JP Acosta#40 of 87 NFL pundits · Feb 25, 2026
Acosta says Peter Woods and Caleb Banks will be the first two defensive tackles off the board, bets on Christian Miller sneaking into the first round, has Fernando Mendoza going No. 1 overall as the clear QB1 with Ty Simpson QB2, Kenyan Suik as TE1 and Makai Lemmon as their WR1, expects Caleb Lomu to weigh around 308 pounds, and pegs Munro Freeling as a candidate to be the first offensive lineman drafted with Maxi Amator sneaking into the back of round one; they call Jermaine McCoy a sure-fire CB1 if healthy.
Said on air, transcribed by us · Pushing the Pile (podcast)Hear the original
What JP Acosta said
We all know Fernando Mendoza is going to go number one overall.
- Where it was said
- Pushing the Pile (podcast)
- The episode
- 10 NFL Combine Questions That Will Impact The 2026 NFL Draft
- The original
- Hear the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidFeb 25
- GradedAug 14–18
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combine Measurements | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mock Draft Picks | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Position Order Calls | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| All | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
How each call scored
12 checkable claims — 8 position order calls, 3 mock draft picks and 1 combine measurement — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 12 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
10 of 12 have settled so far, averaging 65 out of 100, against 36.3 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Combine Measurements1 close callShow ▸Hide ▾
“I think he's gonna come in at maybe three hundred and eight pounds, which is really light for an NFL offensive tackle.”
313called 30877.26Close77.26 − 79.53 naive = −2.27 × 1 difficulty = −2.27 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- off:
- 5
- drill:
- weight lbs
- naive:
- the average OT (317.44, from 132 results)
- scale:
- credit halves every 13.43 — one standard deviation for a OT
- skill:
- −2.27
- player:
- Caleb Lomu
- result:
- 313
- season:
- 2025
- combine year:
- 2026
- accuracy:
- 77.26
- baseline:
- 79.53
- they said:
- 308
- sigmas out:
- 0.37
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Combine results via Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Mock Draft Picks2 hits · 1 missShow ▸Hide ▾
Max Iheanachor to be picked “the back of the first round” (picks 1–32)
“So if he runs really well, he tests really well, I could see him sneaking into the back of the first round.”
Went 21100HitThink this is wrong?How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- player:
- Max Iheanachor
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 21
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- the back of the first round (picks 1–32)
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- only one pick — no order to score
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1
“We all know Fernando Mendoza is going to go number one overall.”
Went 1mocked at 1100HitThink this is wrong?How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- player:
- Fernando Mendoza
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 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:
- only one pick — no order to score
Christian Miller to be picked “first round” (picks 1–32)
“So I would bet on Christian Miller because of the youth and because of the explosiveness (asked who would work his way into the first round)”
Went 1152.74MissThink this is wrong?How this was scored
- draft:
- 2019
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- player:
- Christian Miller
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 2.74
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 115
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 2.74
- predicted pick:
- first round (picks 1–32)
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- only one pick — no order to score
Position Order Calls3 hits · 1 close call · 2 misses · 2 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st quarterback off the board
“He is the far and away QB one in this draft class.”
100Hit100 − 33.08 naive = 66.92 × 1 difficulty = +66.92 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- naming one of the 10 at random averages 33.08
- skill:
- 66.92
- player:
- Fernando Mendoza
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- credit halves every two places
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 33.08
- position:
- quarterback
- class size:
- 10
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual order:
- 1
- predicted order:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Jermod McCoy to be 1st cornerback off the board
“I think he is sure fired c b one in this class if everything checks out and he's healthy.”
