Jacob Richard· Sep 2, 2026
Richard identifies the Browns' five thinnest position groups and lays out how he expects the depth chart to shake out at quarterback, tight end, defensive line, cornerback and linebacker.
“The Browns are the thinnest at the most important position in sports.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
13 checkable claims — 13 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 14 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 13 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 3 and below it on 10.
Where this call stands in the room
Shedeur Sanders · 2026 season47 calls from 34 pundits between 1 and 3. Jacob Richard said 2. 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
13 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.
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback and he has not proven he can play the position in six years.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mason Graham to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns starting defensive line can be solid in Mason Graham, Jared Verse, Maleik Collins, and Isaiah McGuire.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJared VerseCleveland BrownsSep 2, 2026
Jared Verse to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns starting defensive line can be solid in Mason Graham, Jared Verse, Maleik Collins, and Isaiah McGuire.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quincy Williams to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Defensive rookie of the year Carson Schwesinger leads the group followed by veteran Quincy Williams. ... The backups are Winston Reid and fifth-round rookie Justin Jefferson.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Shedeur Sanders to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Shedeur Sanders is the backup and may start this season, but his touchdown to interception ratio last season was upside down.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Harold Fannin Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“Harold Fannin Jr. put in an impressive rookie season, but had surgery in the offseason... The backup tight ends are Blake Whiteheart and Carsen Ryan.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dillon Gabriel to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Third-string quarterback Dillon Gabriel looked outmatched last season trying to move the football”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Maliek Collins to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns starting defensive line can be solid in Mason Graham, Jared Verse, Maleik Collins, and Isaiah McGuire.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Isaiah McGuire to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns starting defensive line can be solid in Mason Graham, Jared Verse, Maleik Collins, and Isaiah McGuire.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Carson Schwesinger to be 1st on the depth chart
“Defensive rookie of the year Carson Schwesinger leads the group followed by veteran Quincy Williams.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDenzel WardCleveland BrownsSep 2, 2026
Denzel Ward to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns’ first two corners, Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, are probably the best position duo on the squad.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyson Campbell to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns’ first two corners, Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, are probably the best position duo on the squad.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Myles Harden to be 1st on the depth chart
“Myles Harden is tasked with starting at the slot cornerback.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Paul KerenDepth Chart Calls · Teven JenkinsMiss · 0Keren says Teven Jenkins still projects as Cleveland's Week 1 starting right guard despite a push from KT Leveston, and that Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams will be the Browns' lead linebackers.
- Conor OrrGame Outcome Picks · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 0Orr's Week 1 straight-up picks, including several upsets (Patriots, Buccaneers, Browns, Dolphins, Commanders, Broncos).
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Raheim SandersHit · 100An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Carsen RyanHit · 100An unsigned PFF fantasy preseason recap makes a series of depth-chart and roster-spot calls: Roman Wilson wins the Steelers' third receiver job over Germie Bernard, Robert Tonyan makes Pittsburgh's roster as the third tight end, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III stick in New England, Mike Washington Jr. is the Raiders' primary backup back, Jalen Nailor stays a Raiders starter, Kaelon Black leads the 49ers' backup running back competition, and Charlie Kolar is the Chargers' top tight end with top-12 fantasy upside.
- Ty KohlerRoster Spot Calls · Easton Mascarenas-ArnoldHit · 100After the Browns' first preseason game, Kohler said rookie Spencer Fano has cemented himself as Cleveland's left tackle, expects Dawand Jones to be a backup this season, and thinks Winston Reid, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Adin Huntington and Julian Okwara will be on the roster.
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.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a large number of depth-chart, role and fantasy-value calls across the league, including Chig Okonkwo as a top sleeper tight end, Tre Tucker as the Raiders' top receiver, and various backfield hierarchies.