Brandon Carney· Apr 22, 2026
Co-hosting a mock draft, Carney made the odd-numbered picks: Fernando Mendoza No. 1 to the Raiders, Arvell Reese No. 3 to the Cardinals, Sonny Styles No. 5 to the Giants, Mekhi Lemon No. 7 to the Commanders, Caleb Downs No. 9 to the Chiefs, and more. He also predicted AJ Brown will be a Patriot, said Kenyan Saddiq will be the first-round bust, and picked the Bengals to finish ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North.
“Fernando Mendoza, number one overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, kicking off what is gonna be a new era for them.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Bran Coverage with BenchwarmerBran (podcast) · read the original →
22 checkable claims — 17 mock draft picks, 2 playoff picks, 1 draft bust call, 1 power ranking and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 36 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
18 of 22 have settled so far, averaging 70.4 out of 100, against 47.2 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- A.J. Brown
- New England Patriots
- Akheem Mesidor
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Sonny Styles
- New York Giants
- Dillon Thieneman
- Minnesota Vikings
- Arvell Reese
- Arizona Cardinals
- T.J. Parker
- Chicago Bears
- Francis Mahoney now
- Miami Dolphins
- K.C. Concepcion
- Carolina Panthers
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Spencer Fano
- Detroit Lions
- Ty Simpson
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kenyon Sadiq
- San Francisco 49ers
- Fernando Mendoza
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Max Iheanachor
- Mansoor Delane
- Los Angeles Rams
- Caleb Downs
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Makai Lemon
- Washington Commanders
- Colton Hood
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Baltimore Ravens
22 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.
A.J. Brown to move to New England Patriots
“Sounds like everybody's in in the league is pretty much operating under the assumption that AJ Brown is going to be a Patriot.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- A.J. Brown
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- NE
- was with:
- PHI
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- reported:
- traded → NE (from PHI)
- settled by:
- a confirmed report from the crawl (reported outcomes)
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he stays where he is
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Akheem Mesidor to be picked at number 15
“we are going with Akeem Mesador”
Close · 74Scored 73.84 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 86.32 against a shuffle’s 50+36.32 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 36.32
- player:
- Akheem Mesidor
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 73.84
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 22
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 73.84
- predicted pick:
- 15
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 86.32
- Mock Draft PicksSonny StylesNew York GiantsApr 22, 2026
Sonny Styles to be picked at number 5
“New York Giants here at number five... despite what I said about Sonny Styles, I am gonna pick him here.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.7 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 86.32 against a shuffle’s 50+36.32 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 36.32
- player:
- Sonny Styles
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 91.7
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 7
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 91.7
- predicted pick:
- 5
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 86.32
Dillon Thieneman to be picked at number 19
“then we're we're gonna go with Thiemann”
Close · 77Scored 77.11 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Dillon Thieneman
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 77.11
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 25
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 77.11
- predicted pick:
- 19
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksArvell ReeseArizona CardinalsApr 22, 2026
Arvell Reese to be picked at number 3
“I'm going with Arvell Reese at three.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.7 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Arvell Reese
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 91.7
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 5
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 91.7
- predicted pick:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksT.J. ParkerChicago BearsApr 22, 2026
T.J. Parker to be picked at number 25
“Let's go TJ Parker here from Clemson. He's going to the Chicago Baez at twenty five.”
Close · 65Scored 64.84 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- T.J. Parker
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 64.84
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 35
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 64.84
- predicted pick:
- 25
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
Francis Mahoney now to be picked at number 11
“Miami Dolphins here at number 11... I'll go Francis Mahoney now.”
Miss · 0Scored 0 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Francis Mahoney now
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- undrafted
- outcome:
- went undrafted in 2026; has not appeared on an NFL roster
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- undrafted
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 0
- predicted pick:
- 11
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksK.C. ConcepcionCarolina PanthersApr 22, 2026
K.C. Concepcion to be picked at number 20
“So I'm gonna put KC Concepcion.”
