Ross Jackson· Mar 9, 2026
In a pre-free agency seven-round Saints mock draft, Ross Jackson has New Orleans taking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 8, Missouri edge Zion Young at 42, Georgia WR Zachariah Branch at 73, Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson at 132, Alabama DT Tim Keenan III at 137, Iowa guard Beau Stevens at 148, Texas LB Trey Moore at 170 and Houston TE Tanner Cazio at 189. He also expects slot/star defenders like Bud Clark, Keonta Scott and Traytan Stukes to be second- or third-round picks, Malachi Lawrence to go around top 100, and Alontae Taylor to leave in free agency.
“Caleb Downs makes perfect sense for this team at eight, assuming that those medicals do check out.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On Saints (podcast) · read the original →
13 checkable claims — 12 mock draft picks and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 14 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
12 of 13 have settled so far, averaging 65.4 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
13 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 PicksTreydan StukesMar 9, 2026
Treydan Stukes to be picked “probably second, third round players” (picks 33–100)
“trading stoops as well out of Arizona ... Those guys could be had a little bit later in the draft, probably second, third round players.”
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:
- Treydan Stukes
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 38
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- probably second, third round players (picks 33–100)
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksBud ClarkMar 9, 2026
Bud Clark to be picked “probably second, third round players” (picks 33–100)
“And then I'd highlight, of course, TCU safety, Bud Clark. Those guys could be had a little bit later in the draft, probably second, third round players.”
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:
- Bud Clark
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 64
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- probably second, third round players (picks 33–100)
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksKeionte ScottMar 9, 2026
Keionte Scott to be picked “probably second, third round players” (picks 33–100)
“Keontay Scott out of Miami. ... Those guys could be had a little bit later in the draft, probably second, third round players.”
Close · 50Scored 50 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:
- Keionte Scott
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 50
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 116
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 50
- predicted pick:
- probably second, third round players (picks 33–100)
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
- Mock Draft PicksTrey MooreNew Orleans SaintsMar 9, 2026
Trey Moore to be picked at number 170
“And then round five pick one seventy, I'm gonna go with, Texas linebacker Trey Moore.”
Miss · 18Scored 17.68 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:
- Trey Moore
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 17.68
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 130
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 17.68
- predicted pick:
- 170
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 85.71
Tanner Koziol to be picked at number 189
“jumping ahead now to round six, our final selection pick one eighty nine. Houston tight end Tanner Cazio.”
Miss · 34Scored 33.86 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 91.07 against a shuffle’s 50+41.07 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 41.07
- player:
- Tanner Koziol
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 33.86
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 164
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 33.86
- predicted pick:
- 189
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 91.07
Caleb Downs to be picked at number 8
“Caleb Downs makes perfect sense for this team at eight, assuming that those medicals do check out.”
Hit · 88Scored 87.81 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 91.43 against a shuffle’s 50+41.43 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 41.43
- player:
- Caleb Downs
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 87.81
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 11
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 87.81
- predicted pick:
- 8
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 91.43
- Mock Draft PicksZion YoungNew Orleans SaintsMar 9, 2026
Zion Young to be picked at number 42
“Alright. Let's move on now to round two, pick 42. ... I went with Missouri edge rusher Zion Young.”
Hit · 88Scored 87.81 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 91.43 against a shuffle’s 50+41.43 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 41.43
- player:
- Zion Young
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 87.81
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 45
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 87.81
- predicted pick:
- 42
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 91.43
Zachariah Branch to be picked at number 73
“there's a perfect opportunity for me to do so in round three, pick 73 with Georgia wide receiver, Zachariah Branch”
Close · 77Scored 77.11 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 91.43 against a shuffle’s 50+41.43 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 41.43
- player:
- Zachariah Branch
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 77.11
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 79
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 77.11
- predicted pick:
- 73
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 91.43
Emmett Johnson to be picked at number 132
“with the first selection of round four, pick one thirty two, I went with Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson”
Miss · 28Scored 28.47 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 91.43 against a shuffle’s 50+41.43 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 41.43
- player:
- Emmett Johnson
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 28.47
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 161
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 28.47
- predicted pick:
- 132
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 91.43
- Mock Draft PicksTim KeenanNew Orleans SaintsMar 9, 2026
Tim Keenan to be picked at number 137
“Going back to defense here as well, with Alabama defensive tackle Tim Keenan the third. This is at round four, pick one thirty seven.”
Miss · 2Scored 1.63 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 91.43 against a shuffle’s 50+41.43 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 41.43
- player:
- Tim Keenan
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 1.63
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 232
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 1.63
- predicted pick:
- 137
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 91.43
Beau Stephens to be picked at number 148
“round four pick one forty eight, I'm gonna go with Iowa guard Beau Stevens”
Hit · 100Scored 100 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 91.43 against a shuffle’s 50+41.43 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 41.43
- player:
- Beau Stephens
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 148
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 148
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 91.43
- Mock Draft PicksMalachi LawrenceMar 9, 2026
Malachi Lawrence to be picked “top 100” (picks 1–100)
“And I think Malachi Lawrence now is going, like, top 100.”
Hit · 100Scored 100 on this pickthis mock ordered the draft 91.43 against a shuffle’s 50+41.43 skillHow this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- skill:
- 41.43
- player:
- Malachi Lawrence
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 23
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- top 100 (picks 1–100)
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- 91.43
- Trade and Signing CallsAlontae TaylorMar 9, 2026
Alontae Taylor to move
“Could also immediately step into the role of one, Allante Taylor, should he depart in free agency as we expect he will.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsClose · 48Simms 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Lance MooreScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsClose · 48Called for a Saints victory over the Raiders by a score of 27-20.
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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.
- Lance ZierleinMock Draft Picks · Jeremiyah LoveHit · 100Zierlein laid out his final mock draft: Jeremiah Love at No. 3 to Arizona, Sonny Styles at No. 4 to Robert Saleh's team, and Caleb Downs to the Giants at No. 5. He also called Styles the only first-round linebacker in the class and said Ty Simpson is a lock to be a first-round pick, most likely to Arizona.
- Nick ShookMock Draft Picks · Max IheanachorHit · 88Shook 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.
- 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.
- 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.