FantasyPros - Real First Round NFL Mock Draft (Ep. 1944)

Summary of FantasyPros - Real First Round NFL Mock Draft (Ep. 1944)

by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1h 11m•February 8, 2026
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Overview of FantasyPros - Real First Round NFL Mock Draft (Ep. 1944)

This episode is a one‑round, expert mock draft hosted by Joey P., Pat Fitzmaurice, Scott Bogman and guest Steve Mensch (from ESPN’s Todd McShay Show). The group runs through all 32 first‑round selections, discussing fits, medical/character concerns, scheme fits, and fantasy implications. Major themes: a thin quarterback class (one clear QB in this mock), premium demand for edge rushers and offensive linemen, and several high‑value wide receiver and running back prospects for fantasy managers to track.

Key takeaways

  • Consensus No. 1 pick: Fernando Mendoza (QB) to the Raiders — a “winner” and leader whose intangibles and big‑moment play push him to franchise QB status despite some physical/arm questions.
  • This class is top‑heavy at a few special positions (edge rushers, a couple of elite non‑premium players like Jeremiah Love), but overall QB depth is thin — teams may prioritize other positions early.
  • Lots of movement toward defensive front‑seven help and offensive line upgrades across rosters; many teams prioritized pass rush or run‑stopping interior linemen.
  • Several versatile mid‑roundish WRs/slot playmakers were projected in the first round (Denzel Boston, Carnell Tate, Casey Concepcion, Makai Lemon) — important for PPR/dynasty formats.
  • Medical and character questions (ACLs, other injuries) are influencing boards — track pre‑draft medicals and Senior Bowl/PFF/Senior Bowl showings.

Full mock: Round 1 (pick, team — player, position, school — short rationale)

  1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB (Indiana) — leadership/winner, big‑moment performer; organizational culture reset.
  2. New York Jets — Arvel Reese, LB (Ohio State) — versatile off‑ball/edge ability, BPA defender for rebuilding Jets defense.
  3. Arizona Cardinals — Reuben Bain, EDGE (Miami) — explosive pass rusher and motor; special talent despite short arms talk.
  4. Tennessee Titans — David Bailey, EDGE (Texas Tech) — high sack/hit production; building dominant front with Simmons.
  5. New York Giants — Spencer Fano, OT (Utah) — protect young QB, high ceiling tackle prospect.
  6. Cleveland Browns — Francis Mauinoa (Maui Noah), OL (Miami) — freak athlete, plug‑and‑play interior/tackle help for a line overhaul.
  7. Washington Commanders — Sonny Styles, LB (Ohio State) — elite tackling, coverage and leadership to replace/augment middle LBer.
  8. New Orleans Saints — Jordan Tyson, WR (Arizona State) — crisp route runner, separation specialist to help Tyler Shough.
  9. Kansas City Chiefs — Jeremiah Love, RB (Notre Dame) — top back in this class: speed, burst, pass‑catching; relief for Mahomes workload.
  10. Cincinnati Bengals — Caleb Downs, S (Ohio State) — versatile safety who can play box, slot or deep help a weak secondary.
  11. Miami Dolphins — Tremont McCoy, CB (Tennessee) — top‑cover potential if healthy; injury concerns but high upside.
  12. Dallas Cowboys — Mansoor Delane (best healthy cover guy on board) — cornerback to upgrade coverage group.
  13. Los Angeles Rams — Carnell Tate, WR (Ohio State) — contested‑catch specialist, high floor and contested catch ability.
  14. Baltimore Ravens — Keldrick Falk, EDGE (Auburn) — long, athletic defensive lineman; high upside for Ravens’ trenches.
  15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Cassius Howell, EDGE (Texas A&M) — quick, athletic situational pass rusher to boost pass rush.
  16. New York Jets (via IND) — Denzel Boston, WR (Washington) — reliable hands, first‑down machine; helps Garrett Wilson-era offense.
  17. Detroit Lions — Caleb Lomu, LT (Utah) — athletic left tackle to replace/upgrade over aging Decker.
  18. Minnesota Vikings — Avian Terrell, CB (Clemson) — sticky coverage corner with speed and run support.
  19. Carolina Panthers — Caden McDonald, DT (Ohio State) — best pure run‑stuffer in class, helps a division with run threats.
  20. Dallas Cowboys (2nd pick) — Akeem Mesidor, EDGE (Miami) — violent hands, power pass rusher who can play inside.
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Makai Lemon, WR (USC) — explosive slot/returner, after‑the‑catch big play ability.
  22. Los Angeles Chargers — Vega Ione, IOL (Penn State) — much‑needed interior blocker to help Justin Herbert.
  23. Philadelphia Eagles — Kenyan Sadiq, TE (Oregon) — athletic, natural pass‑catching TE who can move the chains and block.
  24. Cleveland Browns (2nd pick) — Casey Concepcion, WR (Texas A&M/NC State) — dynamic slot route runner and explosive YAC guy.
  25. Chicago Bears — Peter Woods, DT (Clemson) — clogger interior DL to improve terrible run defense.
  26. Buffalo Bills — Caleb Banks, DT (Florida) — athletic interior lineman to bolster run defense and help Josh Allen by improving defense.
  27. San Francisco 49ers — Caden Proctor, OT (Alabama) — massive, athletic tackle to eventual replace Trent Williams.
  28. Houston Texans — Pregnanton (interior OL, Oregon) — road‑grading interior OL to improve line play/run game.
  29. Los Angeles Rams — Ty Simpson, QB (Alabama) — developmental QB possibility behind Stafford / future option (team‑option pick).
  30. New England Patriots — TJ Parker, EDGE (Clemson) — high‑floor, three‑down defender and strong run defender.
  31. Denver Broncos — Romello Height, EDGE (Texas Tech) — third‑down specialist and coverage edge who can develop into a full‑time rusher.
  32. Seattle Seahawks — Chris Johnson, CB (San Diego State) — instinctive, ball‑hawking press corner with scheme versatility (G5 value pick).

