Lance Zierlein· May 4, 2026
Reviewing the 2026 draft classes, Lance tabbed Tampa Bay's Reuben Bain as a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, projected modest rookie receiving production for third-rounder Ted Hurst, and pegged several Day 3 picks for depth-chart roles — Chandler Rivers as a future starting nickel in Baltimore, Parker Brailsford as a future starting center, and Mike Washington as the Raiders' second running back behind Ashton Jeanty.
“And as soon as I saw that, I'm like, whoo, defensive rookie of the year.”
said on air or in an interview · Move the Sticks (podcast) · read the original →
The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 5, 2026. The quote and evidence above are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
5 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 1 award pick and 1 player season number — 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.
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
Mike Washington · 2026 season15 calls from 10 pundits between 1 and 2. Lance Zierlein said 2. the room's median is 2. 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
5 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.
Parker Brailsford to be 1st on the depth chart
“Parker could end up becoming a future starter for him. He's gonna need to because he's a center only”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksRueben BainTampa Bay BuccaneersMay 4, 2026
Rueben Bain to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“They have Reuben Bain fall to him and they took him... And as soon as I saw that, I'm like, whoo, defensive rookie of the year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Washington to be 2nd on the depth chart
“You've got Mike Washington, who is a high weight, speed running back as the second back behind Ashton Genty.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chandler Rivers to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think he's got a chance to become a future starting nickel over there for the Ravens, really good pick for them.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ted Hurst to record 500 receiving yards
“he may only be a five or six hundred yard receiver this year, considering the fact they've got God wanted a Mecca Boo.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Jason La CanforaRoster Spot Calls · Gerad LichtenhanMiss · 0La Canfora predicts the Ravens will keep several young players on their practice squad — DL Kaimon Rucker, LB Dominic DeLuca, LB Ethan Burke, CB Amani Oruwariye, OT Gerad Lichtenhan and QB Joe Fagnano — and expects the team to make at least one trade from its surplus of cornerbacks.
- 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.
- Ryan WilsonDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece states Deshaun Watson has won Cleveland's starting quarterback job for Week 1 with Shedeur Sanders next in line, while arguing Watson will not play like even an average NFL quarterback and that none of the Browns' current young passers should stop them from drafting a first-round quarterback next April.
- 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.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0The 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.
- 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.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Malik WillisHit · 100Hribar previews the Week 1 Dolphins-Raiders game, calling Malik Willis a strong floor-based QB2 for fantasy, noting Kirk Cousins is the Raiders' starter and not a Week 1 streamer in 1QB leagues, and listing expected defensive starters for both teams.
- Randy GurziDepth Chart Calls · Jadarian PriceHit · 100Gurzi suggests the Seahawks could sign three free agents — safety Donovan Wilson, guard Kevin Zeitler, and running back Kareem Hunt — if weaknesses show up after Week 1. He also notes Trevon Diggs starting on the practice squad and describes Seattle's projected backfield roles.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Malik WillisHit · 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.
- Greg AumanDepth Chart Calls · Malik WillisHit · 100Auman states Malik Willis will be Miami's Week 1 starting quarterback and the player the Dolphins build their season around, despite having only six career starts.
- Diante LeeDepth Chart Calls · Malik WillisHit · 100A Ringer training camp preview posing one question per team; it commits to a few concrete outcomes — Aaron Donald coming out of retirement with the Rams, Kyler Murray winning Minnesota's starting quarterback job, and Malik Willis opening as Miami's Week 1 starter.
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Jalyx HuntMiss · 0From an Eagles training camp practice, Kerr projects Willie Lampkin as a possible 53-man roster player, Jalyx Hunt as the likely Week 1 starting edge rusher over Nolan Smith, Byron Young as the No. 4 defensive tackle, Jake Elliott as the uncontested kicker, and Darius Cooper pressuring Hollywood Brown for the WR4 role.