has been rising for the reason that junior tight finish first took the sphere as Terrance Ferguson’s backup in 2024. Now, the 6-foot-3 245-pounder has his shot to impress scouts and GMs. Evaluators I’ve spoken to are predicting Sadiq will leap north of 41 inches within the vertical soar and will run the 40-yard sprint within the low 4.5-second vary. The highest tight finish within the class, Sadiq has various grades from groups, with some inserting him within the prime 20 whereas others see him within the again finish of Spherical 1. An enormous week of testing may push him to the highest of that vary.
Reid: Sonny Kinds, LB, Ohio State. At 6-foot-4, 243 kilos, Kinds has the potential to be the discuss of the mix after his exercise. Chatting with scouts, the expectation is for Kinds to run within the mid-to-high 4.5 vary within the 40-yard sprint and exceed 40 inches within the vertical soar. Do not be stunned if he touches 11 toes on the broad soar, too. He’s already considered as a possible top-10 decide, however Kinds is prone to placed on a present not solely through the testing portion but additionally in on-field drills.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Kiper: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama. Man, Jordan took mine. Kinds goes to mild up the vertical and 40. However I am going to go along with Proctor, who’s extraordinarily explosive for his 6-foot-7, 366-pound dimension. We noticed his athleticism on show through the season, as he took a display screen go 11 yards in opposition to Georgia and plowed his technique to a primary down in opposition to Missouri. And he has a ton of uncooked upper-body energy. I feel he may put up some actually good numbers within the mix testing and assist make the case that he ought to keep at left sort out within the NFL — and go in Spherical 1.
Yates: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia. Followers of the “First Draft” podcast are conversant in my emotions about Freeling, who’s amongst my prime 15 prospects in your entire class. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound sort out is one one of the best O-line athletes anticipated to work out in Indianapolis, and he’ll have an opportunity to showcase the sleek actions, transitions and footwork that helped him turn out to be a standout go protector. My sentiment is that Freeling will carry on climbing draft boards, and I would not be shocked if he works his approach into the highest 10.
Which prospect has essentially the most using on his exercise?
Kiper: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami. There is no such thing as a arguing Bain’s manufacturing (together with 9.5 sacks and 71 pressures final season), approach and total upside. His sport is constructed on sheer energy, nonstop hustle and a deep arsenal of pass-rush strikes to beat offensive tackles. However his arm size at 6-foot-3, 275 kilos is a query for scouts, and his 40-yard sprint time will probably be key in seeing his true pace. Bain wants exercise and a few stable testing numbers to show he might be simply as dominant within the NFL as he was in faculty. I’ve him ranked ninth total proper now, however he may find yourself going top-five if he places a stamp on his analysis in Indianapolis.
Yates: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama. Few gamers have generated as robust of opinions from scouts as Proctor, who at his greatest is a hulking, highly effective, overwhelming sort out with flashes of proactive athleticism that wow you. However he endured troublesome stretches all through his Alabama profession, leaving some scouts skeptical that he has the foot quickness to carry up in opposition to prime NFL go rushers. As Mel stated above, Proctor’s exercise will probably be important in stating the case that he has the products to carry up in go safety and safe his spot as a possible top-25 choice.
Miller: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama. Simpson (QB2 in my rankings) made the proper transfer by deciding to throw on the mix, however loads is now using on how he performs there. The junior began solely 15 video games in faculty (all final season) and appeared noticeably completely different over the second half of 2025. I wish to see what Simpson’s arm appears to be like like in individual and what sort of velocity and drive energy he can generate. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 208 kilos, Simpson’s measurements may also be scrutinized as scouts dwelling in on his hand dimension and peak.
0:53
Mel Kiper Jr. makes case for Steelers drafting Ty Simpson
Mel Kiper Jr. joins “Get Up” and breaks down why Ty Simpson could be possibility for the Steelers within the 2026 NFL draft.
Reid: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida. He got here into the 2025 season as a possible top-20 decide, however Banks performed solely three video games due to a foot damage. With loads of query marks coming into the predraft course of, Banks revived his draft inventory a bit throughout a powerful week of practices on the Senior Bowl. However now scouts will wish to see him put all of it collectively on the mix; a powerful displaying in testing and on-field drills may assist him resurface as a mid-to-late first-round decide. He is my No. 29 total prospect.
What do scouts wish to see from this quarterback group?
Reid: The QB class is vast open after Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. And with Mendoza opting to attend till his professional day on April 1 to throw, there is a prime alternative for an additional quarterback to say the highlight Saturday. Who will make an announcement?
Simpson (Alabama) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) are considered because the potential QB2 and QB3 of this class. After their extremely inconsistent seasons, scouts have an interest to see how each throw the ball through the throwing session. Simpson continues to be receiving a mix of late Spherical 1 and early Day 2 grades, whereas Nussmeier’s grades are sporadic. Some scouts see him as a Spherical 3 prospect, whereas others really feel he is a Day 3 dart throw.
