Albert Breer· Aug 28, 2026
Breer says the Raiders will hold Fernando Mendoza out until the supporting cast is ready, while Kirk Cousins starts; he also suggests Mendoza may end up as the backup ahead of Aidan O'Connell. He predicts Justin Herbert could make a real MVP run with the Chargers, is skeptical Ty Simpson is a hit at the 13th pick, and expects Aaron Donald, if he returns, to play roughly 30-40 snaps a game in a rotation.
“So it wouldn't surprise me if everything comes together for him that there this year with the Chargers, if he makes a real run. At, at, at the MVP”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 1 award pick and 1 draft bust call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 2.
Where this call stands in the room
Kirk Cousins · 2026 season43 calls from 36 pundits between 1 and 1. Albert Breer said 1. the room's median is 1. 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
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Who this take is about
5 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.
Fernando Mendoza to be 2nd on the depth chart
“And if he winds up being the backup quarterback there over Aidan O'Connell, I mean they are 1 snap away from that becoming a reality.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKirk CousinsLas Vegas RaidersAug 28, 2026
Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart
“They got Kirk Cousins, who of course has got a ton of background in the offense... And I think they're gonna wait until they get to that point to play him.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Draft Bust CallsTy SimpsonLos Angeles RamsAug 28, 2026
Ty Simpson to disappoint at the next level
“I'm not fully sold that that's 100% a hit with the 13th pick, but, um, he's looked good in the preseason.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart
“Hampton's back as the bell cow running back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJustin HerbertLos Angeles ChargersAug 28, 2026
Justin Herbert to win MVP
“So it wouldn't surprise me if everything comes together for him that there this year with the Chargers, if he makes a real run. At, at, at the MVP and that's with Mike McDaniel as his offensive coordinator.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chris RolingScore Predictions · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 31Roling predicts a lopsided Chargers home win over the Cardinals in Week 1, 30-10, and advises starting Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton in fantasy while sitting Ladd McConkey.
- John BreechGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Breech 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.
- Pete PriscoGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0Prisco predicts the Lions blow out the Saints in Detroit and that the Chargers rout the Cardinals behind a new-look offense.
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.
- 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.