Contest Math Mock 2026
This is something I came up with the last time I entered this contest. Instead of mocking players to teams I will just order them in a way I think offers maximum value to score as many points as possible. . I did pair the prospects with teams I think might be interested in them which shakes up the whole order. Some high profile prospects didn't make it including Jermod McCoy (could go anywhere with injury concerns), Vega Ioane (top 15 talent imo but hard to find a spot where multiple teams would want him), WR's KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston (see a lot of different spots for them including 2nd round) and Keldric Faulk (see him all over the place on big boards.
Round 1
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32
After Mendoza I have a group of 3 players who are most likely to be picked in the 2-4 range. First up is Arvell Reese who's most likely to go at 2.
3.
Do the Cardinals stick and pick or trade down? It doesn't matter as this pick is most likely Reese, Bailey or Love.
The Titans have been heavily linked with Love for a while. Even if they pass on him I don't think Love will fall far.
I think there's an outside chance Styles goes 3 or 4 but it's most likely going to be 5-7
It seems the Browns are going to pick receiver here and wait for O line at the back end of the first round. Even if Tate doesn't go here there are plenty of teams in this range who could draft receiver
7.
One of the best players in this draft is probably going 5-10.
I almost didn't include Tyson in this mock because of the injury concerns but it seems like the NFL is okay with his medicals and just like with Tate there are a lot of teams in this range who could go receiver
Rueben Bain was a consensus top-5 pick for a while but it seems like the NFL isn't ready for back to back years with a T-Rex in the top-5.
A lot of teams in this range need corner. Delane is one of the top talents in this class and might go even higher than this.
I had a hard time with Mauigoa and Fano as they are just about everywhere in the top half of the first round. I think 3 and 6 are too rich for players who are not sure fire tackles. The 9-15 range seems ideal with almost every team needing O line help.
This is another hot spot for receiver with Makai Lemon being the consensus number 3.
I thought about whether or not to include Cooper as he is a late riser but I see him getting mocked around this spot a lot by sources I trust.
15.
Sadiq is most heavily linked with the Ravens, Bucs and Panthers which would all get us points in this range.
Old Man Mesidor is heavily linked with Tampa Bay. I think he also has a chance at Detroit even though they will most likely go O-line. Cowboys might be a back door too.
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32