Ralph Vacchiano· Aug 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 he makes several claims about individual players' roles, including depth-chart placements.
“So, which NFL teams have the best skill players this season? We ranked all 32 groups across the league.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
27 checkable claims — 24 depth chart calls and 3 positional finishes — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
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.
Where this call stands in the room
Romeo Doubs · 2026 season6 calls from 6 pundits between 1 and 2. Ralph Vacchiano 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- DeVonta Smith
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Devaughn Vele
- New Orleans Saints
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Detroit Lions
- Ja'Marr Chase
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Andrei Iosivas
- Jaylin Noel
- Houston Texans
- Brian Robinson
- Atlanta Falcons
- Chris Olave
- Zay Flowers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Nico Collins
- Jadarian Price
- Seattle Seahawks
- Josh Downs
- Indianapolis Colts
- Bucky Irving
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Khalil Shakir
- Buffalo Bills
- Michael Wilson
- Arizona Cardinals
- Isiah Pacheco
- A.J. Brown
- New England Patriots
- Troy Franklin
- Denver Broncos
- Isaac TeSlaa
- Bijan Robinson
- Stefon Diggs
- Washington Commanders
- Tee Higgins
- Rashod Bateman
- Trey McBride
- Malik Washington
- Miami Dolphins
- Romeo Doubs
- Alec Pierce
27 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.
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)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDevaughn VeleNew Orleans SaintsAug 24, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJahmyr GibbsDetroit LionsAug 24, 2026
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”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ja'Marr Chase to finish top 1 at his position, by receiving yards
“Ja'Marr Chase is the NFL's most talented receiver.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
Andrei Iosivas to be 3rd on the depth chart
“The Bengals are OK with Andrei Iosivas as their third receiver”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJaylin NoelHouston TexansAug 24, 2026
Jaylin Noel to be 2nd on the depth chart
“That leaves Noel, who needs to somehow become a viable No. 2”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsBrian RobinsonAtlanta FalconsAug 24, 2026
Brian Robinson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Brian Robinson is the backup running back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsChris OlaveNew Orleans SaintsAug 24, 2026
Chris Olave to be 1st on the depth chart
“The second-year starter does still have a true No. 1 WR in Chris Olave.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsZay FlowersBaltimore RavensAug 24, 2026
Zay Flowers to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Ravens also have a dangerous No. 1 WR in Zay Flowers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsNico CollinsHouston TexansAug 24, 2026
Nico Collins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nico Collins is a No. 1 receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksAug 24, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJosh DownsIndianapolis ColtsAug 24, 2026
Josh Downs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He's got a strong No. 2 in Josh Downs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
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)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKhalil ShakirBuffalo BillsAug 24, 2026
Khalil Shakir to be 2nd on the depth chart
“their best hope is Khalil Shakir, who is a decent No. 2 receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMichael WilsonArizona CardinalsAug 24, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsIsiah PachecoDetroit LionsAug 24, 2026
Isiah Pacheco to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Isiah Pacheco replaces David Montgomery as Jahmyr Gibbs' sidekick”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsA.J. BrownNew England PatriotsAug 24, 2026
A.J. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“they went out and added an elite No. 1 receiver in A.J. Brown”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTroy FranklinDenver BroncosAug 24, 2026
Troy Franklin to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Tony Franklin could be one of the best third receivers in the league”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsIsaac TeSlaaDetroit LionsAug 24, 2026
Isaac TeSlaa to be 3rd on the depth chart
“if third receiver Isaac TeSlaa builds off his strong finish to last year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesBijan RobinsonAtlanta FalconsAug 24, 2026
Bijan Robinson to finish top 1 at his position, by rushing yards
“Bijan Robinson continued to show he's the best RB in football.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTee HigginsCincinnati BengalsAug 24, 2026
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”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRashod BatemanBaltimore RavensAug 24, 2026
Rashod Bateman to be 2nd on the depth chart
“a decent third receiver being forced to play the No. 2 spot”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesTrey McBrideArizona CardinalsAug 24, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMalik WashingtonMiami DolphinsAug 24, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRomeo DoubsNew England PatriotsAug 24, 2026
Romeo Doubs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“a pretty good No. 2 in Romeo Doubs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAlec PierceIndianapolis ColtsAug 24, 2026
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.”
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 · Detroit LionsHit · 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 · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long 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 · Houston TexansMiss · 0Previewing 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 · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Monson 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 · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.
- 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.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports preseason review grading all 32 teams, which along the way stakes out a number of depth-chart calls for Week 1 and beyond — including Deshaun Watson opening as Cleveland's starter, Fernando Mendoza taking over as Las Vegas' QB1 by season's end, and Minnesota's Murray-Wentz-McCarthy quarterback order.