Tom Jensen· Aug 21, 2026
Jensen projects the 49ers' final 53-man roster ahead of the August 30 cutdown, naming a long list of players he expects to be released outright, another group he expects to be cut and return on the practice squad ("boomerang cuts"), and three borderline players (Jordan James, Jacob Cowing, James Thompson Jr.) he believes San Francisco will keep.
“My thinking is if he was cut he would be picked up, so the 49ers choose to keep him.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
41 checkable claims — 41 roster spot calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 42 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
10 of 41 have settled so far, averaging 30 out of 100, against 80 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
- Sebastian Valdez
- San Francisco 49ers
- Ashtyn Davis
- Jordan James
- Siran Neal
- James Thompson
- Luke Gifford
- Brayden Willis
- Luke Farrell
- Jacob Cowing
- KhaDarel Hodge
- Hayden Rucci
- Jakob Robinson
- Titus Leo
- Eli Apple
- Larry Worth
- Victor Dimukeje
- Drake Nugent
- Josiah Deguara
- Quinton Bell
- Malik Turner
- Zamir White
- Patrick McMorris
- Nick Zakelj
- Jalen Graham
- Bryson Eason
- Sincere McCormick
- Will Pauling
- Darrell Luter Jr.
- Adrian Martinez
- Jalen Stroman
- Christian Kirk
- Alex Barrett
- Austen Pleasants
- Evan Anderson
- Doug Kramer
- Brandon Parker
- Nate Hobbs
- Robert Jones
- Khalil Herbert
- Wesley Grimes
- Trenton Irwin
41 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.
Sebastian Valdez to make the roster
“DL Quinton Bell, Bryson Eason, Sebastian Valdez”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Sebastian Valdez
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- 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:
- 3
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 2
- Roster Spot CallsAshtyn DavisSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Ashtyn Davis to make the roster
“S Ashtyn Davis”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Ashtyn Davis
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- 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:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsJordan JamesSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Jordan James to make the roster
“RB Jordan James – My thinking is if he was cut he would be picked up, so the 49ers choose to keep him.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Jordan James
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- 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:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsSiran NealSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Siran Neal to make the roster
“S: Patrick McMorris, Jalen Stroman, Siran Neal”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Siran Neal
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- 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:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
James Thompson to make the roster
“DT James Thompson Jr. – Has shown enough to keep him, cutting him would be a risk.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- James Thompson
- 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:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsLuke GiffordSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Luke Gifford to make the roster
“LB Luke Gifford, Jalen Graham”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Luke Gifford
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- 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:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Brayden Willis to make the roster
“TE: Brayden Willis, Hayden Rucci”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Brayden Willis
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- 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:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 2
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 1
- Roster Spot CallsLuke FarrellSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Luke Farrell to make the roster
“TE Luke Farrell, Josiah Deguera”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Luke Farrell
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- 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:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsJacob CowingSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Jacob Cowing to make the roster
“WR Jacob Cowing – He would have been a boomerang cut, but then the punt return touchdown against the Chargers. Supply and demand for punt returners is so dire Cowing would be at risk of being picked up.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Jacob Cowing
- 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:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
KhaDarel Hodge to make the roster
“WR KhaDarel Hodge, Will Pauling”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- KhaDarel Hodge
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- 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:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsHayden RucciSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Hayden Rucci to make the roster
“TE: Brayden Willis, Hayden Rucci”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jakob Robinson to make the roster
“DB Darrell Luter Jr., Jakob Robinson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTitus LeoSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Titus Leo to make the roster
“DL: Alex Barrett, Evan Anderson, Victor Dimukeje, Titus Leo”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsEli AppleSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Eli Apple to make the roster
“DB: Eli Apple, Nate Hobbs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsLarry WorthSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Larry Worth to make the roster
“LB Larry Worth III”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Victor Dimukeje to make the roster
“DL: Alex Barrett, Evan Anderson, Victor Dimukeje, Titus Leo”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDrake NugentSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Drake Nugent to make the roster
“OL Robert Jones, Austen Pleasants, Drake Nugent”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josiah Deguara to make the roster
