JP Acosta#40 of 87 NFL pundits · 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.

Said on air, transcribed by us · Pushing the Pile (podcast)Hear the original

5 of 17calls landed5 hits · 9 close calls · 3 misses · 1 waiting

58.1Average accuracyout of 100, across 17 calls

47.8A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

17 of 18Settled1 still waiting

#40JP Acosta’s rankof 87 ranked NFL pundits

What JP Acosta said

And Sonny Styles, to me, is the best player in this draft class.

JP Acosta, the lead quote

Where it was said: Pushing the Pile (podcast)
The episode: UPDATED 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Full 1st Round | 13 Days From Draft Night!
The original: Hear the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

SaidApr 10
GradedAug 14–Oct 1

Box score, by kind

HitCloseMissWaiting

Group	Hits	Close	Misses	Waiting
Mock Draft Picks	5	8	3	0
Position Order Calls	0	1	0	0
Depth Chart Calls	0	0	0	1
All	5	9	3	1

How each call scored

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 call.

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.

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.

Their call against what happened

overall pick

10They said

11What happened

Their call against what actually happened.

Mock Draft Picks5 hits · 8 close calls · 3 missesShow ▸

Caleb Downs to be picked at number 10
“The Bengals cannot mess this up. It is Caleb Downs from Ohio State.”
Caleb Downs Cincinnati Bengals
Went 11mocked at 10
95.76Hit
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Caleb Downs
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
Monroe Freeling to be picked at number 6
“I have them going Monroe Freeling, offensive tackle from Georgia.”
Monroe Freeling Cleveland Browns
Went 19mocked at 6
56.94Close
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Monroe Freeling
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
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.”
Makai Lemon New York Jets
Went 20mocked at 16
84.09Hit
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Makai Lemon
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
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.”
C.J. Allen Seattle Seahawks
Went 53mocked at 32
40.26Close
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
C.J. Allen
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
Blake Miller to be picked at number 28
“We're going Blake Miller tackle from Clemson.”
Blake Miller Houston Texans
Went 17mocked at 28
62.09Close
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Blake Miller
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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
Think this is wrong?
Jordyn Tyson to be picked at number 24
“24, we have a no brainer from you, JPay. It's Jordan Tyson”
Jordyn Tyson Cleveland Browns
Went 8mocked at 24
50Close
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Jordyn Tyson
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
Olaivavega Ioane to be picked at number 14
“I'm going Vega Yoani, offensive, guard from Penn State.”
Olaivavega Ioane Baltimore Ravens
Went 14mocked at 14
100Hit
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Olaivavega Ioane
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
Arvell Reese to be picked at number 2
“So I think Arvel Reese is gonna go second overall.”
Arvell Reese New York Jets
Went 5mocked at 2
87.81Hit
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Arvell Reese
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
Keldric Faulk to be picked at number 20
“Dallas Cowboys had picked number 20... I've going to Keldrick fault from Auburn”
Keldric Faulk Dallas Cowboys
Went 31mocked at 20
62.09Close
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Keldric Faulk
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
Zion Young to be picked at number 30
“I went with Zion Young, Edge from Missouri.”
Zion Young Miami Dolphins
Went 45mocked at 30
52.21Close
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Zion Young
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
David Bailey to be picked at number 8
“here, they're just taking best player available, and I haven't going David Bailey”
David Bailey New Orleans Saints
Went 2mocked at 8
77.11Close
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
David Bailey
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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
Think this is wrong?
Carnell Tate to be picked at number 4
“They go Carnell Tate, wide receiver out of Ohio State.”
Carnell Tate Tennessee Titans
Went 4mocked at 4
100Hit
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Carnell Tate
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
Cade McDonald to be picked at number 26
“I haven't gone to Ohio State defensive tackle, Caden McDonald.”
Cade McDonald Buffalo Bills
Went undraftedmocked at 26
0Miss
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Cade McDonald
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
R Mason Thomas to be picked at number 22
“I'm going with R Mason Thomas, Edge out of Oklahoma.”
R Mason Thomas Los Angeles Chargers
Went 40mocked at 22
45.85Close
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
R Mason Thomas
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
Jermod McCoy to be picked at number 18
“I have been going Jermaine McCoy, corner from Tennessee.”
Jermod McCoy Minnesota Vikings
Went 101mocked at 18
2.74Miss
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Jermod McCoy
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?
Avieon Terrell to be picked at number 12
“But if they stay, I'm going with Avion Tyrell from Clemson”
Avieon Terrell Dallas Cowboys
Went 48mocked at 12
21.02Miss
mock order 79.46 − 50 for a shuffle = 29.46 × 1 difficulty = +29.46 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
29.46
player:
Avieon Terrell
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
79.46
Think this is wrong?

Position Order Calls1 close callShow ▸

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”
Makai Lemon New York Jets
50Close
50 − 12.84 naive = 37.16 × 1 difficulty = +37.16 skill
How 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 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
Think this is wrong?

Depth Chart Calls1 waitingShow ▸

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”
Makai Lemon New York Jets
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Others on the same people

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After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season.
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Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad.
Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · Buffalo Bills · Close 76
Prisco picked the Bills to win 21-14 at Minnesota.

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