Ryan Wilson· Aug 11, 2026
An unbylined CBS Sports analysis argues that J.J. McCarthy is more likely than Anthony Richardson to eventually figure things out as an NFL quarterback, and predicts both will get further NFL opportunities.
“That's why, if pressed, I'd bet on McCarthy to figure things out, even after a 2025 season that was arguably worse overall.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls and 1 trade and signing call — 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.
Where this call stands in the room
Kyler Murray · 2026 season51 calls from 37 pundits between 1 and 2. Ryan Wilson 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
3 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.
- Depth Chart CallsDaniel JonesIndianapolis ColtsAug 11, 2026
Daniel Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Colts have Daniel Jones atop the depth chart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKyler MurrayMinnesota VikingsAug 11, 2026
Kyler Murray to be 1st on the depth chart
“the Vikings have named Kyler Murray their starter”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsAnthony RichardsonAug 11, 2026
Anthony Richardson to move
“The physical traits will convince another NFL team to take a chance when the Colts move on”
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.
- Nick ShookMock Draft Picks · Emmanuel McNeil-WarrenMiss · 18Shook walks through his full first-round mock draft, assigning a prospect to every pick from No. 1 to No. 32, headlined by Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders, David Bailey to the Jets and Jeremiah Love to the Cardinals in the top three.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Mac JonesMiss · 0Brockman argued the Texans will reach the AFC Championship Game, declared the Chiefs dynasty over, said the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC goes through Lambeau Field, that Josh Allen is still the most dangerous QB and the Bills will win a playoff game (with the AFC East runner-up as the 5 seed winning in Pittsburgh or Baltimore), that Carolina will win the NFC South, that Baltimore finishes under .500 with Lamar no longer a top-five QB, that the Colts should trade for Mac Jones, and that Marcus Freeman will be in the NFL next year.
- Chad Ochocinco JohnsonTrade and Signing Calls · Kyler MurrayMiss · 0Ochocinco says Christian Gonzalez belongs in the top-five DB conversation, believes Kyler Murray will be elsewhere next year, expects Chase to get a one-game suspension, backs Sam Darnold to bounce back, and floats Jaxon Smith-Njigba reaching 2,000 receiving yards. He also reminds listeners he called the Bears and Panthers as teams to watch before the season.
- Chad Ochocinco JohnsonTrade and Signing Calls · Kyler MurrayMiss · 0Johnson says the Chargers will make a nice run this season, argues Christian Gonzalez belongs among the top five defensive backs, believes Kyler Murray will be somewhere else next year, expects the Patriots to stay dominant for a decade-plus, and says the Bengals' season hinges on beating the Steelers — while conceding the Ravens would likely win the division if Cincinnati loses that game.
- Nick WrightTrade and Signing Calls · Kyler MurrayMiss · 0In part two of his gambling show, Nick Wright ran through NFC (and recapped AFC) win-total picks, division winners and make/miss-the-playoffs bets, backing the Chiefs, Jaguars, Raiders, Bears, Buccaneers and Falcons to clear their totals while predicting Commanders, Bucs and Rams division titles.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports preseason review grading all 32 teams, which along the way stakes out a number of depth-chart calls for Week 1 and beyond — including Deshaun Watson opening as Cleveland's starter, Fernando Mendoza taking over as Las Vegas' QB1 by season's end, and Minnesota's Murray-Wentz-McCarthy quarterback order.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano argues the Browns do not have a franchise quarterback and that it's unlikely Watson or Sanders is their long-term answer.
- John BreechDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The unsigned newsletter author says Deshaun Watson will start Week 1 at Jacksonville, notes he voted for Jaxson Dart as his breakout QB rather than Caleb Williams, and says newly signed Daniel Carlson is the favorite to win the Saints' kicking job.
- Mark ChichesterDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Unsigned PFF piece reporting/asserting that Deshaun Watson will be Cleveland's Week 1 starting quarterback against Jacksonville, with Shedeur Sanders behind him on the depth chart.
- Zachary PerelesDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The unsigned recap argues Sanders clearly outplayed Watson and, even if Sanders isn't named the Week 1 starter, predicts both quarterbacks will see significant playing time in 2026.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Florio reads Todd Monken's practice and preseason plans as a hint that Deshaun Watson has already been chosen as Cleveland's Week 1 starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders.