# Tom Jensen: 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. **Claimed:** Aug 15, 2026 **Pundit:** Tom Jensen — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/pundits/tom-jensen **Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/outlets/sports-illustrated **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/onsi/49ers-rookies-shine-position-groups-flop-loss-titans 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. > If the Niners keep six receivers per usual Watkins is clearly in the lead for 6th man. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Sebastian Valdez to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Sebastian Valdez, San Francisco 49ers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jordan Watkins to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jordan Watkins, San Francisco 49ers - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Sebastian Valdez — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/sebastian-valdez - San Francisco 49ers — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/49ers - Jordan Watkins — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/jordan-watkins ## What others said about the same people - John Middlekauff on San Francisco 49ers: In 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/6b74ac24-5cde-4063-b243-78341ac76343 (scored 100) - Alain Poupart on San Francisco 49ers: Poupart 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/70e53b3b-fd72-43e7-a99b-655f41a11160 (scored 71.43) - Derek Brown on San Francisco 49ers: In 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/2ce05a0a-dccb-4701-80fa-9809feec8175 (scored 100) - Alain Poupart on San Francisco 49ers: Answering 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). — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/99ecba7f-1162-43c1-9990-e5868a5b4c85 (scored 100) - Alain Poupart on San Francisco 49ers: Poupart, 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/92666fd1-265d-4ba3-874b-65af7c66fd79 (scored 100) - John Breech on San Francisco 49ers: Breech 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/437a6bd1-ac3a-4745-8c35-137f4d364b0a (scored 100) ## More roster spot calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Mike Moraitis on Andre Jones Jr.: Moraitis 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/aada599b-129d-4866-bc24-0562e28b735c (scored 100) - Doug Joubert on Kelvin Banks Jr.: Joubert 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/6e48166c-9792-4e2b-aae7-fe44b83758e2 (scored 0) - Jason La Canfora on Tyler Loop: La 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/435cae49-559f-4914-972b-73404a1bd8ef (scored 0) - Trevor Ripley on Dillon Bell: Ripley 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/529718b4-3310-4bc4-949a-09c9600f3c48 (scored 0) - Randy Gurzi on Justin Barron: Gurzi 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/a37588ef-f76e-4f06-a951-a85a563271d5 (scored 0) - John Shipley on Jalen McLeod: Shipley 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c0a52b7c-63b2-4e18-b7da-9342dbbc111f (scored 0) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/corrections?pundit=tom-jensen