No surprise here, but the Indianapolis Colts pick a quarterback in the preseason edition of ESPN's 2026 NFL mock draft.

It’s also the beginning of a year-long chance for players to build their résumé ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Of note, Texas redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning is not included due to a lack of sample size and the belief that he’ll return to school for the 2026 season.

Mel Kiper took a strong stance on how Shedeur Sanders slipped in the NFL Draft before the Cleveland Browns picked him in the fifth round.

The Vikings are coming off a draft with limited picks, but they're now heading into 2026 reloaded. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown he can build a roster through free agency, but the draft remains a work in progress. He has improved significantly since his first class in 2022, but 2026 is expected to be a pivotal year.

ESPN had Cincinnati drafting 24th overall based on preseason ESPN Football Power Index simulations. He slotted the Bengals with Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor at that spot.