Charlie Campbell· Aug 27, 2026
Campbell projects Texas safety Jelani McDonald as having early-round potential in the 2027 NFL Draft, and sees him as a future NFL starting free safety.
“Entering the 2026 season, McDonald has early-round potential.”
published in writing · Walter Football · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 1 depth chart call and 1 mock draft pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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Who this take is about
2 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.
- Depth Chart CallsJelani McDonaldAug 27, 2026
Jelani McDonald to be 1st on the depth chart
“McDonald looks like a potential starting free safety in the NFL who will be a versatile asset in pass coverage and a quality contributor in the ground game.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Mock Draft PicksJelani McDonaldAug 27, 2026
Jelani McDonald to be picked “early-round potential”
“2027 NFL Draft Expectations: Entering the 2026 season, McDonald has early-round potential.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- WaltMock Draft Picks · Jelani McDonaldPendingIn his 2027 NFL Mock Draft (picks 17-32 of Round 1), Walt matched sixteen first-round prospects to teams, including David Stone to Denver, D.J. McKinney to the Jets, Jordan Seaton to Baltimore and John Mateer to Cleveland. He also predicted Trey Hendrickson would win 2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
- WaltMock Draft Picks · Jelani McDonaldPendingWalt's 2027 NFL Mock Draft assigns the first 16 picks, starting with Arch Manning to the Cardinals at No. 1 and including quarterbacks Dante Moore at No. 4 and LaNorris Sellers at No. 13.
- Ryan RobertsMock Draft Picks · Jelani McDonaldPendingRoberts predicts Texas safety Jelani McDonald will be selected within the top 50 picks of the 2027 NFL Draft.
- Mike RennerMock Draft Picks · Jelani McDonaldPendingRenner ranks the top 10 safeties for the 2027 NFL Draft class, grading each with a projected draft range, and predicts the class is strong enough to produce a couple of first-rounders. He also expects LSU's Dashawn Spears to step into a full-time slot role this fall.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100Podell ranks all 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Josh Allen first, Patrick Mahomes second and Case Keenum last. He also expects Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. to return to action in Week 3 and Case Keenum to possibly start for the Bears.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100A roundup of NFC injury news expects Jameis Winston to start for the Giants in any games Jaxson Dart misses, and suggests third-stringer Case Keenum could end up starting for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3 with both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent sidelined.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100With Caleb Williams injured and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, third-string quarterback Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- 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.