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Ross Jackson· Jul 1, 2026

Ross Jackson lays out his early defensive 53-man roster projection for the 2026 Saints, naming five edge rushers, four interior defensive linemen, five cornerbacks, five linebackers and five safeties, plus his kicker, punter and long snapper, and sends Mike Heldman, Chris Rumph and Jackson Sirmon to the practice squad.

“So I have the scenes keeping five safeties, and this is a really strong safety room.”

said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On Saints (podcast) · read the original →

32 checkable claims — 24 roster spot calls and 8 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.

It names 31 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

16 of 32 have settled so far, averaging 93.8 out of 100, against 87.5 for a naive guess at the same calls.

Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.

Where this call stands in the room

Quincy Riley · 2026 season

3 calls from 3 pundits between 1 and 1. Ross Jackson said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet

Ross Jackson — 1the room — 3 calls from 3 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.

Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →

Who this take is about

32 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.

  • Carl Granderson to make the roster

    “we're going Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granerson. Those are your top three edge rushers for certain.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Carl Granderson
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Tyree Wilson to make the roster

    “And then Tyree Wilson, who this inch traded a fifth round pick for during the draft... And so as of right now, I have him, keeping this keeping that opportunity.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Tyree Wilson
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Jayden Price to make the roster

    “And then I'm gonna roll with Jaden Pryce. Jaden Pryce as the fifth corner that I'm gonna keep on this roster right now”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    200
    player:
    Jayden Price
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Kaden Elliss to make the roster

    “So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Kaden Elliss
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Davon Godchaux to make the roster

    “But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Davon Godchaux
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Justin Reid to make the roster

    “So I have the scenes keeping five safeties... Justin Reed as well as, Julian Blackman are your two starting kind of deep safeties”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Justin Reid
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Anfernee Jennings to make the roster

    “Then we're adding in Anthony Jennings, one of the league's best edge setters in the run game”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Anfernee Jennings
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Chris Rumph II to make the roster

    “And then Chris Rumph the third ends or Chris Rumph, the second, excuse me, ends up being another player kind of on the outside looking in... Hopefully, a veteran practice squad spot available for him”

    Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    -200
    player:
    Chris Rumph II
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Pete Werner to make the roster

    “So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Pete Werner
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Vernon Broughton to make the roster

    “But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Vernon Broughton
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Martin Emerson to make the roster

    “And then Isaac Adam as well as Martin Emerson are right there as your primary depth”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    200
    player:
    Martin Emerson
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Danny Stutsman to make the roster

    “So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Danny Stutsman
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Chase Young to make the roster

    “we're going Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granerson. Those are your top three edge rushers for certain.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Chase Young
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Cameron Jordan to make the roster

    “we're going Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granerson. Those are your top three edge rushers for certain.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Cameron Jordan
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Jordan Howden to make the roster

    “After that, I'm gonna roll with, Jordan Howden as well as Terrell Burgess.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Jordan Howden
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Isaiah Stalbird to make the roster

    “So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”

    Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skill
    How this was scored
    club:
    NO
    skill:
    0
    player:
    Isaiah Stalbird
    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

    Think this is wrong?

  • Michael Heldman to make the roster

    “it just kind of means that you're probably looking at a practice squad spot for Heldman”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Charlie Smyth to make the roster

    “I mentioned in yesterday's episode, Charlie Smith. I'm keeping him on as the kicker right now”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Julian Blackmon to be 1st on the depth chart

    “Justin Reed as well as, Julian Blackman are your two starting kind of deep safeties”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Bryan Bresee to make the roster

    “But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Jonas Sanker to be 1st on the depth chart

    “Jonas Sanker out of Virginia, who is now stepping into Allante Taylor's role as the star slot defender, in this defense”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Ryan Wright to be 1st on the depth chart

    “Your punter is Ryan Wright... He's gonna be there.”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Charlie Smyth to be 1st on the depth chart

    “makes the most sense to keep Charlie Smith there... as the kicker. We'll see if he rides to that competition. Pretty confident he will going into training camp.”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Terrell Burgess to make the roster

    “After that, I'm gonna roll with, Jordan Howden as well as Terrell Burgess.”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Isaac Yiadom to make the roster

    “And then Isaac Adam as well as Martin Emerson are right there as your primary depth”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Zach Wood to be 1st on the depth chart

    “And then finally, long snapper, Zach Wood... no competition for Zach Wood, uncontested. He's your guy”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Jackson Sirmon to make the roster

    “I think that, you know, Sermon has a quick path to be the only linebacker that was brought in outside of Ellis this offseason to the practice squad”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Justin Reid to be 1st on the depth chart

    “Justin Reed as well as, Julian Blackman are your two starting kind of deep safeties”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Kool-Aid McKinstry to be 1st on the depth chart

    “the leadership is also coming from setting the example on the football field as the top corner in the room, and that's being done by Kool Aid McKinstry... So Kool Aid and Quincy are your your starters.”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Quincy Riley to be 1st on the depth chart

    “my projection for the quarterback room is, Quilead McKentry, Quincy Riley, those year two starters on the outside”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Christian Miller to make the roster

    “But I have the scenes keeping, Brian Brzee, Devon Gotjob, Vernon Broughton, as well as Christian Miller.”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

  • Jaylan Ford to make the roster

    “So as of right now, those five linebackers for me, Ellis, Werner, Stutzman, Stahlberg, and Ford.”

    Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.

    Think this is wrong?

What others said about the same people

More roster spot calls

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