The most recent NFL rookie class of players settling into their new homes means only one thing: the very first fantasy football mock draft of the 2026 season.
The ESPN Fantasy football crew wasted little time conducting a mock draft after the completion of the NFL draft. In fact, we did so first thing Monday after RB Jeremiyah Love, WR Carnell Tate and all the other college stars were given their new team caps. Rosters have well over 53 men on them, and there's still a long way to go until the NFL season officially kicks off in September, but a mock provides a good early take on the fantasy landscape after free agency and the draft have altered rosters, schemes and fantasy values.
This mock featured (in order of first-round selection) Tristan H. Cockcroft, Eric Karabell, Matt Bowen, Tyler Fulghum, Field Yates, Daniel Dopp, Mike Clay, Jim McCormick, Eric Moody and Liz Loza. Commentary and insight provided by Karabell.
Round 1
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson was the No. 1 pick in the first ESPN fantasy football mock draft of 2026. Brett Davis-Imagn Images 1. Bijan Robinson, ATL (RB1) -- Cockcroft 2. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (RB2) -- Karabell 3. Christian McCaffrey, SF (RB3) -- Bowen 4. Puka Nacua, LAR (WR1) -- Fulghum 5. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (WR2) -- Yates 6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (WR3) -- Dopp 7. Jonathan Taylor, IND (RB4) -- Clay 8. De'Von Achane, MIA (RB5) -- McCormick 9. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (WR4) -- Moody 10. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (WR5) -- Loza
Running backs with the first three picks was surprising. Bowen going with Christian McCaffrey over Puka Nacua raised eyebrows. It ended up being an even split of five running backs and wide receivers, but it sure didn't begin that way.
Round 2
11. James Cook III, BUF (RB6) -- Loza 12. Ashton Jeanty, LV (RB7) -- Moody 13. Saquon Barkley, PHI (RB8) -- McCormick 14. Jeremiyah Love, ARI (RB9) -- Clay 15. Omarion Hampton, LAC (RB10) -- Dopp 16. Derrick Henry, BAL (RB11) -- Yates 17. Brock Bowers, LV (TE1) -- Fulghum 18. Drake London, ATL (WR6) -- Bowen 19. Justin Jefferson, MIN (WR7) -- Karabell 20. Rashee Rice, KC (WR8) -- Cockcroft
The running back frenzy continues, with a run of six starting the round. Rookie Jeremiyah Love is among them, nestled between Saquon Barkley and Omarion Hampton. In last year's final ADP, RB11 didn't go until pick 24. Brock Bowers is the first tight end.
Round 3
21. Trey McBride, ARI (TE2) -- Cockcroft 22. Malik Nabers, NYG (WR9) -- Karabell 23. Nico Collins, HOU (WR10) -- Bowen 24. Chase Brown, CIN (RB12) -- Fulghum 25. Josh Jacobs, GB (RB13) -- Yates 26. Kenneth Walker III, KC (RB14) -- Dopp 27. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (WR11) -- Clay 28. A.J. Brown, PHI (WR12) -- McCormick 29. Chris Olave, NO (WR13) -- Moody 30. Breece Hall, NYJ (RB15) -- Loza