Donnie Druin· Sep 7, 2026
Druin declares the winners of the Cardinals' position battles heading into Week 1, projecting Isaiah Adams as the starting right guard for the rest of the season, Denzel Burke as the starting boundary cornerback opposite Will Johnson, Andrew Wingard as the starting safety alongside Budda Baker, and Bam Knight as the third running back.
“Adams has a clear path to starting for the rest of the season.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 4 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 5 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
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Who this take is about
4 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.
Isaiah Adams to be 1st on the depth chart
“Now, barring a surprise from Jon Gaines, Adams has a clear path to starting for the rest of the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Denzel Burke to be 2nd on the depth chart
“CB2: Denzel Burke ... Burke, a Day 3 rookie who shined last season, has a strong grasp on starting duties to begin his second season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Andrew Wingard to be 1st on the depth chart
“He's firmly entrenched as a starter entering Week 1 while Taylor-Demerson hasn't been able to impress.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsBam KnightArizona CardinalsSep 7, 2026
Bam Knight to be 3rd on the depth chart
“James Conner hit injured reserve, so this was effectively RB3 behind Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
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- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Reggie VirgilHit · 100PFF's preseason usage recap makes a number of depth-chart and roster projections, including nine rookie receivers slotting as top-three options on their teams, sleeper tight end usage, and specific depth-chart placements for Cardinals, Falcons and Ravens players.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Reggie VirgilHit · 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 · Reggie VirgilHit · 100PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Bam KnightHit · 100PFF'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.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Reggie VirgilHit · 100PFF's preseason recap projects Xavier Legette as the clear No. 3 receiver in Carolina after Chris Brazzell II's season-ending injury, doubts Jimmy Horn Jr. makes the 53-man roster, expects Ja'Tavion Sanders' role to shrink (with Mitchell Evans ahead of him), and sees Bam Knight as a candidate for Arizona's RB3 job.
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.
- 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.