Doug Joubert· Aug 21, 2026
Joubert says Tyler Shough is unquestionably the Saints' starting quarterback, with the competition only for the backup job, and describes Devaughn Vele as the team's No. 3 receiver. He also expects New Orleans to keep six wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster.
“However, there is no question that Shough is the starting QB.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls and 1 roster spot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 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 above the room on 1 and below it on 1.
Where this call stands in the room
Tyler Shough · 2026 season17 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 1. Doug Joubert 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
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.
- Roster Spot CallsNew Orleans SaintsAug 21, 2026
? to make the roster
“We're expecting six wide receivers to be kept on the final 53-man roster”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTyler ShoughNew Orleans SaintsAug 21, 2026
Tyler Shough to be 1st on the depth chart
“However, there is no question that Shough is the starting QB.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDevaughn VeleNew Orleans SaintsAug 21, 2026
Devaughn Vele to be 3rd on the depth chart
“#3 receiver Devaughn Vele, a big-bodied possession type of receiver”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Ross JacksonRoster Spot Calls · Spencer RattlerHit · 100Ross Jackson gives his final preseason 53-man roster projection for the New Orleans Saints, naming who makes the initial roster at every position group, who starts on injured reserve or the practice squad, and who the five starting offensive linemen and kicker will be.
- Ross JacksonRoster Spot Calls · Chris Rumph IIMiss · 0Ross Jackson lays out his early defensive 53-man roster projection for the 2026 Saints, naming five edge rushers, four interior defensive linemen, five cornerbacks, five linebackers and five safeties, plus his kicker, punter and long snapper, and sends Mike Heldman, Chris Rumph and Jackson Sirmon to the practice squad.
- Ross JacksonRoster Spot Calls · Asim RichardsHit · 100Ross Jackson projects the New Orleans Saints' offensive 53-man roster: three quarterbacks with Tyler Shough starting and Spencer Rattler as the backup, four running backs including Alvin Kamara, six wide receivers with Jalen Polk making it, three tight ends, ten offensive linemen with a set starting five, and Charlie Smith at kicker.
- Ross JacksonRoster Spot Calls · Jayden PriceHit · 100Jackson expects Jordan Tyson to top 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie without reaching 1,500, sees Cesar 'Torricelli' Simpkins holding the backup center job, projects Kaden Ellis at weak-side linebacker contributing to the pass rush, and names Jaden Price as his dark horse to make the 53-man roster.
- 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.
- Mike HarmonSleeper Calls · Kevin Austin Jr.Hit · 100Harmon gave his Week 18 fantasy rankings — top five quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers — plus lists of 'hot plays,' 'cold sores' (players to avoid) and 'ninjas' (sneaky plays), and said Trevor Lawrence would land around a top-four fantasy quarterback finish for the season.
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.