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
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Baltimore RavensHit · 100Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Minnesota VikingsHit · 100Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South.
More mock draft picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ryan WilsonMock Draft Picks · J.J. McCarthyMiss · 37Recalling his pre-draft evaluation, Wilson notes he had ranked J.J. McCarthy as the fifth quarterback in the 2024 class and given him a second-round grade rather than a first-round one, citing the gap between Michigan's system and NFL demands.
- 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.