Josh EdwardsSep 8, 2026

CBS Sports constructed a 2026 Preseason All-Rookie Team, naming a rookie at each position expected to be the class's best, and made several depth-chart calls along the way, including Fernando Mendoza opening the season behind Kirk Cousins and KC Concepcion leading all rookies in receptions.

Published in writing · CBS SportsRead the original

Waiting28 calls, none settled yet

—Average accuracynothing settled yet

—A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

0 of 28Settled28 still waiting

28Waitingnot graded yet

What Josh Edwards said

Concepcion is a strong candidate to lead all rookies in receptions.

Josh Edwards, the lead quote

Where it was published: CBS Sports
The piece: 2026 NFL Preseason All-Rookie Team: Fernando Mendoza, Caleb Downs headline selections
The original: Read the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

Box score, by kind

HitCloseMissWaiting

Group	Hits	Close	Misses	Waiting	Calls
Pro Bowl and All-Pro Calls	0	0	0	22
Depth Chart Calls	0	0	0	5
Positional Finishes	0	0	0	1
All	0	0	0	28

How each call scored

28 checkable claims — 22 pro bowl and all-pro calls, 5 depth chart calls and 1 positional finish — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 40 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.

Of the 5 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 3.

Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.

Where this call stands in the room

Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season

Josh Edwards — 2the room — 20 calls from 18 punditsmedian 1

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.

Pro Bowl and All-Pro Calls22 waitingShow ▸

Denzel Boston to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Wide receiver: Denzel Boston, Browns”
Denzel Boston Cleveland Browns
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Rueben Bain to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Edge rusher: Rueben Bain Jr., Buccaneers”
Rueben Bain Tampa Bay Buccaneers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Kadyn Proctor to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Left guard: Kadyn Proctor, Dolphins”
Kadyn Proctor Miami Dolphins
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Caleb Downs to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Cornerback: Caleb Downs, Cowboys”
Caleb Downs Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Kayden McDonald to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Defensive tackle: Kayden McDonald, Texans”
Kayden McDonald Houston Texans
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Brandon Cisse to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Cornerback: Brandon Cisse, Packers”
Brandon Cisse Green Bay Packers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Dillon Thieneman to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Safety: Dillon Thieneman, Bears”
Dillon Thieneman Chicago Bears
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Spencer Fano to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Left tackle: Spencer Fano, Browns”
Spencer Fano Cleveland Browns
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Kenyon Sadiq to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Tight end: Kenyon Sadiq, Jets”
Kenyon Sadiq New York Jets
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Arvell Reese to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Linebacker: Arvell Reese, Giants”
Arvell Reese New York Giants
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Sonny Styles to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Linebacker: Sonny Styles, Commanders”
Sonny Styles Washington Commanders
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Mansoor Delane to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Cornerback: Mansoor Delane, Chiefs”
Mansoor Delane Kansas City Chiefs
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Francis Mauigoa to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Right guard: Francis Mauigoa, Giants”
Francis Mauigoa New York Giants
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jeremiyah Love to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Running back: Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals”
Jeremiyah Love Arizona Cardinals
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
K.C. Concepcion to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Wide receiver: KC Concepcion, Browns”
K.C. Concepcion Cleveland Browns
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
David Bailey to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Edge rusher: David Bailey, Jets”
David Bailey New York Jets
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Fernando Mendoza to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Quarterback: Fernando Mendoza, Raiders”
Fernando Mendoza Las Vegas Raiders
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Monroe Freeling to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Right tackle: Monroe Freeling, Panthers”
Monroe Freeling Carolina Panthers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Treydan Stukes to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Safety: Treydan Stukes, Raiders”
Treydan Stukes Las Vegas Raiders
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Christen Miller to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Defensive tackle: Christen Miller, Saints”
Christen Miller New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Carnell Tate to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Wide receiver: Carnell Tate, Titans”
Carnell Tate Tennessee Titans
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jake Slaughter to make Preseason All-Rookie Team
“Center: Jake Slaughter, Chargers”
Jake Slaughter Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Depth Chart Calls5 waitingShow ▸