2.21Miss2.21 − 21.34 naive = −19.13 × 1 difficulty = −19.13 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- naming one of the 27 at random averages 21.34
- skill:
- −19.13
- player:
- Jermod McCoy
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- credit halves every two places
- accuracy:
- 2.21
- baseline:
- 21.34
- position:
- cornerback
- class size:
- 27
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual order:
- 12
- predicted order:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- 100Hit
100 − 39.7 naive = 60.3 × 1 difficulty = +60.3 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- naming one of the 10 at random averages 39.7
- skill:
- 60.3
- player:
- Ty Simpson
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- credit halves every two places
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 39.7
- position:
- quarterback
- class size:
- 10
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual order:
- 2
- predicted order:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Kenyon Sadiq to be 1st tight end off the board
“Because we already know Kenyan Suik is tight end one”
100Hit100 − 15.51 naive = 84.49 × 1 difficulty = +84.49 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- naming one of the 22 at random averages 15.51
- skill:
- 84.49
- player:
- Kenyon Sadiq
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- credit halves every two places
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 15.51
- position:
- tight end
- class size:
- 22
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual order:
- 1
- predicted order:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Monroe Freeling to be 1st offensive lineman off the board
“I actually think Munro Freeling has a really good chance to be the the first offensive lineman off the board come April”
17.68Miss17.68 − 10.8 naive = 6.88 × 1 difficulty = +6.87 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- naming one of the 50 at random averages 10.8
- skill:
- 6.87
- player:
- Monroe Freeling
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- credit halves every two places
- accuracy:
- 17.68
- baseline:
- 10.8
- position:
- offensive lineman
- class size:
- 50
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual order:
- 6
- predicted order:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Makai Lemon to be 1st wide receiver off the board
“Makai Lemmon is actually my wide receiver one so far in this draft class”
50Close50 − 12.84 naive = 37.16 × 1 difficulty = +37.16 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- naming one of the 36 at random averages 12.84
- skill:
- 37.16
- player:
- Makai Lemon
- season:
- 2025
- zero credit this far off:
- 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
Peter Woods to be one of the first two defensive tackles to go off the board defensive tackle off the board
“there's Peter Woods from Clemson, Caleb Banks from Florida. Those feel like the first two guys that are going to go off the board come April when it comes to the defensive tackle class.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Caleb Banks to be one of the first two defensive tackles to go off the board defensive tackle off the board
“Those feel like the first two guys that are going to go off the board come April when it comes to the defensive tackle class.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Lane Mills · Game Outcome Picks · Tennessee Titans · Miss 0
Mills predicts the Titans finish 2026 at 6-11 (2-4 in the AFC South), missing the playoffs, with specific wins over the Jets, Giants, Browns, Jaguars, Raiders and Colts, and names Wan'Dale Robinson team MVP with another 1,000-yard, seven-touchdown season as Cam Ward's top receiver.Nathan Jahnke · Roster Spot Calls · K.J. Osborn · Hit 100
An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2.Gennaro Filice · Score Predictions · Tennessee Titans · Hit 88
The lone NFL.com pick for Tennessee, projecting a low-scoring 14-13 Titans upset built on their defensive front containing Jonathan Taylor.Dan Graziano · Game Outcome Picks · Tennessee Titans · Hit 100
The lone ESPN pick for Tennessee, taking the Titans to beat the Colts.
More position order calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Joe Marino · Position Order Calls · Arvell Reese · Hit 100
Marino stacks 14 inside linebackers in the 2026 NFL draft class and assigns each a round-value grade, with Sonny Styles first (top-10 grade) and Anthony Hill third; they say Hill would be their preferred pick if Buffalo takes a linebacker at No. 26.Ian Rapoport · Position Order Calls · Tetairoa McMillan · Close 71
Rapoport said Travis Hunter is likely the pick at No. 2 for the Browns, that Shedeur Sanders is in play at No. 3, and predicted Tetairoa McMillan would be the first receiver drafted. They also expected Brock Purdy's next deal to land around $50 million per year with Dak Prescott remaining the only quarterback above $60 million.Peter Schrager · Position Order Calls · Tetairoa McMillan · Close 71
Schrager laid out their top 10 prospects entering the 2025 combine, with Travis Hunter first, Abdul Carter second and Tyler Warren third, and attached draft-range calls to several of them — Will Johnson in the first round, Mason Graham a top-five pick, Ashton Jeanty a first-rounder, Tyler Warren not escaping the top ten, and Cam Ward a top-five to top-ten pick who will start as a rookie.Matty Lane · Position Order Calls · Spencer Fano · Hit 100
Maddie Lane said Spencer Fano is clearly the first tackle off the board, that the top four players in their mock will be four of the first five picks, that Malik Mohammed goes ahead of Igbunosin, and that Blake Miller would beat out Jalen Moore for the Chiefs' starting job.Daniel Jeremiah · Position Order Calls · Spencer Fano · Close 71
Jeremiah's Mock Draft 3.0, discussed pick by pick: Mendoza first overall, Arvell Reese to the Jets at 2, Francis Mauigoa to the Cardinals at 3, Jeremiyah Love to the Titans at 4, Sonny Styles to the Giants at 5, and on through the first round.