Field YatesMar 24, 2026

As relayed by Rich Eisen, Yates' two-round mock draft has Fernando Mendoza first overall, followed by three edge/defenders, Caleb Downs fifth, and a series of other named picks including Eli Stowers to Tampa Bay at 46.

Said on air, transcribed by us · The Rich Eisen Show (podcast)Hear the original

8 of 16calls landed8 hits · 7 close calls · 1 miss · 13 waiting

78.6Average accuracyout of 100, across 16 calls

47.6A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

16 of 29Settled13 still waiting

13Waitingnot graded yet

What Field Yates said

Fernando Mendoza is gonna be the first overall pick.

Field Yates, the lead quote

Where it was said: The Rich Eisen Show (podcast)
The episode: Hour 1: Field Yates 1st Round Mock Draft, NFL Draft prospect Eli Stowers, Movie Anniversaries: Breakfast Club and the Godfather
The original: Hear the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

SaidMar 24
GradedAug 17–Oct 1

Box score, by kind

HitCloseMissWaiting

Group	Hits	Close	Misses	Waiting
Mock Draft Picks	7	7	1	13
Position Order Calls	1	0	0	0
All	8	7	1	13

How each call scored

29 checkable claims — 28 mock draft picks and 1 position order call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 51 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

16 of 29 have settled so far, averaging 78.6 out of 100, against 47.6 for a naive guess at the same calls.

Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.

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

6They said

4What happened

Their call against what actually happened.

