Nathan Jahnke· Aug 30, 2026
PFF'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.
“He didn’t play in the final preseason game, securing his spot as the third wide receiver.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
8 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 3 roster spot calls, 1 fantasy bust call and 1 sleeper call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 11 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
2 of 8 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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
Ja'Kobi Lane · 2026 season13 calls from 11 pundits between 1 and 3. Nathan Jahnke said 3. the room's median is 3. 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
8 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 CallsElijah SarrattBaltimore RavensAug 30, 2026
Elijah Sarratt to make the roster
“He is seventh on the depth chart at best, but will likely make the roster as a fourth-round rookie.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- BAL
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- 81544f4f-b09a-4c1b-9b1b-a9f1d3f7c070
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- 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 CallsReggie VirgilArizona CardinalsAug 30, 2026
Reggie Virgil to make the roster
“He will likely make the roster as a fifth-round pick.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- ARI
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- fcbfa7a8-7e23-4ee7-9d09-3216b80bb17b
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- 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 CallsOronde Gadsden IIAug 30, 2026
Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost
“while others, including Oronde Gadsden, saw more concerning roles”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJa'Kobi LaneBaltimore RavensAug 30, 2026
Ja'Kobi Lane to be 3rd on the depth chart
“He didn’t play in the final preseason game, securing his spot as the third wide receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDurham SmytheBaltimore RavensAug 30, 2026
Durham Smythe to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Mark Andrews and Durham Smythe didn’t play in the preseason, suggesting Smythe will often be the second tight end in 12 personnel.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDevin DuvernayArizona CardinalsAug 30, 2026
Devin Duvernay to make the roster
“his special teams play has likely earned him a roster spot”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChig OkonkwoAug 30, 2026
Chig Okonkwo to outplay his draft cost
“Tight ends such as Chig Okonkwo emerged from the preseason with encouraging usage”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsNick MuseAtlanta FalconsAug 30, 2026
Nick Muse to be 4th on the depth chart
“He would be the Falcons' fourth tight end if they keep four.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- 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.
- John BreechDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0The unsigned Pick Six newsletter expects Seth McLaughlin to step into the Lions' starting center job with Cade Mays injured, and suggests Tua Tagovailoa is on track to be Atlanta's Week 1 starting quarterback.
- Matt OkadaDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0In a PPR-framed fantasy draft guide, Okada makes a few non-fantasy claims: rookie Jeremiyah Love will be Arizona's featured back despite being listed as RB2, Tua Tagovailoa will be Atlanta's Week 1 starter, and Kyler Murray will open the season as Minnesota's starting quarterback.
- theScoreDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0theScore's staff power rankings for all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last.
- Mike FanelliDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Fanelli ranks all 32 NFL teams for 2026 fantasy purposes, with the Bengals first and the Dolphins last, and makes assorted calls including Joe Burrow winning Comeback Player of the Year, Drake Maye leading the league in passing touchdowns, various starting-role and depth-chart projections, plus sleepers (Godwin, Travis Hunter, Jonathon Brooks) and a bust call on De'Von Achane.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to open the season as Minnesota's starting quarterback and to be one of the better quarterback values in 2026 fantasy drafts, and he likewise likes Tyler Shough as New Orleans' entrenched starter with an easy schedule.