“TE Luke Farrell, Josiah Deguera”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsQuinton BellSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Quinton Bell to make the roster
“DL Quinton Bell, Bryson Eason, Sebastian Valdez”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMalik TurnerSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Malik Turner to make the roster
“WR: Christian Kirk, Wesley Grimes, Malik Turner, Trenton Irwin”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsZamir WhiteSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Zamir White to make the roster
“RB: Khalil Herbert, Zamir White”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Patrick McMorris to make the roster
“S: Patrick McMorris, Jalen Stroman, Siran Neal”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsNick ZakeljSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Nick Zakelj to make the roster
“OL: Brandon Parker, Doug Kramer Jr., Nick Zakelj”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsJalen GrahamSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Jalen Graham to make the roster
“LB Luke Gifford, Jalen Graham”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsBryson EasonSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Bryson Eason to make the roster
“DL Quinton Bell, Bryson Eason, Sebastian Valdez”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Sincere McCormick to make the roster
“RB Sincere McCormick”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsWill PaulingSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Will Pauling to make the roster
“WR KhaDarel Hodge, Will Pauling”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Darrell Luter Jr. to make the roster
“DB Darrell Luter Jr., Jakob Robinson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Adrian Martinez to make the roster
“Boomerang Cuts to Practice Squad QB Adrian Martinez”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalen Stroman to make the roster
“S: Patrick McMorris, Jalen Stroman, Siran Neal”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Kirk to make the roster
“WR: Christian Kirk, Wesley Grimes, Malik Turner, Trenton Irwin”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsAlex BarrettSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Alex Barrett to make the roster
“DL: Alex Barrett, Evan Anderson, Victor Dimukeje, Titus Leo”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Austen Pleasants to make the roster
“OL Robert Jones, Austen Pleasants, Drake Nugent”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Evan Anderson to make the roster
“DL: Alex Barrett, Evan Anderson, Victor Dimukeje, Titus Leo”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDoug KramerSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Doug Kramer to make the roster
“OL: Brandon Parker, Doug Kramer Jr., Nick Zakelj”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brandon Parker to make the roster
“OL: Brandon Parker, Doug Kramer Jr., Nick Zakelj”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsNate HobbsSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Nate Hobbs to make the roster
“DB: Eli Apple, Nate Hobbs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsRobert JonesSan Francisco 49ersAug 21, 2026
Robert Jones to make the roster
“OL Robert Jones, Austen Pleasants, Drake Nugent”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Khalil Herbert to make the roster
“On the cutting block Offense RB: Khalil Herbert, Zamir White”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Wesley Grimes to make the roster
“WR: Christian Kirk, Wesley Grimes, Malik Turner, Trenton Irwin”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trenton Irwin to make the roster
“WR: Christian Kirk, Wesley Grimes, Malik Turner, Trenton Irwin”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 88Simms 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.
- Richie BradshawScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Bradshaw picks the 49ers to beat the Cardinals in their Week 3 matchup, predicting a final score of 27-14 in San Francisco's favor.
- Richard ShermanScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Sherman 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 · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100The 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 · San Francisco 49ersHit · 90Sullivan 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.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Prisco picks every Week 3 game with exact scores, highlighting upsets by Tampa Bay over Minnesota and Cleveland over Carolina, and expects the Giants to rally behind Jameis Winston.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jeff KerrRoster Spot Calls · Zach ErtzMiss · 0Kerr expects Zach Ertz to be elevated from the practice squad and play in the Eagles' Week 3 Monday night game against the Bears, and to serve as Philadelphia's clear TE1 with Dallas Goedert out.
- Jeff KerrRoster Spot Calls · Chance CampbellHit · 100Kerr ranks the Eagles' eight undrafted free agents by their chances of making the initial 53-man roster, with Kapena Gushiken the most likely and predicts at least one UDFA makes the 53. He also forecasts practice squad spots for Zion Wilson, Deontae Lawson and Maximus Pulley, and a release for long snapper Rocco Underwood.
- Carter BahnsRoster Spot Calls · Jeshaun JonesMiss · 0A CBS Sports piece expects suspended Vikings receiver Jeshaun Jones to lose his roster battle and be cut by the Aug. 30 deadline, given Minnesota's established receiver group.
- Jeff KerrRoster Spot Calls · Chance CampbellHit · 100Kerr's third Eagles 53-man roster projection names the players he expects to make the team at each position, with Cole Payton, Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson, Gabe Hall and Rocco Underwood left off; he also predicts Underwood is exposed to waivers and returns to the practice squad, Deontae Lawson lands on the practice squad, and Eli Stowers is the TE3.
- Jeff KerrRoster Spot Calls · Chance CampbellHit · 100Kerr's updated 53-man roster projection for the Eagles after eight training camp practices, naming which players make the team at each position plus depth-chart placements like Wicks as WR2, Mundt as TE2, Kendall as third guard, Bell as third tackle, and Epps/Carter battling to start at safety.
- Ralph VentreRoster Spot Calls · Christian BenfordMiss · 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.