Hondo Carpenter· Aug 25, 2026
Carpenter projects the Raiders to win seven games in 2026 as part of a rebuild, with 2028 as the target year for making the playoffs. He also expects Tonka Hemingway and rookie WR Malik Benson to step up in the roster's weakest position groups.
“Last May, I projected seven wins in 2026. I stand by that today, but I will give my final prediction in the first week of the season.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls, 1 playoff pick and 1 season win total — 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 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 2.
Where this call stands in the room
Las Vegas Raiders · 2026 season · wins12 calls from 10 pundits between 3 wins and 10 wins. Hondo Carpenter said 7 wins. the room's median is 5 wins. 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
4 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.
Tonka Hemingway to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tonka Hemingway would be my first bet at the defensive tackle position”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMalik BensonLas Vegas RaidersAug 25, 2026
Malik Benson to be 1st on the depth chart
“rookie Malik Benson from the wide receiver group”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsLas Vegas RaidersAug 25, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders to finish with 7 wins
“Last May, I projected seven wins in 2026. I stand by that today”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksLas Vegas RaidersAug 25, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders to make the playoffs
“laying the foundation for a 2027 get-right campaign, and finally 2028 as the goal of making, and perennially staying, in the NFL Playoffs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- John BreechGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Breech picks the Texans to upset the Bills in Houston, trusting Houston's defense to smother Josh Allen, and takes the Raiders to beat the Dolphins by at least a touchdown.
- Judah FortgangGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100PFF's divisional-round same-game parlay picks: Tampa Bay beats Cincinnati with Cade Otton exploiting the Bengals' linebackers, Las Vegas beats Miami behind Kirk Cousins attacking a depleted Dolphins secondary, and Houston beats Buffalo with C.J. Stroud throwing effectively and Jaylin Noel benefiting from the slot matchup.
- Logan LazarczykGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Lazarczyk argues the Raiders' Week 1 home opener against a gutted, tanking Dolphins team should be an easy win, saying Las Vegas has no excuse to lose.
- Dan BeyerGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Beyer's Week 1 survivor pick was the Raiders to beat the Dolphins at home.
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.