Jeff Kerr· Aug 26, 2026
Kerr ranks the Eagles' eight undrafted free agents by their chances of making the initial 53-man roster, with Kapena Gushiken the most likely and predicts at least one UDFA makes the 53. He also forecasts practice squad spots for Zion Wilson, Deontae Lawson and Maximus Pulley, and a release for long snapper Rocco Underwood.
“Of the eight UDFAs, Gushiken has the best chance to make the 53.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
8 checkable claims — 7 roster spot calls and 1 top player list — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
4 of 8 have settled so far, averaging 50 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
8 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.
Chance Campbell to make the roster
“there's a good chance Chance Campbell makes the roster”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PHI
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Chance Campbell
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 3
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 2
Rocco Underwood to make the roster
“The Eagles will likely cut Underwood because he's a long snapper and can pass through waivers.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PHI
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Rocco Underwood
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Maximus Pulley to make the roster
“Pulley is going to have a spot on the practice squad.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PHI
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Maximus Pulley
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 2
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 1
Smael Mondon Jr. to make the roster
“Smael Mondon will make this team, and there's a good chance Chance Campbell makes the roster.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PHI
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Smael Mondon Jr.
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsZion WilsonPhiladelphia EaglesAug 26, 2026
Zion Wilson to make the roster
“There may be a spot for Wilson on the practice squad.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Deontae Lawson to make the roster
“There will be a practice squad spot available for Lawson.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kapena Gushiken to make the roster
“Of the eight UDFAs, Gushiken has the best chance to make the 53. He may be the leader in the clubhouse for the final safety spot”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Top Player ListsAug 26, 2026
“Let's rank the eight current undrafted free agents based on their performance in training camp and their roster situation.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 0Tice 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.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 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.
- Matt HarmonScore Predictions · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Harmon picked the Bengals to beat the Texans in Week 2, expecting Nico Collins to miss the game with a hamstring injury, and also predicted the Titans would be shut out by the Eagles. He took the Rams over the Giants, the Bears over the Vikings, and the Jaguars at Denver.
- Ty SchmitGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 0While taking the Bears to cover, he said he expects the Eagles to win Monday night in Chicago in a tight game.
- Darius ButlerGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 0He trusts Jalen Hurts over the Bears' quarterback situation and picked Philadelphia to beat Chicago on Monday night.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 33Dubin picked the Eagles to win at Chicago 23-10 on Monday night.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Carter BahnsRoster Spot Calls · Jeshaun JonesMiss · 0A CBS Sports piece expects suspended Vikings receiver Jeshaun Jones to lose his roster battle and be cut by the Aug. 30 deadline, given Minnesota's established receiver group.
- Ralph VentreRoster Spot Calls · Christian BenfordMiss · 0Ventre expects Christian Benford's toe injury to sideline him for at least the Week 4 game against New England, and believes the Bills will have to add a cornerback to the 53-man roster this week — likely by moving Benford to injured reserve — with practice squad rookie Kani Walker the most likely player elevated.
- Thomas MartinezRoster Spot Calls · Patrick HerbertMiss · 0Martinez projects the Chargers' starting lineups on offense and defense for their Week 3 game at Buffalo, with injuries forcing several changes — Oronde Gadsden II at tight end, Trevor Penning at left guard, Jamaree Caldwell at defensive tackle and RJ Mickens at safety — while expecting Ladd McConkey to play and Marquez Valdez-Scantling to debut.
- Tyler SullivanRoster Spot Calls · Jake HaenerMiss · 0Sullivan expects the Giants, thin at quarterback after Jaxson Dart's season-ending knee injury, to elevate Jake Haener from the practice squad for Week 3.
- Ethan HurwitzRoster Spot Calls · Jeremiah Pharms Jr.Miss · 0Hurwitz writes that the elevations of Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Mike Brown likely mean Leonard Taylor III stays a healthy scratch and Joshua Farmer could be one too for the Week 3 game at Jacksonville, and that both elevated players will revert to the practice squad after Sunday.
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Reddy StewardMiss · 0Gurzi predicts the Cowboys' 17-man practice squad, naming each player he expects Dallas to sign, including a surprise addition of released Giants tackle Evan Neal. He also predicts Jaydon Blue will be claimed off waivers by another team and that Sam Williams will land elsewhere.