Ross Jackson· Mar 16, 2026
In a post-free-agency seven-round Saints mock draft, Ross Jackson projects New Orleans taking Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at No. 8, UCF edge Malachi Lawrence at No. 42, Arizona CB Traydon Stukes in round three, Kentucky center Jager Burton at 132, Penn State RB Caitron Allen at 137, Clemson DT Demontae Capehart at 148, Texas A&M OL Armaj Reid Adams at 170, and Washington CB Takario Davis at 189. He also pegs guards Vega Ioane and Emmanuel Pregnon as round one/two picks and Reid Adams and Jeremiah Wright as day-three guys.
“Round one, pick eight. Wide receiver... Carnell Tate out of Ohio State”
said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On Saints (podcast) · read the original →
11 checkable claims — 11 mock draft picks — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 12 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
7 of 11 have settled so far, averaging 37 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Where this call stands in the room
Carnell Tate · 2026 season · overall pick6 calls from 6 pundits between 4 overall pick and 9 overall pick. Ross Jackson said 8 overall pick. the room's median is 8 overall pick. what happened: 4 overall pick
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question, before the answer existed. The bar is what actually happened. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Their call against what happened
overall pickTheir call against what actually happened.
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Who this take is about
11 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.
Ar'maj Reed-Adams to be picked at number 170
“Let's take a look at, round five. Pick one seventy here. Wrapping up round five, Texas A and M offensive lineman, Armaj Reid Adams.”
Miss · 5Scored 4.62 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80.36 against a shuffle’s 50+30.36 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30.36
- player:
- Ar'maj Reed-Adams
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 4.62
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 241
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 4.62
- predicted pick:
- 170
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80.36
- Mock Draft PicksCarnell TateNew Orleans SaintsMar 16, 2026
Carnell Tate to be picked at number 8
“we're starting at wide receiver. I went with Ohio State wide up, Karnell Tate ... round one, pick eight in our mock draft”
Hit · 84Scored 84.09 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80 against a shuffle’s 50+30 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30
- player:
- Carnell Tate
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 84.09
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 4
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 84.09
- predicted pick:
- 8
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80
Malachi Lawrence to be picked at number 42
“UCF Edge rusher, Malachi Lawrence at round two, pick 42”
Close · 44Scored 43.91 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80 against a shuffle’s 50+30 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30
- player:
- Malachi Lawrence
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 43.91
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 23
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 43.91
- predicted pick:
- 42
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80
- Mock Draft PicksJager BurtonNew Orleans SaintsMar 16, 2026
Jager Burton to be picked at number 132
“So round four, pick one thirty two. I went with Kentucky center, Jager Burton.”
Close · 40Scored 40.26 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80 against a shuffle’s 50+30 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30
- player:
- Jager Burton
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 40.26
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 153
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 40.26
- predicted pick:
- 132
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80
- Mock Draft PicksKaytron AllenNew Orleans SaintsMar 16, 2026
Kaytron Allen to be picked at number 137
“Round four, pick 137. Just barely making the turn here. Penn State running back. I'm gonna go with Caitron Allen this time.”
Miss · 11Scored 11.46 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80 against a shuffle’s 50+30 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30
- player:
- Kaytron Allen
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 11.46
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 187
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 11.46
- predicted pick:
- 137
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80
DeMonte Capehart to be picked at number 148
“round five pick one forty eight, we're going with Clemson defensive tackle, Demontae Capehart”
Close · 74Scored 73.84 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80 against a shuffle’s 50+30 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30
- player:
- DeMonte Capehart
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 73.84
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 155
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 73.84
- predicted pick:
- 148
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80
- Mock Draft PicksTacario DavisNew Orleans SaintsMar 16, 2026
Tacario Davis to be picked at number 189
“Washington quarterback Takario Davis wraps us up. Round six, pick one eighty nine.”
