ESPN's Mina Kimes Causes Fan Frenzy With NFL Draft Outfit
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes grabbed everyone's attention before the 2026 NFL Draft even kicked off Thursday night.
Kimes has been with ESPN since 2014, earning a National Headliner Award for her magazine work as well as a Sports Emmy nomination for Outstanding Sports Personality. Though she started her career as a writer, she eventually blossomed into a fan favorite on TV. She appears on "NFL Live" every Monday through Friday during the season.
"An acclaimed writer, Kimes has written many memorable features for ESPN. She penned the first ESPN Cover Story in October 2019 – the incredible survival story of NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and his mother – when ESPN The Magazine transitioned to a new digital format. Her many notable ESPN The Magazine cover stories included profiles of NFL players like Von Miller, Antonio Brown, Baker Mayfield and Aaron Rodgers. Kimes has also travelled extensively for high-profile stories on esports, NBA Draft prospect Luka Doncic, and Korean bat flips," her bio for ESPN states. "Previously, Kimes co-hosted ESPN Radio's The Morning Roast national weekend show with Domonique Foxworth and Clinton Yates, which the trio launched together in January 2017. She has also contributed to special ESPN live Twitter shows, including ESPN's digital NFL Draft coverage since 2018."
On Thursday afternoon, ESPN had Kimes and the rest of the "NFL Live" crew conduct a show at the draft in Pittsburgh.
Kimes wore a black dress this Thursday that received plenty of support from her social media followers.
"Nice dress," one fan wrote. "You do an incredible job, have fun and good luck tonight
"That dress is amazing," a second fan said. "Wow."
"You look great Mina," another social media user commented.
ESPN is going all out for the NFL Draft.
Mike Greenberg will host ESPN's coverage of the NFL Draft for the sixth year. He'll lead a crew that includes analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Louis Riddick, insider Adam Schefter and reporter Laura Rutledge.
"For the NFL Draft's first round on Thursday, April 23 (8 p.m. ET), ESPN, ABC and NFL Network will each deliver unique presentations," the network's press release states. "ESPN and NFL Network's coverage will focus on team needs and on-field performance, spotlighting each draftee's athletic achievements and impact. ABC's presentation will lean into storytelling, highlighting each prospect's journey to the NFL and the people and moments that shaped them."
We fully expect ESPN's crew to deliver a great telecast this Thursday.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 1:24 PM.