Nathan Jahnke#72 of 87 NFL pundits · Aug 24, 2026
PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a large number of depth-chart, role and fantasy-value calls across the league, including Chig Okonkwo as a top sleeper tight end, Tre Tucker as the Raiders' top receiver, and various backfield hierarchies.
Published in writing · Pro Football FocusRead the original
What Nathan Jahnke said
Tucker appears to be the clear option at this point.
- Where it was published
- Pro Football Focus
- The piece
- NFL Preseason Week 2 Recap: Immediate fantasy football takeaways from every game
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidAug 24
- PlayedSep 13
- GradedSep 17–Oct 27
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Too vague | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster Spot Calls | 7 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |
| Depth Chart Calls | 0 | 0 | 1 | 40 | 0 | |
| Fantasy Bust Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Sleeper Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Positional Finishes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| All | 7 | 0 | 2 | 49 | 1 |
How each call scored
59 claims — 41 depth chart calls, 12 roster spot calls, 3 positional finishes, 2 fantasy bust calls and 1 sleeper call — the 58 we can check each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 85 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
9 of the 58 calls we can check have settled so far, averaging 77.8 out of 100, against 88.9 for a naive guess at the same calls.
The other one was too vague to check, so it is not graded.
Of the 38 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 8 and below it on 30.
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.
Roster Spot Calls7 hits · 1 miss · 4 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Eli Stowers to make the roster
“Stowers should still make the roster given his draft capital”
1 week on a 53100Hit100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- PHI
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Eli Stowers
- 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:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 7
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Christian Kirk to be cut
“Kirk hasn’t been able to play with a calf strain and seems unlikely to make the roster”
1 week on a 530Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- SF
- skill:
- −200
- player:
- Christian Kirk
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- 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:
- 7
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Jonathan Mingo to make the roster
“Jonathan Mingo appears to be the favorite for the fifth wide receiver spot after starting both preseason games”
4 weeks on a 53100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- DAL
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Jonathan Mingo
- 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:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Laquon Treadwell to make the roster
“Laquon Treadwell locks into a roster spot: Treadwell played only one drive before exiting ahead of the rest of the Colts players who started the game.”
3 weeks on a 53100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- IND
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Laquon Treadwell
- 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
Bam Knight to make the roster
“Knight’s chances of making the roster have continued to increase”
3 weeks on a 53100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- ARI
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Bam Knight
- 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
Kyle Williams to make the roster
“Most Patriots beat writers expect the team to keep seven wide receivers this season, so Williams and Chism appear likely to make the roster.”
3 weeks on a 53100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- NE
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Kyle Williams
- 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
Xavier Smith to make the roster
“His absence this week makes it clear that his roster spot is secure.”
3 weeks on a 53100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- LAR
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Xavier Smith
- 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
Efton Chism III to make the roster
“so Williams and Chism appear likely to make the roster”
3 weeks on a 53100Hit100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- NE
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Efton Chism III
- 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
Jaylin Lane — “the odd man out if Washington keeps only seven wide receivers”
“That usage suggests Lane could be the odd man out if Washington keeps only seven wide receivers.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trey Benson to be cut
“Benson is unlikely to make the roster at this point”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Malik McClain — “favorite for the sixth wide receiver spot”
“If New York keeps six wide receivers, he appears to be the favorite for the sixth spot.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette to make the roster
“It’s possible Smith-Marsette makes the roster instead of Duvernay.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Depth Chart Calls1 miss · 40 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Jalen Tolbert to be 1st on the depth chart
“should be considered the favorite to play Z in 11 personnel in Week 1”
0Miss0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
Think this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- MIA
- week:
- 1
- skill:
- −200
- player:
- Jalen Tolbert
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he starts
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- reported:
- he did not play that week
- naive slot:
- 5
- settled by:
- weekly snap counts (he took no snap in the game)
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he keeps the job he had last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Demond Claiborne to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Demond Claiborne locks into the RB3 spot ... his spot as one of Minnesota’s top three running backs appears secure.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kaelon Black to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He was the clear starter with the first team for this game, and given his health, is now the slight favorite for the backup job.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Malachi Fields to be 1st on the depth chart
“That usage suggests Fields has won the starting X job, with Beckham as his backup.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kyle Williams to be 6th on the depth chart
“It’s clear through the first two preseason games that Williams and Chism sit sixth and seventh on the depth chart.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Stefon Diggs to be 3rd on the depth chart
“On the first drive, McLaurin lined up at X, Burks at Z and Diggs in the slot in 11 personnel. ... His usage in this game suggests he could again be limited primarily to 11 personnel”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Keaton Mitchell to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Keaton Mitchell remains the RB2 ... we should expect Mitchell to see more snaps and touches than Vidal this season.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ja'Kobi Lane to be 3rd on the depth chart
“More evidence that Ja’Kobi Lane is the Ravens’ WR3: Lane appears poised for a significant role in Baltimore’s offense this season.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Bucky Irving to be 1st on the depth chart
“All this game did was confirm that Irving is the lead back.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalen Brooks to be 4th on the depth chart
