# Erik Engle: 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. **Claimed:** Feb 26, 2026 **Pundit:** Erik Engle — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/pundits/erik-engle **Outlet:** Locked On 49ers (podcast) — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/outlets/locked-on-49ers-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air, transcribed by us **Original:** https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/f9f75c/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/0a6076b9-74e2-4b01-846e-5cc0d0b8031c/episodes/cde165d1-0582-4092-8e8f-f0f1d9e2f9de/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=0a6076b9-74e2-4b01-846e-5cc0d0b8031c&awEpisodeId=cde165d1-0582-4092-8e8f-f0f1d9e2f9de&feed=P83yLSb_ 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. > He could get the lowest score of all time on the Wunderlich, and he would still go number one overall to the Raiders. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Arvell Reese to be 1st edge rusher off the board** - Kind: Position Order Calls · About: Arvell Reese - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess - **Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess - **Mac Jones to move** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Mac Jones - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tyreek Hill to move to Kansas City Chiefs** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs - Verdict: not settled yet - **George Pickens to move to Dallas Cowboys** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Arvell Reese — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/arvell-reese - Fernando Mendoza — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/fernando-mendoza - Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/raiders - Mac Jones — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/mac-jones - Tyreek Hill — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/tyreek-hill - Kansas City Chiefs — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/chiefs - George Pickens — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/george-pickens - Dallas Cowboys — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/cowboys ## What others said about the same people - Randy Gurzi on Reddy Steward: 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) - Patricia Traina on Arvell Reese: Traina 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/8bb1a183-b45b-44db-8a61-23bdd2238a6b (scored 100) - Jeff Cavanaugh on Curtis Robinson: Building 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/d20c4eda-eab4-4a8c-ba13-0e120fdd7d91 (scored 0) - Charean Williams on Israel Abanikanda: Williams 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/1b1ecc54-8c96-4764-b595-85a9f5f0cd76 (scored 0) - Randy Gurzi on Nick Leverett: Gurzi 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/ebf23c0a-eb4e-4f33-b3ca-7e803d57a457 (scored 0) - Nathan Jahnke on Brashard Smith: An 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/47566b48-8024-4960-b25c-11c03fe43543 (scored 0) ## More trade and signing calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Bryan DeArdo on Darius Slayton: A 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/3f1834cd-6520-4f07-9efc-4060a6b5cb1c (scored 100) - Noah Strackbein on Darius Slayton: Strackbein 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c6348972-c1bf-48f1-ba03-d5c2ef44561a (scored 100) - Patricia Traina on Darius Slayton: Traina 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/970d968f-3133-436c-a8a6-114412a9f178 (scored 100) - Devon Platana on Johnny Hekker: With 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/eafcb668-aa60-42b1-8d77-ebdd33d0c2af (scored 100) - Greg Auman on Will Levis: Auman predicts that Will Levis, released by Tennessee, will almost certainly be claimed on waivers by another team. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/55b7732a-4131-430b-adbf-a33c60c47dc0 (scored 100) - John Maakaron on Joe Bachie: Maakaron 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/6cc7cac4-1a70-4e0a-a762-8c280319c3af (scored 100) --- 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=erik-engle