With the 2026 NFL Draft just hours away, fans and analysts alike are turning to Daniel Jeremiah’s final mock draft for last-minute insights before Round 1 begins. The NFL Media analyst released his updated first-round projections on April 22, 2026, forecasting four trades and highlighting potential movement involving the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints.
Jeremiah’s mock draft, published through NFL.com, places Fernando Mendoza of Indiana as the selection for the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick. The Raiders quarterback has been a consistent presence in Jeremiah’s projections throughout the draft cycle, with the analyst noting Las Vegas’ preparations through the signings of Tyler Linderbaum and Kirk Cousins to support the young passer’s transition.
At pick two, Jeremiah projects the New York Jets selecting David Bailey from Texas Tech as an edge rusher. The analyst acknowledged the ongoing debate between Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese for this spot, ultimately favoring Bailey as “the more refined player with the more defined role.” Jeremiah suggested pairing Bailey with Will McDonald IV would give the Jets a potent pass-rushing duo reminiscent of the Denver team where Jets GM Darren Mougey previously worked.
The third overall pick features a potential trade scenario involving the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. Jeremiah projects the Saints selecting Arvell Reese from Ohio State if the Cardinals agree to trade down from the third position. According to the mock draft, Jeremiah believes Arizona would be tempted by a 2027 first-round pick in such a deal, noting the Saints’ aggressive draft history: “They have made 25 draft trades since 2008. They traded up in all 25 instances.”
For fans wanting to watch Jeremiah’s final mock draft breakdown live, DAZN is offering a stream of his analysis. The service provides the broadcast in high definition with on-demand availability across multiple devices. Viewers can access the content by signing up through the DAZN platform, which carries the sports programming internationally.
The timing of Jeremiah’s release aligns with the official start of Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on April 23, 2026. Coverage will be available across multiple platforms including NFL Network, NFL+, the NFL Channel, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes, giving fans numerous options to follow the proceedings as they unfold in real time.
As draft week reaches its climax, Jeremiah’s final projections serve as one of the last major analytical pieces before teams make their actual selections. His emphasis on potential trades — particularly involving teams known for aggressive draft maneuvering like the Saints — adds an extra layer of anticipation to Thursday night’s proceedings, where the difference between projection and reality often makes for compelling viewing.
For those looking to stream Jeremiah’s analysis ahead of the draft, DAZN provides a verified avenue to access his final mock draft breakdown. The platform’s offering allows viewers to watch the content live or on-demand, fitting into pre-draft preparation schedules regardless of time zone.
The next confirmed checkpoint for NFL fans is the official commencement of Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft at 8 p.m. ET on April 23, 2026, where the actual selections will commence to reveal how closely Jeremiah’s projections align with team decisions on the clock.
What aspects of this year’s draft projections are you most interested in seeing play out on Thursday night? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