Hit · 84Scored 84.09 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- K.C. Concepcion
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 84.09
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 24
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 84.09
- predicted pick:
- 20
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to be picked at number 23
“The Philadelphia Eagles at 23... we're going with mister EMW, Emmanuel McNeil Warren.”
Miss · 22Scored 21.95 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 21.95
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 58
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 21.95
- predicted pick:
- 23
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksSpencer FanoDetroit LionsApr 22, 2026
Spencer Fano to be picked at number 17
“the way this has fallen, they get Fano”
Close · 71Scored 70.71 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Spencer Fano
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 70.71
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 9
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 70.71
- predicted pick:
- 17
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksTy SimpsonPittsburgh SteelersApr 22, 2026
Ty Simpson to be picked at number 21
“Ty Simpson, 21 overall.”
Close · 71Scored 70.71 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Ty Simpson
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 70.71
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 13
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 70.71
- predicted pick:
- 21
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksKenyon SadiqSan Francisco 49ersApr 22, 2026
Kenyon Sadiq to be picked at number 27
“Kenyan Saddique's a 40 niner, baby... this was the kind of move that Shanahan wanted to make here at 27”
Close · 62Scored 62.09 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Kenyon Sadiq
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 62.09
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 16
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 62.09
- predicted pick:
- 27
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1
“Fernando Mendoza, number one overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders”
Hit · 100Scored 100 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Fernando Mendoza
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
Max Iheanachor to be picked at number 31
“The New England Patriots at number 31... I'm gonna go with with Iron Eagle. Tackle.”
Close · 65Scored 64.84 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Max Iheanachor
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 64.84
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 21
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 64.84
- predicted pick:
- 31
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksMansoor DelaneLos Angeles RamsApr 22, 2026
Mansoor Delane to be picked at number 13
“I guess they might go to Delaine here... I'll go with the lane.”
Close · 74Scored 73.84 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Mansoor Delane
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 73.84
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 6
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 73.84
- predicted pick:
- 13
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksCaleb DownsKansas City ChiefsApr 22, 2026
Caleb Downs to be picked at number 9
“Caleb Downs goes to the Chiefs”
Hit · 92Scored 91.7 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Caleb Downs
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 91.7
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 11
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 91.7
- predicted pick:
- 9
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksMakai LemonWashington CommandersApr 22, 2026
Makai Lemon to be picked at number 7
“the best receiver on the board is Mckay Lemon, and I'm gonna give them Mckay Lemon”
Close · 57Scored 56.94 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Makai Lemon
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 56.94
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 20
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 56.94
- predicted pick:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksColton HoodKansas City ChiefsApr 22, 2026
Colton Hood to be picked at number 29
“I'll go Collin Hood here. Just to just positional need.”
Close · 71Scored 70.71 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 85.71 against a shuffle’s 50+35.71 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 35.71
- player:
- Colton Hood
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 70.71
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 37
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 70.71
- predicted pick:
- 29
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Power RankingsApr 22, 2026
“Browns are last. Steelers are third... I'll go with the Bengals just with the just as, Ty pointed out, continuity sake.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsApr 22, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“I think them and the Ravens will both be fighting for that and we'll both make the play”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Draft Bust CallsKenyon SadiqApr 22, 2026
Kenyon Sadiq to disappoint at the next level
“I'll go Kenyan Saddiq. I'll say Saddiq. He's the one that kinda concerns me the most.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensApr 22, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“I think them and the Ravens will both be fighting for that and we'll both make the play”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Richie BradshawScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Bradshaw picks the 49ers to beat the Cardinals in their Week 3 matchup, predicting a final score of 27-14 in San Francisco's favor.
- Carmen VitaliGame Outcome Picks · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 0In the show's weekly picks segment Vitali took the Broncos over the Rams, the Ravens over the Cowboys in Rio, Tampa at home over Minnesota, the Bills over the Chargers and the Eagles on the road in Chicago. She also agreed that Caleb Williams would be out roughly two to three weeks.
