Matt Verderame· Jun 19, 2026
Matt ranked the Chiefs' position groups (corner 5th, DT 4th, TE 3rd, RB 2nd, OL 1st) and along the way predicted rookie corner Mansoor Delane would be a Pro Bowl-level player immediately, called Chris Jones a top-three defensive tackle and likely All-Pro, Travis Kelce still a top-five tight end, and Kenneth Walker a top-10 running back. He also expects Brendan Sorsby to be taken in the third or fourth round of the supplemental draft.
“I think he will be a Pro Bowl level player immediately.”
said on air, transcribed by us · KC Sports Network (podcast) · read the original →
7 checkable claims — 3 positional finishes, 2 pro bowl and all-pro calls, 1 depth chart call and 1 mock draft pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 7 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 above the room on 1 and below it on 1.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
7 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.
R Mason Thomas to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think our Mason Thomas might be the guy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mansoor Delane to make Pro Bowl
“I think he's going to be a star right away. I think he will be a Pro Bowl level player immediately.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesChris JonesKansas City ChiefsJun 19, 2026
Chris Jones to finish top 3 at his position, by sacks
“Chris Jones is still a top, what, three defensive tackle on football if he's not even the best.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
Chris Jones to make All-Pro
“I don't think anybody be stunned if he's all pro this year. Nobody would be like, wow. I can't believe Chris Jones made it.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to finish top 10 at his position, by rushing yards
“I think Walker is a top 10 ish back.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
Travis Kelce to finish top 5 at his position, by receiving yards
“it's Travis Kalceane. And he's still top five in the league.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
- Mock Draft PicksBrendan SorsbyJun 19, 2026
Brendan Sorsby to be picked “third to fourth round pick” (picks 97–140)
“I would expect that he'll be drafted. And I think he's probably a third to fourth round pick, somewhere in there.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Brashard SmithMiss · 0An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Brashard SmithMiss · 0PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back.
- Darren SmithRoster Spot Calls · Felix Anudike-UzomahHit · 100Smith picks L.J. Snead over Kristian Fulton to stick on the roster, believes the defensive lineman (FAU) is a lock to make the team, and states firmly that Patrick Mahomes will start under center in Week 1.
- JC PearsonRoster Spot Calls · Jaden HicksHit · 100Pearson puts Kristian Fulton among the Chiefs' top four corners who make the team, says the defensive lineman (FAU) has secured his roster spot, and believes Jaden Hicks has played his way onto the roster.
- Chris ClarkRoster Spot Calls · Garrett NussmeierHit · 100Clark says Benson and Nussmeier will make the 53 (with the Chiefs keeping three QBs), Harrison Butker will remain the kicker all season, and Andrew Armstrong will be cut for lack of a return role.
- Alex KayRoster Spot Calls · Kahlil BensonHit · 100Kay names five undrafted rookies he expects to make rosters and contribute in 2026, projecting Kahlil Benson as a Chiefs roster lock and possible Week 1 right tackle starter, Khalil Jacobs as a Patriots backup linebacker, Will Pauling as the 49ers' sixth receiver, Collin Wright as Houston's fourth cornerback, and Taurean York as a Broncos roster survivor.
More positional finishes
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Rich HribarPositional Finishes · Matthew StaffordHit · 100Hribar published his 2023 fantasy football quarterback tiers, ordering 41 quarterbacks into eight tiers that reflect how he prioritizes drafting the position, with Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes in the top tier as the trio most likely to finish as the overall QB1.
- Chris BrockmanPositional Finishes · Jaxon Smith-NjigbaHit · 100Brockman argued Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already the best receiver in the NFL and deserves to be the highest paid, called his shot that three quarterbacks (Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck) go in the first round with Mendoza first overall, and suggested New England is headed for a 7-10 season.
- Pat GustavsonPositional Finishes · Bijan RobinsonClose · 75Gustafson picks the Patriots, Bills, Seahawks and Bears in the divisional round with a Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl, predicts Mike Tomlin and Matt LaFleur stay, Aaron Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh, and lays out his own coaching landing spots.
- JP AcostaPositional Finishes · Bijan RobinsonClose · 75JP 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.
- Rich EisenPositional Finishes · George PickensHit · 100Eisen called the Rams-winning-it-all take an overreaction but expects Los Angeles to win the NFC West, said he doesn't see how Myles Garrett fails to win Defensive Player of the Year, and called George Pickens perhaps the third-best receiver in the NFL this season.
- Chad Ochocinco JohnsonPositional Finishes · Christian GonzalezMiss · 0Ochocinco says Christian Gonzalez belongs in the top-five DB conversation, believes Kyler Murray will be elsewhere next year, expects Chase to get a one-game suspension, backs Sam Darnold to bounce back, and floats Jaxon Smith-Njigba reaching 2,000 receiving yards. He also reminds listeners he called the Bears and Panthers as teams to watch before the season.