Offered the opportunity to build a team through the 2026 NFL draft, ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. prioritized Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.<\/p>\n
Unlike a traditional mock draft, Kiper and colleagues Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates had to satisfy certain positional requirements. That was a little trickier in a year with so few good options at quarterback.<\/p>\n
Kiper ultimately waited until his final pick and took Miami’s Carson Beck as his QB. Here’s his full squad in order of selection:<\/p>\n
Mel Kiper Jr. “Mega Mock” Results <\/p>\n
1. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame <\/p>\n
2. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon <\/p>\n
3. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State <\/p>\n
4. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon <\/p>\n
5. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami <\/p>\n
6. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia <\/p>\n
7. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri <\/p>\n
9. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State <\/p>\n
10. Carson Beck, QB, Miami<\/p>\n
Kiper fully embraced the role of a GM because he wrote<\/a> he was “not sure I’ve ever felt better about my roster in all the years we’ve done these superteams drafts.” That’s the kind of optimism you hear from all 32 teams once the draft concludes:<\/p>\n “My offense will run through Love, who should have plenty of gaps to exploit behind the blocking of my top two-ranked tackles,” Kiper said. “I waited until my final pick for a QB because the class drops off so much after Mendoza, but I’m happy to land my QB3 in Beck. He’ll have familiarity behind former teammates in Mauigoa and Freeling, and the after-the-catch ability of Sadiq and contested-catch prowess of Tyson will lead to some big plays.”<\/p>\n Sadiq is perhaps Kiper’s most interesting choice because the eighth pick is much higher than the Oregon star is generally considered. He’s 17th on Bleacher Report’s big board<\/a>.<\/p>\n But the gulf between Sadiq and the next-best tight end is significant. Ohio State’s Max Klare is second at the position in the B\/R big board and sits 43rd overall. Baylor’s Michael Trigg is next on the list and all the way down in 76th.<\/p>\n