Rich Eisen· Aug 10, 2026
Eisen agreed Carson Beck is set up to be the first rookie starter, insisted Deshaun Watson will open as Cleveland's starter, named Cincinnati his top sleeper team who could get back to the Super Bowl, and expects Aaron Donald to come out of retirement and rejoin the Rams.
“I'll just call it here again one more time. Deshaun Watson is gonna start for Cleveland.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Overreaction Monday (podcast) · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls, 1 conference champion, 1 surprise team call and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 7 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
Deshaun Watson · 2026 season43 calls from 30 pundits between 1 and 2. Rich Eisen 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
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.
- Surprise Team CallsCincinnati BengalsAug 10, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to beat expectations
“And at Cincinnati, which I've already told you is my number one sleeper team this year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Aaron Donald to move to Los Angeles Rams
“We're sitting here waiting for Aaron Donald to make the obvious occur... So Donald may be back by the time people consume this portion... We all expect it to happen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Conference ChampionsCincinnati BengalsAug 10, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to reach the Super Bowl
“But I don't think people are thinking the Bengals are gonna make it back to the Super Bowl, and I think that could be potentially happening”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDeshaun WatsonCleveland BrownsAug 10, 2026
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“I'll just call it here again one more time. Deshaun Watson is gonna start for Cleveland. I've always thought that.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCarson BeckArizona CardinalsAug 10, 2026
Carson Beck to be 1st on the depth chart
“He is set up to start first out of the rookie class because the quarterback's chosen in front of him... I don't think this is an overreaction.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Blaine GrisakRoster Spot Calls · Dean ConnorsMiss · 0Grisak argues Wesley Bailey has essentially played his way onto the Rams' roster after a 10-pressure preseason game, suggests Dean Connors and Tim Keenan III could be cut and stashed on the practice squad, and makes a case for Jarquez Hunter making the 53 despite bubble status.
- Blaine GrisakRoster Spot Calls · Dean ConnorsHit · 100After the Rams' first preseason game, Grisak predicted the full 53-man roster, naming three quarterbacks, four running backs, five receivers, five tight ends, nine offensive linemen, four linebackers, six defensive linemen, four edge rushers, five cornerbacks, five safeties and three special teamers, with Dean Connors headed for the practice squad instead.
- Blaine GrisakRoster Spot Calls · Dean ConnorsMiss · 0Reviewing the Rams' preseason win, Grisak predicted roster outcomes: Dean Connors likely lands on the practice squad rather than the 53, Xavier Smith's roster chances look poor, Nick Andersen is a strong practice squad candidate, and Mark Redman is likely a practice squad candidate.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Devin DuvernayHit · 100PFF's preseason usage recap makes a number of depth-chart and roster projections, including nine rookie receivers slotting as top-three options on their teams, sleeper tight end usage, and specific depth-chart placements for Cardinals, Falcons and Ravens players.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Devin DuvernayHit · 100An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Devin DuvernayHit · 100PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a Week 1 recap with no named byline, CBS Sports suggested Michael Penix Jr. would take over as Atlanta's Week 2 starter if healthy, called Ashton Jeanty's sophomore breakout imminent, and warned readers not to overlook San Francisco as NFC West winners.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Rashod BatemanMiss · 0In his Week 2 waiver wire column, Fitzmaurice recommends a slate of pickups he expects to outperform their current rostership (Kaelon Black, Deebo Samuel, Tyler Shough, Geno Smith and others), lays out several depth-chart expectations (Black as the 49ers' No. 2 back, Shedeur Sanders eventually taking over in Cleveland, Penix returning for Atlanta), and flags Fool's Gold/drop candidates such as Mike Gesicki, Kendrick Bourne and Rashid Shaheed.