Ralph VacchianoAug 24, 2026

Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams' skill position groups (RB/WR/TE) for the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. Along the way they make several claims about individual players' roles, including depth-chart placements.

Published in writing · Fox SportsRead the original

Waiting27 calls, none settled yet

—Average accuracynothing settled yet

—A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

0 of 27Settled27 still waiting

27Waitingnot graded yet

What Ralph Vacchiano said

So, which NFL teams have the best skill players this season? We ranked all 32 groups across the league.

Ralph Vacchiano, the lead quote

Where it was published: Fox Sports
The piece: Which NFL Teams Have The Best Skill Position Players? Ranking All 32 Groups ...
The original: Read the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

Box score, by kind

HitCloseMissWaiting

Group	Hits	Close	Misses	Waiting	Calls
Depth Chart Calls	0	0	0	24
Positional Finishes	0	0	0	3
All	0	0	0	27

How each call scored

27 checkable claims — 24 depth chart calls and 3 positional finishes — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 43 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.

Of the 27 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 5 and below it on 22.

Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.

Their call against the room

1They said

1The room (11 pundits)

Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.

Depth Chart Calls24 waitingShow ▸

A.J. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“they went out and added an elite No. 1 receiver in A.J. Brown”
A.J. Brown New England Patriots
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Stefon Diggs to be 1st on the depth chart
“they signed 32-year-old WR Stefon Diggs. He may not be what he once was, but he was still a pretty good No. 1 receiver for the Patriots last season.”
Stefon Diggs Washington Commanders
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Isaac TeSlaa to be 3rd on the depth chart
“if third receiver Isaac TeSlaa builds off his strong finish to last year”
Isaac TeSlaa Detroit Lions
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Brian Robinson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Brian Robinson is the backup running back”
Brian Robinson Atlanta Falcons
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Romeo Doubs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“a pretty good No. 2 in Romeo Doubs”
Romeo Doubs New England Patriots
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Isiah Pacheco to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Isiah Pacheco replaces David Montgomery as Jahmyr Gibbs' sidekick”
Isiah Pacheco Detroit Lions
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Rashod Bateman to be 2nd on the depth chart
“a decent third receiver being forced to play the No. 2 spot”
Rashod Bateman Baltimore Ravens
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Devaughn Vele to be 4th on the depth chart
“New Orleans will be hoping Devaughn Vele, a fourth receiver at best, can step into a much bigger role.”
Devaughn Vele New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
DeVonta Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“Not many teams can trade away a No. 1 receiver (A.J. Brown) and still have one on the roster (DeVonta Smith)”
DeVonta Smith Philadelphia Eagles
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Khalil Shakir to be 2nd on the depth chart
“their best hope is Khalil Shakir, who is a decent No. 2 receiver.”
Khalil Shakir Buffalo Bills
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Josh Downs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He's got a strong No. 2 in Josh Downs”
Josh Downs Indianapolis Colts
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Malik Washington to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Malik Washington could be a good third receiver, but might be forced into a larger role.”
Malik Washington Miami Dolphins
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Michael Wilson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Michael Wilson has put up good numbers for a No. 1 WR while waiting for Harrison to develop.”
Michael Wilson Arizona Cardinals
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Bucky Irving to be 1st on the depth chart
“RB Bucky Irving could again be a good lead back (with new addition Kenneth Gainwell as his handcuff)”
Bucky Irving Tampa Bay Buccaneers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Andrei Iosivas to be 3rd on the depth chart
“The Bengals are OK with Andrei Iosivas as their third receiver”
Andrei Iosivas Cincinnati Bengals
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jahmyr Gibbs to be 1st on the depth chart
“there shouldn't be much of a drop-off now as Isiah Pacheco replaces David Montgomery as Jahmyr Gibbs' sidekick”
Jahmyr Gibbs Detroit Lions
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Zay Flowers to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Ravens also have a dangerous No. 1 WR in Zay Flowers.”
Zay Flowers Baltimore Ravens
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Chris Olave to be 1st on the depth chart
“The second-year starter does still have a true No. 1 WR in Chris Olave.”
Chris Olave New Orleans Saints
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Tee Higgins to be 1st on the depth chart
“with QB Joe Burrow healthy, Tee Higgins is going to put up No. 1 receiver numbers, too”
Tee Higgins Cincinnati Bengals
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Alec Pierce to be 1st on the depth chart
“The problem is he's Indy's No. 1 receiver now, and it's unclear if he can carry that load.”
Alec Pierce Indianapolis Colts
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Troy Franklin to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Tony Franklin could be one of the best third receivers in the league”
Troy Franklin Denver Broncos
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jaylin Noel to be 2nd on the depth chart
“That leaves Noel, who needs to somehow become a viable No. 2”
Jaylin Noel Houston Texans
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jadarian Price to be 1st on the depth chart
“That could put a lot of pressure on first-round pick Jadarian Price, who was a backup himself at Notre Dame.”
Jadarian Price Seattle Seahawks
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Nico Collins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nico Collins is a No. 1 receiver.”
Nico Collins Houston Texans
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Positional Finishes3 waitingShow ▸