(Note: names/spellings pulled from the episode transcript — some prospects discussed with health or transfer‑portal caveats. The panel emphasized medical checks and pre‑draft process for several picks.)

Notable insights & memorable quotes

  • “When it’s all on the line — does the kid got what it takes to win? — and Mendoza does.” — on Fernando Mendoza’s intangibles and winning track record.
  • Repeated theme: “There’s really one quarterback in this class” — drives the trickle‑down positional value and how teams use early picks.
  • “Winning with power and violent hands is the trait that wins at the NFL level” — on evaluating pass rushers (meshing with selections of Mesidor, Bain, Bailey, etc.).
  • Mock drafts now are “pretty useless until free agency is over” — these mocks are for prospect conversation, fits and planning, not final outcomes.

Fantasy & dynasty implications

  • Superflex/SF leagues: Mendoza going first overall (QB to Raiders) is a huge value swing — monitor ADP for superflex formats.
  • RB market: Jeremiah Love to the Chiefs at No. 9 elevates his immediate RB1 fantasy profile; a big deal for fantasy managers.
  • WRs to track for PPR/dynasty: Carnell Tate, Jordan Tyson, Denzel Boston, Makai Lemon, Casey Concepcion — all projected early and have roles that translate to targets/YAC.
  • Defensive players matter in IDP leagues: Arvel Reese, Reuben Bain, Akeem Mesidor and others could be Day‑1 IDP producers; Caleb Downs will be a high‑value safety in IDP coverage leagues.
  • O‑line picks (Maui Noah, Proctor, Vega Ione, interior OL picks): less direct fantasy impact, but game‑changing for teammate production (QBs and RBs).

What listeners should watch next (recommended follow‑ups)

  • Senior Bowl & Combine workouts — many prospects mentioned (TJ Parker, Peter Woods, Ty Simpson, etc.) can improve or fall based on pre‑draft testing and medicals.
  • Free agency — several teams in the mock were said to be likely to address offensive line or pass rush in FA (draft plans depend heavily on FA moves).
  • Medical/pro day reports for the corners and receivers with injury histories (Tremont McCoy, Carnell Tate, Jordan Tyson, Caleb Banks).
  • Revisit mock drafts after free agency closes — team needs and boards will shift.

Sponsor & show notes

  • Episode includes sponsor spots from Arby’s, Hard Rock Bet, Velo Plus, Toyota, Verizon and others. Hosts encouraged listeners to follow FantasyPros on socials and to join their Discord (fantasypros.com/chat) for draft and dynasty discussion.
  • Hosts will continue more multi‑round mock draft episodes and live NFL draft coverage — expect follow‑ups and updated mocks as the pre‑draft process progresses.

If you want the shortlist of players the hosts repeatedly flagged as “must‑watch,” see below:

  • Quarterback to watch: Fernando Mendoza (immediate), Ty Simpson (developmental 2027 candidate), Dante Moore (2027 target).
  • Running back: Jeremiah Love.
  • Edge rushers: Reuben Bain, Akeem Mesidor, David Bailey, Cassius Howell, TJ Parker.
  • Wide receivers/slot: Carnell Tate, Jordan Tyson, Denzel Boston, Casey Concepcion, Makai Lemon.
  • Interior defenders/DTs: Caden McDonald, Peter Woods, Caleb Banks.
  • Safety: Caleb Downs.

This mock is the start of the draft season conversation — it’s focused on fits and film, and will evolve considerably through the Senior Bowl, Combine, and free agency.