Nathan Jahnke· Aug 29, 2026
PFF's preseason fantasy recap projects Colts roles: Keenan Allen as the starting Z receiver with Josh Downs in the slot, Laquon Treadwell as the backup X, and seventh-round rookie Seth McGowan as the favorite to be Jonathan Taylor's backup ahead of DJ Giddens. On the Lions, Tom Kennedy appears to have locked up a roster spot with Greg Dortch next most likely.
“This suggests that Allen will be a Z receiver this season, leaving Downs in the slot in 11 personnel.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
7 checkable claims — 5 depth chart calls and 2 roster spot calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 9 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 7 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Josh Downs · 2026 season6 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 2. Nathan Jahnke 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.
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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.
- Roster Spot CallsGreg DortchDetroit LionsAug 29, 2026
Greg Dortch to make the roster
“Greg Dortch appears to be the next man most likely to make the roster after only playing in the first half last week.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- DET
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- 7297e44a-b03f-4ef8-b87b-f2088f0abca3
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- 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
- Depth Chart CallsKeenan AllenIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
Keenan Allen to be 1st on the depth chart
“This suggests that Allen will be a Z receiver this season, leaving Downs in the slot in 11 personnel.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsSeth McGowanIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
Seth McGowan to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Seth McGowan plays ahead of DJ Giddens : McGowan appears to be the current favorite for the backup job behind Jonathan Taylor.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTom KennedyDetroit LionsAug 29, 2026
Tom Kennedy to make the roster
“Tom Kennedy is the next man up among the outside receivers, and appears to have secured a roster spot.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Laquon Treadwell to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Further down the depth chart, it appears Treadwell is the backup X receiver, even though Ashton Dulin was the backup X at times last season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDJ GiddensIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
DJ Giddens to be 3rd on the depth chart
“This suggests McGowan is currently ahead of Giddens.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJosh DownsIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
Josh Downs to be 1st on the depth chart
“This suggests that Allen will be a Z receiver this season, leaving Downs in the slot in 11 personnel.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- 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.
- Noah ComptonDepth Chart Calls · C.J. AllenMiss · 0After watching the Colts' eleventh training camp practice, Compton says rookie linebacker CJ Allen is still expected to start the regular-season opener, identifies Alec Pierce as the team's top receiver and Cam Taylor-Britt as the first cornerback behind the starting trio, and declares the kicking job Blake Grupe's to lose.
- Pete PriscoGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Prisco predicts the Lions blow out the Saints in Detroit and that the Chargers rout the Cardinals behind a new-look offense.
- Kevin WildesGame Outcome Picks · Indianapolis ColtsMiss · 0Wildes parlayed two upsets: Houston beating Buffalo and Indianapolis beating Baltimore, and had picked Dak Prescott as league MVP.
- Kirk HerbstreitGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Herbstreit made a full slate of Week 1 picks — Lions, Ravens, Bears, Bills, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Titans, Eagles, Packers and Cowboys — and also said he still thinks Seattle is the team to beat in the NFC West.
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.
- 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.
- 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.