Carter Bahns· Aug 27, 2026
An unsigned CBS Sports piece names 20 notable veterans it considers at risk of being cut before the 53-man roster deadline, with several pegged for the practice squad or outright release, and also sketches a few depth-chart pecking orders (Titans QBs, Panthers tight ends, Texans receivers, Eagles backfield).
“Here are 20 notable veterans at risk of being cut.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
26 checkable claims — 20 roster spot calls and 6 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 41 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
14 of 26 have settled so far, averaging 7.1 out of 100, against 92.9 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Laquon Treadwell
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jerry Tillery
- Cooper Rush
- Atlanta Falcons
- Noah Igbinoghene
- Seattle Seahawks
- Ameer Abdullah
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Dallas Cowboys
- Evan Neal
- New York Giants
- Khalil Herbert
- San Francisco 49ers
- Sterling Shepard
- Houston Texans
- Van Jefferson
- Washington Commanders
- Trevor Penning
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Phillip Dorsett
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Darren Waller
- Carolina Panthers
- Emmanuel Ogbah
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Tennessee Titans
- Tim Patrick
- Will Levis
- Cam Ward
- Mitchell Evans
- Saquon Barkley
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Tommy Tremble
- Mecole Hardman
- Mazi Smith
- New York Jets
- Dameon Pierce
26 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.
Laquon Treadwell to make the roster
“there is already precedent for his release”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- IND
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 18d1eff3-65ec-4177-8663-3c9f84180bdd
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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 CallsJerry TilleryIndianapolis ColtsAug 27, 2026
Jerry Tillery to make the roster
“while Tillery is arguably good enough to make the roster, there is only room for so many defensive tackles”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- IND
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 9ae29450-65bb-4d7d-9197-42384357240b
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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 CallsCooper RushAtlanta FalconsAug 27, 2026
Cooper Rush to make the roster
“Complicating things for Rush is the emergence of undrafted free agent Jack Strand ... Rush remains among the NFL's most respected backup quarterbacks but might have to sign elsewhere”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- ATL
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- ff945957-9095-41c3-88af-f2ac9f0778a2
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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
Noah Igbinoghene to make the roster
“he might be able to secure a backup cornerback job in Seattle now that he has shown more ability to cover on the perimeter”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SEA
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- c7c1e411-a2c7-4ce4-a484-9e5c76d6241e
- 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
Ameer Abdullah to make the roster
“would be hard-pressed to justify using a roster spot on Abdullah solely as a returner, so he appears destined for the practice squad”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- JAX
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 2526c508-b889-488f-9158-62371afb3283
- 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
Marquez Valdes-Scantling to make the roster
“There are probably not enough scraps left to pick up behind CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and the rest.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- DAL
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 801a1419-2d7b-4edc-8dd9-337b5d07fda7
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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 CallsEvan NealNew York GiantsAug 27, 2026
Evan Neal to make the roster
“His value has tanked, and there is a new coaching staff in place, so it is entirely possible that Neal goes from a highly touted potential cornerstone tackle to an afterthought on the interior in just four years.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NYG
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- cf392873-8eaf-40ab-82b1-1dc710769f1a
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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
Khalil Herbert to make the roster
“Herbert ... looks to be one of multiple roster-limit casualties, as San Francisco can only carry so much insurance for Christian McCaffrey”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- a16b093b-5d78-4b77-8c2b-bcfa5614d990
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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 CallsSterling ShepardHouston TexansAug 27, 2026
Sterling Shepard to make the roster
“so his stay in Houston might be extremely short-lived”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- HOU
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 44bf1569-c37f-46dd-b0c1-4b509af39620
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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
Van Jefferson to make the roster
“He could carve out that same role with the Commanders, but it could be difficult considering the team's wide receiver depth.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- WAS
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- c80dec05-b17d-4769-afba-cf89589d6b8d
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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
Trevor Penning to make the roster
“Considering all it cost to get him was a sixth-round pick, the Chargers can easily cut bait.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- LAC