Logan Jones to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Logan Jones will back up Garrett Bradbury in Chicago”
Logan Jones Chicago Bears
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Spencer Fano to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fano is the only one of those nine opening the season as the starting left tackle.”
Spencer Fano Cleveland Browns
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Fernando Mendoza to be 2nd on the depth chart
“he will open the season on the bench behind veteran Kirk Cousins”
Fernando Mendoza Las Vegas Raiders
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Brandon Cisse to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cisse only recently turned 21-years-old and has already locked down a starting job in Green Bay's secondary.”
Brandon Cisse Green Bay Packers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Treydan Stukes to be 1st on the depth chart
“Stukes very quickly claimed a starting role over a veteran who had been adequate last season.”
Treydan Stukes Las Vegas Raiders
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Positional Finishes1 waitingShow ▸

K.C. Concepcion to finish top 1 at his position, by receptions
“Concepcion is a strong candidate to lead all rookies in receptions.”
K.C. Concepcion Cleveland Browns
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Others on the same people

Nate Gosney · Trade and Signing Calls · Daiyan Henley · Miss 0
After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season.
Sam Monson · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Monson picked every Week 10 game, taking the Giants, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Colts, Texans, Bills, Chiefs, Jaguars, Seahawks, Rams, Cowboys, Bengals and Ravens, and also suggested the Chargers' only likely wins the rest of the way come against the Jets and Dolphins.
Jordan Dajani · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 95
Dajani picks the Commanders to edge the Giants 21-20 on Thursday and the Chiefs to beat the Falcons 26-20 in Week 10.
Tyler Sullivan · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 100
Sullivan takes the Commanders 24-21 over the Giants on Thursday night and calls for a Steelers upset of the Bengals, 27-24, in Week 10.
Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · New York Giants · Miss 36
Prisco picks the Giants to beat the Commanders 23-14 on Thursday night and the Lions to beat the Patriots 30-24 in Munich.
John Breech · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 90
Breech picks the Commanders to upset the Giants on Thursday night, 24-17, and takes the Texans to beat the Browns 24-16 in Week 10 behind a pass rush that should batter Deshaun Watson.

More pro bowl and all-pro calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

Danny Parkins · Pro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Puka Nacua · Hit 100
Parkins insisted the Bears cannot lose at home to Green Bay, laid points with Buffalo, Philadelphia (in a blowout) and Houston, picked Justin Herbert and the Chargers to beat New England, and said Puka Nacua will be a first-team All-Pro.
JP Acosta · Pro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Trey McBride · Hit 100
JP 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 their own first-team All-Pro roster.
Richard Sherman · Pro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Sam Darnold · Miss 0
The guest says Sam Darnold is playing at a first-team All-Pro level while leading an elite team.
Gregg Rosenthal · Pro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Drake London · Miss 0
Rosenthal's ten picks in the best-wide-receivers draft (overall picks 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30), taking A.J. Brown third and trading to grab Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 18 while sliding DK Metcalf to 21. They also said Drake London could produce a first-team All-Pro season, sees Smith-Njigba as a true No. 1, and believes Daniel Jones will win the Colts' starting job.
Brandon Carney · Pro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Trent Williams · Miss 0
Carney made a full playoff bracket, picking the Bears, Niners, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, then Seahawks and Rams in the NFC divisional, Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, with the Rams beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl. They also gave award picks including Stafford for MVP and Vrabel for Coach of the Year.
Pat Gustavson · Pro Bowl and All-Pro Calls · Charles Cross · Miss 0
Gustafson picked the Bears, Eagles, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, the Rams and Bears in the NFC, the Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, and the Patriots to beat the Bears in the Super Bowl. Their awards slate included Stafford for MVP, Puka for OPOY and Liam Cohen for Coach of the Year.