Blaine Grisak· Aug 12, 2026
Previewing the Rams' initial preseason depth chart, Grisak expects Stetson Bennett to be listed as the backup quarterback ahead of rookie Ty Simpson, rookie CJ Daniels to be listed behind three other receivers, Emmanuel Forbes to be the CB3, and Xavier Smith to be listed as the punt returner.
“When the Rams release their initial depth chart, it seems almost inevitable that Stetson Bennett will end up ahead of Ty Simpson.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 5 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 6 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 1.
Where this call stands in the room
Ty Simpson · 2026 season10 calls from 9 pundits between 1 and 3. Blaine Grisak said 3. the room's median is 2. 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
5 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 CallsXavier SmithLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
Xavier Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“It wouldn’t be surprising to see Smith listed as the starter”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTy SimpsonLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
Ty Simpson to be 3rd on the depth chart
“it seems almost inevitable that Stetson Bennett will end up ahead of Ty Simpson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsEmmanuel ForbesLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
Emmanuel Forbes to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Emmanuel Forbes is likely the CB3 behind Watson.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsC.J. DanielsLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
C.J. Daniels to be a starter
“it wouldn’t be surprising, and probably should be expected for Daniels to be behind Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith, and Konata Mumpfield”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsStetson BennettLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
Stetson Bennett to be 2nd on the depth chart
“it seems almost inevitable that Stetson Bennett will end up ahead of Ty Simpson... Bennett has certainly earned the backup quarterback role”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nick ShookRoster Spot Calls · Aaron DonaldHit · 100Shook unveiled his first NFL power rankings of the year, putting the Rams first, the Broncos second and the defending champion Seahawks only third, with the Dolphins last.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 26Dubin picks the Rams, Texans, Ravens, Bengals, Packers, Cowboys and Broncos in Week 1 with exact scores, and says the Rams are his pick to win the Super Bowl this season.
- Jordan DajaniScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 12Dajani picks the Rams over the 49ers, Texans over Bills, Ravens over Colts, Bengals over Buccaneers, Vikings over Packers, Cowboys over Giants and Broncos over Chiefs in Week 1, with exact scores. He also predicts the Bills win the AFC East, the Cowboys win their division, and Caleb Downs wins Defensive Rookie of the Year.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 26The unsigned CBS Sports preview picks the Rams to beat the 49ers 31-21 in the Week 1 game in Melbourne, and also names the Rams as its Super Bowl winner for the season.
- Mike FlorioScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 29Florio gives score predictions for every Week 1 game of the 2026 NFL season, including an opening-night upset by the Patriots in Seattle and narrow home wins for the Giants and Chiefs.
- Gilberto ManzanoGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 0Manzano's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.