Nathan Jahnke· Aug 28, 2026
An unsigned PFF fantasy preseason recap makes a series of depth-chart and roster-spot calls: Roman Wilson wins the Steelers' third receiver job over Germie Bernard, Robert Tonyan makes Pittsburgh's roster as the third tight end, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III stick in New England, Mike Washington Jr. is the Raiders' primary backup back, Jalen Nailor stays a Raiders starter, Kaelon Black leads the 49ers' backup running back competition, and Charlie Kolar is the Chargers' top tight end with top-12 fantasy upside.
“Wilson appears to be the favorite for the Steelers’ third receiver spot entering Week 1.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
21 checkable claims — 13 depth chart calls, 7 roster spot calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 24 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
6 of 21 have settled so far, averaging 83.3 out of 100, against 66.7 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 10 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 4 and below it on 6.
Where this call stands in the room
Kaelon Black · 2026 season5 calls from 4 pundits between 2 and 2. Nathan Jahnke said 2. the room's median is 2. 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
- Carsen Ryan
- Cleveland Browns
- Robert Tonyan
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Eli Heidenreich
- Kyle Williams
- New England Patriots
- Efton Chism III
- Raheim Sanders
- Charlie Kolar
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Kaelon Black
- San Francisco 49ers
- Oronde Gadsden II
- David Njoku
- Ben Skowronek
- Kaleb Johnson
- Roman Wilson
- Germie Bernard
- Mike Washington
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Jalen Nailor
- Max Klare
- Los Angeles Rams
21 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 CallsCarsen RyanCleveland BrownsAug 28, 2026
Carsen Ryan to make the roster
“seventh-round rookie tight end Carsen Ryan”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- CLE
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- c4651653-0bc2-4c0c-9a0e-b0cb55dc5019
- 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
Robert Tonyan to make the roster
“The fact that Pittsburgh rested him suggests he will make the roster as its third tight end.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- 7b82ddda-e56f-433a-b250-240fd22bf2e4
- 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
Eli Heidenreich to make the roster
“It is highly unlikely that seventh-round rookie Eli Heidenreich makes the roster”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- 8c950f59-43ec-49e3-8928-06ad1378b3ea
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- 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
Kyle Williams to make the roster
“While Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III played in this game, both are still likely to make the roster.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NE
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- 2371f12f-3111-49d2-9225-e7ddcab85b52
- 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
Efton Chism III to make the roster
“While Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III played in this game, both are still likely to make the roster.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NE
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- b515d8cf-32fe-4dcb-94a3-f0a3985afc86
- 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 CallsRaheim SandersCleveland BrownsAug 28, 2026
Raheim Sanders to make the roster
“A few players who played for Cleveland in this game are likely to make the roster, including running back Raheim Sanders”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- CLE
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- 7285a303-7b94-4746-b663-c69b0e02d2d7
- 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
Kyle Williams to be 5th on the depth chart
“New England traded Boutte to the Houston Texans, moving Williams and Chism up to fifth and sixth”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Charlie Kolar to be 1st on the depth chart
“More evidence that Charlie Kolar is the Chargers’ top tight end”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKaelon BlackSan Francisco 49ersAug 28, 2026
Kaelon Black to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Kaelon Black starts for San Francisco: Black appears to have the lead in the competition for the 49ers’ backup running back job.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Oronde Gadsden II to be 3rd on the depth chart
“while Oronde Gadsden played, providing the first indication that Gadsden was third on the depth chart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDavid NjokuLos Angeles ChargersAug 28, 2026
David Njoku to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Kolar played the only snap out of 21 personnel, providing further evidence that he is the top tight end in that grouping.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ben Skowronek to be 5th on the depth chart
“He remains the favorite for the fifth receiver spot.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kaleb Johnson to make the roster
“while 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson also appears to be a likely cut”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Robert Tonyan to be 3rd on the depth chart
“he will make the roster as its third tight end”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Charlie Kolar to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“he has a chance to finish as a top-12 fantasy tight end given the quality of the Chargers’ offense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRoman WilsonPittsburgh SteelersAug 28, 2026
Roman Wilson to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Roman Wilson sits while Germie Bernard plays: Wilson appears to be the favorite for the Steelers’ third receiver spot entering Week 1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Germie Bernard to be 4th on the depth chart
“The fact that Wilson sat out this game while second-round rookie Germie Bernard played suggests Wilson will be ahead of Bernard for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the start of the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Washington to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Their plan at backup appears to center on Washington, their fourth-round pick.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJalen NailorLas Vegas RaidersAug 28, 2026
Jalen Nailor to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jalen Nailor remains a starter for Las Vegas ... Nailor doesn’t appear to be in danger of losing significant playing time to anyone currently on the roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Efton Chism III to be 6th on the depth chart
“moving Williams and Chism up to fifth and sixth, essentially the same spots they occupied last season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMax KlareLos Angeles RamsAug 28, 2026
Max Klare to be 5th on the depth chart
“He will likely be a healthy inactive each week as long as the other four tight ends remain healthy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- 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.
- Fernando Alfaro-DonisTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Argues the Raiders' weakest spot is their receiver room, expects Jalen Nailor to take a big step forward in Klint Kubiak's scheme with Kirk Cousins starting before Fernando Mendoza takes over, and suggests Las Vegas should trade a mid-round pick for Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte, who would immediately become their top option.
- Jason McIntyreTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre argued the 49ers' window is closed amid a brutal injury list and record travel, floated a Bijan Robinson trade to the Bears, predicted the Lions can win the NFC North, doubted Atlanta is even a playoff team, said Baker Mayfield's Tampa run ends after this season, and delivered a top-10 quarterback ranking.
- Mike TannenbaumTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Tannenbaum argues the Chiefs should lean on the run game early while Mahomes recovers, says the Bills haven't done enough at receiver and would repeat their playoff shortcoming, expects AJ Brown to have a massive impact in New England, thinks George Pickens will earn a big raise, and offers free-agent fits: Deebo Samuel to Buffalo, Joey Bosa to Tampa Bay, Taylor Decker to Houston, and Stefon Diggs to San Francisco.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
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.