Gilberto Manzano· Sep 23, 2026
Manzano re-ranks all 32 NFL backup quarterbacks for 2026, placing Mac Jones first, Joe Flacco second and Drew Lock third, with Tampa Bay's Jalon Daniels last. He also suggests Joe Milton III could be poached off Dallas's practice squad and that the Raiders may eventually turn to rookie Fernando Mendoza over Kirk Cousins.
“So, with all the changes, let's re-rank the NFL's 32 backup QBs of 2026.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 1 depth chart call, 1 top player list and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season62 calls from 41 pundits between 1 and 3. Gilberto Manzano said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
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Who this take is about
3 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Trade and Signing CallsJoe Milton IIISep 23, 2026
Joe Milton III to move — “another team rolls the dice on him and plucks him from the Cowboys”
“With all the injuries at quarterback, maybe another team rolls the dice on him and plucks him from the Cowboys.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Top Player ListsSep 23, 2026
“So, with all the changes, let's re-rank the NFL's 32 backup QBs of 2026. 32. Jalon Daniels, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ... 1. Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st on the depth chart
“It wouldn't be a surprise if Las Vegas eventually turns to Mendoza because Kirk Cousins tends to be a rollercoaster over the course of a season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Hondo CarpenterRoster Spot Calls · Patrick JohnsonHit · 100Carpenter says the right guard competition currently favors Jackson Powers-Johnson over Caleb Rogers, though he expects Rogers to get starts at some point this season, and he projects veteran DE Patrick Johnson to make the 53-man roster.
- Hondo CarpenterRoster Spot Calls · Aidan O'ConnellHit · 100Carpenter predicts special-teams linebacker Segun Olubi will make the Raiders' 53-man roster, with Las Vegas carrying five inside linebackers. He also notes projections that the Raiders keep all three quarterbacks, including Aidan O'Connell.
- Hondo CarpenterRoster Spot Calls · Kirk CousinsHit · 100Carpenter projects the Raiders' 53-man roster will include 10 defensive backs (four safeties and six cornerbacks) and three quarterbacks, with Kirk Cousins kept barring a compelling trade offer.
- Hondo CarpenterRoster Spot Calls · Malcolm KoonceHit · 100Covering the Raiders' preseason win over Houston, Carpenter predicted kicker Matt Gay has locked up the lone kicker spot on the 53-man roster, and that UDFA rookie Cian Slone will make the roster as well, while Malcolm Koonce will also make it despite an underwhelming camp.
- Hondo CarpenterRoster Spot Calls · Hezekiah MassesHit · 100Carpenter says rookie fifth-round cornerback Hezekiah Masses has already secured a spot on the Raiders' 53-man roster and will be an impact player in 2026, and he describes Kolton Miller as one of the league's top-five left tackles.
- Richard ShermanGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Sherman ran through the entire Week 2 slate with winners and several exact final scores, picking Seattle, San Francisco, Buffalo, Houston, Chicago, New England, Jacksonville, Dallas, Kansas City, the Rams, Green Bay, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Las Vegas and Carolina. He also called Fred Warner the league's best middle linebacker and floated Parker Washington as a top-five receiver.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.