Trey McBride to finish top 1 at his position, by receiving yards
“And Trey McBride is the best and most productive receiving TE in the league.”
Trey McBride Arizona Cardinals
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Bijan Robinson to finish top 1 at his position, by rushing yards
“Bijan Robinson continued to show he's the best RB in football.”
Bijan Robinson Atlanta Falcons
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Ja'Marr Chase to finish top 1 at his position, by receiving yards
“Ja'Marr Chase is the NFL's most talented receiver.”
Ja'Marr Chase Cincinnati Bengals
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Others on the same people

Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.
Jordan Dajani · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 95
Dajani picks the Commanders to edge the Giants 21-20 on Thursday and the Chiefs to beat the Falcons 26-20 in Week 10.
Tyler Sullivan · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 100
Sullivan takes the Commanders 24-21 over the Giants on Thursday night and calls for a Steelers upset of the Bengals, 27-24, in Week 10.
John Breech · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 90
Breech picks the Commanders to upset the Giants on Thursday night, 24-17, and takes the Texans to beat the Browns 24-16 in Week 10 behind a pass rush that should batter Deshaun Watson.
Jordan Dajani · Score Predictions · Washington Commanders · Hit 95
Dajani picked seven Week 10 games with final scores, including a Commanders upset of the Giants, Lions over the Patriots in Munich, Chiefs over the Falcons, Packers edging the Vikings, 49ers over the Cowboys, Bengals over the Steelers and Ravens over the Chargers. They also suggested Joe Burrow could win MVP this season.

More depth chart calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

Michael Moore · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. They also expect Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.
Zachary Pereles · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints.
Jacob Herlin · Depth Chart Calls · J.J. McCarthy · Hit 100
Herlin published Week 7 fantasy D/ST rankings with projections for 28 team defenses, led by Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland. They also expect Cleveland to post a fourth straight top-10 fantasy defense result, and predicts Jalon Daniels starts another week for Tampa Bay while J.J. McCarthy takes over as the Giants' starter.
Mike Moraitis · Depth Chart Calls · Tyson Bagent · Miss 0
Previewing the Bears-Packers Week 5 matchup, they state Tyson Bagent will again start at quarterback for Chicago, while framing Green Bay's receivers, pass defense and return game as threats. The rest of the piece is descriptive analysis of season-to-date statistics rather than forecasts of outcomes.
John Breech · Depth Chart Calls · Jameis Winston · Hit 100
Breech picked the Eagles to beat the Bears 23-16 on Monday night, and expected Jameis Winston to start at quarterback for the Giants in Week 4 against Arizona while newly acquired J.J. McCarthy gets up to speed.
Carter Bahns · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Miss 0
Bahns calls it reality that Shedeur Sanders will take over as Cleveland's starting quarterback by Week 4, with Deshaun Watson set to fail.