Kevin Patra· Aug 12, 2026
In a league-wide training camp notebook, Patra forecasts a slew of depth-chart outcomes — starters at tackle, center, nickel and quarterback jobs, receiver pecking orders and backfield splits — plus Sonny Styles as a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate and Aaron Donald returning to the Rams.
“At this point, I'll be more surprised if Aaron Donald doesn't return. It feels inevitable.”
published in writing · read the original →
23 checkable claims — 21 depth chart calls, 1 award pick and 1 trade and signing call — 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 21 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 3 and below it on 18.
Where this call stands in the room
Tua Tagovailoa · 2026 season7 calls from 7 pundits between 1 and 2. Kevin Patra 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Keionte Scott
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Andrei Iosivas
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Jeremiyah Love
- Arizona Cardinals
- Kirk Cousins
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Jahan Dotson
- Atlanta Falcons
- Anton Harrison
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Kahlil Benson
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Alvin Kamara
- New Orleans Saints
- Sonny Styles
- Washington Commanders
- Tyler Guyton
- Dallas Cowboys
- Garrett Bradbury
- Chicago Bears
- Braxton Jones
- Keylan Rutledge
- Houston Texans
- Caleb Lomu
- New England Patriots
- DJ Moore
- Buffalo Bills
- Travis Etienne
- Ty Simpson
- Los Angeles Rams
- Rico Dowdle
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Riley Leonard
- Indianapolis Colts
- Stetson Bennett
- Aaron Donald
- Stefon Diggs
23 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.
Keionte Scott to be 1st on the depth chart
“keep an eye on rookie DB Keionte Scott ... Scott could earn the starting nickel job”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Andrei Iosivas to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Andrei Iosivas has worked with the first-team offense, likely keeping him as WR3”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJeremiyah LoveArizona CardinalsAug 12, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tyler Allgeier being placed ahead of Jeremiyah Love caught my eye. I don't believe things will stay that way come September”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKirk CousinsLas Vegas RaidersAug 12, 2026
Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Kirk Cousins remains the starter. That doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJahan DotsonAtlanta FalconsAug 12, 2026
Jahan Dotson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Jahan Dotson ... is reportedly "clearly the WR2." This would be a heck of a late bloom if Dotson finally put it together.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Anton Harrison to be 1st on the depth chart
“Anton Harrison's move to left tackle appears all but official at this point.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTua TagovailoaAtlanta FalconsAug 12, 2026
Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart
“It still feels like Tagovailoa opens the season under center.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKahlil BensonKansas City ChiefsAug 12, 2026
Kahlil Benson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson seems poised to swipe the starting right tackle job.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAlvin KamaraNew Orleans SaintsAug 12, 2026
Alvin Kamara to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Travis Etienne has taken most of the early-down reps in team drills with Alvin Kamara taking third downs and passing situations. That feels like it will be the trend into the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksSonny StylesWashington CommandersAug 12, 2026
Sonny Styles to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“The fit and talent are ideal for a sensational first season. Styles can win DROY if he helps turn around a moribund DC defense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTyler GuytonDallas CowboysAug 12, 2026
Tyler Guyton to be 1st on the depth chart
“it's clear that the former first-rounder is in the lead. Nate Thomas must improve significantly to have a shot. Guyton is the front-runner”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsGarrett BradburyChicago BearsAug 12, 2026
Garrett Bradbury to be 1st on the depth chart
“Garrett Bradbury ran away with the starting center gig.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsBraxton JonesChicago BearsAug 12, 2026
Braxton Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“If he's healthy, I expect Jones to be the Week 1 starter.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKeylan RutledgeHouston TexansAug 12, 2026
Keylan Rutledge to be 1st on the depth chart
“Rutledge can play center or guard, but the first-round pick feels like the opening-day pivot in Houston.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCaleb LomuNew England PatriotsAug 12, 2026
Caleb Lomu to be 1st on the depth chart
“Versatility could give the Pats options before the No. 28 overall pick eventually takes over one of the tackle spots.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsAug 12, 2026
DJ Moore to be 1st on the depth chart
“It appears Josh Allen might finally have the go-to target he's missed since Stefon Diggs left town.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Travis Etienne to be 1st on the depth chart
“Travis Etienne has taken most of the early-down reps in team drills with Alvin Kamara taking third downs and passing situations. That feels like it will be the trend into the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTy SimpsonLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
Ty Simpson to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Surely no one will make a big deal about a first-rounder sitting No. 3 on the depth chart.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRico DowdlePittsburgh SteelersAug 12, 2026
Rico Dowdle to be 1st on the depth chart
“Rico Dowdle appears on his way to taking the lead role in the timeshare with Jaylen Warren.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRiley LeonardIndianapolis ColtsAug 12, 2026
Riley Leonard to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Riley Leonard has the inside track for the No. 2 QB gig over Anthony Richardson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsStetson BennettLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
Stetson Bennett to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Stetson Bennett IV continues to run ahead of Ty Simpson as Matthew Stafford's backup”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Aaron Donald to move to Los Angeles Rams
“At this point, I'll be more surprised if Aaron Donald doesn't return. It feels inevitable.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Stefon Diggs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“The veteran showed he can still play, and slots perfectly opposite Terry McLaurin. ... Adding the WR2 slots everyone in more fitting roles early in the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- 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.
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jack KiserMiss · 0Shipley projects a full 16-player (plus one international/exemption spot) Jaguars practice squad for 2026, naming specific players at each position he expects to land there.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.