Nathan Jahnke· Aug 14, 2026
PFF's unsigned fantasy football preseason recap draws depth-chart and roster conclusions from preseason usage — TeSlaa as the Lions' No. 3 receiver, DeMario Douglas as the Patriots' clear No. 3, Jeremiyah Love ahead of Tyler Allgeier in Arizona, Kimani Vidal third and Keaton Mitchell second in the Chargers' backfield, Marlin Klein as Houston's second tight end — while calling Mitchell a top sleeper and advising against drafting Gunnar Helm, Mike Gesicki and Pat Freiermuth.
“The fact that Mitchell didn’t play while Vidal did suggests Vidal is a clear third on the depth chart.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
14 checkable claims — 8 depth chart calls, 3 fantasy bust calls, 2 roster spot calls and 1 sleeper call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 23 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 14 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 5 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
Jeremiyah Love · 2026 season4 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 2. Nathan Jahnke 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Greg Dortch
- Detroit Lions
- Mike Gesicki
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Andrew Ogletree
- Indianapolis Colts
- Pat Freiermuth
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Gunnar Helm
- Tennessee Titans
- Kimani Vidal
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Marlin Klein
- Houston Texans
- Mike Washington
- Las Vegas Raiders
- DeMario Douglas
- New England Patriots
- Keaton Mitchell
- Cedrick Wilson Jr.
- Isaac TeSlaa
- Jeremiyah Love
- Arizona Cardinals
14 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.
- Roster Spot CallsGreg DortchDetroit LionsAug 14, 2026
Greg Dortch to make the roster
“Both Wilson and Dortch stopped playing at the end of the first quarter, making it seem like their roster spots are secure.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- DET
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- 7297e44a-b03f-4ef8-b87b-f2088f0abca3
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Fantasy Bust CallsMike GesickiCincinnati BengalsAug 14, 2026
Mike Gesicki to fall short of his draft cost
“It is very unlikely that Gesicki will see enough playing time to be fantasy-relevant this season if he wasn’t playing in early downs even with All out.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Andrew Ogletree to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Drew Ogletree only played on the first drive with the starters for Indianapolis, suggesting he is locked in to the third tight end spot.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Pat Freiermuth to fall short of his draft cost
“While Freiermuth could be a bye-week replacement, it’s unlikely he has a significant bounce-back this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsGunnar HelmTennessee TitansAug 14, 2026
Gunnar Helm to fall short of his draft cost
“For now, Helm should be left undrafted in most redraft leagues.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kimani Vidal to be 3rd on the depth chart
“The fact that Mitchell didn’t play while Vidal did suggests Vidal is a clear third on the depth chart.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMarlin KleinHouston TexansAug 14, 2026
Marlin Klein to be 2nd on the depth chart
“it’s unclear where Jordan will fit into the backup rotation, but for now, it appears Klein could start the season as the second tight end”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Washington to be 2nd on the depth chart
“it did help confirm that Washington is the No. 2 running back on the depth chart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DeMario Douglas to be 3rd on the depth chart
“This suggests that Douglas is the clear third wide receiver on the depth chart.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Keaton Mitchell to be 2nd on the depth chart
“While Mitchell and Vidal appeared to be in a competition for the second running back spot, Mitchell appears to be in second.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsCedrick Wilson Jr.Detroit LionsAug 14, 2026
Cedrick Wilson Jr. to make the roster
“Both Wilson and Dortch stopped playing at the end of the first quarter, making it seem like their roster spots are secure.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsIsaac TeSlaaDetroit LionsAug 14, 2026
Isaac TeSlaa to be 3rd on the depth chart
“While TeSlaa is still the clear favorite for the third receiving spot, the fact that he played so much in this game while other starters didn’t suggests his role isn’t as locked in as it could be.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJeremiyah LoveArizona CardinalsAug 14, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to be 1st on the depth chart
“Love started this game, suggesting he is already ahead of Allgeier on the depth chart.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsKeaton MitchellLos Angeles ChargersAug 14, 2026
Keaton Mitchell to outplay his draft cost
“Mitchell has been among my top sleepers because of his strong play with the Baltimore Ravens and his similarities to Mike McDaniel’s former running back, De’Von Achane.”
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.
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.
- Noah ComptonDepth Chart Calls · C.J. AllenMiss · 0After watching the Colts' eleventh training camp practice, Compton says rookie linebacker CJ Allen is still expected to start the regular-season opener, identifies Alec Pierce as the team's top receiver and Cam Taylor-Britt as the first cornerback behind the starting trio, and declares the kicking job Blake Grupe's to lose.
- 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.
- 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 depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.