Nick Pedone· Aug 15, 2026
After Cleveland's preseason opener, Pedone expects Deshaun Watson to keep the starting quarterback job over Shedeur Sanders, projects rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston as Week 1 starters, and lays out the likely offensive line configuration with Spencer Fano at left tackle and KT Leveston as the preferred backup guard.
“After the opener, it certainly looks like it's Watson's job to lose.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 9 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 10 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 9 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Deshaun Watson · 2026 season60 calls from 34 pundits between 1 and 2. Nick Pedone 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
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
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Who this take is about
9 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 CallsTeven JenkinsCleveland BrownsAug 15, 2026
Teven Jenkins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Teven Jenkins at right guard ... is likely how the Browns will utilize these linemen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDenzel BostonCleveland BrownsAug 15, 2026
Denzel Boston to be 1st on the depth chart
“Since the Browns plan on starting both of these rookies Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they were promptly removed from the game before Watson's day was even finished.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKT LevestonCleveland BrownsAug 15, 2026
KT Leveston to be 2nd on the depth chart
“KT Leveston looks to be Cleveland's preferred backup guard”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTytus HowardCleveland BrownsAug 15, 2026
Tytus Howard to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tytus Howard at right tackle is likely how the Browns will utilize these linemen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsZion JohnsonCleveland BrownsAug 15, 2026
Zion Johnson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fano starting the season at left tackle next to Zion Johnson ... is likely how the Browns will utilize these linemen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsK.C. ConcepcionCleveland BrownsAug 15, 2026
K.C. Concepcion to be 1st on the depth chart
“Since the Browns plan on starting both of these rookies Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsSpencer FanoCleveland BrownsAug 15, 2026
Spencer Fano to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fano starting the season at left tackle next to Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins at center, Teven Jenkins at right guard and Tytus Howard at right tackle is likely how the Browns will utilize these linemen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDeshaun WatsonCleveland BrownsAug 15, 2026
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“So much has been made about Watson's quarterback competition against Shedeur Sanders this preseason. After the opener, it certainly looks like it's Watson's job to lose.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsElgton JenkinsCleveland BrownsAug 15, 2026
Elgton Jenkins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Elgton Jenkins at center ... is likely how the Browns will utilize these linemen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports preseason review grading all 32 teams, which along the way stakes out a number of depth-chart calls for Week 1 and beyond — including Deshaun Watson opening as Cleveland's starter, Fernando Mendoza taking over as Las Vegas' QB1 by season's end, and Minnesota's Murray-Wentz-McCarthy quarterback order.
- Ryan WilsonDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece states Deshaun Watson has won Cleveland's starting quarterback job for Week 1 with Shedeur Sanders next in line, while arguing Watson will not play like even an average NFL quarterback and that none of the Browns' current young passers should stop them from drafting a first-round quarterback next April.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano argues the Browns do not have a franchise quarterback and that it's unlikely Watson or Sanders is their long-term answer.
- John BreechDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The unsigned newsletter author says Deshaun Watson will start Week 1 at Jacksonville, notes he voted for Jaxson Dart as his breakout QB rather than Caleb Williams, and says newly signed Daniel Carlson is the favorite to win the Saints' kicking job.
- Mark ChichesterDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Unsigned PFF piece reporting/asserting that Deshaun Watson will be Cleveland's Week 1 starting quarterback against Jacksonville, with Shedeur Sanders behind him on the depth chart.
- Zachary PerelesDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The unsigned recap argues Sanders clearly outplayed Watson and, even if Sanders isn't named the Week 1 starter, predicts both quarterbacks will see significant playing time in 2026.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Bill HuberDepth Chart Calls · Chris McClellanMiss · 0Huber's first Packers rookie progress report projects second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse to hold onto his spot with the No. 1 defense, third-round defensive tackle Chris McClellan to start in Week 1, and fifth-round lineman Jager Burton to be the team's top interior backup rather than a starter.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Malik WillisHit · 100Hribar previews the Week 1 Dolphins-Raiders game, calling Malik Willis a strong floor-based QB2 for fantasy, noting Kirk Cousins is the Raiders' starter and not a Week 1 streamer in 1QB leagues, and listing expected defensive starters for both teams.
- Randy GurziDepth Chart Calls · Jadarian PriceHit · 100Gurzi suggests the Seahawks could sign three free agents — safety Donovan Wilson, guard Kevin Zeitler, and running back Kareem Hunt — if weaknesses show up after Week 1. He also notes Trevon Diggs starting on the practice squad and describes Seattle's projected backfield roles.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Malik WillisHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports preseason review grading all 32 teams, which along the way stakes out a number of depth-chart calls for Week 1 and beyond — including Deshaun Watson opening as Cleveland's starter, Fernando Mendoza taking over as Las Vegas' QB1 by season's end, and Minnesota's Murray-Wentz-McCarthy quarterback order.
- Warren SharpDepth Chart Calls · Kirk CousinsHit · 100Sharp argues Raiders rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is not ready to play, predicting he won't start Week 1 or Week 2 and that Kirk Cousins will be the Week 1 starter, with Mendoza sitting behind him for a long stretch.
- Greg AumanDepth Chart Calls · Malik WillisHit · 100Auman states Malik Willis will be Miami's Week 1 starting quarterback and the player the Dolphins build their season around, despite having only six career starts.