Cole Payton (North Dakota State) can be gaining steam, and his growth is properly forward of the curve regardless of being a one-year starter. Early Day 3 continues to be seen as Payton’s goal space, however Spherical 3 is not out of the query if he performs properly through the predraft course of. Saturday will probably be key.
Which quarterback has the possibility to rise essentially the most Saturday?
Kiper: Taylen Inexperienced, Arkansas. The eighth QB on my board has a reputable probability to toss his title within the wide-open QB3 ring with efficiency this week, although that admittedly speaks extra to the uncertainty of the quarterback class past Mendoza and Simpson. He appears to be like the half at 6-foot-6 and 224 kilos, he has an enormous arm to push the ball downfield, and he’s a terrific runner with 35 profession scores on the bottom. However Inexperienced’s accuracy has been very inconsistent. Think about that his completion price was under 60% in half of his video games final season, and his 11 interceptions tied for 14th within the nation.
Inexperienced must run in addition to anticipated and throw with precision Saturday. He cannot be lacking excessive and low on passes through the exercise, particularly with no defenders in protection. I wish to see a soar in his ball location. A great exercise may have groups buzzing a couple of man with lots of coveted bodily traits.
Choose a four-man relay group of prospects who will mild up the 40-yard sprint
Miller: This was a straightforward yr to select a 4×40 group. Let’s begin off with Notre Dame working again Jeremiyah Love. The 6-foot, 214-pound first-rounder has the runaway pace, as proven by his two 90-plus-yard landing runs final season. He’ll prepare dinner within the low 4.4s. We additionally must get Mississippi State receiver Brenen Thompson on the group, as he is my decide to run the quickest 40 in Indy. Look ahead to him to run within the mid-4.2-second vary, although I do not assume he is catching Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy (document 4.21 in 2024).
For the final two, I polled scouts and heard that Iowa wideout Kaden Wetjen (excessive 4.3s) and Wake Forest working again Demond Claiborne (low 4.4s) are two must-sees relating to one of the best 40 instances on this class. If I needed to name out a participant on protection, I would control Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell. He can fly.
1:36
Why Louis Riddick considers Jeremiyah Love an enormous difference-maker
Louis Riddick breaks down why Jeremiyah Love is the largest offensive difference-maker within the 2026 NFL draft.
Which prospect goes to show heads together with his broad/vertical jumps?
Yates: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina. He is likely one of the most explosive gamers within the draft, which is clear when watching his tape. A vertical soar north of 40 inches would come as no shock (count on a powerful broad soar, too), and he’ll blaze the 40 as properly. Cisse was a movable chess piece throughout his faculty profession. A robust week in Indy will strengthen his case to be a first-round choice.
Which prospects’ measurements will scouts actually be targeted on?
Miller: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami. The arm size issues have been loudly rumored when discussing Bain, and we’ll get a agency quantity on simply how lengthy his arms are this week. Does it matter? Some groups will knock a participant with sub-32-inch arms alongside the defensive position — even when that participant had 71 pressures and 9.5 sacks like Bain did final season. His weight may also be of curiosity.
Will he are available at his listed weight of 275 kilos, or will he look to chop or bulk as much as power groups into viewing him as both an out of doors or inside D-lineman? If Bain weighs in at 285 or extra, we will assume groups will speak about kicking him inside to sort out. However he may additionally reduce weight to suit extra as an edge rusher within the NFL.
Whose medical stories will groups be paying shut consideration to this week?
Reid: If we’re strictly rating this class of receivers by expertise, a powerful argument may very well be made that Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson is one of the best of the bunch. However he has struggled to remain wholesome. He by no means accomplished a full faculty season, lacking three video games in 2025. He is all the time battling nagging accidents, so there will probably be groups hesitant in taking Tyson in Spherical 1.
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy sat out final season after tearing his ACL, so groups will wish to know extra about his restoration. Expertise-wise, there is not any doubting McCoy is likely one of the 10 greatest prospects on this class. He has squeaky-clean approach, as he can flip and run with any receiver whereas additionally having the hip mobility to interrupt at any level. And at 6 toes, 193 kilos, he additionally has nice dimension for a flexible nook. However the place is he at in his rehab and timeline to return?
Lastly, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, who broke his left ankle in an October loss to Northwestern, will probably be one to observe. He is my QB5 proper now.
What’s one of the best piece of buzz you have heard heading into the mix exercises?
Kiper: Missouri’s Zion Younger may very well be the primary defensive finish off the board — forward of Bain, Akheem Mesidor, and many others. (however not fairly in the identical class as prime outdoors linebackers Arvell Reese and David Bailey). The 6-foot-5, 262-pound edge rusher performs with robust arms, loads of quickness and the flexibility to seal off the run. He is No. 22 on my board, however he has lots of followers across the league and will push increased — particularly if he has week on the mix.
