Kevin Patra· Aug 12, 2026
In a league-wide training camp notebook, Patra forecasts a slew of depth-chart outcomes — starters at tackle, center, nickel and quarterback jobs, receiver pecking orders and backfield splits — plus Sonny Styles as a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate and Aaron Donald returning to the Rams.
“At this point, I'll be more surprised if Aaron Donald doesn't return. It feels inevitable.”
published in writing · read the original →
23 checkable claims — 21 depth chart calls, 1 award pick and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
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 21 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 3 and below it on 18.
Where this call stands in the room
Tua Tagovailoa · 2026 season7 calls from 7 pundits between 1 and 2. Kevin Patra 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Keylan Rutledge
- Houston Texans
- Jahan Dotson
- Atlanta Falcons
- Riley Leonard
- Indianapolis Colts
- Andrei Iosivas
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Kahlil Benson
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Sonny Styles
- Washington Commanders
- Garrett Bradbury
- Chicago Bears
- Caleb Lomu
- New England Patriots
- DJ Moore
- Buffalo Bills
- Braxton Jones
- Kirk Cousins
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Tyler Guyton
- Dallas Cowboys
- Aaron Donald
- Los Angeles Rams
- Ty Simpson
- Keionte Scott
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Stefon Diggs
- Alvin Kamara
- New Orleans Saints
- Jeremiyah Love
- Arizona Cardinals
- Stetson Bennett
- Anton Harrison
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Travis Etienne
- Rico Dowdle
- Pittsburgh Steelers
23 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.
- Depth Chart CallsKeylan RutledgeHouston TexansAug 12, 2026
Keylan Rutledge to be 1st on the depth chart
“Rutledge can play center or guard, but the first-round pick feels like the opening-day pivot in Houston.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJahan DotsonAtlanta FalconsAug 12, 2026
Jahan Dotson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Jahan Dotson ... is reportedly "clearly the WR2." This would be a heck of a late bloom if Dotson finally put it together.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRiley LeonardIndianapolis ColtsAug 12, 2026
Riley Leonard to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Riley Leonard has the inside track for the No. 2 QB gig over Anthony Richardson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Andrei Iosivas to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Andrei Iosivas has worked with the first-team offense, likely keeping him as WR3”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTua TagovailoaAtlanta FalconsAug 12, 2026
Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart
“It still feels like Tagovailoa opens the season under center.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKahlil BensonKansas City ChiefsAug 12, 2026
Kahlil Benson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson seems poised to swipe the starting right tackle job.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksSonny StylesWashington CommandersAug 12, 2026
Sonny Styles to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“The fit and talent are ideal for a sensational first season. Styles can win DROY if he helps turn around a moribund DC defense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsGarrett BradburyChicago BearsAug 12, 2026
Garrett Bradbury to be 1st on the depth chart
“Garrett Bradbury ran away with the starting center gig.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCaleb LomuNew England PatriotsAug 12, 2026
Caleb Lomu to be 1st on the depth chart
“Versatility could give the Pats options before the No. 28 overall pick eventually takes over one of the tackle spots.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsAug 12, 2026
DJ Moore to be 1st on the depth chart
“It appears Josh Allen might finally have the go-to target he's missed since Stefon Diggs left town.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsBraxton JonesChicago BearsAug 12, 2026
Braxton Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“If he's healthy, I expect Jones to be the Week 1 starter.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKirk CousinsLas Vegas RaidersAug 12, 2026
Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Kirk Cousins remains the starter. That doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTyler GuytonDallas CowboysAug 12, 2026
Tyler Guyton to be 1st on the depth chart
“it's clear that the former first-rounder is in the lead. Nate Thomas must improve significantly to have a shot. Guyton is the front-runner”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Aaron Donald to move to Los Angeles Rams
“At this point, I'll be more surprised if Aaron Donald doesn't return. It feels inevitable.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTy SimpsonLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
Ty Simpson to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Surely no one will make a big deal about a first-rounder sitting No. 3 on the depth chart.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Keionte Scott to be 1st on the depth chart
“keep an eye on rookie DB Keionte Scott ... Scott could earn the starting nickel job”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Stefon Diggs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“The veteran showed he can still play, and slots perfectly opposite Terry McLaurin. ... Adding the WR2 slots everyone in more fitting roles early in the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAlvin KamaraNew Orleans SaintsAug 12, 2026
Alvin Kamara to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Travis Etienne has taken most of the early-down reps in team drills with Alvin Kamara taking third downs and passing situations. That feels like it will be the trend into the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJeremiyah LoveArizona CardinalsAug 12, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tyler Allgeier being placed ahead of Jeremiyah Love caught my eye. I don't believe things will stay that way come September”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsStetson BennettLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
Stetson Bennett to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Stetson Bennett IV continues to run ahead of Ty Simpson as Matthew Stafford's backup”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Anton Harrison to be 1st on the depth chart
“Anton Harrison's move to left tackle appears all but official at this point.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Travis Etienne to be 1st on the depth chart
“Travis Etienne has taken most of the early-down reps in team drills with Alvin Kamara taking third downs and passing situations. That feels like it will be the trend into the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRico DowdlePittsburgh SteelersAug 12, 2026
Rico Dowdle to be 1st on the depth chart
“Rico Dowdle appears on his way to taking the lead role in the timeshare with Jaylen Warren.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms 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 · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Rogers 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.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 100Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Jake ArthurScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 98Arthur expects a close Chiefs win on Sunday Night Football at Arrowhead, predicting a final score of 27-23 for Kansas City.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Rashod BatemanMiss · 0In his Week 2 waiver wire column, Fitzmaurice recommends a slate of pickups he expects to outperform their current rostership (Kaelon Black, Deebo Samuel, Tyler Shough, Geno Smith and others), lays out several depth-chart expectations (Black as the 49ers' No. 2 back, Shedeur Sanders eventually taking over in Cleveland, Penix returning for Atlanta), and flags Fool's Gold/drop candidates such as Mike Gesicki, Kendrick Bourne and Rashid Shaheed.