# Lance Zierlein: Reviewing the 2026 draft classes, Lance tabbed Tampa Bay's Reuben Bain as a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, projected modest rookie receiving production for third-rounder Ted Hurst, and pegged several Day 3 picks for depth-chart roles — Chandler Rivers as a future starting nickel in Baltimore, Parker Brailsford as a future starting center, and Mike Washington as the Raiders' second running back behind Ashton Jeanty.

**Claimed:** May 4, 2026
**Pundit:** Lance Zierlein — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/lance-zierlein
**Outlet:** Move the Sticks (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/move-the-sticks-podcast
**How it reached us:** said on air or in an interview
**Original:** https://omny.fm/shows/nfl-move-the-sticks-with-daniel-jeremiah-bucky-bro/teams-with-the-best-2026-nfl-draft-hauls-chiefs-giants-jets-ravens-and-more

5 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 1 award pick and 1 player season number — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 9 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

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

Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.

> And as soon as I saw that, I'm like, whoo, defensive rookie of the year.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **Chandler Rivers to be 1st on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Chandler Rivers, Baltimore Ravens
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Ted Hurst to record 5–6 receiving yards**
  - Kind: Player Season Numbers · About: Ted Hurst, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Mike Washington to be 2nd on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Mike Washington, Las Vegas Raiders
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Parker Brailsford to be 1st on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Parker Brailsford, Cleveland Browns
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Rueben Bain to win Defensive Rookie of the Year**
  - Kind: Award Picks · About: Rueben Bain, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- Chandler Rivers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chandler-rivers
- Baltimore Ravens — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/ravens
- Ted Hurst — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ted-hurst
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/buccaneers
- Mike Washington — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/mike-washington
- Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/raiders
- Parker Brailsford — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/parker-brailsford
- Cleveland Browns — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/browns
- Rueben Bain — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/rueben-bain

## What others said about the same people

- Brandon Carney on Mike Evans: Carney predicts Geno Smith signs with the Vikings and starts for them, that at least four of the fringe veteran quarterbacks (Tua, Kyler, Cousins, Fields, Geno) will be starters next season, and that Mike Evans stays with Tampa Bay. They also rank their top fantasy wide receivers and comments on running back landing spots and trade values. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c228a7e7-4915-4bc7-bacc-8c9b3298c2c1 (scored 0)
- Dalton Feely on Chris Godwin Jr.: Feenie predicted Chris Godwin stays in Tampa Bay, Josh Sweat reunites with Jonathan Gannon in Arizona, Ronnie Stanley signs with New England, Jevon Holland lands in Indianapolis, Khalil Mack joins Washington, Asante Samuel Jr. goes to San Francisco, Najee Harris to the Raiders and Bobby Wagner to Dallas. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5456472e-edf1-49c5-9f6b-bd59183fcea7 (scored 100)
- Rich Eisen on Myles Garrett: Discussing Myles Garrett's trade request, Eisen said they expect Garrett to get their way and be moved out of Cleveland rather than stay, which is why staying would be shocking. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b61b90d2-d027-4022-b57a-d30ac36f21bc (scored 100)
- Eric Mangini on Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mangini picked New England to beat Green Bay by more than a field goal, flagged Tampa Bay as their upset alert over Chicago, expects Kansas City to handle the Jets, took Buffalo over Minnesota, backed Cincinnati over Atlanta in Madrid, and updated their Super Bowl to Rams–Bengals. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/af0819c3-4662-44a2-a451-a08fa3b7e59a (scored 0)
- Nick Wright on Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Wright argued the Jaguars are the AFC's most complete team, calling them the considerable favorite for the No. 1 seed and the only club essentially locked into the playoffs. They also picked Tampa Bay to upset Chicago, had Kansas City sweeping its next three games, liked New England over Green Bay by about a field goal, and updated their Super Bowl matchup to Chiefs–49ers. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/878403ae-b780-41f0-b38a-200b1a3e36ff (scored 0)
- Donte Johnson on Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The former NFL safety picked the Buccaneers to upset the Bears in their Week 9 matchup, arguing Todd Bowles' defense would frustrate Caleb Williams. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1731194b-2ff9-4142-b4ca-45a4097101ae (scored 0)

## More depth chart calls

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

- Jeremy Brener on Drew Lock: Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7eb2d245-63d0-4be0-80ba-3f60197e2b16 (scored 100)
- Jeremy Brener on Jalen Milroe: Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for their first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/42d1bd81-5e19-456e-9f68-b3b135170ec0 (scored 0)
- Garrett Podell on Carson Beck: Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace them as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2f499498-ebbe-41f8-8ea3-41fe96f79432 (scored 0)
- Jacob Herlin on J.J. McCarthy: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cf4a2992-3760-464e-b540-6182ebc4457f (scored 100)
- Donnie Druin on Jacoby Brissett: Following the Cardinals' decision not to make staff or lineup changes, Druin states that Jacoby Brissett will remain Arizona's starting quarterback for another week, with rookie Carson Beck staying behind them. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cb29b9b6-2fbf-4df8-8438-ac3f0b9b9566 (scored 100)
- Jordan Dajani on Drew Kendall: Dajani expects Cam Jurgens to move back to center as the Ravens' starter after the trade, and projects a rebuilt Eagles offensive line for Week 5 with Jordan Mailata, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall, Tyler Steen and Markel Bell starting from left tackle to right tackle. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cad37b83-7924-4f90-9898-82a22fa12331 (scored 0)

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Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology

We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us:
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