2026 NFL draft: Experts pick superteams of top prospects

It’s our favorite time of year, when we have our nfl draft Analysts create superteams made up only of players this year’s class. Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reed, and Field Yates played a 10-round, 40-pick draft to create the final fantasy teams of draft prospects. For the full draft and some spirited debate, see the latest edition “First Draft” Podcast.

Here’s how it worked: Kiper, Miller, Reed and Yates were drafted to fill out the starting lineup. Each roster had specific essential positions: a quarterback, a running back, two pass catchers, an offensive tackle, an interior offensive lineman, two front-seven defenders, and two defensive backs. Our experts were allowed to draft positions in any order and move the more versatile prospects around a bit. (You may notice that some offensive tackles kick to the interior, even though this is not the case in the NFL.)

The Superteam Draft also provided a unique way to look at the class, touching on positional value, based on how each analyst rated him. personal board And which prospects can make the biggest impact at the next level. Which team finished with the best offense and most impressive defense? Let’s start at the top with Miller and then go pick by pick.

See all 40 draft picks in order
Roster: miller | kipper | reed | Yates

Check out the full roster reveal on ‘First Draft’

chooses

The draft order was randomized, with Miller receiving the first pick. But because it is a snake format, Yates had back-to-back selections at Nos. 4 and 5, and Miller was not selected again until No. 8 after No. 1. And no trades were allowed.

1. Miller: Fernando Mendozacubby, indiana
2. Kipper: jeremiah loveRB, Notre Dame
3. Reed: caleb downsS, Ohio State
4. Yates: sonny stylesLB, Ohio State

5. Yates: olivevega ioneYes, Penn State
6. Reed: spencer fanole, utah
7. Kipper: kenyon sadikTE, Oregon
8. Miller: corn lemonWR, USC

9. Miller: carnell tateWR, Ohio State
10. Kipper: jordan tysonWR, ASU
11. Reed: Casey ConcepcionWR, Texas A&M
12. Yates: Arvel ReeseEdge, Ohio State

13. Yates: ty simpsoncubby, alabama
14. Reed: Mansoor DelaneyCB, LSU
15. Kipper: dylan thienemans, oregon
16. Miller: David BaileyEdge, Texas Tech

17. Miller: jermod mccoyCB, Tennessee
18. Kipper: Francis Mauigoaol’ miami
19. Reed: reuben ben jr., Edge, Miami
20. Yates: jadarian priceRB, Notre Dame

21. Yates: Omar Cooper Jr.., WR, Indiana
22. Reed: denzel bostonWR, Washington
23. Kipper: monroe freelingOL, Georgia
24. Miller: cadin proctorole, alabama

25. Miller: blake millerOL, Clemson
26. Kipper: zion youngEdge, Missouri
27. Reed: max ihanachorOL, Arizona State
28. Yates Emmanuel McNeil-Warrens, toledo

29. Yates: Caleb Lomuole, utah
30. Reed: Garrett NussmeyerQB, LSU
31. Kipper: CJ AllenLB, Georgia
32. Miller: Achim MessidorEdge, Miami

33. Miller: mike washington jr., RB, Arkansas
34. Kipper: chris johnsonCB, San Diego State
35. Reed: jacob rodriguezLB, Texas Tech
36. Yates: jermay bernardWR, Alabama

37. Yates: D’Angelo PondCB, Indiana
38. Reed: Jonah ColemanRB, Washington
39. Kipper: carson beckQB, Miami
40. Miller: Avion TerrellCB, Clemson

miller’s team

QB: Fernando Mendoza
RB: mike washington jr.
WR/TE: corn lemon
WR/TE: carnell tate
OT: blake miller
G/C: cadin proctor
DL/LB: David Bailey
DL/LB: Achim Messidor
DB: jermod mccoy
DB: Avion Terrell

Miller in his team: Earning the No. 1 overall pick means looking at positions where the talent and depth won’t be there unless I get back on the board each turn. In a class with only one entry-level quarterback, I had to take Mendoza and then build a team around him. Plus, having the single best quarterback gives me immediate strength compared to other rosters.

To support Mendoza, I took my top two best pass catchers and grabbed back-to-back offensive linemen. Proctor was able to move in despite playing left tackle his entire college career. On defense, my plan was to play to the strengths of this class, although I was surprised to see Bailey and McCoy in Round 4. Overall, my team consists of a QB1, WR1, EDGE1, and CB1, as well as other elite talents throughout the roster.

keeper’s team

QB: carson beck
RB: jeremiah love
WR/TE: kenyon sadik
WR/TE: jordan tyson
OT: monroe freeling
G/C: Francis Mauigoa
DL/LB: zion young
DL/LB: CJ Allen
DB: dylan thieneman
DB: chris johnson

Kipper in his team: I’m not sure I’ve ever felt better about our roster in all the years we’ve done these superteam drafts. You guys gave me all the players I wanted! Playmakers = Winning, and I have them up and down This lineup.

My attack will run through Love, who should have plenty of gaps to exploit behind blocking my top two-ranked tackle. I waited until my final pick for QB because the class gets pretty thin after Mendoza, but I’m happy to have my QB3 in Beck. He will have familiarity behind his former teammates in Mauigoa and Freeling, and Sadiq’s catch-catching ability and Tyson’s contest-catching ability will lead to some big plays.

Then I have speed, length and ball hawking on defense. My one regret: I probably should have taken Bailey instead of Thienemann at No. 15, but the edge group is a little deeper than the safety class. It doesn’t matter – I dominate the rest of the teams.

Reed’s team

QB: Garrett Nussmeyer
RB: Jonah Coleman
WR/TE: Casey Concepcion
WR/TE: denzel boston
OT: max ihanachor
G/C: spencer fan
DL/LB: reuben ben jr.
DL/LB: jacob rodriguez
DB: caleb downs
DB: Mansoor Delaney

Reed on his team: With the No. 3 pick, I missed Mendoza but wanted to build an elite defense and reliable offensive line. It seemed like the defense was the right side to attack first, as I believe Downs is the best prospect on that side of the ball. After that, I added the Fano as an internal resistor; Despite playing primarily right tackle in college, he is capable of playing any position on the inside.

Then, I found two skilled players in Concepcion and Boston who could complement each other. Despite concerns about length, Benn and Rodriguez played an excellent defense that would be difficult to score on. My team completely trusts what I see on tape – I’m not really concerned about measurable things.

Yates’ team

QB: ty simpson
RB: jadarian price
WR/TE: Omar Cooper Jr..
WR/TE: jermay bernard
OT: Caleb Lomu
G/C: olivevega ione
DL/LB: sonny styles
DL/LB: Arvel Reese
DB: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
DB: D’Angelo Pond

Yates in his team: My strategy in this was logical – identify weak positions in this category and gaps within the positional ranks to ensure that I remain a specific position ahead in my rankings. My first two picks reflected this, as Ione is easily the best pure guard, and I graded Styles higher in a full round than any other standup linebacker.

I also felt it was important to acquire the top two quarterbacks and running backs because of the inevitable drop-off at third down at each position. And finally, good luck to my team in overcoming difficult situations, especially with Reese – Styles’ high-upside teammate.