Thomas Martinez· Sep 27, 2026
Martinez projects the Chargers' starting lineups on offense and defense for their Week 3 game at Buffalo, with injuries forcing several changes — Oronde Gadsden II at tight end, Trevor Penning at left guard, Jamaree Caldwell at defensive tackle and RJ Mickens at safety — while expecting Ladd McConkey to play and Marquez Valdez-Scantling to debut.
“Trevor Penning who served as the swing guard in week two, will make his debut in 2026 as a starter and assume the left guard role.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
26 checkable claims — 23 depth chart calls, 2 availability calls and 1 roster spot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 26 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 26 have settled so far, averaging 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 12 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Jake Slaughter · 2026 season18 calls from 16 pundits between 1 and 2. Thomas Martinez 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Patrick Herbert
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Omarion Hampton
- Alec Ingold
- Oronde Gadsden II
- Hayden Rucci
- Ladd McConkey
- Quentin Johnston
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Rashawn Slater
- Trevor Penning
- Jake Slaughter
- Cole Strange
- Jamaree Caldwell
- Daiyan Henley
- Del'Shawn Phillips
- R.J. Mickens
- Joe Alt
- Khalil Mack
- Tuli Tuipulotu
- Teair Tart
- Derwin James
- Tony Jefferson
- Tarheeb Still
- Justin Herbert
- Cam Hart
26 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.
Patrick Herbert to make the roster
“with Patrick Herbert set to be elevated and active from the practice squad”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-189 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- LAC
- skill:
- -189
- player:
- Patrick Herbert
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 1.89
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 16
- first week on the53:
- 3
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 2
Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart
“Running back: Omarion Hampton”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAlec IngoldLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Alec Ingold to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fullback: Alec Ingold”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Oronde Gadsden II to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tight end: Oronde Gadsden II ... Oronde Gadsden will assume starting duties”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Hayden Rucci to be 2nd on the depth chart
“recently signed newcomer Hayden Rucci will be the backup”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ladd McConkey to be 1st on the depth chart
“Wide receiver: Ladd McConkey”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“Wide receiver Ladd McConkey will have to monitor his ribs but he practiced in full all week and should be good to go (Week 3 vs Bills)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quentin Johnston to be 1st on the depth chart
“Wide receiver: Quentin Johnston”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“Wide receiver Brenen Thompson is out for this game and should make way for the debut for veteran journeyman wide receiver Marquez Valdez-Scantling. (Week 3 at Buffalo)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rashawn Slater to be 1st on the depth chart
“Left tackle: Rashawn Slater”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trevor Penning to be 1st on the depth chart
“Trevor Penning who served as the swing guard in week two, will make his debut in 2026 as a starter and assume the left guard role.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jake Slaughter to be 1st on the depth chart
“Center: Jake Slaughter (R)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Cole Strange to be 1st on the depth chart
“Right guard: Cole Strange”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jamaree Caldwell to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jamaree Caldwell will get extra reps this week as the starter opposite of Teair Tart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Daiyan Henley to be 1st on the depth chart
“Linebacker: Daiyan Henley”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Del'Shawn Phillips to be 1st on the depth chart
“Linebacker: Del'Shawn Phillips”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
R.J. Mickens to be 1st on the depth chart
“Last week, RJ Mickens got the start opposite Tony Jefferson ... and that should continue.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJoe AltLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Joe Alt to be 1st on the depth chart
“Right tackle: Joe Alt”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKhalil MackLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Khalil Mack to be 1st on the depth chart
“Edge rusher: Khalil Mack”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tuli Tuipulotu to be 1st on the depth chart
“Edge rusher: Tuli Tuipulotu/ Akheem Mesidor”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTeair TartLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Teair Tart to be 1st on the depth chart
“Defensive tackle: Teair Tart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Derwin James to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nickelback: Derwin James Jr”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tony Jefferson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Safety: Tony Jefferson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tarheeb Still to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cornerback: Tarheeb Still”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Justin Herbert to be 1st on the depth chart
“Quarterback: Justin Herbert”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCam HartLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Cam Hart to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cornerback: Cam Hart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Carter BahnsRoster Spot Calls · Trevor PenningMiss · 0A CBS Sports piece names 20 notable veterans it considers at risk of being cut before the 53-man roster deadline, with several pegged for the practice squad or outright release, and also sketches a few depth-chart pecking orders (Titans QBs, Panthers tight ends, Texans receivers, Eagles backfield).
- Daniel WadeRoster Spot Calls · Derius DavisHit · 100Wade expects tight end Charlie Kohler (Kolar) to easily double his career reception total of 10 in the Chargers' offense, and believes wide receiver Darius Davis is essentially assured of a roster spot while KOS has played his way into being un-releasable.
- Chris RolingRoster Spot Calls · Brenen ThompsonHit · 100After the Chargers' preseason opener, Roling projects Kayode Awosika as the Week 1 starting left guard with rookie Jake Slaughter backing him up and Branson Taylor as the backup swing tackle, expects Derius Davis to hold the return job, sees Brenen Thompson as a roster lock, and pegs Amar Johnson as the leader for the fourth running back spot behind Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal.
- Nate GosneyRoster Spot Calls · Kendall WilliamsonHit · 100Gosney expects Kendall Williamson to remain with the Chargers in some capacity in 2026 — either on the 53-man roster or elsewhere on the team — despite the drafting of Genesis Smith making a roster spot harder to win.
- Shanna McCarristonRoster Spot Calls · Deane LeonardHit · 100A CBS Sports Week 1 preseason preview notes expectations that four Chargers cornerbacks will make the roster and that Raiders veteran Kirk Cousins will open the season as the starting quarterback ahead of No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
- David DroegemeierRoster Spot Calls · Trey PipkinsHit · 100Drogemeyer buys Omarion Hampton as a top-five rusher and the Chargers having one of the league's best running games, predicts Brennan Thompson will score five touchdowns with three going 40-plus yards, and sells the idea that Trey Pipkins gets cut or that the Chargers sign Zeitler or Bitonio before camp.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.