Pat Fitzmaurice· Oct 19, 2026
In his Week 7 waiver wire column, Fitzmaurice makes a handful of forward-looking calls beyond the weekly streaming advice: he pegs roles for rookies Omar Cooper Jr. and Colby Parkinson, expects Fernando Mendoza to take over as the Raiders' starting quarterback, forecasts return timelines for several injured players, and writes off Bo Nix after his QB15 draft cost.
“Cooper probably isn’t going to challenge Garrett Wilson‘s alpha receiver status on the Jets anytime soon, but he can be an effective No. 2 or No. 3.”
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10 checkable claims — 7 availability calls and 3 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 18 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 1.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season16 calls from 16 pundits between 1 and 2. Pat Fitzmaurice 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
10 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.
“But chances are he’ll be ready to go in Week 7 when the Vikings come out of their bye week.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsJordyn TysonNew Orleans SaintsOct 19, 2026
“Jordyn Tyson has been on IR with a hamstring injury and could be back as early as this week. The more likely scenario is that he returns in Week 9, after the Saints’ Week 8 bye.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsOmar CooperNew York JetsOct 19, 2026
Omar Cooper to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Cooper probably isn’t going to challenge Garrett Wilson‘s alpha receiver status on the Jets anytime soon, but he can be an effective No. 2 or No. 3.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsLamar JacksonBaltimore RavensOct 19, 2026
“Jackson is likely to return this week. (Week 7)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsAdonai MitchellNew York JetsOct 19, 2026
“Mitchell is likely to be back either this week or next.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsColby ParkinsonLos Angeles RamsOct 19, 2026
Colby Parkinson to be 3rd on the depth chart
“With Terrance Ferguson likely to return in Week 8, Parkinson will probably be third in the pass-catching pecking order among the Rams’ tight ends.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsOct 19, 2026
“There’s a good chance DJ Moore will be back from his shoulder injury when the Bills emerge from their Week 7 bye”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st on the depth chart
“We don’t know what the Raiders’ internal timetable is for the switch from veteran QB Kirk Cousins to No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza, but it’s possible the team could make that change soon. For the Raiders, this season is all about the transition to Mendoza as the starter.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“if he doesn’t make his return against the Commanders on Monday night, he’ll almost certainly suit up against the Falcons in Week 7”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“With Terrance Ferguson likely to return in Week 8”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Prisco 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.
- AJ HawkGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Hawk said the Chiefs would beat the Jets, the Seahawks would beat the Cardinals, and the 49ers would beat the Raiders, even while taking the points with the underdogs in each case.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Rogers 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 SimmsScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 93Simms 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 he wouldn't be shocked to see Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship Game.
- Big CatGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Big Cat picked the Bengals to beat the Falcons in Madrid, the 49ers to handle the Raiders, the Seahawks to bounce back against the Cardinals, and the Bears to beat the Buccaneers by a projected 26-23.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Tice picked the Patriots to beat the Packers and also took the Bears, Bills, 49ers and Broncos in their Week 9 matchups.
More availability calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jordan WoodsonAvailability Calls · Deshaun WatsonPendingWoodson expects Deshaun Watson to come back from his concussion in Week 10, limiting Shedeur Sanders to a late-season contingency, and thinks Jordan Watkins could remain San Francisco's top receiver against Dallas in Week 10 with Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. banged up.
- Carter BahnsAvailability Calls · J.J. McCarthyPendingBahns expects J.J. McCarthy to keep playing beyond this week despite the hip/side injury scare against the Eagles.
- Bill HuberAvailability Calls · Christian WatsonPendingHuber argues Green Bay has no excuses left and will beat New England in Foxborough, and expects Christian Watson to play despite his rib injury. He also sketches the projected interior offensive line, with John Williams at center and Laken Tomlinson at right guard.
- Michael HanichAvailability Calls · Deven EasternPendingHanich expects rookie defensive tackle Deven Eastern, just elevated to the 53-man roster, to play and see a handful of drives in Week 9 against the Cardinals.
- Pete MartuneacAvailability Calls · Kyle MonangaiPendingMartuneac predicts Kyle Monangai will be inactive again in Week 9 against Tampa Bay and won't return to the field until Week 11 after the Bears' bye. He also expects Salvon Ahmed to see little work Sunday as the team's third running back.
- Alain PoupartAvailability Calls · Malik HerringPendingPoupart reads the Dolphins' Saturday roster moves as a sign that edge defender Malik Herring, listed as questionable with a neck injury, will be available to play against the Lions.