“Jalen Brooks appears to be the favorite for Arizona’s fourth wide receiver spot.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Luke Schoonmaker to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Cowboys third tight end Luke Schoonmaker played eight of the first nine snaps and left the game early, making it clear he is the third tight end.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Roman Wilson to be 3rd on the depth chart
“This suggests there is no clear favorite for the third spot, and if anything, Wilson has a slight lead given his playing time in the slot this week.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
De'Zhaun Stribling to be 3rd on the depth chart
“De’Zhaun Stribling pushes for a starting job: Stribling was a frequent target in the first half and is making a push for a top-three spot on the depth chart.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kimani Vidal to be 3rd on the depth chart
“While it remains possible this is a three-man rotation, and Vidal is simply third in that order, we should expect Mitchell to see more snaps and touches than Vidal this season.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Seth McGowan to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Rookie Seth McGowan may win the backup running back job by default with Giddens sidelined.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Malik Benson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“However, Benson has played well enough in training camp to suggest he might be ahead of Thornton on the depth chart at this point.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyquan Thornton to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Tyquan Thornton remains the WR3: While Cyrus Allen has received plenty of praise during training camp, Thornton remains high on Kansas City’s depth chart.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Denzel Boston to be 1st on the depth chart
“Boston has secured Cleveland’s X receiver role after he, Jerry Jeudy and KC Concepcion started the first preseason game.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Devin Singletary to be a starter
“Singletary and Tracy are likely competing for playing time, and Singletary appears to have the edge.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
“This has opened the door for Brooks to be the Week 1 starter, and potentially keep the role for the season.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Eli Raridon to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He is expected to be the Patriots’ second tight end as long as they don’t add another from a different roster.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josh Whyle to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Josh Whyle is the likely second tight end option this season”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“it’s clear Waddle will be first given how much Denver has invested in him”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Odell Beckham Jr. to be 2nd on the depth chart
“That usage suggests Fields has won the starting X job, with Beckham as his backup.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kendre Miller to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Miller ultimately played the most snaps of the group and appears to be the favorite for the No. 3 running back job.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Xavier Hutchinson to be 1st on the depth chart
“the injury to Higgins will likely return Hutchinson to his Z position. He will likely start there in Week 1”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chig Okonkwo to be 1st on the depth chart
“Washington’s new lead tight end appears poised for a larger role than he ever had with the Tennessee Titans.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Courtland Sutton to be 2nd on the depth chart
“we can expect Sutton to be second given his long history with the team”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tony Pollard to be 1st on the depth chart
“This generally suggests that Pollard is ahead of Spears, but the gap between the two may be smaller than it has been in past years.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Calvin Austin III to be 1st on the depth chart
“Austin appears to be the primary slot receiver.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brenen Thompson to be a starter
“Brenen Thompson was notably the starter in this game over KeAndre Lambert-Smith, making it clear the rookie is ahead on the depth chart.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Darnell Washington to be 1st on the depth chart
“This suggests Washington will play more snaps this season, but Freiermuth will run more routes.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tre Tucker to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tre Tucker is the Raiders' top receiver: Tucker was among the Raiders' wide receivers who didn’t play in this game, suggesting he is the top wideout on the pecking order.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
AJ Barner to be 1st on the depth chart
“Arroyo will be someone to pick up off the waiver wire if Barner suffers an injury”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
MarShawn Lloyd to be 2nd on the depth chart
“This strongly suggests that Lloyd will be the primary backup on early downs, while Brooks may be the backup on third downs.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Calvin Ridley to be 1st on the depth chart
“For the first three drives, Ridley played X, Tate played Z and Robinson lined up in the slot. ... Titans’ wide receiver depth chart appears set”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Omar Cooper to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Omar Cooper Jr. starts for the Jets ... Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell appear set as the top two wide receivers”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Malik Davis to be 2nd on the depth chart
“This suggests Davis is currently the favorite for the backup job”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Gunnar Helm to be 1st on the depth chart
“While Helm is still expected to be the lead tight end, he will need more playing time to earn a higher target share than he has seen in the past.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Efton Chism III to be 7th on the depth chart
“It’s clear through the first two preseason games that Williams and Chism sit sixth and seventh on the depth chart.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaylen Wright to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Jaylen Wright remains the RB2 for Miami: Wright has played ahead of Ollie Gordon II for the second straight week.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fantasy Bust Calls2 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Zachariah Branch to fall short of his draft cost (late-round fantasy picks)
“While several third-round wide receivers are worthy of late-round fantasy picks this year, Branch shouldn’t be one of them because his upside appears limited.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaydon Blue to fall short of his draft cost (the late rounds)
“Blue was worth drafting in the late rounds when it seemed clear he was on track to win the backup job, but this is now a situation to avoid.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Sleeper Calls1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (his current ADP)
“His ADP has skyrocketed, but he still might be a value at his current ADP. ... Brooks is someone to continue targeting in drafts.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Positional Finishes2 waiting · 1 too vague to checkShow ▸Hide ▾
“There is a decent chance that Spears ends up leading this backfield in fantasy points.”
