JP Acosta· Apr 10, 2026
Acosta made the even-numbered picks in the 2026 first-round mock: Arvell Reese to the Jets at 2, Carnell Tate to the Titans at 4, Monroe Freeling to the Browns at 6, David Bailey to the Saints at 8, Caleb Downs to the Bengals at 10, Avieon Terrell to the Cowboys at 12, Vega Ioane to the Ravens at 14, Mekhi Lemon to the Jets at 16, Jermod McCoy to the Vikings at 18, Keldric Faulk to the Cowboys at 20, R Mason Thomas to the Chargers at 22, Jordan Tyson to the Browns at 24, Caden McDonald to the Bills at 26, Blake Miller to the Texans at 28, Zion Young to the Dolphins at 30, and CJ Allen to the Seahawks at 32.
“And Sonny Styles, to me, is the best player in this draft class.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Pushing the Pile (podcast) · read the original →
18 checkable claims — 16 mock draft picks, 1 depth chart call and 1 position order call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 29 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
17 of 18 have settled so far, averaging 58.1 out of 100, against 47.8 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Their call against what happened
overall pick8They said
2What happened
Their call against what actually happened.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- David Bailey
- New Orleans Saints
- Blake Miller
- Houston Texans
- C.J. Allen
- Seattle Seahawks
- Makai Lemon
- New York Jets
- Zion Young
- Miami Dolphins
- Keldric Faulk
- Dallas Cowboys
- Arvell Reese
- Monroe Freeling
- Cleveland Browns
- Carnell Tate
- Tennessee Titans
- Caleb Downs
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Avieon Terrell
- Olaivavega Ioane
- Baltimore Ravens
- Jordyn Tyson
- Cade McDonald
- Buffalo Bills
- R Mason Thomas
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Jermod McCoy
- Minnesota Vikings
18 checkable claims in this take
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 PicksDavid BaileyNew Orleans SaintsApr 10, 2026
David Bailey to be picked at number 8
“here, they're just taking best player available, and I haven't going David Bailey”
Close · 77Scored 77.11 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 79.46 against a shuffle’s 50+29.46 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 29.46
- player:
- David Bailey
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 77.11
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 77.11
- predicted pick:
- 8
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 79.46
- Mock Draft PicksBlake MillerHouston TexansApr 10, 2026
Blake Miller to be picked at number 28
“We're going Blake Miller tackle from Clemson.”
Close · 62Scored 62.09 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 79.46 against a shuffle’s 50+29.46 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 29.46
- player:
- Blake Miller
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 62.09
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 17
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 62.09
- predicted pick:
- 28
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 79.46
- Mock Draft PicksC.J. AllenSeattle SeahawksApr 10, 2026
C.J. Allen to be picked at number 32
“Number 32, the team that won the Super Bowl, Seattle Seahawks... I'm going CJ Allen.”
Close · 40Scored 40.26 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- C.J. Allen
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 40.26
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 53
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 40.26
- predicted pick:
- 32
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Position Order CallsMakai LemonNew York JetsApr 10, 2026
Makai Lemon to be 1st wide receiver off the board
“He is my favorite receiver in this draft class. He is my wide receiver one”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 12.84+37.16 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- naming one of the 36 at random averages 12.84
- skill:
- 37.16
- player:
- Makai Lemon
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- credit halves every two places
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 12.84
- position:
- wide receiver
- class size:
- 36
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual order:
- 3
- predicted order:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Mock Draft PicksZion YoungMiami DolphinsApr 10, 2026
Zion Young to be picked at number 30
“I went with Zion Young, Edge from Missouri.”
