Mel Kiper Jr. Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys Trade Up, Two RBs in Round 1

Kiper Breaks Tradition in Final 2026 Projections

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN’s veteran draft analyst, has unveiled his final projections for the 2026 NFL Draft. Released on April 15, 2026, the mock draft deviates from Kiper’s traditionally conservative approach, highlighting significant trades and a resurgence of the running back position in the first round.

The Cowboys’ Aggressive Move for Defense

The most striking move in this final mock involves the Dallas Cowboys. Kiper projects Dallas will trade their 12th and 20th overall picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up to the 6th spot. With this selection, the Cowboys are expected to take linebacker Sonny Styles. This aggressive move aims to revitalize a defensive unit that struggled significantly in the previous season. By moving up, Dallas ensures they land a premier sideline-to-sideline defender before the top tier of defensive prospects is off the board. Kiper describes this as a logical scenario for a team operating under a new defensive coordinator.

Notre Dame Duo Boosts Running Back Value

In a departure from recent trends, Kiper includes two running backs in his first-round projections, both hailing from Notre Dame. Jeremiyah Love is slated as a first-round talent, while his teammate Jadarian Price is projected to go 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle’s interest is driven by necessity; following the loss of Kenneth Walker III in free agency and a season-ending injury to Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks are looking to bolster their backfield immediately despite having limited total picks in this cycle.

Notable First-Round Selections

The Cleveland Browns, after trading down to the 12th spot, are projected to select Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. At 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds, Proctor is viewed as a high-upside protector for a team gaining extra draft capital. Additionally, Kiper forecasts a late first-round trade involving the Arizona Cardinals, who move up to the 30th pick via Miami to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Kiper notes Simpson’s mobility and accuracy make him a high-value prospect for a team looking for a future starter. While these projections remain speculative, they provide a final roadmap for team needs as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.