Rob Rang· Aug 12, 2026
Rang picks one second-year player from each AFC team poised to break out in 2026, forecasting starting jobs for T.J. Sanders, Jared Wilson, Azareye'h Thomas, Justin Walley, Bhayshul Tuten and Jahdae Barron, a 1,000-yard season for Tuten, a doubled rushing output for Omarion Hampton, and Tyler Warren contending to lead tight ends in receptions.
“With Travis Etienne now in New Orleans, I expect Tuten to emerge as the Jaguars’ top runner in 2026, with 1,000-plus rushing yards a realistic target.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
10 checkable claims — 7 depth chart calls, 2 player season numbers and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 17 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 7 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 6.
Where this call stands in the room
Bhayshul Tuten · 2026 season4 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 1. Rob Rang 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
10 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.
- Depth Chart CallsEmery Jones Jr.Baltimore RavensAug 12, 2026
Emery Jones Jr. to be 2nd on the depth chart
“At minimum, the former third-rounder should prove a valuable swing sixth man this season with the ability to start if called upon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyler Warren to finish top 1 at his position, by receptions
“I think he’s a legitimate contender to lead all tights ends in receptions in 2026”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJahdae BarronDenver BroncosAug 12, 2026
Jahdae Barron to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think Barron could beat out Moss on the outside this year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Bhayshul Tuten to be 1st on the depth chart
“I expect Tuten to emerge as the Jaguars’ top runner in 2026”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Bhayshul Tuten to record 1,000 rushing yards
“with 1,000-plus rushing yards a realistic target”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jared Wilson to be 1st on the depth chart
“He’ll start (and be an upgrade) over Garrett Bradbury from a year ago and has the potential to be one of the league’s best at the position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJustin WalleyIndianapolis ColtsAug 12, 2026
Justin Walley to be 1st on the depth chart
“With Kenny Moore no longer with the Colts, Walley will have first crack at the open nickel position”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAzareye'h ThomasNew York JetsAug 12, 2026
Azareye'h Thomas to be 1st on the depth chart
“I see New York boasting a vastly improved defense in 2026 with Thomas emerging as a quality starter on the perimeter.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsT.J. SandersBuffalo BillsAug 12, 2026
T.J. Sanders to be 1st on the depth chart
“the former No. 41 overall selection will emerge as an every-game starter this season, after recording just 16 tackles and starting two games as a rookie”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Omarion Hampton to record 1,090 rushing yards
“riding Hampton as a true workhorse to at least double last year’s output (545 rushing yards, four TDs)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jack KiserMiss · 0Shipley projects a full 16-player (plus one international/exemption spot) Jaguars practice squad for 2026, naming specific players at each position he expects to land there.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Jared DubinDepth Chart Calls · Daniel FaaleleMiss · 0Dubin grades the Faalele trade, predicting Faalele has a decent chance to be Jacksonville's Week 1 starting right guard in competition with Wyatt Milum, and that Evan Neal's odds of making the Giants' 53-man roster improved while Jon Runyan and Francis Mauigoa hold the Giants' starting guard jobs.
- Noah ComptonDepth Chart Calls · C.J. AllenMiss · 0After watching the Colts' eleventh training camp practice, Compton says rookie linebacker CJ Allen is still expected to start the regular-season opener, identifies Alec Pierce as the team's top receiver and Cam Taylor-Britt as the first cornerback behind the starting trio, and declares the kicking job Blake Grupe's to lose.
- John ShipleyDepth Chart Calls · Patrick MekariMiss · 0Shipley projects second-year cornerback Jabbar Muhammad to make the Jaguars' 53-man roster and describes him as the team's clear No. 5 cornerback, a role that would earn him a game-day jersey. He also identifies Patrick Mekari, Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland as projected Week 1 offensive line starters.
- Mason CameronDepth Chart Calls · Ethan PocicMiss · 0An unsigned PFF piece ranks the NFL's top 32 centers heading into the 2026 season, with Creed Humphrey first for the fourth straight year, and names Ethan Pocic and Austin Schlottmann as the favorites to win starting center jobs in Baltimore and Tennessee.
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.