Brendon Nelson· Aug 28, 2026
Nelson argues Seattle's roster is largely locked up long-term, predicting Rashid Shaheed and Tory Horton serve as the second and third receiving options, Byron Murphy gets his option picked up and an extension through 2032, Seattle's interior defensive line trio is the league's best, Josh Jobe is a capable No. 2 cornerback, Nick Emmanwori earns an extension, and Michael Dickson may be the NFL's top punter.
“I'd take that three-man interior rotation over any three-man rotation in the league right now, and it's locked up for awhile.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
7 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 2 position group rankings and 2 trade and signing 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 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 2.
Where this call stands in the room
Rashid Shaheed · 2026 season7 calls from 7 pundits between 2 and 2. Brendon Nelson said 2. 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
7 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.
- Position Group RankingsAug 28, 2026
“The League's Best Interior Defensive Line ... I'd take that three-man interior rotation over any three-man rotation in the league right now”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Nick Emmanwori to move to Seattle Seahawks
“Nick Emmanwori still has three years left on his rookie deal, and you can count on an extension when the time comes.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Byron Murphy to move to Seattle Seahawks
“his option will obviously get picked up, and there's a good 99% chance he's extended when his time comes up. Expect that extension to carry him through 2032”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Position Group RankingsAug 28, 2026
“Michael Dickson, perhaps the NFL's top punter, locked up through 2029”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRashid ShaheedSeattle SeahawksAug 28, 2026
Rashid Shaheed to be 2nd on the depth chart
“I'm confident that Shaheed and Horton can be the second and third options at the position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJosh JobeSeattle SeahawksAug 28, 2026
Josh Jobe to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Josh Jobe, a capable #2 cornerback, is signed for three years on a highly manageable deal.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTory HortonSeattle SeahawksAug 28, 2026
Tory Horton to be 3rd on the depth chart
“I'm confident that Shaheed and Horton can be the second and third options at the position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Michael HanichDepth Chart Calls · Bud ClarkMiss · 0Hanich suggests Nick Emmanwori may miss Week 1 after ankle surgery, and that Noah Igbinoghene is making a strong case to be the Seahawks' Week 1 starting nickel, with Bud Clark also possibly stepping into a starting role if Emmanwori is out.
- Richard ShermanScore Predictions · Seattle SeahawksHit · 81Sherman picked Seattle to beat New England 28-17 in the opener, ran through score picks for the rest of the week one slate (49ers, Cowboys, Bills, Bears, Vikings, Colts, Broncos), said the Seahawks would also beat the Cardinals, Commanders and Chargers, backed Dallas to win its division, and predicted Christian Gonzalez's deal would come in barely above Devon Witherspoon's.
- Anthony “Tone Diggs” DiGuilioGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Tone picked the Seahawks to beat the Patriots in the Thursday-night season opener, citing Seattle's returning front seven and offensive line snaps.
- Ty SchmitGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100Ty Schmidt also leaned Seahawks over Patriots in the opener, pointing to Seattle returning 20 of 22 Super Bowl starters and a raucous banner night.
- AJ HawkGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksHit · 100AJ Hawk picked the Seahawks to win the opener at home over the Patriots.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
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- 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.
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- 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.
- 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.