Mock Draft Shocker: Tyson to Chiefs, Simpson Left Out!

Mock Draft Shocker: Tyson to Chiefs, Simpson Left Out!

The NFL Draft is still weeks away, but the predictions are already heating up. Peter Schrager, known for his accurate NFL Mock Drafts, just released his first 2026 Mock Draft, and it’s causing a stir. He joined the Pat McAfee Show to talk about the picks that have everyone buzzing, especially the surprising placement of Jordan Tyson and the notable absence of Tai Simpson in the first round.

Jordan Tyson to the Chiefs: A Polarizing Pick

Schrager’s mock draft has Jordan Tyson landing with the Kansas City Chiefs at pick number nine. This move, he explained, is considered the most polarizing in the entire draft. Schrager revealed he received texts from general managers with wildly different opinions on Tyson’s potential draft position. One GM stated they didn’t think Tyson would even be picked in the top 20, while another was shocked he might fall all the way to ninth.

“When I tell you I got a text from a GM who says, ‘I am not sure Tyson even goes top 20,'” Schrager said. “And then I had another text from a GM saying, ‘Wow, you think he drops all the way to nine?'”

Schrager believes the Chiefs, under Andy Reid and Brett Veach, are the perfect fit for a player like Tyson. He pointed out their history of focusing on talent and development, regardless of potential off-field concerns or health issues that might make other teams hesitant. “I put him in Kansas City and I do so because I believe Andy Reid and Brett Fech have shown a tendency to say let everyone else worry about guys health issues and guys off the field,” Schrager explained. “Their desires, all this stuff, put them in our building, we will get the best players and we will make the most of them.”

Tai Simpson’s Draft Stock: A Message to Dan?

Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of Schrager’s mock is leaving quarterback Tai Simpson completely out of the first round. This decision sparked a direct conversation with Dan Orlovsky, who Schrager implied was upset by the omission.

Schrager clarified his reasoning, emphasizing that he doesn’t put players in the first round unless he has concrete information from teams that they are seriously considering them. He drew on past experiences, like with Will Levis and Shador Sanders, where he felt pressured to place players in the first round based on external opinions rather than team intel.

“I made a mistake two years ago, three years ago. I didn’t have any teams who liked Will Le as a first round pick, but everyone had been telling me that Will Le is a first round guy,” Schrager admitted. “Last year, I didn’t have a single team that said we love Shadur Sanders. I didn’t have a single team that said Shadur Sanders is a first round grade in our mock draft. Yet, everyone told me there’s no way Shadore leaves the first round from the outside.”

He continued, “I decided this year until I have a team that tells me we love Tai Simpson or we’re gonna take Ty Simpson, it doesn’t do anyone any good just throwing him in there or making up a fake trade and saying, ‘Well, Arizona trades back and that I don’t have Ty Simpson in the first round.'”

Schrager suggested that teams with quarterbacks they believe in are less likely to draft another quarterback in the first round. He sees the Jets and Cardinals as potential fits for Simpson, but believes they might look to trade up into the late first round or pick early in the second round (picks 33 and 34) to secure him. “Teams aren’t going to draft a quarterback in the first round because, well, he’s a good player if they have a quarterback and a quarterback they believe in,” he stated.

Other Notable Picks and Safety Concerns

The conversation also touched on other potential first-round picks. While many mocks have Arvel Reese going to the Jets, Schrager has David Bailey there, citing a preference for a more polished pass rusher, though he acknowledged Reese is still a possibility.

Schrager also addressed the common perception that safeties rarely get drafted in the top 10, citing Kyle Hamilton (went 14th) and Derwin James (went 18th) as examples. He believes Caleb Downs, a safety, could fall to the Cowboys at pick 12, which would be a steal for them.

Another surprise pick in Schrager’s mock is Kaylin Rutled, an offensive guard from Georgia Tech, going to the New England Patriots. Schrager noted that he hasn’t seen this pick in many other mocks and that it generated immediate pushback via text messages.

Mai Milon to the Rams: A Stafford-Focused Move?

The discussion shifted to potential offensive weapons, with Mai Milon being mocked to the Los Angeles Rams. Schrager believes this move is less about Puka Nacua and more about giving Matthew Stafford another weapon for what could be his final season.

He described Milon as a tough player who excels in the middle of the field, comparing his gritty style to that of Rams coach Sean McVay. Despite Milon’s average 40-yard dash time, Schrager highlighted his high productivity and ability to make plays in traffic, making him an ideal fit for the Rams’ offense.

“Mai Lemon is everything less needed, Shawn McVey and wide receivers’s coach Eric Yarbor love,” Schrager said. “He is tough as nails. He is never met a center of the field that he doesn’t like. One of these guys that is just absolutely a dog.” He added, “To me, Mai Lemon to the Rams makes a ton of sense, especially if we’re going all in and we’re pushing our eggs to the middle of the table.”

Looking Ahead to Draft Day

As the draft approaches, Schrager plans to release his final mock draft just before the event. He emphasized that the beauty of the draft lies in its unpredictability and the ongoing discussions that shape perceptions. The NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, starting on April 23rd, with the first round kicking off the event.

Source: The Most Accurate NFL Draft Predictor Just Released His First 2026 Mock Draft | Pat McAfee Show (YouTube)