Mel Kiper Jr. – 2026 Mock Draft Prediction
When will Mel Kiper Jr. publish his 2026 final mock draft? Kiper typically publishes his final first-round mock on the morning of the NFL Draft on ESPN. Based on historical patterns, here’s our prediction.
Predicted 2026 Mock Draft Drop Date
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Draft Day Morning · Pittsburgh, PA
Why this date? Kiper has published his final mock draft on the morning of draft day in recent years — it's the last thing ESPN publishes before live coverage begins. The 2026 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh, so expect his final mock that morning on ESPN.
Historical Mock Draft Drop Dates
Kiper publishes multiple mock draft versions throughout the offseason, with his final mock typically appearing on ESPN the morning of draft day. His final mock is the one scored by accuracy trackers.
| Year | Mock Published | Draft Date | Days Before |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 ↗ | April 29, 2021 · Morning | April 29, 2021 | Same Day |
| 2022 ↗ | April 28, 2022 · Morning | April 28, 2022 | Same Day |
| 2023 ↗ | April 27, 2023 · Morning | April 27, 2023 | Same Day |
| 2024 ↗ | April 25, 2024 · Morning | April 25, 2024 | Same Day |
| 2025 ↗ | April 24, 2025 · Morning | April 24, 2025 | Same Day |
| 2026 | April 23, 2026 · Morning (predicted) | April 23, 2026 | Same Day |