Ralph Vacchiano· Aug 17, 2026
Vacchiano expects veteran Mason Rudolph to serve as Aaron Rodgers' backup in Pittsburgh rather than rookie Drew Allar. On the Giants, he lays out a receiver depth chart with Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields holding the top three spots, and Darius Slayton and Calvin Austin also likely to stick.
“He's not even likely to be Rodgers' backup, an honor that probably will go to veteran Mason Rudolph.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
6 checkable claims — 4 depth chart calls and 2 roster spot calls — 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.
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
Malik Nabers · 2026 season8 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 1. Ralph Vacchiano 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.
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Who this take is about
6 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.
Calvin Austin III to make the roster
“And Darius Slayton and Calvin Austin seem likely to be two more.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDarnell MooneyNew York GiantsAug 17, 2026
Darnell Mooney to be 2nd on the depth chart
“the top three spots are likely going to him, Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMalachi FieldsNew York GiantsAug 17, 2026
Malachi Fields to be 3rd on the depth chart
“the top three spots are likely going to him, Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mason Rudolph to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He's not even likely to be Rodgers' backup, an honor that probably will go to veteran Mason Rudolph.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDarius SlaytonNew York GiantsAug 17, 2026
Darius Slayton to make the roster
“And Darius Slayton and Calvin Austin seem likely to be two more.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMalik NabersNew York GiantsAug 17, 2026
Malik Nabers to be 1st on the depth chart
“Assuming Malik Nabers is healthy, the top three spots are likely going to him, Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Jason McIntyreTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre argued the 49ers' window is closed amid a brutal injury list and record travel, floated a Bijan Robinson trade to the Bears, predicted the Lions can win the NFC North, doubted Atlanta is even a playoff team, said Baker Mayfield's Tampa run ends after this season, and delivered a top-10 quarterback ranking.
- Evan SilvaFantasy Defense Calls · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100In his 2020 fantasy defense/special teams rankings, Silva puts the Steelers first, the 49ers second and the Ravens third, citing pass rush, favorable early schedules and game scripts.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Chad Millman said he had taken money-line positions on several Week 1 underdogs — the Texans outright over the Bills, the Giants outright over Dallas (in a money-line underdog parlay), and Miami outright at Las Vegas — and that the show's survivor pick was the Steelers to win.
- Jordan DajaniGame Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Dajani expects the Steelers to comfortably beat the Falcons in Week 1, arguing Atlanta's quarterback situation under Tua Tagovailoa is a mess; he also picks the Vikings to beat the Packers in a low-scoring game.
- Simon HunterGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Hunter picked Houston and the Giants as underdog money line plays, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit as favorites, and used Pittsburgh plus the Chargers as his survivor picks for week one.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Millman backed several week one sides outright: Miami to beat the Raiders straight up, the Jets over the Titans, an underdog money line parlay of Houston and the Giants, and a favorites money line parlay of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit. He also stands by his preseason take that Drake Maye is a top-five NFL quarterback.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
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