Brandon Carney

Writes at Bran Coverage with BenchwarmerBran (podcast)

Every take from Brandon Carney, including the ones still waiting →

Is Brandon Carney accurate? Across 60 graded calls in 6 articles, Brandon Carney scores 64.73% accuracy and a MissedTakes Score of 53.43, which means their calls were better than a naive guess on the same claims. That is a provisional record, fewer than ten graded articles, so the numbers are not yet meaningful and they are not ranked on the leaderboard.

64.73%

Accuracy

How often they were right.

53.43

MissedTakes Score

Versus a naive guess. 0 means no better.

Graded calls

across 6 articles. 90 more not yet settled.

Fewer than 10 graded articles. Treat this as provisional.

97.62% of their claims were specific enough to check. Most of what they said committed to something.

Every number here is computed from the published methodology, and every call below shows its own arithmetic.

What they call, and how it goes

The record split by kind of claim — five graded calls minimum before a kind shows here. A pundit can be sharp on drafts and ordinary on game picks, and averaging that away is how a number stops meaning anything.

Mock Draft Picks18 graded78.22 accuracy
Game Outcome Picks13 graded92.59 accuracy
Depth Chart Calls11 graded93.75 accuracy

Form

Rolling accuracy over their last fifteen graded calls, in the order the claims were made. The dashed line is their career average — the question this answers is whether the number above is who they are or who they were.

earliest callscareer avg 77 ┄latest form: 67

Graded calls · 60

5 of 6 graded articles on this page, newest first — page 1 of 2.

Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.2 graded calls · May 5, 2026
- Stefon Diggs to move to Las Vegas Raiders
  “So Stefon Diggs, this is the one I feel the least confident about. But just looking at depth charts, like, I put them on your Raiders.”
  Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skill
  How this was scored
  skill:
  0
  player:
  Stefon Diggs
  season:
  2026
  claimed:
  LV
  was with:
  NE
  accuracy:
  0
  baseline:
  0

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.18 graded calls · Apr 22, 2026

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 skill
How 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
Think this grade is wrong?
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 skill
How 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
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 skill
How 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
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 skill
How 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
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 skill
How 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 skill
How 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
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 skill
How 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
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 skill
How 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
Think this grade is wrong?
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 skill
How 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
Think this grade is wrong?
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 skill
How 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
Think this grade is wrong?
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 skill
How 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
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 skill
How 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
Think this grade is wrong?
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 skill
How 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
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 skill
How 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
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 skill
How 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
Think this grade is wrong?
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 skill
How 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
Think this grade is wrong?
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 skill
How 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:
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 skill
How 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
Think this grade is wrong?

Carney predicted AJ Brown would not be back with the Eagles, forecast a wave of free-agent landing spots (Breece Hall to the Chiefs, Alec Pierce to the 49ers, Rico Dowdle to the Saints, George Pickens to the Patriots, Mike Evans to the Bills), and named Week 1 starting quarterbacks for several teams in flux. He also gave fantasy takes on Javonte Williams, Chris Olave and others.11 graded calls · Feb 24, 2026

Kyler Murray to be 1st on the depth chart
“I'm I'm going with Kyler Murray.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 91.67+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
ARI
skill:
0
player:
Kyler Murray
season:
2025
accuracy:
91.67
baseline:
91.67
position:
QB
naive slot:
1
actual slot:
2
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Michael Penix Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“Therefore, I am also gonna just assume they stick with Michael Pinnock.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.67+8.33 skill
How this was scored
club:
ATL
skill:
8.33
player:
Michael Penix Jr.
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
91.67
position:
QB
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
1
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
C.J. Stroud to be 1st on the depth chart
“Texans, do you see any change for the Texans? No... I agree.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
HOU
skill:
0
player:
C.J. Stroud
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
position:
QB
naive slot:
1
actual slot:
1
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Joe Flacco to be 1st on the depth chart
“I bet the Joe Flacco retirement tour continues and runs it back in Indy for a couple games... So I'm gonna go with Joe Flacco for week one.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.67+8.33 skill
How this was scored
club:
CIN
skill:
8.33
player:
Joe Flacco
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
91.67
position:
QB
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
1
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Tyler Huntley to be 1st on the depth chart
“I'm gonna go with Tyler Huntley, Pat... So I'll go with Tyler Huntley here.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 100-8.33 skill
How this was scored
club:
BAL
skill:
-8.33
player:
Tyler Huntley
season:
2025
accuracy:
91.67
baseline:
100
position:
QB
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
2
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Vikings, I am gonna say reunion time and I'm going with Kirk Cousins.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 91.67+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
ATL
skill:
0
player:
Kirk Cousins
season:
2025
accuracy:
91.67
baseline:
91.67
position:
QB
naive slot:
1
actual slot:
2
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Malik Willis to be 1st on the depth chart
“I have the Cardinals with Malik Willis... So I'm gonna go with Malik Willis to Cardinals.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 100-8.33 skill
How this was scored
club:
GB
skill:
-8.33
player:
Malik Willis
season:
2025
accuracy:
91.67
baseline:
100
position:
QB
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
2
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Mac Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“Mac Jones is my pick for the Raiders starting quarterback next year.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 100-8.33 skill
How this was scored
club:
SF
skill:
-8.33
player:
Mac Jones
season:
2025
accuracy:
91.67
baseline:
100
position:
QB
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
2
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Justin Fields to be 1st on the depth chart
“Give me Justin Fields. They trade they trade penny they trade some pennies for Justin Fields.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 91.67+8.33 skill
How this was scored
club:
NYJ
skill:
8.33
player:
Justin Fields
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
91.67
position:
QB
naive slot:
2
actual slot:
1
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Aaron Rodgers to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think I'll probably go the same way with you, Aaron Rodgers here.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
PIT
skill:
0
player:
Aaron Rodgers
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
position:
QB
naive slot:
1
actual slot:
1
difficulty:
1
measured by:
passing yards
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Mike Evans to move to Buffalo Bills
“Neither of us have given Mike Evans a home. I'm gonna send him to the most obvious place possible other than Tampa Bay, which is the Buffalo Bills.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skill
How this was scored
skill:
0
player:
Mike Evans
season:
2026
claimed:
BUF
was with:
TB
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he stays where he is
weeks in the season:
18
ended up with:
SF
weeks left when called:
18
Think this grade is wrong?