—Too vague to checkToo vague to check: we could not tell what would count as right, so it stays on the record without a score.
Erick All to finish top 37 at his position, by fantasy points
“Fant finished as TE37 last season, while All was TE38 over the first nine weeks of 2024. A similar finish is a reasonable expectation for All this season.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Colston Loveland to finish top 3 at his position, by fantasy points
“he is the consensus TE3 by ADP and rankings ... Fantasy managers can draft Loveland with slightly more confidence after this usage”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
The game in this take
every pundit’s pick on eachWho this take is about
Eli Stowers, Philadelphia Eagles, Christian Kirk, San Francisco 49ers, Jonathan Mingo, Dallas Cowboys, Laquon Treadwell, Indianapolis Colts, Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals, Kyle Williams, New England Patriots, Xavier Smith, Los Angeles Rams, Efton Chism III, Jalen Tolbert, Miami Dolphins, Demond Claiborne, Minnesota Vikings, Jaylin Lane, Washington Commanders, Trey Benson, Kaelon Black, Malachi Fields, New York Giants, Zachariah Branch, Atlanta Falcons, Stefon Diggs, Keaton Mitchell, Los Angeles Chargers, Ja'Kobi Lane, Baltimore Ravens, Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jalen Brooks, Luke Schoonmaker, Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers, De'Zhaun Stribling, Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers, Kimani Vidal, Seth McGowan, Malik Benson, Las Vegas Raiders, Tyquan Thornton, Kansas City Chiefs, Denzel Boston, Cleveland Browns, Devin Singletary, Eli Raridon, Jaydon Blue, Josh Whyle, Green Bay Packers, Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos, Odell Beckham Jr., Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints, Xavier Hutchinson, Houston Texans, Chig Okonkwo, Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans, Malik McClain, New York Jets, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Courtland Sutton, Tony Pollard, Calvin Austin III, Brenen Thompson, Darnell Washington, Tre Tucker, Erick All, Cincinnati Bengals, AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks, Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears, MarShawn Lloyd, Calvin Ridley, Omar Cooper, Malik Davis, Gunnar Helm, Jaylen Wright
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.Chris Clark · Trade and Signing Calls · Nikko Remigio · Miss 0
Clark expects the Chiefs to bring back exclusive-rights receiver Nico (Remigio) and long snapper James Winchester, to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster as a cheap veteran fifth receiver, and not to bring back Hollywood Brown, Josh Dobbs-type depth, Gardner Minshew, Janarius Robinson or Mike Caliendo; they also say the Chiefs will not use a franchise tag and believes Bryan Cook won't return.Nate Gosney · Trade and Signing Calls · Daiyan Henley · Miss 0
After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season.Sam Monson · Game Outcome Picks · New York Giants · Miss 0
Monson picked every Week 10 game, taking the Giants, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Colts, Texans, Bills, Chiefs, Jaguars, Seahawks, Rams, Cowboys, Bengals and Ravens, and also suggested the Chargers' only likely wins the rest of the way come against the Jets and Dolphins.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Jared Dubin · Depth Chart Calls · Daniel Faalele · Miss 0
Dubin grades the Faalele trade, predicting Faalele has a decent chance to be Jacksonville's Week 1 starting right guard in competition with Wyatt Milum, and that Evan Neal's odds of making the Giants' 53-man roster improved while Jon Runyan and Francis Mauigoa hold the Giants' starting guard jobs.John Shipley · Depth Chart Calls · Patrick Mekari · Miss 0
Shipley projects second-year cornerback Jabbar Muhammad to make the Jaguars' 53-man roster and describes them as the team's clear No. 5 cornerback, a role that would earn them a game-day jersey. They also identify Patrick Mekari, Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland as projected Week 1 offensive line starters.Jerry Ostroski · Depth Chart Calls · Dion Dawkins · Hit 100
Ostrowski insisted Dion Dawkins will remain the Bills' left tackle and will not be moved inside to left guard.