Zach Roberts· Sep 28, 2026
With Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson hurt, Roberts lays out cornerback additions he expects Carolina to pursue immediately — free agents Marshon Lattimore, Tre'Davious White and Jeff Okudah, plus trade targets Kristian Fulton from Kansas City and Deonte Banks from the Giants — and suggests practice squad UDFA DeVonta Smith could be elevated.
“Marshon Lattimore is nowhere close to the shutdown corner he used to be, but he's arguably the best option in free agency.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
6 checkable claims — 5 trade and signing calls and 1 roster spot call — 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.
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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.
Marshon Lattimore to move to Carolina Panthers
“Marshon Lattimore is nowhere close to the shutdown corner he used to be, but he's arguably the best option in free agency.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDeVonta SmithCarolina PanthersSep 28, 2026
DeVonta Smith to make the roster
“Former UDFA DeVonta Smith was solid in the preseason, so he could be elevated, too.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kristian Fulton to move to Carolina Panthers
“They could want to get some value out of him before he leaves in free agency, and he'd be a fantastic option for the Panthers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Deonte Banks to move to Carolina Panthers
“The New York Giants may want to trade pieces and forego the season with Jaxson Dart out for the year, and trading Deonte Banks might be a good idea.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jeff Okudah to move to Carolina Panthers
“The Panthers could do worse than a former number three overall draft pick in Jeff Okudah.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tre'Davious White to move to Carolina Panthers
“At this point, signing someone with 19 interceptions in nine seasons would be a huge boost to the secondary, and the two-time Pro Bowler, at almost 32, would not cost anything at all.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Carolina PanthersClose · 48Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Carolina PanthersMiss · 0Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Richard ShermanScore Predictions · Carolina PanthersClose · 48Sherman picked winners and several exact scores across the Week 3 slate, favoring Seattle, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Detroit, Green Bay, Carolina, New Orleans, Baltimore, the Rams, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Kansas City, Minnesota, the Giants, Jacksonville and Houston, and named Kenneth Walker his MVP.
- Colin CowherdGame Outcome Picks · Carolina PanthersMiss · 0The co-host (identified only as "Mitchell") made his own Week 3 picks, including blowout wins for Seattle and San Francisco, Cincinnati 27-17, Detroit 37-13, Denver 24-21 over the Rams, and predicted Jonah Coleman takes over the Broncos' running back role.
- Tyler SullivanScore Predictions · Carolina PanthersClose · 50Sullivan projects final scores for every Week 3 game, including a Bills blowout of the reeling Chargers, a Chiefs rout in Miami, a Seahawks win over a Mariota-led Washington, and the Saints beating the Raiders in their home opener. He also expects Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart all to be sidelined in Week 3, with Marcus Mariota starting for Washington.
- John BreechScore Predictions · Carolina PanthersClose · 50Breech predicts the Dolphins will miss the playoffs and may go winless, and picks every Week 3 game with scores, including Texans over Colts, a Buccaneers upset of Minnesota, Ravens over Cowboys in Brazil, Saints over Raiders and Broncos over Rams.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Adam CarlsonTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 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.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Named several players as candidates to be traded before Sunday's cut deadline, including Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy, Cardinals edge Josh Sweat and Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100A CBS Sports piece lists veterans it expects could be traded before the 53-man roster deadline, including quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (with Buffalo floated as a landing spot), J.J. McCarthy and Will Howard, plus Jerry Jeudy, Joey Porter Jr., Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, Josh Sweat, Kristian Fulton and Marist Liufau. It also says Mason Rudolph's and Drew Allar's roster spots in Pittsburgh are secure.
- Matthew CollerTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Coller argues J.J. McCarthy's development is far behind schedule and that he will likely end up needing a fresh start with another team rather than developing into the Vikings' answer at quarterback.