Miller: Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane may very well be a top-15 decide and a future All-Professional. The 6-foot-4 330-pounder is a favourite of many evaluators I’ve talked to for the reason that Senior Bowl. “He is a mauler with ballerina toes,” one NFC South space scout stated. Guards aren’t normally seen as sensible investments in Spherical 1 due to positional worth, and the rookie wage scale dictating a excessive wage for first-rounders, however Ioane is seen as one of many most secure picks on this class.
Reid: Should you’re in search of two names that scouts are excessive on regardless of not getting a lot Spherical 1 buzz, think about Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas and San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson. Jacas (6-foot-3, 275 kilos) has created loads of momentum after recording 11 sacks final season and adopted that up with a powerful efficiency on the Senior Bowl. Do not be stunned if Jacas, my No. 46 total participant, sneaks into the again finish of the primary spherical.
Johnson (6-foot, 185 kilos) has been repeatedly introduced up by scouts on this deep cornerback class. After a dominant 2025 season that resulted in him incomes Mountain West Co-Defensive Participant of the Yr, the massive query mark that scouts need answered is Johnson’s straight-line pace. His 40-yard sprint time is one to observe very carefully. I’ve him in Spherical 2 in the meanwhile.
Yates: Michigan edge rusher Jaishawn Barham is choosing up steam within the scouting neighborhood, which I do not count on to decelerate anytime quickly. He started his faculty profession at Maryland and was a stand-up linebacker for a lot of his faculty profession, however at 6-foot-3 and 243 kilos, he performed a hearty dose of edge snaps in 2025 and confirmed distinctive explosiveness. He is a Day 2 prospect now who will solely create additional intrigue with an enormous week.
What’s a technique the mix exercises have modified this yr?
Kahler: The mix has added a brand new bench press drill — an isometric maintain to measure a prospect’s power — a number of membership sources on the mix advised ESPN. Prospects will begin with elbows bent at 90 levels and push the barbell as exhausting as doable for 3-5 seconds. Prospects will do at the least two reps, with 60 seconds of relaxation.
Final yr, solely 25% of prospects participated within the bench press, the place prospects max out reps at 225 kilos. And over the previous 4 years, solely 30% of prospects participated within the bench press. The session has been a part of the mix since 1985, however it hasn’t been widespread amongst prospects or NFL golf equipment lately as a result of it is not considered as an precise indicator of soccer energy. The introduction of the isometric maintain this yr appears to be like to be a transfer to measure practical energy, as an alternative of the endurance energy of the bench press. And since it’s much less bodily taxing, prospects is likely to be extra prone to take part in it. Prospects will nonetheless have the chance to finish the standard bench press, as properly.
In 2020, president of Nationwide Soccer Scouting Inc. Jeff Foster advised Sports activities Illustrated that he had mentioned choices to switch the bench press that yr with a committee of 5 basic managers.
Give us your greatest prediction for mix week.
Reid: The thrill popping out of the mix will encompass the depth atop the offensive sort out class. I at present have seven gamers with top-50 grades. Freeling (Georgia), Max Iheanachor (Arizona State) and Blake Miller (Clemson) at present have second-round grades, however I consider all three will firmly be within the Spherical 1 image after this weekend. In talking with a number of scouts and evaluators over the previous month, there is not any set order on after they’re anticipated to come back off the board, however tackles will probably be chosen continuously — and early.
What to know for the 2026 NFL draft
• Mocks: Kiper | Miller | Reid | Yates• Rankings: Kiper | Miller | Reid | Yates• Finest by place | Draft order | Extra
Yates: We will come out of this week with lots of questions on the highest gamers. Lately, prime prospects have bypassed even among the elementary duties of the week (i.e., no drills, no weigh-ins, and many others.), and I am not right here in charge them or query them. However in a category with fewer blue-chip prospects than standard, there are gamers projected to go early who’ve questions on their dimension, well being, athletic profile or in any other case. Lots of these questions is not going to be answered in Indy.
Kiper: Tennessee vast receiver Chris Brazzell II will run one thing within the ballpark of 4.47 within the 40-yard sprint and push himself into the first-round dialog. I like his 6-foot-5 dimension, positive arms, total toughness and energy on the catch level. However NFL entrance workplaces will probably be paying shut consideration to his timed pace. He is faster than you’d count on out of his breaks at that dimension, however displaying good straight-line pace will spherical out his scouting report. He is the kind of participant who would possibly rise over the following few weeks as groups get a better have a look at his tape. He is WR6 on my board.
Miller: Ohio State will dominate the mix — and the draft. We have already seen linebacker Sonny Kinds, security Caleb Downs, edge rusher Arvell Reese, defensive sort out Kayden McDonald and vast receiver Carnell Tate taking prime spots at their respective positions in a number of rankings. We must always see all of them do very properly in testing this week, too. Like Jordan talked about earlier, Kinds is a reputation that pops up continuously with scouts and coaches when speaking about potential exercise stars. These 5 gamers listed are seen as first-round skills, which is why Spherical 1 may have a scarlet-and-gray really feel to it.