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 94357c35-08b6-4837-ba5c-96c25a9a629a
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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
Phillip Dorsett to make the roster
“Dorsett spent the 2025 season on the Raiders' practice squad and is likely destined for the same fate this year”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- LV
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 71ec4f7c-6f61-4bcd-99aa-06995e9a2ae0
- 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
Odell Beckham Jr. to make the roster
“It is still an uphill battle for the three-time Pro Bowler to stay on the right side of the cut line”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NYG
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- 1ea0834b-87d8-4524-b5af-6abbcd008b9b
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- 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 CallsDarren WallerCarolina PanthersAug 27, 2026
Darren Waller to make the roster
“the question is whether there is room for both Ja'Tavion Sanders and Waller”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- CAR
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- f0cec701-5d7a-435a-a5c2-a0623ce7a925
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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
Emmanuel Ogbah to make the roster
“the summer acquisition is no guarantee to stick around into the regular season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mitchell Trubisky to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Mitchell Trubisky is the clear choice to be his backup given his familiarity with Brian Daboll's scheme”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTim PatrickAug 27, 2026
Tim Patrick to make the roster
“His comeback story might reach a roadblock in New York”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsWill LevisTennessee TitansAug 27, 2026
Will Levis to make the roster
“Three years after Tennessee made him the first player off the board on Day 2 of the 2023 draft, he could be out the door.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCam WardTennessee TitansAug 27, 2026
Cam Ward to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cam Ward is the face of the franchise, and Mitchell Trubisky is the clear choice to be his backup”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMitchell EvansCarolina PanthersAug 27, 2026
Mitchell Evans to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans are the top two options”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Saquon Barkley to be 1st on the depth chart
“The problem is that Saquon Barkley exists, while Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are already locked into backup roles.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsSterling ShepardHouston TexansAug 27, 2026
Sterling Shepard to be 6th on the depth chart
“Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson and now Boutte are all ahead of Shepard in the pecking order”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTommy TrembleCarolina PanthersAug 27, 2026
Tommy Tremble to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans are the top two options”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMecole HardmanAug 27, 2026
Mecole Hardman to make the roster
“Three Super Bowl titles and an All-Pro selection as a rookie give Mecole Hardman Jr. an illustrious résumé for someone on the roster bubble.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMazi SmithNew York JetsAug 27, 2026
Mazi Smith to make the roster
“the Jets have a new-look defense that might not include Smith”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dameon Pierce to make the roster
“now he is seeking to latch on with the Eagles. The problem is that Saquon Barkley exists, while Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are already locked into backup roles.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Cody RourkeRoster Spot Calls · Mitchell FraboniMiss · 0Rourke names the Ravens as the bounce-back team most likely to be dangerous in the AFC again, and says Houston's defense alone should carry the Texans into the postseason. He also expects long snapper Mitchell Fraboni to be one of Denver's practice-squad elevations for the Chiefs game, and slots Pat Bryant as Denver's third receiver behind Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle.
- Sayre BedingerRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeMiss · 0Benninger expects Houston's elite defense to make them either a division winner or a wild card team, thinks Marvin Mims was trending toward being Denver's fourth receiver rather than just the return man, and figures Adam Prentice will be the Broncos' other practice-squad call-up.
- Bob MorrisRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeHit · 100Morris predicts Jarrett Stidham holds the backup QB job behind Bo Nix, Adam Prentice makes the 53-man roster as the fullback/fourth back, and Lucas Krull gets cut.
- Erick TrickelRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeHit · 100After the Broncos' preseason opener, Trickel argued fullback Adam Prentice has shown enough value to earn a spot on the 53-man roster ahead of the team's fourth running back options (Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, Cody Schrader).
- Nick ShookRoster Spot Calls · Aaron DonaldHit · 100Shook unveiled his first NFL power rankings of the year, putting the Rams first, the Broncos second and the defending champion Seahawks only third, with the Dolphins last.
- Cody RoarkRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeMiss · 0Cody laid out his projected Broncos 53-man roster, naming four running backs, five receivers, five tight ends (including Nate Adkins as a fullback/tight end hybrid), five safeties, four outside linebackers, five off-ball linebackers and five cornerbacks, with Adam Prentice starting on the practice squad.