Bryan DeArdo· Aug 26, 2026
An unsigned CBS Sports piece lists veterans it expects could be traded before the 53-man roster deadline, including quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (with Buffalo floated as a landing spot), J.J. McCarthy and Will Howard, plus Jerry Jeudy, Joey Porter Jr., Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, Josh Sweat, Kristian Fulton and Marist Liufau. It also says Mason Rudolph's and Drew Allar's roster spots in Pittsburgh are secure.
“Below is a rundown of the possible NFL veterans who might be traded before Sunday's deadline.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
14 checkable claims — 11 trade and signing calls, 2 roster spot calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 21 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
2 of 14 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
J.J. McCarthy · 2026 season3 calls from 3 pundits between 2 and 3. Bryan DeArdo said 2. the room's median is 2. 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
- Drew Allar
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Mason Rudolph
- Joey Porter Jr.
- Cedric Tillman
- Cleveland Browns
- J.J. McCarthy
- Minnesota Vikings
- Will Howard
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- New York Giants
- Anthony Richardson
- Buffalo Bills
- Kristian Fulton
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Jerry Jeudy
- Josh Sweat
- Arizona Cardinals
- Marist Liufau
- Dallas Cowboys
- Kayvon Thibodeaux
14 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 CallsDrew AllarPittsburgh SteelersAug 26, 2026
Drew Allar to make the roster
“Rookie Drew Allar hasn't thoroughly outplayed Howard, but he's nonetheless done enough to seal his spot on the 53-man roster.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- 28661499-3584-40c1-a5fa-6412e400b9bb
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- 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:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Mason Rudolph to make the roster
“it appears -- based on McCarthy's recent comments --- that his spot on Pittsburgh's 53-man roster is secure.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- 95086f7a-4c26-43ed-9390-e057d8f9bf29
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- 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:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Joey Porter Jr. to move to Pittsburgh Steelers
“Khan could do so now with Porter if a team is willing to give the Steelers some considerable capital in exchange for one of the NFL's top young cornerbacks.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Cedric Tillman to move to Cleveland Browns
“Jeudy and veteran Browns receiver Cedric Tillman are potential trade options given the young depth Cleveland has developed at receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
J.J. McCarthy to move to Minnesota Vikings
“McCarthy's overall potential might be enough to compel a team to make an offer to the Vikings for his services, more than likely as a backup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Will Howard to move to Pittsburgh Steelers
“That's why, if the Steelers don't see Howard in their long-term plans, they may consider trading him while essentially guaranteeing him a chance to be on another team's active roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. to move to New York Giants
“his success in the NFL so far would likely lead to multiple teams giving the Giants some considerable return in exchange for him.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Anthony Richardson to move to Buffalo Bills
“Richardson could be a good addition for a team that needs to strengthen its quarterback depth. The Bills could be a potential trade option, where Richardson would get to play behind and learn from former league MVP Josh Allen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kristian Fulton to move to Kansas City Chiefs
“At this point, Fulton appears to be more of a cut than trade candidate.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jerry Jeudy to move to Cleveland Browns
“Jeudy and veteran Browns receiver Cedric Tillman are potential trade options given the young depth Cleveland has developed at receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJ.J. McCarthyMinnesota VikingsAug 26, 2026
J.J. McCarthy to be 2nd on the depth chart
“McCarthy is slated to enter his third NFL season as a backup after losing his position battle with Kyler Murray.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josh Sweat to move to Arizona Cardinals
“rest assured that there would be a large market for Sweat if the Cardinals decided to put him on the market.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Marist Liufau to move to Dallas Cowboys
“With Miller now in tow, the Cowboys may now be inclined to trade Liufau to a team that would use him at his natural position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kayvon Thibodeaux to move to New York Giants
“It may also help compel a team to make a run at acquiring him before Week 1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to open the season as Minnesota's starting quarterback and to be one of the better quarterback values in 2026 fantasy drafts, and he likewise likes Tyler Shough as New Orleans' entrenched starter with an easy schedule.
- Paul KerenDepth Chart Calls · Teven JenkinsMiss · 0Keren says Teven Jenkins still projects as Cleveland's Week 1 starting right guard despite a push from KT Leveston, and that Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams will be the Browns' lead linebackers.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- Seth WalderTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Walder proposes five trades he believes should happen before Week 1 of the 2026 season: Jessie Bates III to the 49ers, Kayvon Thibodeaux to the Patriots, Keon Coleman to the Colts, Walker Little to the Cardinals, and Kayshon Boutte to the Commanders, where he says Boutte would immediately be Washington's No. 2 receiver.
- Garrett PodellTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports report frames Stefon Diggs as filling Washington's vacant No. 2 receiver role opposite Terry McLaurin after his reported one-year deal, expecting him in that spot in the 2026 passing game with Jayden Daniels.