Road to the Draft, Part 4
January 31, 2020
By Noonefromtampa
So, a lot of people publish mock drafts, but is anyone accurate at it? Well, the folks at The Huddle Report (Drew Boylhart and Rob Esch) have tracked the results of draft prognosticators since 2002. They track the results from established draft websites, publications and media outlets posting draft content, mocks and boards leading up to draft day. It’s an invitation only affair too. The Huddle Report is probably the most quoted authority on “who won” the best mock draft title.
They score the first-round picks for the various people who submit their mocks and the person with the most points is that year’s champion. Scoring is one point for each correct player selected in the first round and two points if the player is matched to the correct team.
According to The Huddle Report, these are the top 10 most accurate mock draft experts over the last five years:
| Rank | Person |
| 1 | Kevin Hanson – Eat Drink & Sleep Football |
| 2 | Ben Standig – The Athletic |
| 3 | Forrest Long – The Huddle Report |
| 4 | Jason Boris – Times News |
| 5 | Ryan McCrystal – Draft Ace |
| 6 | Evan Silva – Rotoworld |
| 7 | Matthew Jones – Draft Examiner |
| 8 | Tom Poisal – UGA Sports |
| 9 | Shawn Baptist – Draft Preview
Brian Johannes – NFL Draft Geek Joe Marino – The Draft Network |
The complete list of The Huddle Report champions since 2002:
| Year | Champion |
| 2019 | Ben Standig – The Athletic |
| 2018 | Evan Silva – Rotoworld |
| 2017 | Joe Marino – NDT Scouting |
| 2016 | Forrest N. Long – Scout Fantasy
Matt Falk – Draft Season |
| 2015 | Kevin Hanson – Eat Drink and Sleep Football |
| 2014 | Bryan Perez – FRG Scouting |
| 2013 | The Fantasy Typhoon – Fantasy Football 1on1 |
| 2012 | Ben Standig – Fantasy Football Toolbox |
| 2011 | Rick Gosselin – Dallas Morning News |
| 2010 | Will Spencer & Rob Engle – Draft Breakdown |
| 2009 | Mike Band – Draft Ace |
| 2008 | Robby Esch – The Huddle Report
Ricky Dimon – FF Toolbox |
| 2007 | Clark Judge – CBS Sportsline |
| 2006 | Rick Gosselin – Dallas Morning News
Nolan Nawrocki – Pro Football Weekly |
| 2005 | Harry Away – NFL Talent Experts |
| 2004 | Scott Wright NFL Draft Countdown |
| 2003 | Rick Gosselin – Dallas Morning News |
| 2002 | The Red Zone |
In his capacity as NFL reporter for the Dallas Morning News, Rick Gosselin (who is now with Talk of Fame Network) won the championship three times. Local DC reporter Ben Standig, now with The Athletic, has two championship wins.
I know a lot of you are wondering about two people in particular, but ESPN gurus Mel Kiper and Todd McShay do not participate.
If you like mock draft information, add thehuddlereport.com to the list of places to visit.