Tom Jensen· Aug 15, 2026
After the 49ers' preseason opener, Jensen argued Jordan Watkins has won the battle for the sixth and final wide receiver roster spot over Malik Turner and Will Pauling, and that Sebastian Valdez holds the edge over James Thompson Jr. in the interior defensive line roster competition.
“If the Niners keep six receivers per usual Watkins is clearly in the lead for 6th man.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 2 roster spot calls — 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.
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Who this take is about
2 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.
Sebastian Valdez to make the roster
“His DT roster competition Sebastian Valdez had five tackles including a tackle for loss. Advantage Valdez.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jordan Watkins to make the roster
“If the Niners keep six receivers per usual Watkins is clearly in the lead for 6th man. Malik Turner had two catches, Will Pauling three, but as of now they both lose the final WR roster slot to Watkins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- John MiddlekauffGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100In a Week 2 preview, Middlekauff argued Matt LaFleur is under enormous pressure in Green Bay, predicted blowout wins for the 49ers over Miami and the Eagles over Tennessee, and offered season win-total views on the Saints, Buccaneers, Texans and Jaguars while backing Dallas to win the NFC East.
- Alain PoupartScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersClose · 71Poupart predicts the 49ers beat the Dolphins 27-17 at Levi's Stadium in Week 2, though he expects the game to be closer than the spread suggests. He also anticipates a larger role for De'Von Achane and a big passing day from Brock Purdy.
- Derek BrownGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100In a Week 2 start/sit column, Derek Brown gave lineup advice on running backs, including a prediction that the 49ers would blow out the Dolphins.
- Alain PoupartGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Answering a mailbag ahead of the Dolphins-49ers game, Poupart says logic points to Miami losing because San Francisco is the far better team, while allowing that upsets happen. He also lays out what would have to happen for a Dolphins win (Achane running wild or the defense intercepting Brock Purdy).
- Alain PoupartGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Poupart, while arguing the Dolphins have upset history as big underdogs, ultimately leans toward San Francisco beating Miami in their Week 2 matchup, saying it's too much to predict a Dolphins upset.
- John BreechScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Breech has San Francisco routing Miami 38-16 and says the Dolphins are headed for an 0-17 season; he also picks Arizona to upset Seattle 20-17.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Mike MoraitisRoster Spot Calls · Andre Jones Jr.Hit · 100Moraitis expects Andre Jones Jr. to hold a spot on Miami's 53-man roster after being signed off Buffalo's practice squad, with a significant special teams role under coordinator Chris Tabor.
- Doug JoubertRoster Spot Calls · Kelvin Banks Jr.Miss · 0Joubert grades the Saints' units after their win at Baltimore and predicts that left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. will be placed on injured reserve, with one of three practice-squad tackles potentially elevated.
- Jason La CanforaRoster Spot Calls · Tyler LoopMiss · 0La Canfora argues the Ravens have unresolved problems at left tackle, downfield receiver, center and kicker, and says that despite Tyler Loop's home struggles no kicker change will be made this week given the trip to Brazil and Jake Moody no longer being on the practice squad.
- Trevor RipleyRoster Spot Calls · Dillon BellMiss · 0Ripley expects Max Brosmer to return to the Vikings on the practice squad after being waived, and thinks Dillon Bell may draw waiver interest but is also a practice squad candidate for Minnesota.
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Justin BarronMiss · 0Gurzi predicts the Cowboys' 17-man practice squad, naming each player he expects Dallas to sign, including a surprise addition of released Giants tackle Evan Neal. He also predicts Jaydon Blue will be claimed off waivers by another team and that Sam Williams will land elsewhere.
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jalen McLeodMiss · 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.