Josh Edwards· Aug 4, 2026
In a survey of rookie position battles, CBS Sports expects Texans first-rounder Keylan Rutledge to win the starting center job, believes Tyrique Stevenson will keep Chicago's starting cornerback spot over rookie Malik Muhammad at least to begin the season, and suggests fourth-round rookie Bryce Boettcher could end up starting in Lou Anarumo's defense.
“it is difficult to envision Rutledge not winning the job, given that the team traded up to select him”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 5 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 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
Keylan Rutledge · 2026 season9 calls from 9 pundits between 1 and 1. Josh Edwards said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
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Who this take is about
3 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 CallsBryce BoettcherAug 4, 2026
Bryce Boettcher to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fellow rookie, fourth-round pick Bryce Boettcher, may also secure a starting role in Lou Anarumo's defense before all is said and done.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyrique Stevenson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Chicago's fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad is thought to be in competition with Tyrique Stevenson. However, that seems like a situation in which Stevenson retains the starting job at least to open the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Keylan Rutledge to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Texans' coaching staff has been gauging a competition between first-round pick Keylan Rutledge and veteran Jake Andrews for the center gig, but it is difficult to envision Rutledge not winning the job, given that the team traded up to select him.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Mike MoraitisDepth Chart Calls · Ozzy TrapiloMiss · 0Moraitis writes that although Braxton Jones has looked like the favorite, Ozzy Trapilo is likely to take over as the Bears' starting left tackle once he's healthy enough to play.
- Pete MartuneacDepth Chart Calls · Ozzy TrapiloMiss · 0After Trapilo's activation from the PUP list roughly seven months after rupturing his patellar tendon, Martuneac says the Bears' left tackle competition is over and Trapilo will be starting at left tackle early in the 2026 season, even if not by Week 1.
- Eric CohenGame Outcome Picks · Chicago BearsHit · 100Cohen says the Bears win easily in Carolina, and that Tennessee starts 1-0 over a Jets team he considers the third-worst in the league.
- John BreechGame Outcome Picks · Houston TexansMiss · 0Breech picks the Texans to upset the Bills in Houston, trusting Houston's defense to smother Josh Allen, and takes the Raiders to beat the Dolphins by at least a touchdown.
- Judah FortgangGame Outcome Picks · Houston TexansMiss · 0PFF's divisional-round same-game parlay picks: Tampa Bay beats Cincinnati with Cade Otton exploiting the Bengals' linebackers, Las Vegas beats Miami behind Kirk Cousins attacking a depleted Dolphins secondary, and Houston beats Buffalo with C.J. Stroud throwing effectively and Jaylin Noel benefiting from the slot matchup.
- Gene ChamberlainScore Predictions · Chicago BearsClose · 57Chamberlain picks the Bears to beat the Panthers in Week 1 at Charlotte, 34-30, giving Chicago the edge in the run game, passing game, pass defense and coaching.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
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- 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.
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