Jeff Cavanaugh· Aug 25, 2026

Building his projected Cowboys 53-man roster on defense, Jeff keeps five interior linemen (Kenny Clark, Quentin, Tito Obonia, LT Overton, Bullard), six edge rushers including Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence and Marist Liufau while cutting Sam Williams, four linebackers with Jayshawn Barham starting, six corners including rookie Devin Moore, and four safeties including Marquise Bell.

“So Marquise Bell is making your football team.”

said on air, transcribed by us · DLLS Dallas Cowboys (podcast) · read the original →

29 checkable claims — 22 roster spot calls and 7 depth chart calls — 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.

15 of 29 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 80 for a naive guess at the same calls.

Of the 4 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

Caleb Downs · 2026 season

Jeff Cavanaugh — 1the room — 5 calls from 4 punditsmedian 1

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 →

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.

Roster Spot Calls Malik Hooker Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Malik Hooker to make the roster
“So it's safety, Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker. Bang and bang.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
14928e41-8b38-4547-b896-39483b6cac45
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Quinnen Williams Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Quinnen Williams to make the roster
“Put Quentin at the left. ... I got Quinton making the team.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
050e35b4-e30f-4881-91b5-5b14ad7be359
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Donovan Ezeiruaku Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Donovan Ezeiruaku to make the roster
“Put Esaraku and Gary, they can go as numbers one and two.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
c45c13d4-5bc1-44be-8970-d91469ec0af6
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Rashan Gary Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Rashan Gary to make the roster
“Put Esaraku and Gary, they can go as numbers one and two.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
c2d59ff4-c26c-48d2-8a97-597d3706d995
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls L.T. Overton Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
L.T. Overton to make the roster
“Let's just be honest. We know Overton's gonna be here. ... I just wanted to give him some notes as he makes the team.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
200
player:
a3240979-b563-47a6-b89b-39b9a1886e40
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Jalen Thompson Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Jalen Thompson to make the roster
“So it's safety, Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker. Bang and bang.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
6b43ed57-49ae-44fb-941f-86d4f9b4287e
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Kenny Clark Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Kenny Clark to make the roster
“I got Quinton making the team. I got Kenny making the team.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
0be28fa6-c343-457d-9915-5b75d3d53284
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls DeMarvion Overshown Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
DeMarvion Overshown to make the roster
“Overshone and Barham is what I say are the first two moving over there.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
b84c305c-26f7-45a9-a74d-40876b7b43c4
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Otito Ogbonnia Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Otito Ogbonnia to make the roster
“But Tito goes to the top. Put Tito Obonia as the right defensive end”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
faa5358c-d8ff-4215-b77c-ed103378eb7f
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Malachi Lawrence Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Malachi Lawrence to make the roster
“Malachi Lawrence gonna be in there.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
200
player:
3189c699-2438-46f4-b9d7-fd0ff5e6970c
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls P.J. Locke Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
P.J. Locke to make the roster
“So PJ Locke is in.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
f4db01e3-2294-4808-be04-bcd52e94e053
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Jaishawn Barham Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Jaishawn Barham to make the roster
“Overshone and Barham is what I say are the first two moving over there.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
200
player:
440a48dd-939f-465a-b3a9-c8f9d69b884b
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Shemar James Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Shemar James to make the roster
“Shamar James on the team. Shamar James on the team.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
45bd0790-026d-4fd8-9670-654eae9b4f39
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Markquese Bell Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Markquese Bell to make the roster
“So Marquise Bell is making your football team.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
299bb1ea-6b53-4d81-9e1e-fa95b5de8990
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Von Miller Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Von Miller to make the roster
“congratulations to Von Miller on making the football team”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
8ef021ee-ab78-4199-843d-d374a84aacd5
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
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Marist Liufau Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Marist Liufau to make the roster
“I'm gonna say Leofell makes it as a special teamer. I believe I'm with you.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Tommy Dunn Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Tommy Dunn to make the roster
“target for the practice squad, most likely. I would imagine so.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Tyler Baron Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Tyler Baron to make the roster
“And and we're gonna put my man back on the credit squad. Baron?”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Depth Chart Calls Devin Moore Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Devin Moore to be 5th on the depth chart
“So I think Devin Moore's quarterback five.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Depth Chart Calls DaRon Bland Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
DaRon Bland to be 1st on the depth chart
“My starters, Kobe Durant and Deron Bland. ... Put Bland and Rebel.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Depth Chart Calls Javon Bullard Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Javon Bullard to be 5th on the depth chart
“the fact that he is a proven veteran NFL defensive lineman to me does make him number five in this group”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Depth Chart Calls Shavon Revel Jr.Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Shavon Revel Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think Rebel's gonna start in front of, Durant.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Depth Chart Calls Caleb Downs Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Caleb Downs to be 1st on the depth chart
“And we know downs are gonna be the slot.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Devin Moore Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Devin Moore to make the roster
“Devin Moore is gonna make the football team, and this is coming from somebody who really likes Devin Moore as a draft prospect.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Depth Chart Calls L.T. Overton Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
L.T. Overton to be 2nd on the depth chart
“You could put him, r d e two. You can put him r d e two if you want to.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Depth Chart Calls Jaishawn Barham Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Jaishawn Barham to be 1st on the depth chart
“Starting linebacker, Jayshawn Barham.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Sam Williams Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Sam Williams to make the roster
“And, Sam, make sure you do the speed limit as you get up out of here, my boy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Javon Bullard Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Javon Bullard to make the roster
“So if they play a roster game with Bullard ... if you're gonna have him hurt, he has to make it first. ... Put Bullard in as the left defensive end.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Roster Spot Calls Curtis Robinson Dallas CowboysAug 25, 2026
Curtis Robinson to make the roster
“the Curtis Robinson can go and, Robert Pattinson or whatever”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

What others said about the same people

Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100
Moraitis 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.
Garrett PodellScore Predictions · Dallas CowboysMiss · 36
Previewing the Week 1 'Sunday Night Football' game, the piece picks Dallas to beat New York comfortably, arguing Prescott, Lamb and Pickens will exploit the Giants' cornerbacks while the Cowboys' defense contains Jaxson Dart.
Chris BroussardScore Predictions · Dallas CowboysMiss · 29
Broussard took Tampa Bay over Cincinnati as his upset alert, predicted a 34-17 Cowboys win over the Giants, and had picked Dak Prescott as MVP.
Nick WrightGame Outcome Picks · Dallas CowboysMiss · 0
Wright picked Tampa Bay to beat Cincinnati outright, Philadelphia to beat Washington, Dallas to beat the Giants, and said he was one of the few nationally to pick the Chiefs to win it all.
Eric ManginiGame Outcome Picks · Dallas CowboysMiss · 0
Mangini's upset alert was Washington over Philadelphia; in the chips segment he backed Houston, Dallas and Denver; and his Monday headline was Cincinnati mauling Tampa Bay, with Joe Burrow as his MVP and the Bengals as AFC North champs.
Kirk HerbstreitGame Outcome Picks · Dallas CowboysMiss · 0
Herbstreit made a full slate of Week 1 picks — Lions, Ravens, Bears, Bills, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Titans, Eagles, Packers and Cowboys — and also said he still thinks Seattle is the team to beat in the NFC West.

More roster spot calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jack KiserMiss · 0
Shipley 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 · 0
Rourke 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 · 0
Benninger 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 · 100
Morris 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 · 100
After 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 · 100
Shook 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.

Where this call stands in the room

Who this take is about

29 checkable claims in this take

What others said about the same people

More roster spot calls

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