Miss · 1Scored 0.63 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 80 against a shuffle’s 50+30 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 30
- player:
- Tacario Davis
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 0.63
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 72
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 0.63
- predicted pick:
- 189
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 80
- Mock Draft PicksOlaivavega IoaneMar 16, 2026
Olaivavega Ioane to be picked “round one, round two”
“whether it's the Penn State, Vague Aione, or maybe it's Oregon's, Emmanuel Pregnant, who are guys that are gonna go round one, round two in this year's draft”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Mock Draft PicksJeremiah WrightMar 16, 2026
Jeremiah Wright to be picked “day three guys”
“or Armaud Reid Adams, Jeremiah Wright, who could be day three guys”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Mock Draft PicksTreydan StukesNew Orleans SaintsMar 16, 2026
Treydan Stukes to be picked “round three”
“was able to go and get that in round three with Trajan Stukes out of Arizona”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Mock Draft PicksEmmanuel PregnonMar 16, 2026
Emmanuel Pregnon to be picked “round one, round two”
“maybe it's Oregon's, Emmanuel Emmanuel Pregnant, who are guys that are gonna go round one, round two in this year's draft”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- David HarrisonRoster Spot Calls · Kaytron AllenHit · 100Harrison gives his initial 53-man roster projection for the Washington Commanders: three quarterbacks including Ethan Kalyak Manus, three running backs, four tight ends, six receivers (leaving off De'Ami Brown and Jaden Bradley), nine offensive linemen with Matt Goldman at center, and a defense of six linebackers but only four cornerbacks. He also projects Tunstall and Newton going to IR on Monday with De'Ami Brown and Dietrich Wise re-signed, plus a corner-heavy practice squad.
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Ar'maj Reed-AdamsMiss · 0Gurzi predicts the Buffalo Bills' final 53-man roster ahead of Week 1 against Houston, naming every player who makes it, who gets cut, and a few depth-chart outcomes (Damar Hamlin as backup safety, Alec Anderson as a new starter on the offensive line, Shane Buechele back on the practice squad).
- Doug JoubertRoster Spot Calls · Will ShermanHit · 100Joubert projects the Saints' 53-man roster ahead of the cutdown deadline, naming every player he expects to make the team by position group, plus several players he expects to receive PUP/IR designations, and predicting Torricelli Simpkins will later be moved to the practice squad.
- Grant ChachereRoster Spot Calls · Barion BrownHit · 100Reviewing the Saints' unofficial depth chart, Chachere says Devaughn Vele is the No. 3 receiver, Barion Brown will be the fourth receiver and a lock to make the 53-man roster, and Travis Etienne will out-carry Alvin Kamara as the lead back.
- David HarrisonRoster Spot Calls · Kaytron AllenHit · 100Harrison projects the Washington Commanders' initial 53-man roster if it had to be set today, naming 26 offensive players, three specialists and 24 defenders, and also assigns depth-chart slots at quarterback, running back, the offensive line, the interior defensive line, and the return/specialist jobs.
- Doug JoubertRoster Spot Calls · Kelvin Banks Jr.Miss · 0Joubert grades the Saints' units after their win at Baltimore and predicts that left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. will be placed on injured reserve, with one of three practice-squad tackles potentially elevated.
More mock draft picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Lance ZierleinMock Draft Picks · Jeremiyah LoveHit · 100Zierlein laid out his final mock draft: Jeremiah Love at No. 3 to Arizona, Sonny Styles at No. 4 to Robert Saleh's team, and Caleb Downs to the Giants at No. 5. He also called Styles the only first-round linebacker in the class and said Ty Simpson is a lock to be a first-round pick, most likely to Arizona.
- Nick ShookMock Draft Picks · Max IheanachorHit · 88Shook 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.
- Gregg RosenthalMock Draft Picks · K.C. ConcepcionClose · 68Rosenthal disagrees most with Casey Concepcion being left out of the first round, arguing he could go as high as the top 15 and certainly won't last past receiver-needy teams in the late twenties.
- 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.
- 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.
- Steve MenschMock Draft Picks · Caleb LomuClose · 62Making the even-numbered picks in the mock, he sent Arvell Reese to the Jets at No. 2, Spencer Fano to the Giants at 5, Jordan Tyson to the Saints at 8, a Tennessee cornerback to Miami at 11, Keldric Faulk to Baltimore at 14, Akheem Mesidor to Dallas at 20, Kenyon Sadiq to Philadelphia at 23, Caleb Banks to Buffalo at 26, Ty Simpson to the Rams at 29 and Chris Johnson to Seattle at 32, plus Caleb Lomu to Detroit at 17.