Mina Kimes arrived at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on Thursday and gave fans plenty to talk about before a single pick was made. The ESPN analyst wore a black lace Nadine Merabi dress that flooded her social media with compliments within hours.
Meanwhile, the draft itself had its own fashion moments, from Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love's diamond chain and comic book jacket to Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate's touching tribute to his late mother and sister.
Did Mina Kimes Win Draft Night with Her Look?
Mina Kimes has been with ESPN since 2014, starting as a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine before becoming one of the network's most recognized NFL analysts. She earned a National Headliner Award for her magazine work and earned a Sports Emmy nomination for Outstanding Sports Personality. These days, she is a fixture on NFL Live every weekday during the season.
On Thursday afternoon, ESPN deployed Kimes and the rest of the NFL Live team to anchor a live show directly from Pittsburgh. And while the broadcast itself drew plenty of attention, it was her off-camera look that dominated the conversation.
The 40-year-old Korean-American analyst posted a photo on Instagram before the show, adding a candid caption: "Extremely rare ponytail moment for yours truly here in Pittsburgh." The reaction was immediate.
"Nice dress," one fan wrote. "You do an incredible job, have fun and good luck tonight." Another said, "That dress is amazing. Wow." A third commented simply, "You look great Mina."
The dress, designed by London-based label Nadine Merabi, is known for its intricate lacework and bold silhouette. It was a deliberate statement, and it landed exactly as intended.
Draft Night Fashion Highlights
Draft nights tend to produce a parade of fashion, with prospects leaning hard into the moment. Love's enormous diamond chain and illustrated jacket made waves on the red carpet. Tate, meanwhile, wore a message dedicated to his late mother and sister, turning his draft-night look into something deeply personal.
But in a sea of bold choices, Kimes stood out for a different reason. She wasn't there as a prospect waiting for her name to be called. She was there to anchor the night, and she did it with authority, both on screen and off.
It is not the first time she has made an impression at a major sports event. Her appearance at the ESPYs previously earned similar attention, but Thursday felt different. The draft gives football its biggest offseason stage, and Kimes used it fully.
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About the Author: Prantik Prabal Roy is a passionate sports writer who eats, breathes, and lives the game. Since 2020, he has been in the content writing industry after completion of his Master's degree in English literature and covering the NFL since 2024 with sharp insights, while also diving into the NHL and MLB with equal enthusiasm. He loves crafting content that drives traffic without sacrificing quality. He blends storytelling with analysis to keep readers hooked. When he's not writing, Prantik can be found cheering on the Buffalo Bills or diving into books that celebrate the world of sports.
