Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Random names out of a hat edition

Q: What is the purpose of the randomized NFL mock draft?

The randomized NFL mock draft aims to see if picking names out of a hat can yield better results than traditional drafting methods.

Q: How long has the random mock draft tradition been going on?

The random mock draft tradition has been ongoing for 13 years.

Q: Who initiated the random mock draft tradition?

The tradition was initiated by Pride of Detroit founder Sean Yuille.

Q: What happened in last year's randomized NFL mock draft?

Last year, the randomized mock draft completely missed all picks.

It’s time for one of my favorite traditions at Pride of Detroit. Going back 13 years, we’ve been doing an annual mock draft that is completely randomized?

Why? Well, initially it was done to see if Pride of Detroit founder Sean Yuille could draft better for the Lions by picking names out of a hat than Detroit’s former general manager Matt Millen. I still do it today, because it’s silly, fun, and just about as useful as any other mock draft out here. Plus, it gives me something else to root for on draft night: blindly getting a pick right simply by randomization.

Unfortunately, last year we struck out completely.

So this year, the tradition continues. I put 32 names—the top 32 players in Wide Left’s Consensus Big Board—into a hat, drew them one-by-one, and paired them with a team in chronological draft order.

Before we get into this year’s pick. if you’re interested in the results from previous years, here are backlinks all the way to the original concept:

Here are the picks this year:

Las Vegas Raiders: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
New York Jets: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Arizona Cardinals: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiah Love, Notre Dame
New York Giants: G Vega Ioane, Penn State
Cleveland Browns: WR Makai Lemon, USC
Washington Commanders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
New Orleans Saints: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Kansas City Chiefs: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
New York Giants: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Miami Dolphins: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Dallas Cowboys: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Los Angeles Rams: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Baltimore Ravens: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
New York Jets: OT Blake Miller, Clemson

Starting with the Lions’ pick, there is no chance of that being right. Tate is projected by most to be the top receiver off the board, likely to go in the top 10 picks. It’s an interesting thought experiment to wonder if the Lions would pick him if he’s still on the board, but considering their heavy investment in their current top-three receivers, it would be a very strange pick. Unfortunately, I missed pairing the Lions with Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller by a single pick.

As for picks that have a chance of being right, Jeremiah Love to the Titans at fourth overall is looking very nice. He’s the most commonly mocked player to the Titans in ESPN’s mock draft simulator. Pairing the Cowboys with a cornerback is on the right track, although it’s unlikely to be Colton Hood, unless we’re talking about their 20th overall pick. Same deal with the Bills and a wide receiver. Good positional pairing, but Jordyn Tyson is likely to be gone by Pick 26. If they swing a trade up, there’s a chance of a match there.

Caleb Downs goes to the Browns with the 24th pick, and while that won’t happen, it’s possible he still lands in Cleveland with the sixth overall pick.

Another possible match is Denzel Boston to the Dolphins at 30. That’s around his projected draft spot (26th on the big board) and Miami could use a receiver or two after moving on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Which pairings do you like the best? Share your thoughts on this very important mock draft in comment section.