Jordan Dajani· Aug 25, 2026
Co-authored CBS Sports' offseason roster rankings, ordering NFL teams from No. 32 through No. 17 based on projected starting lineups, plus various depth-chart and outlook claims about those rosters.
“Below, CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani and Tyler Sullivan examined every team's roster and attempted to rank the starting lineups around the league.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
29 checkable claims — 25 depth chart calls, 1 player season number, 1 positional finishe, 1 power ranking and 1 sleeper call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 41 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 22 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
Deshaun Watson · 2026 season5 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 1. Jordan Dajani 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Malik Willis
- Miami Dolphins
- Deshaun Watson
- Cleveland Browns
- Jauan Jennings
- Minnesota Vikings
- Zion Johnson
- Brian Robinson
- Atlanta Falcons
- Tyler Warren
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jordan Addison
- Jacoby Brissett
- Arizona Cardinals
- Jakobe Thomas
- Jay Ward
- Elgton Jenkins
- C.J. Allen
- Tytus Howard
- Brandon Coleman
- Washington Commanders
- Garrett Wilson
- New York Jets
- Austin Schlottmann
- Tennessee Titans
- Monroe Freeling
- Carolina Panthers
- Luke Fortner
- Rasheed Walker
- Spencer Fano
- Zyon McCollum
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Josh Metellus
- Fernando Carmona
- Teven Jenkins
- Benjamin Morrison
- Brock Bowers
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Cole Kmet
- Chicago Bears
- Akeem Davis-Gaither
29 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.
- Depth Chart CallsMalik WillisMiami DolphinsAug 25, 2026
Malik Willis to be 1st on the depth chart
“Malik Willis is going to get his opportunity to prove he's a franchise quarterback.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDeshaun WatsonCleveland BrownsAug 25, 2026
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Watson is the starter, for now.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJauan JenningsMinnesota VikingsAug 25, 2026
Jauan Jennings to be 3rd on the depth chart
“The Vikings also have one of the best "No. 3s" in the NFL with Jauan Jennings.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsZion JohnsonCleveland BrownsAug 25, 2026
Zion Johnson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Zion Johnson at left guard”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsBrian RobinsonAtlanta FalconsAug 25, 2026
Brian Robinson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Robinson has been a starter in the past but will now take on the role of Allgeier's primary backup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyler Warren to record ? receiving yards
“Tight end Tyler Warren is going to play a big role in the passing game”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
- Depth Chart CallsJordan AddisonMinnesota VikingsAug 25, 2026
Jordan Addison to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Jordan Addison is a great No. 2”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jacoby Brissett to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jacoby Brissett will likely start after the franchise officially moved off of Kyler Murray.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJakobe ThomasMinnesota VikingsAug 25, 2026
Jakobe Thomas to outplay his draft cost
“Then there's third-round pick Jakobe Thomas out of Miami, who I think could be a legitimate sleeper.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJay WardMinnesota VikingsAug 25, 2026
Jay Ward to be 1st on the depth chart
“Joshua Metellus and Jay Ward are slated to be the starters at safety.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsElgton JenkinsCleveland BrownsAug 25, 2026
Elgton Jenkins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Elgton Jenkins at center”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsC.J. AllenIndianapolis ColtsAug 25, 2026
C.J. Allen to be 1st on the depth chart
“the Colts are relying on second-round pick CJ Allen to replace him at linebacker”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTytus HowardCleveland BrownsAug 25, 2026
Tytus Howard to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tytus Howard at right tackle”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brandon Coleman to be 1st on the depth chart
“former left tackle Brandon Coleman gets the first crack to replace him”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsGarrett WilsonNew York JetsAug 25, 2026
Garrett Wilson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Garrett Wilson remains the top option and one of the more skilled players at the position in the league”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Austin Schlottmann to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Titans signed Austin Schlottmann to take over at center”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Monroe Freeling to be 1st on the depth chart
“first-round pick Monroe Freeling replaces Taylor Moton on the right side”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsLuke FortnerCarolina PanthersAug 25, 2026
Luke Fortner to be 1st on the depth chart
“Carolina also has a new center in Luke Fortner, who takes over for Cade Mays.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRasheed WalkerCarolina PanthersAug 25, 2026
Rasheed Walker to be 1st on the depth chart
“Free-agent addition Rasheed Walker will fill in for Ickey Ekwonu at left tackle”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsSpencer FanoCleveland BrownsAug 25, 2026
Spencer Fano to be 1st on the depth chart
“First-round pick Spencer Fano is expected to start at left tackle”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Zyon McCollum to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Bucs are slated to start Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morison at outside corner in 2026”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJosh MetellusMinnesota VikingsAug 25, 2026
Josh Metellus to be 1st on the depth chart
“Joshua Metellus and Jay Ward are slated to be the starters at safety.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Carmona to be 1st on the depth chart
“fifth-round pick Fernando Carmona is the frontrunner to start at right guard”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTeven JenkinsCleveland BrownsAug 25, 2026
Teven Jenkins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Teven Jenkins at right guard”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsAug 25, 2026
“Here are their first rankings, from No. 32 to No. 17. 32. Miami Dolphins ... 17. Chicago Bears”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Benjamin Morrison to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Bucs are slated to start Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morison at outside corner in 2026”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesBrock BowersLas Vegas RaidersAug 25, 2026
Brock Bowers to finish top 1 at his position, by receiving yards
“the versatile weapon will likely lead the Las Vegas Raiders in receiving this year if he can stay healthy”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCole KmetChicago BearsAug 25, 2026
Cole Kmet to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Meanwhile, backup Cole Kmet is no slouch and has a 73-catch season on his résumé.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Akeem Davis-Gaither to be 1st on the depth chart
“His running mate figures to be Akeem Davis-Gaither”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.
- Jared DubinDepth Chart Calls · Daniel FaaleleMiss · 0Dubin grades the Faalele trade, predicting Faalele has a decent chance to be Jacksonville's Week 1 starting right guard in competition with Wyatt Milum, and that Evan Neal's odds of making the Giants' 53-man roster improved while Jon Runyan and Francis Mauigoa hold the Giants' starting guard jobs.
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Michael CarterMiss · 0Kerr says several Eagles have raised their stock in camp: Darius Cooper is emerging as the team's WR4, Drew Kendall is the No. 3 interior lineman/top backup at guard and center, Willie Lampkin is in prime position to make the 53-man roster, and Michael Carter is a roster lock who could start at safety in Week 1.
- John ShipleyDepth Chart Calls · Patrick MekariMiss · 0Shipley projects second-year cornerback Jabbar Muhammad to make the Jaguars' 53-man roster and describes him as the team's clear No. 5 cornerback, a role that would earn him a game-day jersey. He also identifies Patrick Mekari, Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland as projected Week 1 offensive line starters.
- Michael HanichDepth Chart Calls · Bud ClarkMiss · 0Hanich suggests Nick Emmanwori may miss Week 1 after ankle surgery, and that Noah Igbinoghene is making a strong case to be the Seahawks' Week 1 starting nickel, with Bud Clark also possibly stepping into a starting role if Emmanwori is out.