Carney sticks with the Rams as his Super Bowl winner, picks the Patriots, Broncos, Seahawks and Rams in the divisional round, and makes a series of head coaching landing-spot predictions plus fantasy takes on Colston Loveland.8 graded calls · Jan 13, 2026

Jake Tonges to be 1st on the depth chart
“Honestly, Jake Tarras would probably be a guy being drafted as a fringe tight end one, honestly, just with the system.”
Hit · 92Scored 91.67a naive guess scored 91.67+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
SF
skill:
0
player:
Jake Tonges
season:
2025
accuracy:
91.67
baseline:
91.67
position:
TE
naive slot:
3
actual slot:
2
difficulty:
1
measured by:
receptions
the naive guess:
where he sat last season
weeks in the season:
18
predicted slot:
1
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Colston Loveland to finish top 3 at his position, by fantasy points
“Outside of Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, I don't know if there's anyone else I'm putting above Colson Loveland for next season... you wanna rank him as t three next year? Be my guest.”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 75-25 skill
How this was scored
skill:
-25
player:
Colston Loveland
season:
2025
zero at:
12
accuracy:
50
baseline:
75
position:
TE
ranked by:
fantasy points
difficulty:
1
the naive guess:
no prior season — the startable tier at TE
weeks in the season:
18
naive finish:
12
actual finish:
9
weeks left when called:
0
Denver Broncos to beat Bills
“I am gonna stick with the Broncos here. I'm gonna go with Denver at home.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
DEN
score:
30-33
skill:
0
they picked:
DEN
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
DEN
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Los Angeles Rams to beat Bears
“I'll I'm going with the Rams because they are my Super Bowl pick.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+100 skill
How this was scored
won:
LAR
score:
20-17
skill:
100
they picked:
LAR
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
the naive pick:
CHI
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Los Angeles Rams to win the Super Bowl
“Yeah. I think I I'm still very much standing by my Rams Super Bowl prediction.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skill
How this was scored
skill:
0
they picked:
LAR
season:
2025
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
champion:
SEA
runner up:
NE
the naive pick:
PHI
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Seattle Seahawks to beat 49ers
“So we will see how that one plays out, but I certainly have Seattle as well.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
SEA
score:
6-41
skill:
0
they picked:
SEA
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
SEA
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?
Los Angeles Rams to reach the Super Bowl
“I'm gonna go with the Rams though and, you know, continue on their road to the Super Bowl”
Close · 50Scored 50a naive guess scored 0+50 skill
How this was scored
skill:
50
they picked:
LAR
season:
2025
accuracy:
50
baseline:
0
champions:
NE,SEA
difficulty:
1
the naive guess:
last season's conference champions
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
0
reached the Super Bowl:
no
lost the conference final:
yes
Think this grade is wrong?
New England Patriots to beat Texans
“Texans at Patriots... Who you got? I'm taking the patriots.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
won:
NE
score:
16-28
skill:
0
they picked:
NE
season:
2025
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
the naive pick:
NE
difficulty:
1
weeks in the season:
18
weeks left when called:
0
Think this grade is wrong?