Ross Jackson· Feb 23, 2026
In a seven-round Saints mock draft, Ross Jackson has New Orleans take USC receiver Mekhi Lemmon eighth overall, followed by Miami cornerback Keonte Scott at 42, Notre Dame running back Jadarion Price at 73, and later-round picks, while also laying out the first seven selections of the draft.
“So, yes, I drafted Mekhi Lemmon, wide receiver out of USC to start off our seven round mock draft. In round one, pick number eight.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On Saints (podcast) · read the original →
15 checkable claims — 15 mock draft picks — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 21 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
14 of 15 have settled so far, averaging 50.5 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Their call against what happened
overall pickTheir call against what actually happened.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
15 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 BaileyFeb 23, 2026
David Bailey to be picked at number 3
“Ruben Bayne junior, the Miami edge rusher, and David Bailey, the Texas Tech edge rusher, both went off the board back to back at two and three.”
Hit · 96Scored 95.76 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.66 against a shuffle’s 50+42.66 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.66
- player:
- David Bailey
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 95.76
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 2
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 95.76
- predicted pick:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.66
- Mock Draft PicksTrey ZuhnNew Orleans SaintsFeb 23, 2026
Trey Zuhn to be picked at number 189
“Round six, pick 189. ... Texas a and m. Offensive lineman, Trey Zoon”
Miss · 1Scored 1.43 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.66 against a shuffle’s 50+42.66 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.66
- player:
- Trey Zuhn
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 1.43
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 91
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 1.43
- predicted pick:
- 189
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.66
- Mock Draft PicksNadame TuckerNew Orleans SaintsFeb 23, 2026
Nadame Tucker to be picked at number 136
“So at round four, pick one thirty six, I went with Western Michigan, Edge rusher, and Adab Tucker.”
Miss · 0Scored 0 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Nadame Tucker
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- undrafted
- outcome:
- went undrafted in 2026; later signed with LAC
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- undrafted
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 0
- predicted pick:
- 136
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
- Mock Draft PicksMakai LemonNew Orleans SaintsFeb 23, 2026
Makai Lemon to be picked at number 8
“So, yes, I drafted Mekhi Lemmon, wide receiver out of USC to start off our seven round mock draft. In round one, pick number eight.”
Close · 59Scored 59.46 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Makai Lemon
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 59.46
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 20
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 59.46
- predicted pick:
- 8
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
- Mock Draft PicksJaeden RobertsNew Orleans SaintsFeb 23, 2026
Jaeden Roberts to be picked at number 148
“Round five, pick one forty eight, and went with Alabama interior offensive lineman Jaden Roberts.”
Miss · 0Scored 0 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Jaeden Roberts
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- undrafted
- outcome:
- went undrafted in 2026; later signed with ATL
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- undrafted
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 0
- predicted pick:
- 148
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1
“Of course, quarterback Fernando Mendoza led off the draft with the Las Vegas Raiders at number one.”
Hit · 100Scored 100 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Fernando Mendoza
- season:
- 2025
- 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:
- 92.73
- Mock Draft PicksCarnell TateTennessee TitansFeb 23, 2026
Carnell Tate to be picked at number 4
“Tennessee titans took Carnell Tate out of Ohio State.”
Hit · 100Scored 100 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Carnell Tate
- season:
- 2025
- 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:
- 92.73
- Mock Draft PicksRueben BainFeb 23, 2026
Rueben Bain to be picked at number 2
“Ruben Bayne junior, the Miami edge rusher, and David Bailey, the Texas Tech edge rusher, both went off the board back to back at two and three.”
Close · 57Scored 56.94 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Rueben Bain
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 56.94
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 15
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 56.94
- predicted pick:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
- Mock Draft PicksArvell ReeseNew York GiantsFeb 23, 2026
Arvell Reese to be picked at number 5
“Then going back to Ohio State, linebacker Arvell Reese goes off the board at number five to the New York Giants.”
Hit · 100Scored 100 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Arvell Reese
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 5
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 5
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
Jeremiyah Love to be picked at number 7
“And then right there at pick number seven, Jeremiah Love goes to the Washington Commanders”
Hit · 84Scored 84.09 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Jeremiyah Love
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 84.09
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 3
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 84.09
- predicted pick:
- 7
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
- Mock Draft PicksKeionte ScottNew Orleans SaintsFeb 23, 2026
Keionte Scott to be picked at number 42
“that is why drafting Miami quarterback Keontay Scott at round two, pick 42”
Miss · 4Scored 4.05 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Keionte Scott
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 4.05
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 116
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 4.05
- predicted pick:
- 42
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
- Mock Draft PicksJadarian PriceNew Orleans SaintsFeb 23, 2026
Jadarian Price to be picked at number 73
“Alright. Round three, pick 73. I went with Notre Dame running back, Guderian Price.”
Miss · 17Scored 16.93 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Jadarian Price
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 16.93
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 32
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 16.93
- predicted pick:
- 73
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
Domonique Orange to be picked at number 132
“big citrus, Dominique Orange, awesome, was our first fourth round selection at pick one thirty two”
Miss · 11Scored 11.46 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Domonique Orange
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 11.46
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 82
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 11.46
- predicted pick:
- 132
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
- Mock Draft PicksCyrus AllenNew Orleans SaintsFeb 23, 2026
Cyrus Allen to be picked at number 170
“Let's take a look at round five. Pick one seventy. ... Going with the Cincinnati wide up, Cyrus Allen.”
Close · 77Scored 77.11 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 92.73 against a shuffle’s 50+42.73 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 42.73
- player:
- Cyrus Allen
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 77.11
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 176
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 77.11
- predicted pick:
- 170
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 92.73
Francisco Mauigoa to be picked at number 6
“Cleveland Browns go with Miami offensive lineman Francis Maui Noah”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- John MiddlekauffGame Outcome Picks · Tennessee TitansMiss · 0Middlekauff 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.
- Nick WrightScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsMiss · 33On his Week 3 pick show, Nick Wright gave straight-up final-score predictions for five games, calling blowouts by Seattle over Washington and Kansas City over Miami, a Jacksonville home win over New England, a narrow New Orleans win over the Raiders and a low-scoring Baltimore win over Dallas in Brazil. He also called Seattle the best team in the NFL with the league's best defense.
- Chris BroussardGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Broussard picked the Bills to beat the Chargers in a competitive, higher-scoring game, said the Chiefs will rout the Dolphins, and for upset alert parlayed the Patriots over the Jaguars and the Raiders over the Saints. He also restated his Cowboys-versus-Ravens Super Bowl matchup pick.
- Dan BeyerGame Outcome Picks · New Orleans SaintsMiss · 0For his Week 3 survivor pick, he took the Saints to beat the Raiders at home, saying he doesn't see Las Vegas staying unbeaten.
- Darrion GrayScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsClose · 45Predicted the Saints beat the Raiders 27-17 at home.
- John HendricksScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsClose · 43Predicted a lower-scoring Saints win over the Raiders, 24-19, with the defense carrying them.
More mock draft picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- Nick ShookMock Draft Picks · Dillon ThienemanClose · 57Shook 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.
- 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.
- 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.