Ralph Vacchiano· Aug 24, 2026
Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams' skill position groups (RB/WR/TE) for the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. Along the way he makes several claims about individual players' roles, including depth-chart placements.
“So, which NFL teams have the best skill players this season? We ranked all 32 groups across the league.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
28 checkable claims — 24 depth chart calls, 3 positional finishes and 1 position group ranking — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 43 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 27 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 6 and below it on 21.
Where this call stands in the room
Jadarian Price · 2026 season4 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 1. Ralph Vacchiano 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
- Jaylin Noel
- Houston Texans
- Bijan Robinson
- Atlanta Falcons
- Tee Higgins
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Devaughn Vele
- New Orleans Saints
- Jadarian Price
- Seattle Seahawks
- Ja'Marr Chase
- Brian Robinson
- DeVonta Smith
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Josh Downs
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Detroit Lions
- Andrei Iosivas
- Chris Olave
- Rashod Bateman
- Baltimore Ravens
- Stefon Diggs
- Washington Commanders
- Zay Flowers
- Nico Collins
- Michael Wilson
- Arizona Cardinals
- Isaac TeSlaa
- Bucky Irving
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Malik Washington
- Miami Dolphins
- Isiah Pacheco
- Troy Franklin
- Denver Broncos
- Romeo Doubs
- New England Patriots
- Khalil Shakir
- Buffalo Bills
- Alec Pierce
- A.J. Brown
- Trey McBride
28 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.
- Position Group RankingsAug 24, 2026
“We ranked all 32 groups across the league. 32. Miami Dolphins ... 1. Los Angeles Rams”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJaylin NoelHouston TexansAug 24, 2026
Jaylin Noel to be 2nd on the depth chart
“That leaves Noel, who needs to somehow become a viable No. 2”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesBijan RobinsonAtlanta FalconsAug 24, 2026
Bijan Robinson to finish top 1 at his position, by rushing yards
“Bijan Robinson continued to show he's the best RB in football.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
- Depth Chart CallsTee HigginsCincinnati BengalsAug 24, 2026
Tee Higgins to be 1st on the depth chart
“with QB Joe Burrow healthy, Tee Higgins is going to put up No. 1 receiver numbers, too”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDevaughn VeleNew Orleans SaintsAug 24, 2026
Devaughn Vele to be 4th on the depth chart
“New Orleans will be hoping Devaughn Vele, a fourth receiver at best, can step into a much bigger role.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksAug 24, 2026
Jadarian Price to be 1st on the depth chart
“That could put a lot of pressure on first-round pick Jadarian Price, who was a backup himself at Notre Dame.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ja'Marr Chase to finish top 1 at his position, by receiving yards
“Ja'Marr Chase is the NFL's most talented receiver.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
- Depth Chart CallsBrian RobinsonAtlanta FalconsAug 24, 2026
Brian Robinson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Brian Robinson is the backup running back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DeVonta Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“Not many teams can trade away a No. 1 receiver (A.J. Brown) and still have one on the roster (DeVonta Smith)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJosh DownsIndianapolis ColtsAug 24, 2026
Josh Downs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He's got a strong No. 2 in Josh Downs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJahmyr GibbsDetroit LionsAug 24, 2026
Jahmyr Gibbs to be 1st on the depth chart
“there shouldn't be much of a drop-off now as Isiah Pacheco replaces David Montgomery as Jahmyr Gibbs' sidekick”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Andrei Iosivas to be 3rd on the depth chart
“The Bengals are OK with Andrei Iosivas as their third receiver”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsChris OlaveNew Orleans SaintsAug 24, 2026
Chris Olave to be 1st on the depth chart
“The second-year starter does still have a true No. 1 WR in Chris Olave.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRashod BatemanBaltimore RavensAug 24, 2026
Rashod Bateman to be 2nd on the depth chart
“a decent third receiver being forced to play the No. 2 spot”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Stefon Diggs to be 1st on the depth chart
“they signed 32-year-old WR Stefon Diggs. He may not be what he once was, but he was still a pretty good No. 1 receiver for the Patriots last season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsZay FlowersBaltimore RavensAug 24, 2026
Zay Flowers to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Ravens also have a dangerous No. 1 WR in Zay Flowers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsNico CollinsHouston TexansAug 24, 2026
Nico Collins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nico Collins is a No. 1 receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMichael WilsonArizona CardinalsAug 24, 2026
Michael Wilson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Michael Wilson has put up good numbers for a No. 1 WR while waiting for Harrison to develop.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsIsaac TeSlaaDetroit LionsAug 24, 2026
Isaac TeSlaa to be 3rd on the depth chart
“if third receiver Isaac TeSlaa builds off his strong finish to last year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Bucky Irving to be 1st on the depth chart
“RB Bucky Irving could again be a good lead back (with new addition Kenneth Gainwell as his handcuff)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMalik WashingtonMiami DolphinsAug 24, 2026
Malik Washington to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Malik Washington could be a good third receiver, but might be forced into a larger role.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsIsiah PachecoDetroit LionsAug 24, 2026
Isiah Pacheco to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Isiah Pacheco replaces David Montgomery as Jahmyr Gibbs' sidekick”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTroy FranklinDenver BroncosAug 24, 2026
Troy Franklin to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Tony Franklin could be one of the best third receivers in the league”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRomeo DoubsNew England PatriotsAug 24, 2026
Romeo Doubs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“a pretty good No. 2 in Romeo Doubs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKhalil ShakirBuffalo BillsAug 24, 2026
Khalil Shakir to be 2nd on the depth chart
“their best hope is Khalil Shakir, who is a decent No. 2 receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAlec PierceIndianapolis ColtsAug 24, 2026
Alec Pierce to be 1st on the depth chart
“The problem is he's Indy's No. 1 receiver now, and it's unclear if he can carry that load.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsA.J. BrownNew England PatriotsAug 24, 2026
A.J. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“they went out and added an elite No. 1 receiver in A.J. Brown”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesTrey McBrideArizona CardinalsAug 24, 2026
Trey McBride to finish top 1 at his position, by receiving yards
“And Trey McBride is the best and most productive receiving TE in the league.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
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- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- 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.
- 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.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
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- 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.
- 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.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to open the season as Minnesota's starting quarterback and to be one of the better quarterback values in 2026 fantasy drafts, and he likewise likes Tyler Shough as New Orleans' entrenched starter with an easy schedule.
- Paul KerenDepth Chart Calls · Teven JenkinsMiss · 0Keren says Teven Jenkins still projects as Cleveland's Week 1 starting right guard despite a push from KT Leveston, and that Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams will be the Browns' lead linebackers.
- Jared DubinDepth Chart Calls · Daniel FaaleleMiss · 0Dubin grades the Faalele trade, predicting Faalele has a decent chance to be Jacksonville's Week 1 starting right guard in competition with Wyatt Milum, and that Evan Neal's odds of making the Giants' 53-man roster improved while Jon Runyan and Francis Mauigoa hold the Giants' starting guard jobs.