Rich Eisen· Jul 27, 2026
Eisen believes Aaron Donald's willingness to undertake a formal return process means he has already decided to come back and play again for the Rams. He also frames the Saints' 2026 outlook around Tyler Shough being the full-time starting quarterback from Week 1, Alvin Kamara sitting behind Travis Etienne on the running back depth chart, and Noah Fant working as the No. 2 tight end.
“the decision that I'm gonna go through the process is enough for me to figure he's handled the mental part already and the family part already”
said on air, transcribed by us · The Rich Eisen Show (podcast) · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 4 depth chart calls and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 7 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 4 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 3.
Where this call stands in the room
Travis Etienne · 2026 season10 calls from 9 pundits between 1 and 1. Rich Eisen 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
5 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 CallsTyler ShoughNew Orleans SaintsJul 27, 2026
Tyler Shough to be 1st on the depth chart
“What does year two look like now that he's gonna be the man from the beginning? All the reps in training camp, all the reps in the off season, and now coming in and getting all the reps from week one”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsNoah FantNew Orleans SaintsJul 27, 2026
Noah Fant to be 2nd on the depth chart
“because Noah Fant wound up there too. As the second string, as the second string, wide, tight end that's there”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Aaron Donald to move to Los Angeles Rams
“part of me just thinks going through the process and just deciding I'm gonna go through a process means he's already decided... And it just seems like would he go through the process if he didn't wanna do it?”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Travis Etienne to be 1st on the depth chart
“this guy is now second on the depth chart behind Travis Etienne or Etienne Junior... The big free agent splash signing of the New Orleans Saints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAlvin KamaraNew Orleans SaintsJul 27, 2026
Alvin Kamara to be 2nd on the depth chart
“this guy is now second on the depth chart behind Travis Etienne or Etienne Junior”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Blaine GrisakRoster Spot Calls · Dean ConnorsMiss · 0Grisak argues Wesley Bailey has essentially played his way onto the Rams' roster after a 10-pressure preseason game, suggests Dean Connors and Tim Keenan III could be cut and stashed on the practice squad, and makes a case for Jarquez Hunter making the 53 despite bubble status.
- Blaine GrisakRoster Spot Calls · Dean ConnorsHit · 100After the Rams' first preseason game, Grisak predicted the full 53-man roster, naming three quarterbacks, four running backs, five receivers, five tight ends, nine offensive linemen, four linebackers, six defensive linemen, four edge rushers, five cornerbacks, five safeties and three special teamers, with Dean Connors headed for the practice squad instead.
- Blaine GrisakRoster Spot Calls · Dean ConnorsMiss · 0Reviewing the Rams' preseason win, Grisak predicted roster outcomes: Dean Connors likely lands on the practice squad rather than the 53, Xavier Smith's roster chances look poor, Nick Andersen is a strong practice squad candidate, and Mark Redman is likely a practice squad candidate.
- Ross JacksonRoster Spot Calls · Juwan JohnsonHit · 100Ross Jackson gives his final preseason 53-man roster projection for the New Orleans Saints, naming who makes the initial roster at every position group, who starts on injured reserve or the practice squad, and who the five starting offensive linemen and kicker will be.
- Doug JoubertRoster Spot Calls · Will ShermanHit · 100Joubert projects the Saints' 53-man roster ahead of the cutdown deadline, naming every player he expects to make the team by position group, plus several players he expects to receive PUP/IR designations, and predicting Torricelli Simpkins will later be moved to the practice squad.
- Grant ChachereRoster Spot Calls · Barion BrownHit · 100Reviewing the Saints' unofficial depth chart, Chachere says Devaughn Vele is the No. 3 receiver, Barion Brown will be the fourth receiver and a lock to make the 53-man roster, and Travis Etienne will out-carry Alvin Kamara as the lead back.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.