Mel Kiper · Mar 21, 2026

Kiper's post-free-agency mock draft, as relayed on the show, assigns specific prospects to specific picks through the top 20, including Fernando Mendoza at No. 2, Caleb Downs to the Giants at No. 5 and CJ Allen to the Cowboys at No. 20.

“This is Mel Kuipers mock draft came out this morning, so it's post free agency with those things considered.”

said on air, transcribed by us · DLLS Dallas Cowboys (podcast) · read the original →

20 checkable claims from this

Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.

Mock Draft Picks Mansoor Delane Cincinnati BengalsMar 21, 2026
Mansoor Delane to be picked at number 10
“And at number 10, Mansour Delaine goes to the Cincinnati Bengals.”
Hit · 84Scored 84.09 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Mansoor Delane
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
84.09
baseline:
50
actual pick:
6
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
84.09
predicted pick:
10
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Monroe Freeling Cleveland BrownsMar 21, 2026
Monroe Freeling to be picked at number 6
“At number six, the Cleveland Browns take Monroe Freeling, the offensive tackle out of Georgia.”
Close · 57Scored 56.94 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Monroe Freeling
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
56.94
baseline:
50
actual pick:
19
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
56.94
predicted pick:
6
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Caleb Downs New York GiantsMar 21, 2026
Caleb Downs to be picked at number 5
“New York Giants, Caleb Downs at number five overall, the Ohio State safety”
Close · 77Scored 77.11 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Caleb Downs
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
77.11
baseline:
50
actual pick:
11
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
77.11
predicted pick:
5
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Fernando MendozaMar 21, 2026
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 2
“I'm gonna shock you with Fernando Mendoza at number two.”
Hit · 96Scored 95.76 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Fernando Mendoza
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
95.76
baseline:
50
actual pick:
1
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
95.76
predicted pick:
2
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks David Bailey New York JetsMar 21, 2026
David Bailey to be picked at number 3
“David Bailey from Texas Tech, the pass rusher to the Jets at number three.”
Miss · 0Scored 0 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
David Bailey
season:
2026
zero at:
undrafted
outcome:
went undrafted in 2026; later signed with NYJ
accuracy:
0
baseline:
50
actual pick:
undrafted
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
0
predicted pick:
3
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Jeremiyah LoveMar 21, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to be picked at number 4
“Jeremiah Love, I know it breaks our heart. He goes number four.”
Hit · 96Scored 95.76 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Jeremiyah Love
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
95.76
baseline:
50
actual pick:
3
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
95.76
predicted pick:
4
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Sonny Styles Washington CommandersMar 21, 2026
Sonny Styles to be picked at number 7
“Number seven, Sonny Styles to the Washington commanders”
Miss · 0Scored 0 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Sonny Styles
season:
2026
zero at:
undrafted
outcome:
went undrafted in 2026; later signed with WAS
accuracy:
0
baseline:
50
actual pick:
undrafted
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
0
predicted pick:
7
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Carnell Tate New Orleans SaintsMar 21, 2026
Carnell Tate to be picked at number 9
“Carnell Tate who seems to become... the kind of consensus first receiver off the board out of Ohio State goes to the Saints at number nine.”
Hit · 81Scored 80.52 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Carnell Tate
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
80.52
baseline:
50
actual pick:
4
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
80.52
predicted pick:
9
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Rueben Bain Kansas City ChiefsMar 21, 2026
Rueben Bain to be picked at number 8
“It was eight. Kansas City Chiefs take Reuben Bain, the defensive end out of Miami.”
Close · 74Scored 73.84 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Rueben Bain
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
73.84
baseline:
50
actual pick:
15
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
73.84
predicted pick:
8
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks C.J. Allen Dallas CowboysMar 21, 2026
C.J. Allen to be picked at number 20
“And Mel Kuiper goes with CJ Allen, linebacker out of Georgia... So CJ Allen at 20”
Miss · 24Scored 23.94 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
C.J. Allen
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
23.94
baseline:
50
actual pick:
53
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
23.94
predicted pick:
20
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Emmanuel McNeil-WarrenMar 21, 2026
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to be picked at number 19
“19 is Emmanuel McNeil Warren, the safety out of Toledo”
Miss · 18Scored 18.46 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
18.46
baseline:
50
actual pick:
58
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
18.46
predicted pick:
19
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Jermod McCoyMar 21, 2026
Jermod McCoy to be picked at number 12
“And number 12 is Jermoud McCoy, corner, Tennessee”
Miss · 2Scored 2.12 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Jermod McCoy
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
2.12
baseline:
50
actual pick:
101
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
2.12
predicted pick:
12
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Kenyon SadiqMar 21, 2026
Kenyon Sadiq to be picked at number 15
“15, Kenyan Saddiq, the Oregon tight end.”
Hit · 96Scored 95.76 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Kenyon Sadiq
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
95.76
baseline:
50
actual pick:
16
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
95.76
predicted pick:
15
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Spencer Fano Baltimore RavensMar 21, 2026
Spencer Fano to be picked at number 14
“The, Baltimore Ravens, Spencer Fanon, the offensive lineman from Utah.”
Hit · 81Scored 80.52 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Spencer Fano
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
80.52
baseline:
50
actual pick:
9
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
80.52
predicted pick:
14
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Jordyn Tyson Los Angeles RamsMar 21, 2026
Jordyn Tyson to be picked at number 13
“13, you get Jordan Tyson to the Rams.”
Hit · 81Scored 80.52 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Jordyn Tyson
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
80.52
baseline:
50
actual pick:
8
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
80.52
predicted pick:
13
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Dillon Thieneman Minnesota VikingsMar 21, 2026
Dillon Thieneman to be picked at number 18
“18, and everybody's doing this one now. Dylan Theeneman is replacing Harrison Smith... In Minnesota.”
Close · 74Scored 73.84 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Dillon Thieneman
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
73.84
baseline:
50
actual pick:
25
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
73.84
predicted pick:
18
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Kadyn Proctor Detroit LionsMar 21, 2026
Kadyn Proctor to be picked at number 17
“17, Caden Proctor, gigantic left tackle out of Bama, goes to the Lions.”
Hit · 81Scored 80.52 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Kadyn Proctor
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
80.52
baseline:
50
actual pick:
12
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
80.52
predicted pick:
17
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Ty Simpson New York JetsMar 21, 2026
Ty Simpson to be picked at number 16
“16, the New York Jets, Ty Simpson, the quarterback out of Alabama.”
Hit · 88Scored 87.81 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 81.03 against a shuffle’s 50+31.03 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
31.03
player:
Ty Simpson
season:
2026
zero at:
32
accuracy:
87.81
baseline:
50
actual pick:
13
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
87.81
predicted pick:
16
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
81.03
Think this is wrong?
Position Order Calls Carnell Tate New Orleans SaintsMar 21, 2026
Carnell Tate to be 1st receiver off the board
“seems to be becoming the kind of consensus first receiver off the board out of Ohio State”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Think this is wrong?
Mock Draft Picks Francisco Mauigoa Miami DolphinsMar 21, 2026
Francisco Mauigoa to be picked at number 11
“At number 11 is Francis Maui Noah, the right tackle of the dolphins or right tackle of Miami to the dolphins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Think this is wrong?