Close · 52Scored 52.21 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Zion Young
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 52.21
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 45
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 52.21
- predicted pick:
- 30
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksKeldric FaulkDallas CowboysApr 10, 2026
Keldric Faulk to be picked at number 20
“Dallas Cowboys had picked number 20... I've going to Keldrick fault from Auburn”
Close · 62Scored 62.09 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Keldric Faulk
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 62.09
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 31
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 62.09
- predicted pick:
- 20
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksArvell ReeseNew York JetsApr 10, 2026
Arvell Reese to be picked at number 2
“So I think Arvel Reese is gonna go second overall.”
Hit · 88Scored 87.81 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Arvell Reese
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 87.81
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 5
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 87.81
- predicted pick:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksMonroe FreelingCleveland BrownsApr 10, 2026
Monroe Freeling to be picked at number 6
“I have them going Monroe Freeling, offensive tackle from Georgia.”
Close · 57Scored 56.94 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- 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:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksCarnell TateTennessee TitansApr 10, 2026
Carnell Tate to be picked at number 4
“They go Carnell Tate, wide receiver out of Ohio State.”
Hit · 100Scored 100 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Carnell Tate
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 4
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksCaleb DownsCincinnati BengalsApr 10, 2026
Caleb Downs to be picked at number 10
“The Bengals cannot mess this up. It is Caleb Downs from Ohio State.”
Hit · 96Scored 95.76 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Caleb Downs
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 95.76
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 11
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 95.76
- predicted pick:
- 10
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksAvieon TerrellDallas CowboysApr 10, 2026
Avieon Terrell to be picked at number 12
“But if they stay, I'm going with Avion Tyrell from Clemson”
Miss · 21Scored 21.02 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Avieon Terrell
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 21.02
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 48
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 21.02
- predicted pick:
- 12
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksOlaivavega IoaneBaltimore RavensApr 10, 2026
Olaivavega Ioane to be picked at number 14
“I'm going Vega Yoani, offensive, guard from Penn State.”
Hit · 100Scored 100 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Olaivavega Ioane
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 14
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 14
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksJordyn TysonCleveland BrownsApr 10, 2026
Jordyn Tyson to be picked at number 24
“24, we have a no brainer from you, JPay. It's Jordan Tyson”
Close · 50Scored 50 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Jordyn Tyson
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 8
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 50
- predicted pick:
- 24
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksCade McDonaldBuffalo BillsApr 10, 2026
Cade McDonald to be picked at number 26
“I haven't gone to Ohio State defensive tackle, Caden McDonald.”
Miss · 0Scored 0 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Cade McDonald
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- undrafted
- outcome:
- went undrafted in 2026; later signed with CLE
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- undrafted
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 0
- predicted pick:
- 26
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksMakai LemonNew York JetsApr 10, 2026
Makai Lemon to be picked at number 16
“I'm going with Mekhi Lemmon... it just makes a lot of sense for him to be the pick there at 16.”
Hit · 84Scored 84.09 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Makai Lemon
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 84.09
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 20
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 84.09
- predicted pick:
- 16
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
R Mason Thomas to be picked at number 22
“I'm going with R Mason Thomas, Edge out of Oklahoma.”
Close · 46Scored 45.85 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- R Mason Thomas
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 45.85
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 40
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 45.85
- predicted pick:
- 22
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Mock Draft PicksJermod McCoyMinnesota VikingsApr 10, 2026
Jermod McCoy to be picked at number 18
“I have been going Jermaine McCoy, corner from Tennessee.”
Miss · 3Scored 2.74 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.22 against a shuffle’s 50+30.22 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.22
- player:
- Jermod McCoy
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 2.74
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 101
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 2.74
- predicted pick:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.22
- Depth Chart CallsMakai LemonNew York JetsApr 10, 2026
Makai Lemon to be 3rd on the depth chart
“If you have Ade Mitchell and you have Garrett Wilson, you could not really craft a better third wide receiver than Mekhi Lemmon”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
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- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a large number of depth-chart, role and fantasy-value calls across the league, including Chig Okonkwo as a top sleeper tight end, Tre Tucker as the Raiders' top receiver, and various backfield hierarchies.
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