Grading the 2026 NFL mock drafts: How did Mel Kiper, Daniel Jeremiah, Todd McShay and other experts fare? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft proved to be one of the most whirlwind in recent memory.

The action really started at No. 2, with the Jets opting for Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey as opposed to Ohio State maven Arvell Reese. That set the stage for a hectic draft board, one whose fireworks were amplified by trades and Ty Simpson's surge up the rankings.

All told, it made for a heart-racing, but memorable night at the races for the more than 300,000 fans that pooled into Pittsburgh's North Shore on Thursday night.

The Sporting News is grading pundits' final mock drafts. Here is the point system:

One full point for correct player, pick and team;

One half point for correct player and pick, but incorrect team;

One half point for correct player and team, but incorrect pick

Here's a look at how some of the experts fared in their final mock drafts.

(Bold lines represent one full point while italicized lines represent a half-point).

2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available

Iyer's latest mock draft was released on Wednesday, April 22

Iyer successfully predicted three picks, projecting Fernando Mendoza to land with the Raiders at No. 1, Olaivavega Ioane to join the Ravens at No. 14 and Peter Woods to be swallowed into the Chiefs ranks at No. 29. He also was right in linking Mansoor Delane with the Chiefs and Omar Cooper Jr. with the Jets, although they heard their names called at different points than Iyer initially thought.

Kiper's latest mock draft was last updated on Saturday, April 18 

Kiper was correct with his prediction for the draft's first two picks. His accuracy dwindled as trades and surprises took hold of the board. He pulled things together towards the end, however, correctly hypothesizing that the Seahawks would grab Jadarian Price with the last pick in the first round.

Schrager's mock draft was released on Wednesday, April 22

Schrager started his draft board on a tear, successfully predicting four of the first five picks. His accuracy waned throughout the night, although he did offer sage assessments that the Browns and Cowboys were interested in Spencer Fano and Malachi Lawrence's services, respectively.

Brooks' mock draft was released on Tuesday, April 21

Brooks only mustered three correct picks over the course of the first round of the draft. His vision of Mendoza, Bailey and Price was inspired. The hectic nature of the remainder of the draft board left his mock draft looking worse for the wear, however.

Brugler's most recent mock draft was released on Wednesday, April 15