Nick Faria· Aug 15, 2026
After the Jets' preseason opener, Faria argued Bailey Zappe pitched himself off the roster entirely and that fourth-round receiver Arian Smith could be cut after one season, while praising Bamba, Klubnik and the backup offensive line without firm roster predictions.
“Things don't look good for Zappe to make the 53-man roster, or even find a home on the practice squad.”
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.
- Roster Spot CallsArian SmithAug 15, 2026
Arian Smith to make the roster
“Most fourth-round picks don't usually get cut after just a single year on the team in the following camp. Arian Smith may be the exception.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsBailey ZappeNew York JetsAug 15, 2026
Bailey Zappe to make the roster
“Things don't look good for Zappe to make the 53-man roster, or even find a home on the practice squad.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Bradley LockerTrade and Signing Calls · Mazi SmithHit · 100Locker lists 10 players on the roster bubble entering 2026, suggesting Tyrone Tracy may not make the Giants' 53, Broderick Jones could be traded or cut by Pittsburgh, Dillon Gabriel may lose the Browns' QB3 job, Evan Neal's Giants tenure may end, and Will Levis will likely be traded or cut by Tennessee.
- Kevin WildesGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsMiss · 0Wildes made the Jets beating the Packers his upset alert pick, arguing Green Bay's road losing streak and Jordan Love's recent interceptions will catch up with them.
- Rich EisenGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsMiss · 0Eisen picked Josh Allen to lead the NFL in total touchdowns over any QB-WR or QB-RB combo, flipped from the Lions to the Bears as NFC North winner, and made several Week 2 game calls, including the Patriots at home, the Jets over Green Bay, and both LA teams winning. He also picked a Jaguars-Broncos AFC title game.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsMiss · 0A CBS Sports column flags five Week 2 favorites on upset alert, effectively backing the underdogs — Lions at Bills, Bengals at Texans, Jets over Packers, Jaguars at Broncos and Saints at Ravens — to pull off wins.
- Gregg RosenthalTrade and Signing Calls · Breece HallMiss · 0Rosenthal calls the Chiefs the No. 1 favorite and says they are going to the Super Bowl. He also expects several players to be moved before the trade deadline, most confidently David Njoku, and views Riq Woolen and Breece Hall as likely trade pieces.
- Chris RoseTrade and Signing Calls · Carlton Davis IIIMiss · 0Hosting a mock free-agency draft, Rose predicted destinations for Nick Bolton, Carlton Davis, Russell Wilson, Malcolm Koonce, Stefon Diggs, Byron Murphy, Chase Young and Jacoby Brissett, plus Justin Fields returning to Pittsburgh, Ronnie Stanley leaving Baltimore, and the Browns trading up to No. 1 to take Cam Ward.
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.