Mock Draft Picks7 hits · 7 close calls · 1 miss · 13 waitingShow ▸

Carnell Tate to be picked at number 6
“leaving Carnell Tate for Browns fans to feast on ... in the top six picks”
Carnell Tate Cleveland Browns
Went 4mocked at 6
91.7Hit
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Carnell Tate
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
91.7
baseline:
50
actual pick:
4
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
91.7
predicted pick:
6
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
K.C. Concepcion to be picked at number 30
“How about the Dolphins sitting there at 30 getting Casey Concepcion dropping to them?”
K.C. Concepcion Miami Dolphins
Went 24mocked at 30
77.11Close
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
K.C. Concepcion
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
77.11
baseline:
50
actual pick:
24
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
77.11
predicted pick:
30
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Eli Stowers to be picked at number 46
“He would have the Vanderbilt player in tight end dropping to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 46.”
Eli Stowers Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Went 54mocked at 46
70.71Close
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Eli Stowers
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
70.71
baseline:
50
actual pick:
54
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
70.71
predicted pick:
46
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Kenyon Sadiq to be picked “Top 20” (picks 1–20)
“Kenyan Saddiq going to Carolina. Top 20 for Saddiq.”
Kenyon Sadiq Carolina Panthers
Went 16
100Hit
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Kenyon Sadiq
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
100
baseline:
50
actual pick:
16
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
100
predicted pick:
Top 20 (picks 1–20)
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Rueben Bain to be picked at number 8
“Reuben Bain would go to the Saints eighth overall.”
Rueben Bain New Orleans Saints
Went 15mocked at 8
73.84Close
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Rueben Bain
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
73.84
baseline:
50
actual pick:
15
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
73.84
predicted pick:
8
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Caleb Downs to be picked at number 5
“with the Giants then following up with Caleb Downs fifth overall”
Caleb Downs New York Giants
Went 11mocked at 5
77.11Close
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Caleb Downs
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
77.11
baseline:
50
actual pick:
11
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
77.11
predicted pick:
5
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Sonny Styles to be picked at number 4
“with Sonny Styles going to Tennessee fourth overall”
Sonny Styles Tennessee Titans
Went 7mocked at 4
87.81Hit
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Sonny Styles
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
87.81
baseline:
50
actual pick:
7
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
87.81
predicted pick:
4
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1
“Fernando Mendoza is gonna be the first overall pick.”
Fernando Mendoza
Went 1mocked at 1
100Hit
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Fernando Mendoza
season:
2026
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:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Monroe Freeling to be picked at number 13
“The Rams with the thirteenth overall pick, their first round selection would be Monroe Freeling.”
Monroe Freeling Los Angeles Rams
Went 19mocked at 13
77.11Close
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Monroe Freeling
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
77.11
baseline:
50
actual pick:
19
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
77.11
predicted pick:
13
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Arvell Reese to be picked at number 3
“he thinks the Cardinals will go Arvel Reese third”
Arvell Reese Arizona Cardinals
Went 5mocked at 3
91.7Hit
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Arvell Reese
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Jermod McCoy to be picked at number 12
“Jermott McCoy, if he goes to Dallas at pick”
Jermod McCoy Dallas Cowboys
Went 101mocked at 12
2.12Miss
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Jermod McCoy
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
2.12
baseline:
50
actual pick:
101
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
2.12
predicted pick:
12
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Jeremiyah Love to be picked at number 7
“Leaving Jeremiah Love for the Washington commanders to take at seven.”
Jeremiyah Love Washington Commanders
Went 3mocked at 7
84.09Hit
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Jeremiyah Love
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
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:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
David Bailey to be picked at number 2
“The Jets will choose David Bailey ... Oh, Bailey's second.”
David Bailey New York Jets
Went 2mocked at 2
100Hit
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
David Bailey
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
100
baseline:
50
actual pick:
2
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
100
predicted pick:
2
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Avieon Terrell to be picked at number 32
“And if the Seahawks ... can get Terrell. Drop it to them at the last pick.”
Avieon Terrell Seattle Seahawks
Went 48mocked at 32
50Close
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Avieon Terrell
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
50
baseline:
50
actual pick:
48
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
50
predicted pick:
32
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Olaivavega Ioane to be picked at number 21
“Field Yates says no Ty Simpson. Uh-uh. It's Venga Yoane staying in the Keystone State ... Sitting there twenty first overall”
Olaivavega Ioane Pittsburgh Steelers
Went 14mocked at 21
73.84Close
mock order 92.31 − 50 for a shuffle = 42.31 × 1 difficulty = +42.31 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
a shuffled mock scores 50
skill:
42.31
player:
Olaivavega Ioane
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
32
accuracy:
73.84
baseline:
50
actual pick:
14
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
pick accuracy:
73.84
predicted pick:
21
weeks left when called:
0
mock ordering score:
92.31
Think this is wrong?
Francisco Mauigoa to be picked at number 11
“So if they wind up with Mau and Noah, who's a top five candidate at 11”
Francisco Mauigoa Miami Dolphins
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Keldric Faulk to be picked at a slot they never named
“Kendrick Faulk would go to San Francisco.”
Keldric Faulk San Francisco 49ers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Omar Cooper to be picked at a slot they never named
“The Eagles choosing Omar Cooper Junior”
Omar Cooper Philadelphia Eagles
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Spencer Fano to be picked at a slot they never named
“with Spencer Fano right behind him. That would be the Ravens choice with the pick that they didn't send to the stee, to the Raiders.”
Spencer Fano Baltimore Ravens
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Ty Simpson to be picked at a slot they never named
“Ty Simpson would go to Arizona according to Field Yates. He predicts this trade.”
Ty Simpson Arizona Cardinals
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Dillon Thieneman to be picked at a slot they never named
“Dylan Feinemann, who has got Viking written all over him, could be the Harrison Smith successor.”
Dillon Thieneman Minnesota Vikings
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jordyn Tyson to be picked at a slot they never named
“The Chiefs would choose Jordan Tyson as the second receiver off the board.”
Jordyn Tyson Kansas City Chiefs
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Makai Lemon to be picked at a slot they never named
“Makai Lemmon being chose chosen by the Jets.”
Makai Lemon New York Jets
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Mansoor Delane to be picked at a slot they never named
“And then Mansour Delaine, the LSU corner, would go to Cincinnati”
Mansoor Delane Cincinnati Bengals
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to be picked at a slot they never named
“Instead, they're they're gonna go safety, Emmanuel McNeil Warren.”
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
R Mason Thomas to be picked at a slot they never named
“R Mason Thomas, the edge rusher out of Oklahoma ... would complete your two picks in the middle of the first round. Dallas cowboy”
R Mason Thomas
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Kadyn Proctor to be picked at a slot they never named
“Caden Proctor, wouldn't be surprised the Lions hitting that line.”
Kadyn Proctor Detroit Lions
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Denzel Boston to be picked at a slot they never named
“John Eric Sullivan. Denzel Bob, he got in Boston going to the Patriots.”
Denzel Boston New England Patriots
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Position Order Calls1 hitShow ▸

Jordyn Tyson to be 2nd receiver off the board
“The Chiefs would choose Jordan Tyson as the second receiver off the board.”
Jordyn Tyson Kansas City Chiefs
100Hit
100 − 11.45 naive = 88.55 × 1 difficulty = +88.55 skill
How this was scored
draft:
2026
naive:
naming one of the 36 at random averages 11.45
skill:
88.55
player:
Jordyn Tyson
season:
2026
zero credit this far off:
credit halves every two places
accuracy:
100
baseline:
11.45
position:
receiver
class size:
36
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
actual order:
2
predicted order:
2
weeks left when called:
0
Think this is wrong?