# Michael David Smith: Smith expects Joe Milton to end up on a practice squad rather than an active roster after clearing waivers, with the possibility he signs elsewhere than Dallas.

**Claimed:** Sep 1, 2026
**Pundit:** Michael David Smith — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/michael-david-smith
**Outlet:** NBC Sports — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/nbc-sports
**How it reached us:** published in writing
**Original:** https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/joe-milton-clears-waivers-becomes-a-free-agent

One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.

Nothing to score yet: this grades once the result is in.

> He's unlikely to sign to an active roster, because a team that wanted him on the active roster probably would have claimed him on waivers.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **Joe Milton III to make the roster**
  - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Joe Milton III
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- Joe Milton III — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-milton-iii

## What others said about the same people

- Gilberto Manzano on Joe Milton III: Manzano re-ranks all 32 NFL backup quarterbacks for 2026, placing Mac Jones first, Joe Flacco second and Drew Lock third, with Tampa Bay's Jalon Daniels last. He also suggests Joe Milton III could be poached off Dallas's practice squad and that the Raiders may eventually turn to rookie Fernando Mendoza over Kirk Cousins. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/00f01ffd-dfa4-416d-97ca-577aba1be4aa (not settled)
- Raju Byfield on Joe Milton III: In a preseason "studs" column, Byfield forecasts several depth-chart outcomes — Caleb Douglas as Miami's No. 2 receiver, Mike Washington as Jeanty's top backup, Joe Milton as Dallas' backup QB, Kyle Williams fourth in New England — plus John Metchie making the Panthers' roster and Jeremiyah Love being a draft-day discount who outperforms his cost once healthy. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cfcf9e48-8269-40ed-9f86-dad96bd6db16 (not settled)
- Jeff Cavanaugh on Joe Milton III: Jeff projected the Cowboys' offensive 53-man roster: nine offensive linemen (with Bass, Shelton, Leverett and Cornelius as the depth pieces and Nate Thomas and Keegan cut), three tight ends, Javonte Williams and Malik Davis atop the backfield, and five receivers with Mingo in and Camden Brown headed to the practice squad. He also gave reception and passing projections and said Jayshawn Barham will be starting before long. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c7f7c9cc-4c5c-4060-a83b-61416816422c (not settled)
- Jesse Holley on Joe Milton III: Holley expects Jay Toia to stick on the defensive line, Marist Liufau to make the team as a special teamer, Devin Moore to make the roster, and Joe Milton to be the backup quarterback ahead of Sam Howell. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8ee3ec22-e4c4-4583-826a-c56e4b15f0c5 (not settled)

## More roster spot calls

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

- Jeff Kerr on Zach Ertz: Kerr expects Zach Ertz to be elevated from the practice squad and play in the Eagles' Week 3 Monday night game against the Bears, and to serve as Philadelphia's clear TE1 with Dallas Goedert out. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7e4fa8de-f88c-4d45-b568-49992a356539 (scored 0)
- Jeff Kerr on Chance Campbell: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6ec1d507-c7b6-4873-a0a2-76817706e297 (scored 100)
- Carter Bahns on Jeshaun Jones: A 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/98c7155f-d05c-43cb-8c03-4f50d43211a8 (scored 0)
- Jeff Kerr on Chance Campbell: Kerr's third Eagles 53-man roster projection names the players he expects to make the team at each position, with Cole Payton, Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson, Gabe Hall and Rocco Underwood left off; he also predicts Underwood is exposed to waivers and returns to the practice squad, Deontae Lawson lands on the practice squad, and Eli Stowers is the TE3. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2120c4ea-7113-4ebf-9ebc-0d4a62d83c3a (scored 100)
- Jeff Kerr on Chance Campbell: Kerr's updated 53-man roster projection for the Eagles after eight training camp practices, naming which players make the team at each position plus depth-chart placements like Wicks as WR2, Mundt as TE2, Kendall as third guard, Bell as third tackle, and Epps/Carter battling to start at safety. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/328a952b-d6b4-4065-aac9-0029421fb50f (scored 100)
- Ralph Ventre on Christian Benford: Ventre 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/94b844fe-bb22-4517-81f5-6263eb0213f1 (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.

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