Lance Zierlein· Sep 15, 2026
LZ (Lance) predicted rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez would be in the Defensive Rookie of the Year mix thanks to heavy tackle volume, and said Ravens rookie interior lineman "Iwane" would become a multi-time Pro Bowler with a strong first season.
“There's a good chance that he's going to be right there in the mix for defensive rookie of the year.”
said on air or in an interview · Around the NFL (podcast) · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 1 award pick and 1 pro bowl and all-pro call — 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.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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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.
- Award PicksJacob RodriguezSep 15, 2026
Jacob Rodriguez to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“Green dot linebacker already as a rookie. And here he was with 14 tackles... There's a good chance that he's going to be right there in the mix for defensive rookie of the year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Olaivavega Ioane to make multi-time Pro Bowler
“And he is going to be, Iwane is going to be a multi-time pro bowler. I mean, he's just so rock solid. I think he's going to have a really good year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
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More pro bowl and all-pro calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pat GustavsonPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Charles CrossMiss · 0Gustafson picked the Bears, Eagles, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, the Rams and Bears in the NFC, the Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, and the Patriots to beat the Bears in the Super Bowl. His awards slate included Stafford for MVP, Puka for OPOY and Liam Cohen for Coach of the Year.
- Brandon CarneyPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Trent WilliamsMiss · 0Carney made a full playoff bracket, picking the Bears, Niners, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, then Seahawks and Rams in the NFC divisional, Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, with the Rams beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl. He also gave award picks including Stafford for MVP and Vrabel for Coach of the Year.
- Peter BukowskiPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Zach ThomasMiss · 0Bukowski breaks down combine performances and predicts Caleb Banks will be the first defensive tackle drafted, that Kyle Lewis will rise into second-round range, that Lee Hunter's poor testing will keep the Packers away, and that the Packers will not draft a tight end in the top 100. He also predicts the Packers will cut Elton Jenkins and expects Kingsley Enagbare to leave while Rashan Gary returns.
- Jeff "Coach Jags" JagodzinskiPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Tucker KraftMiss · 0The former Packers tight ends coach said Tucker Craft is a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end, and separately endorsed Christian Watson as a true No. 1 receiver for Green Bay. He also ranked the tight ends he has coached all-time.
- JP AcostaPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Devon WitherspoonMiss · 0JP picked the Eagles to beat the 49ers in a low-scoring game and the Jaguars to beat the Bills, called Bijan Robinson the best running back in the league, and named his own first-team All-Pro roster.
- Danny ParkinsPro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Puka NacuaMiss · 0Parkins insisted the Bears cannot lose at home to Green Bay, laid points with Buffalo, Philadelphia (in a blowout) and Houston, picked Justin Herbert and the Chargers to beat New England, and said Puka Nacua will be a first-team All-Pro.