Walt· Aug 7, 2026
In its running 2026 free-agent signing grades, the site projects roles for several newly signed players (Diggs and Doubs as No. 2 receivers, Jennings and Nailor as third receivers, Allgeier as Arizona's primary back, Willis as Miami's starter), tags Chris Rodriguez as a potential fantasy sleeper, expects the Raiders to draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall and the Jets to take an edge rusher at No. 2, sees Bradley Chubb helping Buffalo advance deep into the playoffs, and doubts several signees will make the 53-man roster.
“He has regressed since then due to age. However, he can still be a decent No. 2 receiver for Jayden Daniels.”
published in writing · Walter Football · read the original →
14 checkable claims — 8 depth chart calls, 3 roster spot calls, 1 mock draft pick, 1 playoff pick and 1 team draft slot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 24 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
3 of 14 have settled so far, averaging 33.3 out of 100, against 83.3 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 9 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 8.
Where this call stands in the room
Jalen Coker · 2026 season8 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 2. Walt 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Durham Smythe
- Baltimore Ravens
- Darnell Savage
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Fernando Mendoza
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Romeo Doubs
- New England Patriots
- Jalen Nailor
- Daniel Faalele
- New York Giants
- Stefon Diggs
- Kalia Davis
- Cleveland Browns
- Buffalo Bills
- Tyler Allgeier
- Arizona Cardinals
- Malik Willis
- Miami Dolphins
- New York Jets
- Jalen Coker
- Carolina Panthers
- Jauan Jennings
- Minnesota Vikings
14 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.
Durham Smythe to make the roster
“It wouldn't surprise me if he didn't make the 53-man roster.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- BAL
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- e7bd3a06-34f9-41fd-a12a-de6ff8648139
- 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
Darnell Savage to make the roster
“There's a better possibility that Savage won't even make the final 53-man roster.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- cd573526-cb5b-4672-952c-684082dad438
- 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
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1
“Why would the Raiders sign Kirk Cousins for $20 million when they're just going to draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall?”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 50How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- player:
- Fernando Mendoza
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- only one pick — no order to score
Romeo Doubs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“It's more likely that we'll see Doubs function as a No. 2 possession receiver, which means this is a bit of an overpay”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalen Nailor to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Nailor is just a No. 3 receiver at best, and I'm not even sure if he's a No. 3 receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Daniel Faalele to be 1st on the depth chart
“Faalele could end up starting for the Giants, making this a quality signing.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsStefon DiggsAug 7, 2026
Stefon Diggs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He has regressed since then due to age. However, he can still be a decent No. 2 receiver for Jayden Daniels.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsKalia DavisCleveland BrownsAug 7, 2026
Kalia Davis to make the roster
“He's just a body in the trenches, and it shouldn't be a surprise if he fails to crack the 53-man roster on a better defense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsAug 7, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“Chubb will give Buffalo a huge pass-rushing boost, which will help the team advance deep into the playoffs this upcoming season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyler Allgeier to be 1st on the depth chart
“the Cardinals were able to get a very cheap option to be their new primary back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMalik WillisMiami DolphinsAug 7, 2026
Malik Willis to be 1st on the depth chart
“they obviously signed a former Packer quarterback to be their new franchise signal-caller”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsNew York JetsAug 7, 2026
New York Jets to pick at number 2
“The Jets will be able to obtain a great edge rusher with the second pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to complement Will McDonald”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalen Coker to be 2nd on the depth chart
“It's looking like he'll be a solid No. 2 wideout in the NFL for a long time, and if that's true, he'll be appropriately paid.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jauan Jennings to be 3rd on the depth chart
“He's certainly an upgrade over what the Vikings had last year at their third receiver spot, which was occupied by Jalen Nailor.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Scott KennedyScore Predictions · Carolina PanthersClose · 52Expects the Falcons to fall to 0-2 in Cooper Rush starts, losing 24-13 to Carolina.
- Seth WalderGame Outcome Picks · Carolina PanthersHit · 100Picks the Panthers to beat the Falcons in Atlanta.
- Garrett ChapmanScore Predictions · Carolina PanthersClose · 50Thinks Atlanta matches up well but still falls short, picking Carolina 23-20.
- Jerry JonesScore Predictions · Carolina PanthersClose · 52Predicts Carolina pulls away from Atlanta, with the Falcons defense keeping it close early, in a 27-16 Panthers win.
- Eric MoodyGame Outcome Picks · Carolina PanthersHit · 100Picks the Panthers to beat the Falcons in Atlanta.
- Pamela MaldonadoGame Outcome Picks · Carolina PanthersHit · 100Picks the Panthers to beat the Falcons in Atlanta.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a Week 1 recap with no named byline, CBS Sports suggested Michael Penix Jr. would take over as Atlanta's Week 2 starter if healthy, called Ashton Jeanty's sophomore breakout imminent, and warned readers not to overlook San Francisco as NFC West winners.
- Bill HuberDepth Chart Calls · Chris McClellanMiss · 0Huber's first Packers rookie progress report projects second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse to hold onto his spot with the No. 1 defense, third-round defensive tackle Chris McClellan to start in Week 1, and fifth-round lineman Jager Burton to be the team's top interior backup rather than a starter.
- Randy GurziDepth Chart Calls · Jadarian PriceHit · 100Gurzi suggests the Seahawks could sign three free agents — safety Donovan Wilson, guard Kevin Zeitler, and running back Kareem Hunt — if weaknesses show up after Week 1. He also notes Trevon Diggs starting on the practice squad and describes Seattle's projected backfield roles.
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Jalyx HuntMiss · 0From an Eagles training camp practice, Kerr projects Willie Lampkin as a possible 53-man roster player, Jalyx Hunt as the likely Week 1 starting edge rusher over Nolan Smith, Byron Young as the No. 4 defensive tackle, Jake Elliott as the uncontested kicker, and Darius Cooper pressuring Hollywood Brown for the WR4 role.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0The piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.