FantasyPros - NFL Mock Draft with Trades + The Best Skill Position Sleepers & Fantasy Landing Spots After Round 1 (Ep. 1998)

In this final mock draft episode before the 2026 NFL Draft, Joey P. and the Fantasy Pros team—joined by special guest Emery Hunt from CBS HQ—break down a full first-round mock with trades, positional needs, and strategic picks. The show kicks off with the Raiders selecting Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, followed by a flurry of high-impact picks: the Jets taking David Bailey at No. 2, the Cardinals selecting Arvel Reese at No. 3, and the Titans landing Sonny Stiles at No. 4. The draft continues with key selections like the Browns taking Carnell Tate, the Saints drafting Mancer Delane, and the Chiefs bolstering their offensive line with Francis Maunoa. A major trade occurs late in the round as the Jets move up from No. 33 to No. 32 to select quarterback Ty Simpson, sparking debate over his viability as a first-round pick. The panel evaluates Simpson’s limited college starts and compares him to players like Andy Dalton and Brock Purdy, ultimately concluding he’s better suited as a second-round project. The episode wraps with standout sleeper picks like Casey Concepcion, Emmanuel McNeil Warren, and Omar Cooper Jr., highlighting their potential impact in the right system. The hosts emphasize the importance of building around a quarterback, especially in teams with weak offensive lines and depth issues. Key takeaways include: 1) Ty Simpson’s value lies in his long-term development potential, not immediate impact; 2) Teams should prioritize offensive line and defensive edge depth in the first round; 3) Sleeper skill players like Concepcion and Cooper offer high upside in later rounds; 4) The Jets’ aggressive move for Simpson signals confidence in their ability to develop a quarterback; 5) Drafting for fit over need can yield better long-term results. The overall sentiment is positive and energetic, with the hosts excited for the upcoming draft and confident in their mock’s strategic depth.