Noah Compton· Aug 29, 2026
After the Colts' preseason finale loss to Detroit, Compton projected several roster and depth-chart outcomes: Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback, rookie A.J. Haulcy as the starting strong safety, Seth McGowan as the backup running back, and rookie defensive ends George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry making the initial 53-man roster, while receiver Deion Burks appears likely to be cut.
“Third-round safety A.J. Haulcy has seemingly earned the Colts' opening at strong safety”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
6 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls and 3 roster spot calls — 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 3 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
Daniel Jones · 2026 season9 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 1. Noah Compton 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.
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Who this take is about
6 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 CallsDeion BurksIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
Deion Burks to make the roster
“The former is still on the outside looking in ahead of cut day”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDaniel JonesIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
Daniel Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“The only difference is that Daniel Jones will be the one throwing Allen's way”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsGeorge GumbsIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
George Gumbs to make the roster
“Day 3 defensive ends George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry have essentially forced their way onto the Colts' initial 53-man roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsSeth McGowanIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
Seth McGowan to be 2nd on the depth chart
“the latter has shored up his rookie role as the Colts' backup running back behind Jonathan Taylor”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsCaden CurryIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
Caden Curry to make the roster
“Day 3 defensive ends George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry have essentially forced their way onto the Colts' initial 53-man roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsA.J. HaulcyIndianapolis ColtsAug 29, 2026
A.J. Haulcy to be 1st on the depth chart
“Third-round safety A.J. Haulcy has seemingly earned the Colts' opening at strong safety, because although he didn't participate in the preseason finale against the Lions, it still feels like his job once Week 1 arrives.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Kevin WildesGame Outcome Picks · Indianapolis ColtsMiss · 0Wildes parlayed two upsets: Houston beating Buffalo and Indianapolis beating Baltimore, and had picked Dak Prescott as league MVP.
- Richard ShermanScore Predictions · Indianapolis ColtsMiss · 21Sherman picked Seattle to beat New England 28-17 in the opener, ran through score picks for the rest of the week one slate (49ers, Cowboys, Bills, Bears, Vikings, Colts, Broncos), said the Seahawks would also beat the Cardinals, Commanders and Chargers, backed Dallas to win its division, and predicted Christian Gonzalez's deal would come in barely above Devon Witherspoon's.
- Gilberto ManzanoGame Outcome Picks · Indianapolis ColtsMiss · 0Manzano's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
- Andrew MooreRoster Spot Calls · Kenneth HarrisHit · 100Moore expects Anthony Richardson Sr. to make the Colts' 53-man roster and win the QB2 job over Riley Leonard, and believes Spencer Shrader should beat out Blake Grupe for the kicking job; he also sees UDFA cornerback Kenneth Harris as having an outside shot at the roster.
- Carter BahnsRoster Spot Calls · Laquon TreadwellMiss · 0An unsigned CBS Sports piece names 20 notable veterans it considers at risk of being cut before the 53-man roster deadline, with several pegged for the practice squad or outright release, and also sketches a few depth-chart pecking orders (Titans QBs, Panthers tight ends, Texans receivers, Eagles backfield).
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.