Erik Engle· Feb 26, 2026
Engel predicts Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to the Raiders regardless of combine performance, expects Arvell Reese to potentially be the first edge rusher off the board (possibly No. 2 to the Jets), believes the 49ers will ultimately trade Mac Jones, thinks Tyreek Hill signs with the Chiefs, and views the 49ers as a Super Bowl contender.
“He could get the lowest score of all time on the Wunderlich, and he would still go number one overall to the Raiders.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On 49ers (podcast) · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 3 trade and signing calls, 1 mock draft pick and 1 position order call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
2 of 5 have settled so far, averaging 50 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Their call against what happened
positional finishTheir call against what actually happened.
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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.
- Position Order CallsArvell ReeseFeb 26, 2026
Arvell Reese to be 1st edge rusher off the board
“he's already projected to to be potentially the first edge rusher off the board, maybe going as high as number two to the Jets”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 50How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- player:
- Arvel Reese
- season:
- 2025
- outcome:
- went undrafted in 2026; has not appeared on an NFL roster
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 50
- position:
- edge rusher
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual order:
- undrafted
- predicted order:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1
“he could get the lowest score of all time on the Wunderlich, and he would still go number one overall to the Raiders”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 50How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- player:
- Fernando Mendoza
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- only one pick — no order to score
- Trade and Signing CallsMac JonesFeb 26, 2026
Mac Jones to move
“Ultimately, I think it's the right idea to move Mac Jones... I I think that they end up trading him.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyreek Hill to move to Kansas City Chiefs
“I think it's likely that he goes to the Chiefs and reunites there with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
George Pickens to move to Dallas Cowboys
“George Pickings would have been the prize, in free agency, but, obviously, he's gonna go back to Dallas”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Reddy StewardMiss · 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.
- Patricia TrainaRoster Spot Calls · Arvell ReeseHit · 100Traina projects the Giants' initial 53-man roster position by position, naming who makes the team and who lands on the practice squad, including keeping Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Evan Neal (with a possible trade), Dalen Cambre over Braxton Berrios, Lucas Patrick as backup center, and Dominic Zvada as the kicker.
- Jeff CavanaughRoster Spot Calls · Curtis RobinsonMiss · 0Building his projected Cowboys 53-man roster on defense, Jeff keeps five interior linemen (Kenny Clark, Quentin, Tito Obonia, LT Overton, Bullard), six edge rushers including Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence and Marist Liufau while cutting Sam Williams, four linebackers with Jayshawn Barham starting, six corners including rookie Devin Moore, and four safeties including Marquise Bell.
- Charean WilliamsRoster Spot Calls · Israel AbanikandaMiss · 0Williams expects the Cowboys to elevate practice squad running back Israel Abanikanda to the active roster for Sunday's season opener after Malik Davis's hip injury.
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Nick LeverettMiss · 0Gurzi writes that Tyler Smith's thumb surgery will land him on IR to start the season with a return around midseason, that capable backup T.J. Bass will step in along the interior line, and that practice squad lineman Nick Leverett should be elevated for Week 1 and could be added to the active roster.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Brashard SmithMiss · 0An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece on the Giants releasing Darius Slayton predicts he will be signed by another NFL team fairly quickly, and lists possible landing spots without committing to one.
- Noah StrackbeinTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100Strackbein says Pittsburgh views Roman Wilson as its No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., but argues the Steelers should add released Giants veteran Darius Slayton as insurance, expecting Slayton to sign cheaply on a veteran-minimum deal, and refers to 2026 as Aaron Rodgers' final season.
- Patricia TrainaTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100Traina writes that the Giants may make more trades before the roster cutdown and names the players she sees as the most likely candidates to be dealt: kicker Ben Sauls, one of receivers Darius Slayton or Darnell Mooney, offensive lineman Jake Kubas, and linebacker Darius Muasau.
- Devon PlatanaTrade and Signing Calls · Johnny HekkerHit · 100With punter Brett Thorson dealing with a hamstring injury, Platana suggests the Vikings have a decent chance of bringing back veteran free-agent punter Johnny Hekker as a familiar fill-in.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Auman predicts that Will Levis, released by Tennessee, will almost certainly be claimed on waivers by another team.
- John MaakaronTrade and Signing Calls · Joe BachieHit · 100Maakaron suggests several Lions players could be cut and land on other rosters: linebacker Joe Bachie, defensive linemen Ben Stille and Chris Smith, and running back Sione Vaki.