Zachary Pereles· Nov 3, 2026
Pereles floats four hypothetical trade destinations for Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. — the Chiefs, Steelers, Raiders and Commanders — laying out draft-pick packages each could offer ahead of the deadline. He also assumes Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will eventually take over as starting quarterback from Kirk Cousins.
“If the Jaguars are willing to part ways with Thomas — and that's a major "if" — there would be plenty of suitors.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 4 trade and signing calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 6 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season37 calls from 28 pundits between 1 and 3. Zachary Pereles 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.
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Who this take is about
5 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.
Brian Thomas Jr. to move to Las Vegas Raiders
“Las Vegas Raiders — Raiders receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr. Jaguars receive: 2027 third-round pick”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st on the depth chart
“in the future when No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza takes over for Kirk Cousins”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brian Thomas Jr. to move to Kansas City Chiefs
“Kansas City Chiefs — Chiefs receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr. Jaguars receive: 2027 third-round pick, 2028 sixth-round pick”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brian Thomas Jr. to move to Pittsburgh Steelers
“Pittsburgh Steelers — Steelers receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr. Jaguars receive: 2027 third-round pick, T Dylan Cook”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brian Thomas Jr. to move to Washington Commanders
“Washington Commanders — Commanders receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr. Jaguars receive: 2027 fourth-round pick, DT Shy Tuttle”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- David HarrisonRoster Spot Calls · Jaden BradleyMiss · 0Harrison gives his initial 53-man roster projection for the Washington Commanders: three quarterbacks including Ethan Kalyak Manus, three running backs, four tight ends, six receivers (leaving off De'Ami Brown and Jaden Bradley), nine offensive linemen with Matt Goldman at center, and a defense of six linebackers but only four cornerbacks. He also projects Tunstall and Newton going to IR on Monday with De'Ami Brown and Dietrich Wise re-signed, plus a corner-heavy practice squad.
- David HarrisonRoster Spot Calls · Jer'Zhan NewtonHit · 100Harrison projects the Washington Commanders' initial 53-man roster if it had to be set today, naming 26 offensive players, three specialists and 24 defenders, and also assigns depth-chart slots at quarterback, running back, the offensive line, the interior defensive line, and the return/specialist jobs.
- Jordan FooteGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Foote expects the Chiefs to rebound at home against the Jets, arguing Geno Smith can't keep pace with Patrick Mahomes and that only turnovers or penalties would keep the game close.
- Tyler BrownGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Brown thinks the Jets will hang around for a while but that the more talented Chiefs will ultimately handle the game at home.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 62Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson.
- Eric ManginiGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Mangini picked New England to beat Green Bay by more than a field goal, flagged Tampa Bay as his upset alert over Chicago, expects Kansas City to handle the Jets, took Buffalo over Minnesota, backed Cincinnati over Atlanta in Madrid, and updated his Super Bowl to Rams–Bengals.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Parker HurleyTrade and Signing Calls · Jessie BatesMiss · 0Hurley argues a Jessie Bates trade to San Francisco is unrealistic because Atlanta remains in the weak NFC South race and likely won't sell, and he expects 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown to depart in free agency after this season.
- Doug JoubertTrade and Signing Calls · Kendre MillerHit · 100Joubert doubts Taysom Hill will return to the Saints for financial reasons and believes Hill has retired from the NFL. He also expects CJ Donaldson to get more carries while the Saints move on from Kendre Miller.
- Randy GurziTrade and Signing Calls · Taylor RappMiss · 0Gurzi argues that, given Brandon Beane's fondness for reunions, recently released safety Taylor Rapp is a realistic option to return to Buffalo for safety depth — though only if the Bills fail to land a starting-caliber safety at the trade deadline.
- Sean PaytonTrade and Signing Calls · Taylor RappHit · 100Payton said there is a better than good chance safety Taylor Rapp re-signs with the Broncos, and expects it to happen sooner rather than later.
- Joe MarinoTrade and Signing Calls · Taylor RappHit · 100Marino argues the Bills should and almost certainly will release safety Taylor Rapp to save cap space, saying he'd be stunned if Buffalo kept him.
- Albert BreerTrade and Signing Calls · Jacoby BrissettHit · 100Breer argues the Jaguars should be taken very seriously, seeing a path to 13 wins and the AFC's No. 1 seed with a first-round bye, and he expects the Jacoby Brissett trade to Baltimore to be completed within a day.