Chad Jensen#81 of 87 NFL pundits · Aug 16, 2026
Reviewing the Broncos' preseason opener win over Atlanta, Jensen projects Jarrett Stidham to hold the No. 2 quarterback job behind Bo Nix for a fourth straight year, and says Luke Wattenberg will start at center with Alex Forsyth backing them up. They also frame Evan Engram and Adam Trautman as the top two tight ends with two spots open behind them.
Published in writing · Sports IllustratedRead the original
What Chad Jensen said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromIt's looking like a fourth straight season of Stidham as QB2 behind Bo Nix.
- Where it was published
- Sports Illustrated
- The piece
- Broncos' Preseason Opener: Every Player Who Helped Their Roster Chances
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- 1Alex Forsyth to be 2nd on the depth chart“Luke Wattenberg will be the starter with Alex Forsyth as his backup, but the versatility Throckmorton showcased...”
- 2Adam Trautman to be 2nd on the depth chart“The tight end battle rages on, with two roster spots open behind Evan Engram and Adam Trautman.”
- 3Bo Nix to be 1st on the depth chart“It's looking like a fourth straight season of Stidham as QB2 behind Bo Nix.”
- 4Jarrett Stidham to be 2nd on the depth chart“But Stidham shined in Atlanta, with 131 passing yards and a touchdown, showing clear separation between himself and Ehlinger. It's looking like a fourth straight season of Stidham as QB2 behind Bo Nix.”
- 5Evan Engram to be 1st on the depth chart“The tight end battle rages on, with two roster spots open behind Evan Engram and Adam Trautman.”
- 6Luke Wattenberg to be 1st on the depth chart“Luke Wattenberg will be the starter with Alex Forsyth as his backup”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Forsyth to be 2nd on the depth chart1 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Adam Trautman to be 2nd on the depth chart2 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Bo Nix to be 1st on the depth chart3 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Jarrett Stidham to be 2nd on the depth chart4 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Evan Engram to be 1st on the depth chart5 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Luke Wattenberg to be 1st on the depth chart6 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 6 calls · 6 waiting | — | — | ||||
How each call scored
6 checkable claims — 6 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 7 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 4 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
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.
Where this call stands in the room
Bo Nix · 2026 season4 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 2. Chad Jensen 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.
1Depth Chart CallsAlex ForsythDenver Broncos
Alex Forsyth to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
2Depth Chart CallsAdam TrautmanDenver Broncos
Adam Trautman to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
3Depth Chart CallsBo NixDenver Broncos
Bo Nix to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
4Depth Chart CallsJarrett StidhamDenver Broncos
Jarrett Stidham to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
5Depth Chart CallsEvan EngramDenver Broncos
Evan Engram to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
6Depth Chart CallsLuke WattenbergDenver Broncos
Luke Wattenberg to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
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.Zack Kelberman · Game Outcome Picks · Denver Broncos · Hit 100
Kelberman predicts the Broncos will comfortably beat the Panthers in Week 9, with Denver's offensive line handling Carolina's weak pass rush.Connor Rogers · Game Outcome Picks · Denver Broncos · Hit 100
Rogers picked straight-up winners in every Week 9 game, agreeing with Simms on all of them, and gave a 24-20 Bills score over the Vikings on Monday night.Chris Simms · Score Predictions · Denver Broncos · Hit 98
Simms gave a predicted final score for every Week 9 game, picking the Bengals, Chiefs, Broncos, Lions, Giants, Rams, Cowboys, Saints, 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, Texans, Bears and Bills, and also said they wouldn't be shocked to see Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship Game.
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.Nic Bodiford · Depth Chart Calls · Joe Fagnano · Hit 100
Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.