NFL Insider Sheds Light on the Mock Draft Game
Mock drafts dominate the lead-up to the NFL Draft. But this week, NFL Insider Albert Breer explained why fans shouldn’t put too much stock in them. On 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Hardy, Breer admitted he sometimes leaves out accurate intel from his mock drafts—on purpose.
“There were a couple [teams] last week where I legitimately didn’t mock guys to them because I knew they liked them,” Breer said. “I kept quiet on it.”
As one of the most trusted NFL Insiders, Breer knows which teams are targeting specific players. But to protect those relationships and avoid tipping off rival teams, he filters what he includes in public mocks.
Mock Drafts Are Strategic, Not Just Predictive
Breer’s confession underscores a key truth: mock drafts often serve more as conversation starters than as true forecasts. While insiders like Breer collect information from general managers and scouts, they don’t always reveal everything they know. In fact, revealing too much could compromise relationships or influence the draft board.
For example, Breer mocked Michigan’s Kenneth Grant to the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21. But the Dolphins grabbed Grant earlier, and Pittsburgh pivoted to Derrick Harmon from Oregon. Breer didn’t connect the Steelers to any quarterback in his final mock, despite widespread media speculation. That choice showed his restraint—and possibly his deeper insight.
Why NFL Insiders Walk a Tightrope
The role of an NFL Insider involves more than sharing draft predictions. It requires trust-building, judgment, and timing. Breer values his sources’ confidence, and that means sometimes choosing discretion over disclosure.
“If you mock a guy to a team and other teams are watching, that team could lose out,” Breer explained.
In other words, accuracy can come at a cost. Insiders protect valuable connections by avoiding intel leaks that could impact team strategies.
This behind-the-scenes strategy explains why even well-connected analysts frequently “miss” on picks. The misses aren’t always due to poor research—they’re sometimes calculated decisions to keep doors open inside the league.
Trust but Verify: The Takeaway for Fans
Fans rely heavily on NFL Insider mock drafts for draft-day predictions. But as Breer reveals, these drafts are often shaped by more than just scouting reports. Relationships, discretion, and politics all play a role.
If you’re a draft junkie, enjoy the speculation—but remember, not everything in a mock draft is meant to be accurate. Sometimes, the silence speaks louder than the picks.
Related: 15 NFL Draft Picks That Set a Franchise Back Years