- Tracy SandlerGame Outcome Picks · Baltimore RavensHit · 100Sandler predicted Caleb Williams would miss two to three weeks with his hamstring injury, and in the picks segment took the Broncos, Ravens, Vikings, Bills and Bears (switching off an earlier Tampa pick).
- John MiddlekauffGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Middlekauff expects blowout wins for Seattle over Washington and Kansas City over Miami in Week 3, picks Cincinnati to beat Pittsburgh in the AFC North matchup, and takes Tennessee over the Giants if Jameis Winston is taking snaps.
- Pat FitzmauriceScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiss · 36Fitzmaurice gave rest-of-season positional rankings for several Chiefs and other skill players, including Mahomes as his QB10, Kenneth Walker as RB4 behind Gibbs, Bijan and McCaffrey, Kelce at TE8 and Worthy down at WR50, and he picked Tampa Bay to beat Minnesota 21-20.
- Derek BrownScore Predictions · Tampa Bay BuccaneersClose · 40Brown laid out aggressive rest-of-season positional rankings — Mahomes QB8, Kenneth Walker RB3, Kelce up to TE7, Rashee Rice all the way down at WR31 and Worthy at WR42 — called Drake London a WR1 with Penix back, and picked Tampa Bay 21-18 over Minnesota while declaring Zay Flowers will not play in Brazil.
More mock draft picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Nick ShookMock Draft Picks · Avieon TerrellMiss · 30Shook walks through his full first-round mock draft, assigning a prospect to every pick from No. 1 to No. 32, headlined by Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders, David Bailey to the Jets and Jeremiah Love to the Cardinals in the top three.
- Daniel JeremiahMock Draft Picks · Keyron CrawfordHit · 81In discussing teams without first-round picks, Jeremiah projected specific Day 2 picks: Clemson WR Antonio Williams to the Falcons at 48, Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez to the Colts in the second round, Oklahoma edge R Mason Thomas to the Packers at 52, and Auburn edge Keiroon Crawford to the Broncos at 62. He also expects Riley Leonard to open as the Colts' starting QB and Travis Hunter to play cornerback full time in Jacksonville.
- Daniel JeremiahMock Draft Picks · Carnell TateHit · 92Jeremiah says Denver, not Kansas City, will be the clear favorite in the AFC West this season; he also puts Carnell Tate sixth and Monroe Freeling twentieth on his prospect board, mocks Tate to Cleveland at No. 6, and expects Georgia receiver Branch to be a Day 2 pick after a strong pro day.
- Jeff CavanaughMock Draft Picks · Lorenzo StylesMiss · 1Streaming from the NFL Combine, Jeff pegged safety Dylan Thienemann's draft range at roughly picks 20-35, said LSU safety AJ Halsey would cost a second- or third-round pick, and insisted Sonny Styles' brother would not be a top-50 selection despite a fast 40.
- Scott BogmanMock Draft Picks · Olaivavega IoaneClose · 71He gave David Bailey to Tennessee at 4, Sonny Styles to Washington at 7, Caleb Downs to Cincinnati at 10, Carnell Tate to the Rams at 13, Denzel Boston to the Jets at 16, Kayden McDonald to Carolina at 19, Vega Ioane to the Chargers at 22, Peter Woods to Chicago at 25, Emmanuel Pregnon to Houston at 28 and Romello Height to Denver at 31, and insisted both Bailey and Downs are top-10 locks.
- Pat FitzmauriceMock Draft Picks · Francis MauigoaHit · 84Making a third of the mock's picks, he gave Reuben Bain to Arizona at 3, Francis Mauinoa to Cleveland at 6, Jeremiah Love to Kansas City at 9, Mansoor Delane to Dallas at 12, Cassius Howell to Tampa Bay at 15, Avieon Terrell to Minnesota at 18, Makai Lemon to Pittsburgh at 21, KC Concepcion to Cleveland at 24, Kadyn Proctor to San Francisco at 27 and TJ Parker to New England at 30.