John McMullen· Aug 15, 2026
Previewing the Eagles' 2026 preseason opener, McMullen endorses the view that Hollywood Brown's $5 million in guarantees will keep him on the roster despite being outplayed in camp, and says Philadelphia will likely have to reserve a roster spot for international prospect Uar Bernard.
“The conventional wisdom is that $5 million in guarantees will keep Brown safe, and that's probably true.”
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.
1 of 2 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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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.
Marquise Brown to make the roster
“The conventional wisdom is that $5 million in guarantees will keep Brown safe, and that's probably true.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PHI
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- e73cc2aa-7ef7-4d2b-8d0c-691519105b8f
- 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
- Roster Spot CallsUar BernardPhiladelphia EaglesAug 15, 2026
Uar Bernard to make the roster
“Complicating matters even further is that the Eagles will also likely have to save a spot on the roster for multiyear international prospect Uar Bernard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Sullivan takes the Jaguars to beat the Browns, doubting Deshaun Watson, and takes the Eagles over the Commanders at home.
- Gregg RosenthalGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Rosenthal picked the Texans to reach the Super Bowl, the Eagles to win the NFC East and to beat Washington in Week 1, and the Dolphins to end up with the No. 1 pick in the 2027 draft.
- Vani HanamirianScore Predictions · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 88The show's producer takes the optimistic side at 12-5 for the Eagles and predicts a low-scoring 17-10 week one win over Washington.
- Dave UramScore Predictions · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 98The station's Bulldog reporter leans to 10 wins rather than 12 for the Eagles, expects them to start 2-0 by beating Washington and Tennessee, and predicts a 21-20 Eagles win in the opener.
- Dan "Buzz" WilsonScore Predictions · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 88The host (called Dan by his guest) predicts the Eagles go 12-5, make the playoffs with a likely divisional-round exit, and beat Washington 24-17 in the week one opener; he also guesses Andy Dalton is the backup QB.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jack KiserMiss · 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.
- Cody RourkeRoster Spot Calls · Mitchell FraboniMiss · 0Rourke names the Ravens as the bounce-back team most likely to be dangerous in the AFC again, and says Houston's defense alone should carry the Texans into the postseason. He also expects long snapper Mitchell Fraboni to be one of Denver's practice-squad elevations for the Chiefs game, and slots Pat Bryant as Denver's third receiver behind Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle.
- Sayre BedingerRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeMiss · 0Benninger expects Houston's elite defense to make them either a division winner or a wild card team, thinks Marvin Mims was trending toward being Denver's fourth receiver rather than just the return man, and figures Adam Prentice will be the Broncos' other practice-squad call-up.
- Bob MorrisRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeHit · 100Morris predicts Jarrett Stidham holds the backup QB job behind Bo Nix, Adam Prentice makes the 53-man roster as the fullback/fourth back, and Lucas Krull gets cut.
- Erick TrickelRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeHit · 100After the Broncos' preseason opener, Trickel argued fullback Adam Prentice has shown enough value to earn a spot on the 53-man roster ahead of the team's fourth running back options (Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, Cody Schrader).
- Nick ShookRoster Spot Calls · Aaron DonaldHit · 100Shook unveiled his first NFL power rankings of the year, putting the Rams first, the Broncos second and the defending champion Seahawks only third, with the Dolphins last.