Randy Gurzi· Aug 15, 2026
In a preseason winners-and-losers piece, Gurzi says UDFA cornerback Kani Walker likely secured a 53-man roster spot, and that Spencer Brown will again be a consistent starting offensive tackle for Buffalo in 2026.
“Spencer Brown has been a stellar offensive tackle throughout the first five years of his career and will again be a consistent starter for Buffalo in 2026.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 1 depth chart call and 1 roster spot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 2 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
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Who this take is about
2 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 CallsKani WalkerBuffalo BillsAug 15, 2026
Kani Walker to make the roster
“On Saturday, he may have locked up his spot on the 53-man roster.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- BUF
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Kani Walker
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 4
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 3
- Depth Chart CallsSpencer BrownBuffalo BillsAug 15, 2026
Spencer Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“Spencer Brown has been a stellar offensive tackle throughout the first five years of his career and will again be a consistent starter for Buffalo in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Ralph VentreRoster Spot Calls · Kani WalkerMiss · 0Ventre expects Christian Benford's toe injury to sideline him for at least the Week 4 game against New England, and believes the Bills will have to add a cornerback to the 53-man roster this week — likely by moving Benford to injured reserve — with practice squad rookie Kani Walker the most likely player elevated.
- Ralph VentreRoster Spot Calls · Kani WalkerHit · 100Ventre reads the Bills' preseason finale as revealing the Week 1 roster: Alec Anderson wins the starting left guard job, Dorian Williams starts at inside linebacker next to Terrel Bernard, Maxwell Hairston starts at cornerback opposite Christian Benford, and Joe Andreessen, Sam Franklin, Trent Sherfield and undrafted Kani Walker make the 53.
- Joe MarinoRoster Spot Calls · Kani WalkerHit · 100Joe Marino gives his final projection of the Buffalo Bills' initial 53-man roster after the preseason finale, naming who makes it, who gets cut, and who lands on injured reserve/PUP, along with several starting-job calls (Kyle Allen as QB2, TJ Sanders starting over Landon Jackson, Maxwell Hairston starting opposite Christian Benford, and Tommy Doman winning the punting job).
- John GreenRoster Spot Calls · Kani WalkerHit · 100Green highlights under-the-radar Bills camp risers: he suggests undrafted rookie CB Kani Walker could make the roster as a fourth boundary cornerback, sees Geno Stone as a top reserve safety behind C.J. Gardner-Johnson (whose starting job is his to lose), and wonders whether Keonta Jenkins can go from practice squad to the 53-man roster.
- Danny ParkinsMock Draft Picks · Peter WoodsHit · 88Danny Parkins presented his one-and-only 2026 mock draft, including trades: Mendoza at 1 to the Raiders, David Bailey second to the Jets, the Cowboys trading up to No. 3 for Arvell Reese, the Bears trading up to 16 for Kadyn Proctor, and Ty Simpson going to Arizona at 32 at the end of round one.
- Nick WrightMock Draft Picks · Cade McDonaldMiss · 0Nick Wright unveiled his full 32-pick 2026 NFL mock draft 4.0, starting with Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 and ending with Avion Terrell to the Seahawks at 32. He also called Carnell Tate the best/safest receiver in the class, projected Ty Simpson inside the top 45, said Mendoza profiles as a low-end top-15 NFL quarterback, and expected the Dolphins to lose 15 games.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Carter BahnsDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Bahns calls it reality that Shedeur Sanders will take over as Cleveland's starting quarterback by Week 4, with Deshaun Watson set to fail.
- Carter BahnsDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0A CBS Sports preseason overreaction column argues Shedeur Sanders will take over as Cleveland's starting quarterback by Week 4, that Ja'Kobi Lane has a real path to a No. 2 receiver role as a rookie, and that Kenneth Walker III is a legitimate lead back atop the Chiefs' depth chart.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100Podell ranks all 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Josh Allen first, Patrick Mahomes second and Case Keenum last. He also expects Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. to return to action in Week 3 and Case Keenum to possibly start for the Bears.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100A roundup of NFC injury news expects Jameis Winston to start for the Giants in any games Jaxson Dart misses, and suggests third-stringer Case Keenum could end up starting for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3 with both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent sidelined.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100With Caleb Williams injured and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, third-string quarterback Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.