Walt· Aug 7, 2026
In its running 2026 free-agent signing grades, the site projects roles for several newly signed players (Diggs and Doubs as No. 2 receivers, Jennings and Nailor as third receivers, Allgeier as Arizona's primary back, Willis as Miami's starter), tags Chris Rodriguez as a potential fantasy sleeper, expects the Raiders to draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall and the Jets to take an edge rusher at No. 2, sees Bradley Chubb helping Buffalo advance deep into the playoffs, and doubts several signees will make the 53-man roster.
“He has regressed since then due to age. However, he can still be a decent No. 2 receiver for Jayden Daniels.”
published in writing · Walter Football · read the original →
14 checkable claims — 8 depth chart calls, 3 roster spot calls, 1 mock draft pick, 1 playoff pick and 1 team draft slot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 24 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
2 of 14 have settled so far, averaging 50 out of 100, against 75 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 9 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 8.
Where this call stands in the room
Jalen Coker · 2026 season8 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 2. Walt said 2. the room's median is 2. 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Durham Smythe
- Baltimore Ravens
- Fernando Mendoza
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Darnell Savage
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kalia Davis
- Cleveland Browns
- Jauan Jennings
- Minnesota Vikings
- Romeo Doubs
- New England Patriots
- Jalen Nailor
- Daniel Faalele
- New York Giants
- Stefon Diggs
- Jalen Coker
- Carolina Panthers
- Tyler Allgeier
- Arizona Cardinals
- Malik Willis
- Miami Dolphins
- New York Jets
- Buffalo Bills
14 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.
Durham Smythe to make the roster
“It wouldn't surprise me if he didn't make the 53-man roster.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- BAL
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Durham Smythe
- 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
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1
“Why would the Raiders sign Kirk Cousins for $20 million when they're just going to draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall?”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 50How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- player:
- Fernando Mendoza
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- only one pick — no order to score
Darnell Savage to make the roster
“There's a better possibility that Savage won't even make the final 53-man roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsKalia DavisCleveland BrownsAug 7, 2026
Kalia Davis to make the roster
“He's just a body in the trenches, and it shouldn't be a surprise if he fails to crack the 53-man roster on a better defense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jauan Jennings to be 3rd on the depth chart
“He's certainly an upgrade over what the Vikings had last year at their third receiver spot, which was occupied by Jalen Nailor.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Romeo Doubs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“It's more likely that we'll see Doubs function as a No. 2 possession receiver, which means this is a bit of an overpay”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalen Nailor to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Nailor is just a No. 3 receiver at best, and I'm not even sure if he's a No. 3 receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Daniel Faalele to be 1st on the depth chart
“Faalele could end up starting for the Giants, making this a quality signing.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsStefon DiggsAug 7, 2026
Stefon Diggs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He has regressed since then due to age. However, he can still be a decent No. 2 receiver for Jayden Daniels.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalen Coker to be 2nd on the depth chart
“It's looking like he'll be a solid No. 2 wideout in the NFL for a long time, and if that's true, he'll be appropriately paid.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyler Allgeier to be 1st on the depth chart
“the Cardinals were able to get a very cheap option to be their new primary back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMalik WillisMiami DolphinsAug 7, 2026
Malik Willis to be 1st on the depth chart
“they obviously signed a former Packer quarterback to be their new franchise signal-caller”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsNew York JetsAug 7, 2026
New York Jets to pick at number 2
“The Jets will be able to obtain a great edge rusher with the second pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to complement Will McDonald”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsAug 7, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“Chubb will give Buffalo a huge pass-rushing boost, which will help the team advance deep into the playoffs this upcoming season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Baltimore RavensHit · 98Simms 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 · New York GiantsHit · 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 · Buffalo BillsHit · 100Long 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 · Baltimore RavensHit · 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.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Minnesota VikingsHit · 100Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South.
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.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a Week 1 recap with no named byline, CBS Sports suggested Michael Penix Jr. would take over as Atlanta's Week 2 starter if healthy, called Ashton Jeanty's sophomore breakout imminent, and warned readers not to overlook San Francisco as NFC West winners.
- Bill HuberDepth Chart Calls · Chris McClellanMiss · 0Huber's first Packers rookie progress report projects second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse to hold onto his spot with the No. 1 defense, third-round defensive tackle Chris McClellan to start in Week 1, and fifth-round lineman Jager Burton to be the team's top interior backup rather than a starter.
- Randy GurziDepth Chart Calls · Jadarian PriceHit · 100Gurzi suggests the Seahawks could sign three free agents — safety Donovan Wilson, guard Kevin Zeitler, and running back Kareem Hunt — if weaknesses show up after Week 1. He also notes Trevon Diggs starting on the practice squad and describes Seattle's projected backfield roles.