Chad Ochocinco Johnson· Jul 31, 2026
Johnson names the Jets as his breakout team for 2026, citing Aaron Glenn's second year, Geno Smith's arm talent and a big season from Garrett Wilson. He also ranks his top receivers in today's NFL and predicts Puka Nacua could reach a 99 Madden rating this year.
“Can I go out on a limb and say the New York Jets?”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 1 pro bowl and all-pro call, 1 sleeper call, 1 surprise team call and 1 top player list — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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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.
- Surprise Team CallsNew York JetsJul 31, 2026
New York Jets to beat expectations
“Can I go out on a limb and say the New York Jets? ... I want to say the Jets.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Top Player ListsJul 31, 2026
“I'm always putting Uno first. Ja'Marr Chase always goes first. Justin Jefferson would be 2. Three is tricky. I'm going to slash it between Puka Nacua and JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba).”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsGarrett WilsonNew York JetsJul 31, 2026
Garrett Wilson to outplay his draft cost
“Garrett Wilson should have a year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Pro Bowl and All-Pro CallsPuka NacuaJul 31, 2026
Puka Nacua to make 99 Madden rating
“Puka Nacua (98) has a chance this year to be a 99 at some point because he is really good.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Judah FortgangGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100An unsigned PFF top-down betting breakdown argues the Jets will beat the Titans in Week 1, reasoning that Geno Smith should face little disruption against Tennessee's weak pass rush while Cam Ward will struggle against New York's heavy man coverage.
- Bryan DeArdoGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports preview picks the Jets to beat the Titans in their Week 1 matchup in Nashville, reasoning that Geno Smith's track record gives New York the edge in a close, low-scoring game.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100Millman backed several week one sides outright: Miami to beat the Raiders straight up, the Jets over the Titans, an underdog money line parlay of Houston and the Giants, and a favorites money line parlay of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit. He also stands by his preseason take that Drake Maye is a top-five NFL quarterback.
- Gregg RosenthalGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100Rosenthal picks Eagles -4.5 over Washington, Bucs +3.5 in Cincinnati, and Steelers -3.5 over Atlanta, and adds extra leans on the Texans, Broncos, Saints and Jets.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports piece flags five Week 1 underdogs as upset candidates: the 49ers over the Rams in Melbourne, the Texans over the Bills, the Panthers over the Bears, the Jets over the Titans, and the Broncos over the Chiefs on Monday night.
- Conor OrrGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100Orr's Week 1 straight-up picks, including several upsets (Patriots, Buccaneers, Browns, Dolphins, Commanders, Broncos).
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Matt Money SmithSleeper Calls · Tre HarrisMiss · 0Smith says Ladd McConkie is a legitimate No. 1 receiver who could post a Jaylen Waddle-like season of roughly 1,700 yards and eight touchdowns, and he predicts second-year Chargers receiver Trey Harris will have a big year under Mike McDaniel. He also expects Philip Rivers to become an NFL head coach and thinks the Chargers offense will be good in the coming season.
- Brandon CarneySleeper Calls · Javonte WilliamsHit · 100Carney predicted AJ Brown would not be back with the Eagles, forecast a wave of free-agent landing spots (Breece Hall to the Chiefs, Alec Pierce to the 49ers, Rico Dowdle to the Saints, George Pickens to the Patriots, Mike Evans to the Bills), and named Week 1 starting quarterbacks for several teams in flux. He also gave fantasy takes on Javonte Williams, Chris Olave and others.
- Ross JacksonSleeper Calls · Devaughn VeleMiss · 0Ross Jackson agreed to the same Saints mock draft board — Jeremiah Love at eight, Akeem Mesador in the second, Keonte Scott at 73, Keelan Rutledge and Ted Hurst in the fourth, Xavien Harris at 148, Aaron Anderson in the fifth and Bryce Boettcher in the sixth — and also called Devon Vellet a 2026 breakout candidate.
- Greg CosellSleeper Calls · Omarion HamptonMiss · 0Cosell expects the Nick Bonito vs. Will Campbell matchup to be pivotal, predicts Caleb Williams' future is bright, expects the Chargers' run game to improve dramatically under Mike McDaniel with a good season from Omarion Hampton, and expects Sean Payton not to hide Stidham.
- Andrew EricksonSleeper Calls · Malik NabersMiss · 0Erickson gave his 2026 first-round board, leaning on running backs early with Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, Ja'Marr Chase as his WR1 and Christian McCaffrey slipping to 12. He also touted Malik Nabers as a buying opportunity, projected big touchdown numbers for Burrow and Chase, and called Barkley a buy-low.
- Joe PisapiaSleeper Calls · Omarion HamptonMiss · 0Joe Pisapia's 2026 first round is receiver-heavy, starting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ja'Marr Chase, insisting Amon-Ra St. Brown belongs in the top five, keeping Justin Jefferson in round one, and dropping Christian McCaffrey to 12. He also sees Omarion Hampton as a value who will be a top-10 pick a year later.