Evan Tarracciano· Aug 31, 2026
In a preseason "duds" column, Tarracciano expects rookie Fernando Mendoza to stay behind Kirk Cousins on the Raiders' depth chart, thinks Darius Slayton will be cut by the Giants at roster trim-down, and says Makai Lemon sits behind Dontayvion Wicks and Marquise Brown in Philadelphia.
“If he can’t fit into this new offensive scheme, he will be cut as New York attempts to reach the 53-man roster limit.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls and 1 roster spot call — 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.
1 of 3 have settled so far, averaging 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season40 calls from 29 pundits between 1 and 3. Evan Tarracciano 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
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.
- Roster Spot CallsDarius SlaytonNew York GiantsAug 31, 2026
Darius Slayton to make the roster
“If he can’t fit into this new offensive scheme, he will be cut as New York attempts to reach the 53-man roster limit. The longest-tenured player on the team could be shown the door.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NYG
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- f7387a43-58f5-4d10-949c-6fd7dd60110e
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsMakai LemonPhiladelphia EaglesAug 31, 2026
Makai Lemon to be 3rd on the depth chart
“he looked tentative and appears to be listed behind Dontayvion Wicks and Marquise Brown on the Eagles’ depth chart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Mendoza will need to speed up his mental process and deliver more accurate passes in order to usurp Kirk Cousins on the depth chart any time soon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Michael CarterMiss · 0Kerr says several Eagles have raised their stock in camp: Darius Cooper is emerging as the team's WR4, Drew Kendall is the No. 3 interior lineman/top backup at guard and center, Willie Lampkin is in prime position to make the 53-man roster, and Michael Carter is a roster lock who could start at safety in Week 1.
- Fernando Alfaro-DonisTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Argues the Raiders' weakest spot is their receiver room, expects Jalen Nailor to take a big step forward in Klint Kubiak's scheme with Kirk Cousins starting before Fernando Mendoza takes over, and suggests Las Vegas should trade a mid-round pick for Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte, who would immediately become their top option.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Chad Millman said he had taken money-line positions on several Week 1 underdogs — the Texans outright over the Bills, the Giants outright over Dallas (in a money-line underdog parlay), and Miami outright at Las Vegas — and that the show's survivor pick was the Steelers to win.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Sullivan takes the Jaguars to beat the Browns, doubting Deshaun Watson, and takes the Eagles over the Commanders at home.
- John BreechGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Breech picks the Texans to upset the Bills in Houston, trusting Houston's defense to smother Josh Allen, and takes the Raiders to beat the Dolphins by at least a touchdown.
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.