Josh Edwards· Sep 8, 2026
CBS Sports constructed a 2026 Preseason All-Rookie Team, naming a rookie at each position expected to be the class's best, and made several depth-chart calls along the way, including Fernando Mendoza opening the season behind Kirk Cousins and KC Concepcion leading all rookies in receptions.
“Concepcion is a strong candidate to lead all rookies in receptions.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
28 checkable claims — 22 pro bowl and all-pro calls, 5 depth chart calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 40 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 5 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 4.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season5 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 2. Josh Edwards 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
- Fernando Mendoza
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Jeremiyah Love
- Arizona Cardinals
- Carnell Tate
- Tennessee Titans
- K.C. Concepcion
- Cleveland Browns
- Francis Mauigoa
- New York Giants
- David Bailey
- New York Jets
- Rueben Bain
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Kayden McDonald
- Houston Texans
- Christen Miller
- New Orleans Saints
- Sonny Styles
- Washington Commanders
- Mansoor Delane
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Brandon Cisse
- Green Bay Packers
- Caleb Downs
- Dallas Cowboys
- Dillon Thieneman
- Chicago Bears
- Treydan Stukes
- Kenyon Sadiq
- Spencer Fano
- Monroe Freeling
- Carolina Panthers
- Arvell Reese
- Denzel Boston
- Kadyn Proctor
- Miami Dolphins
- Jake Slaughter
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Logan Jones
28 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.
Fernando Mendoza to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Quarterback: Fernando Mendoza, Raiders”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 2nd on the depth chart
“he will open the season on the bench behind veteran Kirk Cousins”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jeremiyah Love to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Running back: Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Carnell Tate to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Wide receiver: Carnell Tate, Titans”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
K.C. Concepcion to finish top 1 at his position, by receptions
“Concepcion is a strong candidate to lead all rookies in receptions.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Francis Mauigoa to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Right guard: Francis Mauigoa, Giants”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
David Bailey to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Edge rusher: David Bailey, Jets”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rueben Bain to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Edge rusher: Rueben Bain Jr., Buccaneers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kayden McDonald to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Defensive tackle: Kayden McDonald, Texans”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christen Miller to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Defensive tackle: Christen Miller, Saints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Sonny Styles to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Linebacker: Sonny Styles, Commanders”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mansoor Delane to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Cornerback: Mansoor Delane, Chiefs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brandon Cisse to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Cornerback: Brandon Cisse, Packers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Caleb Downs to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Cornerback: Caleb Downs, Cowboys”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dillon Thieneman to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Safety: Dillon Thieneman, Bears”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Treydan Stukes to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Safety: Treydan Stukes, Raiders”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Treydan Stukes to be 1st on the depth chart
“Stukes very quickly claimed a starting role over a veteran who had been adequate last season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenyon Sadiq to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Tight end: Kenyon Sadiq, Jets”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Spencer Fano to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Left tackle: Spencer Fano, Browns”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Monroe Freeling to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Right tackle: Monroe Freeling, Panthers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brandon Cisse to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cisse only recently turned 21-years-old and has already locked down a starting job in Green Bay's secondary.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Arvell Reese to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Linebacker: Arvell Reese, Giants”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Denzel Boston to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Wide receiver: Denzel Boston, Browns”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
K.C. Concepcion to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Wide receiver: KC Concepcion, Browns”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Spencer Fano to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fano is the only one of those nine opening the season as the starting left tackle.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kadyn Proctor to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Left guard: Kadyn Proctor, Dolphins”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jake Slaughter to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Center: Jake Slaughter, Chargers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsLogan JonesChicago BearsSep 8, 2026
Logan Jones to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Logan Jones will back up Garrett Bradbury in Chicago”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- 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.
- 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.
More pro bowl and all-pro calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pat GustavsonPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Charles CrossMiss · 0Gustafson picked the Bears, Eagles, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, the Rams and Bears in the NFC, the Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, and the Patriots to beat the Bears in the Super Bowl. His awards slate included Stafford for MVP, Puka for OPOY and Liam Cohen for Coach of the Year.
- Brandon CarneyPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Trent WilliamsMiss · 0Carney made a full playoff bracket, picking the Bears, Niners, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, then Seahawks and Rams in the NFC divisional, Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, with the Rams beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl. He also gave award picks including Stafford for MVP and Vrabel for Coach of the Year.
- JP AcostaPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Devon WitherspoonMiss · 0JP picked the Eagles to beat the 49ers in a low-scoring game and the Jaguars to beat the Bills, called Bijan Robinson the best running back in the league, and named his own first-team All-Pro roster.
- Danny ParkinsPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Puka NacuaMiss · 0Parkins insisted the Bears cannot lose at home to Green Bay, laid points with Buffalo, Philadelphia (in a blowout) and Houston, picked Justin Herbert and the Chargers to beat New England, and said Puka Nacua will be a first-team All-Pro.
- Rich EisenPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Jihaad CampbellMiss · 0Discussing Charles Davis' mock draft, Eisen predicted Jihaad Campbell of Alabama would be an All-Pro next season, and separately expects Trey Lance to be on an NFL roster as a backup quarterback next season.
- Rich EisenPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Travis HunterMiss · 0From the combine, Eisen argued Travis Hunter is worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick, and projected him as a perennial Pro Bowler who will eventually have to pick a side of the ball.