Brandon Carney· Aug 19, 2026
Carney ran through preseason takeaways and injury news before a mock draft, calling out a batch of rookies and veterans he's targeting or avoiding in fantasy drafts, and staking out several depth-chart calls (Jeremiah Love as Arizona's workhorse, David Montgomery getting the bulk of carries, Juwan Johnson as a borderline top-10 tight end).
“To me, it's really about Olave being a really elite high end receiver draft pick and Juwan Johnson being, like, borderline top 10 tight end to me now.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Bran Coverage with BenchwarmerBran (podcast) · read the original →
23 checkable claims — 10 depth chart calls, 8 fantasy bust calls, 4 sleeper calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 28 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 5 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 4.
Where this call stands in the room
Caleb Douglas · 2026 season11 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 2. Brandon Carney 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
- De'Zhaun Stribling
- K.C. Concepcion
- Cleveland Browns
- J.K. Dobbins
- Harold Fannin Jr.
- Chris Olave
- Jeremiyah Love
- Arizona Cardinals
- Malik Washington
- Miami Dolphins
- Christian McCaffrey
- Jordyn Tyson
- Denzel Boston
- Alec Pierce
- Indianapolis Colts
- Tetairoa McMillan
- Carolina Panthers
- Juwan Johnson
- Cyrus Allen
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Oronde Gadsden II
- Josh Downs
- David Montgomery
- Tyler Allgeier
- Caleb Douglas
- DJ Moore
- Emeka Egbuka
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
23 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 CallsAug 19, 2026
Devon Velay to be 2nd on the depth chart
“So Devon Velay is gonna be the wide receiver too.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDe'Zhaun StriblingAug 19, 2026
De'Zhaun Stribling to outplay his draft cost
“I'm very in on Dejean Strain. It's worth the middle of late sick where he's going... that's gonna be well worth it considering his role in my opinion.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsK.C. ConcepcionCleveland BrownsAug 19, 2026
K.C. Concepcion to outplay his draft cost
“if I had to pick between Concepcion and Denzel Boston, I'm probably taking Concepcion. But, honestly, take a shot on either one”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJ.K. DobbinsAug 19, 2026
J.K. Dobbins to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think JK Dobbins is gonna open the season with a lot of carries.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Harold Fannin Jr. to fall short of his draft cost (tight end eight)
“Pretty out on Fannin. Given where he's going... Sleepers got him down at tight end eight”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChris OlaveAug 19, 2026
Chris Olave to outplay his draft cost (second round pick)
“Chris Olave becomes a great second round pick to me... now the targets are gonna be even more funneled through him in a really good offense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJeremiyah LoveArizona CardinalsAug 19, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to be 1st on the depth chart
“He was the absolute workhorse for this team with the starters in this preseason game... know confidently that he's gonna be the guy there in Arizona”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMalik WashingtonMiami DolphinsAug 19, 2026
Malik Washington to be 1st on the depth chart
“Caleb Douglas, clear starter with Malik Washington... Washington's gonna be a starter.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsChristian McCaffreyAug 19, 2026
Christian McCaffrey to fall short of his draft cost (at six)
“I'm not taking Christian McCaffrey at six. No. I'm not taking him at five.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJordyn TysonArizona CardinalsAug 19, 2026
Jordyn Tyson to fall short of his draft cost
“I'm pretty much counting out Jordan Tyson for this season... I don't think he's worth a redraft pick.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDenzel BostonCleveland BrownsAug 19, 2026
Denzel Boston to be 1st on the depth chart
“Denzel Boston, we've already established as a starter for the Browns.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsAlec PierceIndianapolis ColtsAug 19, 2026
Alec Pierce to fall short of his draft cost (at ADP)
“I'm not taking Alec Pierce under almost any circumstances at at ADP. Not in a redraft league, certainly.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tetairoa McMillan to fall short of his draft cost
“Darren Waller signing with the Panthers... doesn't not move the needle for me for Tet knocking him down like a spot or two... I was out on Ted anyway”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesJuwan JohnsonAug 19, 2026
Juwan Johnson to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points
“Jawan Johnson being, like, borderline top 10 tight end to me now”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsCyrus AllenKansas City ChiefsAug 19, 2026
Cyrus Allen to outplay his draft cost (last round pick)
“Cyrus Allen is just, like, the most fun last round pick you can make... If there's anybody that has a remote chance of being as impactful as, like, a Puka Nacua his rookie year... it's Cyrus Allen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsOronde Gadsden IIAug 19, 2026
Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost
“Pat Ronde Gadsden is looking more and more like a completely un rosterable player... it looks like he is not worth at this juncture a pick for your fantasy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJosh DownsIndianapolis ColtsAug 19, 2026
Josh Downs to fall short of his draft cost
“this tells me that Josh Downs is just not happening, just ever... this dampens his outlook enough to where I'm probably just going another direction at that point in the draft.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDavid MontgomeryAug 19, 2026
David Montgomery to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think David Montgomery is gonna get the lion's share of carries.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTyler AllgeierArizona CardinalsAug 19, 2026
Tyler Allgeier to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Tyler Allgeier just absolute clear backup and very much best case scenario from a workload perspective from Jeremiah Love.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCaleb DouglasMiami DolphinsAug 19, 2026
Caleb Douglas to be 1st on the depth chart
“Caleb Douglas, clear starter with Malik Washington, funny enough, with the Dolphins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDJ MooreAug 19, 2026
DJ Moore to be 1st on the depth chart
“that's a new number one receiver for Josh Allen”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsEmeka EgbukaAug 19, 2026
Emeka Egbuka to fall short of his draft cost
“Emeka Abuka, turf toe, add some uncertainty to his profile. I'm not touching him with a 10 foot pull.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJacory Croskey-MerrittAug 19, 2026
Jacory Croskey-Merritt to be 1st on the depth chart
“He's gonna be their starter... I think Jakori Kroskey Merritt, good old Bill is gonna have a big workload... he is seemingly the early down back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- 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.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a large number of depth-chart, role and fantasy-value calls across the league, including Chig Okonkwo as a top sleeper tight end, Tre Tucker as the Raiders' top receiver, and various backfield hierarchies.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's fantasy football preseason recap projects depth-chart outcomes, roster spots and fantasy value for numerous players across several preseason games, including Chig Okonkwo's expanded role in Washington, Ja'Kobi Lane as Baltimore's WR3, Malachi Fields winning the Giants' starting X job, and Zachariah Branch being a fantasy bust relative to his late-round cost.
- 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.
- Noah ComptonDepth Chart Calls · C.J. AllenMiss · 0After watching the Colts' eleventh training camp practice, Compton says rookie linebacker CJ Allen is still expected to start the regular-season opener, identifies Alec Pierce as the team's top receiver and Cam Taylor-Britt as the first cornerback behind the starting trio, and declares the kicking job Blake Grupe's to lose.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.