Chris Brockman· Aug 17, 2026
Brockman predicted rookie Fernando Mendoza would take over as the Raiders' starting quarterback by November, said it would be shocking if Jeremiah Love were NOT the Offensive Rookie of the Year, called the Giants a sleeper team, and flagged several rookie receivers who will become their team's top wideout.
“Fernando Mendoza will be the Raiders' starting quarterback by Halloween.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Overreaction Monday (podcast) · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 5 sleeper calls, 2 depth chart calls, 1 award pick and 1 surprise team call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season18 calls from 15 pundits between 1 and 2. Chris Brockman 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
9 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 GiantsAug 17, 2026
New York Giants to beat expectations
“one team could be a sleeper this year, the New York Giants”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st on the depth chart
“But let's start with the Raiders. Fernando Mendoza will be the Raiders' starting quarterback by Halloween... We'll put by November.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
De'Zhaun Stribling to outplay his draft cost
“Multiple rookie receivers are gonna end up being wide receiver ones for their team... I'm talking about, yeah, Stribling out in San Francisco.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJeremiyah LoveAug 17, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“Dealing with the dreaded high ankle sprain, doesn't matter. It will be shocking if Jeremiah Love is an offensive rookie of the year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsCaleb DouglasMiami DolphinsAug 17, 2026
Caleb Douglas to outplay his draft cost
“How about Caleb Douglas in Miami?”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJa'Kobi LaneBaltimore RavensAug 17, 2026
Ja'Kobi Lane to outplay his draft cost
“Jacoby Lane tearing up Ravens camp caught a touchdown”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsCyrus AllenKansas City ChiefsAug 17, 2026
Cyrus Allen to outplay his draft cost
“Cyrus Allen, this guy in Kansas City”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsGermie BernardPittsburgh SteelersAug 17, 2026
Germie Bernard to outplay his draft cost
“Jeremy Bernard is gonna play a role for”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCarnell TateArizona CardinalsAug 17, 2026
Carnell Tate to be 1st on the depth chart
“I'm not even talking about Cardinal Tate. We expect him to be the one”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF'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 JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's fantasy football preseason recap projects depth-chart outcomes, roster spots and fantasy value for numerous players across several preseason games, including Chig Okonkwo's expanded role in Washington, Ja'Kobi Lane as Baltimore's WR3, Malachi Fields winning the Giants' starting X job, and Zachariah Branch being a fantasy bust relative to his late-round cost.
- Henry McKennaDepth Chart Calls · Carson BeckMiss · 0McKenna predicts Kyler Murray will win the Vikings' starting QB job over J.J. McCarthy, that Minnesota will make the playoffs if Murray cuts out the hero ball, that both QBs will play in 2026, and wonders whether rookie Carson Beck could unseat Jacoby Brissett as Arizona's Week 1 starter.
- Mason CameronDepth Chart Calls · Ethan PocicMiss · 0An unsigned PFF piece ranks the NFL's top 32 centers heading into the 2026 season, with Creed Humphrey first for the fourth straight year, and names Ethan Pocic and Austin Schlottmann as the favorites to win starting center jobs in Baltimore and Tennessee.
- Fernando Alfaro-DonisTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Argues the Raiders' weakest spot is their receiver room, expects Jalen Nailor to take a big step forward in Klint Kubiak's scheme with Kirk Cousins starting before Fernando Mendoza takes over, and suggests Las Vegas should trade a mid-round pick for Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte, who would immediately become their top option.
- Jason McIntyreTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre argued the 49ers' window is closed amid a brutal injury list and record travel, floated a Bijan Robinson trade to the Bears, predicted the Lions can win the NFC North, doubted Atlanta is even a playoff team, said Baker Mayfield's Tampa run ends after this season, and delivered a top-10 quarterback ranking.
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.
- Chad Ochocinco JohnsonSleeper Calls · Saquon BarkleyMiss · 0Johnson says the Steelers aren't legitimate Super Bowl contenders even with Aaron Rodgers back, and that Saquon Barkley can have a bounce-back season in year nine with the Eagles competing for a championship if the offensive line stays healthy.
- 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 · Saquon BarkleyMiss · 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.