Josh Edwards· Aug 25, 2026
An unsigned CBS Sports piece on roster-cut season names likely starters and roster/cut candidates across several teams, including Chiefs and Cowboys cornerback depth charts, the Chargers' projected offensive line, Jalin Hyatt as a Giants cut candidate, Cole Payton headed for Philadelphia's practice squad, and Cam Ward and Mitchell Trubisky as safe on Tennessee's roster.
“Christian Roland-Wallace is in position to start over Jadon Canady and Kader Kohou.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
14 checkable claims — 10 depth chart calls, 3 roster spot calls and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 20 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
2 of 14 have settled so far, averaging 50 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 8 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
Jake Slaughter · 2026 season7 calls from 7 pundits between 1 and 1. Josh Edwards 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
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 CallsCole PaytonPhiladelphia EaglesAug 25, 2026
Cole Payton to make the roster
“Philadelphia's plan at quarterback may be as simple as trying to slip fifth-round pick Cole Payton onto the practice squad.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PHI
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 4235ae52-3eb4-4dfe-b763-8972167d87d1
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- 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
- Roster Spot CallsCam WardTennessee TitansAug 25, 2026
Cam Ward to make the roster
“Last year's No. 1 overall selection, Cam Ward, is safe.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- TEN
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- cf9ca7c9-d7b3-4527-aeee-fb65bf3fd789
- 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
- Depth Chart CallsDaRon BlandDallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
DaRon Bland to be 1st on the depth chart
“DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant may in position to start on the boundary.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trey Pipkins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Trey Pipkins III, second-round pick Jake Slaughter, Cole Strange and Joe Alt join Slater in the starting lineup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mitchell Trubisky to make the roster
“Given Mitchell Trubisky's history with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll in Buffalo, he too, is also likely immune.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jake Slaughter to be 1st on the depth chart
“Trey Pipkins III, second-round pick Jake Slaughter, Cole Strange and Joe Alt join Slater in the starting lineup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Roland-Wallace to be 1st on the depth chart
“Christian Roland-Wallace is in position to start over Jadon Canady and Kader Kohou.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rashawn Slater to be 1st on the depth chart
“Trey Pipkins III, second-round pick Jake Slaughter, Cole Strange and Joe Alt join Slater in the starting lineup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalin Hyatt to move to New York Giants
“Former 2023 third-round pick Jalin Hyatt is a name on the chopping block as head coach John Harbaugh turns his attention elsewhere.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Cole Strange to be 1st on the depth chart
“Trey Pipkins III, second-round pick Jake Slaughter, Cole Strange and Joe Alt join Slater in the starting lineup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCaleb DownsDallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Caleb Downs to be 1st on the depth chart
“Caleb Downs is the slot defender with Reddy Steward as his backup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJoe AltLos Angeles ChargersAug 25, 2026
Joe Alt to be 1st on the depth chart
“Trey Pipkins III, second-round pick Jake Slaughter, Cole Strange and Joe Alt join Slater in the starting lineup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsReddy StewardDallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Reddy Steward to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Caleb Downs is the slot defender with Reddy Steward as his backup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCobie DurantDallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Cobie Durant to be 1st on the depth chart
“DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant may in position to start on the boundary.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Michael CarterMiss · 0Kerr says several Eagles have raised their stock in camp: Darius Cooper is emerging as the team's WR4, Drew Kendall is the No. 3 interior lineman/top backup at guard and center, Willie Lampkin is in prime position to make the 53-man roster, and Michael Carter is a roster lock who could start at safety in Week 1.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Prisco is the lone expert cited picking Kansas City, 20-17 over Denver.
- Mike FlorioScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Florio gives score predictions for every Week 1 game of the 2026 NFL season, including an opening-night upset by the Patriots in Seattle and narrow home wins for the Giants and Chiefs.
- John PluymGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Pluym's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
- Matt VerderameGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Verderame's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
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.