Noah Compton· Aug 17, 2026
Compton writes that rookie CJ Allen is essentially assured a starting middle linebacker job, and that fellow rookie Bryce Boettcher has the inside track to start alongside him.
“Fellow rookie linebacker Bryce Boettcher has shined brightly during the preseason and looks to have an inside track to earning the starting job alongside CJ Allen.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls — 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
C.J. Allen · 2026 season5 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 1. Noah Compton 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.
Their call against the room
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Who this take is about
2 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.
- Depth Chart CallsC.J. AllenIndianapolis ColtsAug 17, 2026
C.J. Allen to be 1st on the depth chart
“Outside of Allen, who is essentially guaranteed a starting spot in the middle of Lou Anarumo's defense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Bryce Boettcher to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fellow rookie linebacker Bryce Boettcher has shined brightly during the preseason and looks to have an inside track to earning the starting job alongside CJ Allen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Mac JonesMiss · 0Brockman argued the Texans will reach the AFC Championship Game, declared the Chiefs dynasty over, said the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC goes through Lambeau Field, that Josh Allen is still the most dangerous QB and the Bills will win a playoff game (with the AFC East runner-up as the 5 seed winning in Pittsburgh or Baltimore), that Carolina will win the NFC South, that Baltimore finishes under .500 with Lamar no longer a top-five QB, that the Colts should trade for Mac Jones, and that Marcus Freeman will be in the NFL next year.
- John MiddlekauffTrade and Signing Calls · Anthony RichardsonMiss · 0Middlecoff says Anthony Richardson's Colts career is finished and expects him to be traded within ten days for any value, even a fifth-round pick. He backs the Texans to win the AFC South, calls the Ravens, Bills and Chiefs playoff locks with Baltimore and Buffalo winning their divisions, and expects Buffalo to win 14-plus games.
- Colin CowherdMock Draft Picks · Armand MembouClose · 74Cowherd delivered his own top-15 draft board — what he would do as GM of each team — pairing prospects with picks 1 through 15, and separately argued Shedeur Sanders is a far better prospect than Daniel Jones and that Aaron Rodgers should retire.
- Dalton FeelyTrade and Signing Calls · Jevon HollandMiss · 0Feenie predicted Chris Godwin stays in Tampa Bay, Josh Sweat reunites with Jonathan Gannon in Arizona, Ronnie Stanley signs with New England, Jevon Holland lands in Indianapolis, Khalil Mack joins Washington, Asante Samuel Jr. goes to San Francisco, Najee Harris to the Raiders and Bobby Wagner to Dallas.
- Bobby SkinnerTrade and Signing Calls · Daniel JonesHit · 100Skinner predicted Daniel Jones signs with and wins the starting job in Indianapolis, Milton Williams to New England, Lavonte David back to Tampa, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to the Giants, DJ Reid to Arizona, Hassan Reddick to Washington and Justin Fields staying in Pittsburgh, plus alternates he had listed.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
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