Garrett Podell· Sep 4, 2026
A CBS Sports 2026 season preview projecting the last-place finisher in each of the eight NFL divisions (Dolphins, Browns, Titans, Raiders, Commanders, Vikings, Falcons, Cardinals), along with a handful of depth-chart calls: several Miami rookies starting, Kirk Cousins starting ahead of No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas, and Ashton Jeanty leading the Raiders' backfield.
“Miami is playing for 2027, and they'll finish last in the AFC East.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 9 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 11 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 9 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 8.
Where this call stands in the room
Kirk Cousins · 2026 season53 calls from 42 pundits between 1 and 1. Garrett Podell 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
9 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.
Mike Washington to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. should be a fun one-two punch at running back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ashton Jeanty to be 1st on the depth chart
“Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. should be a fun one-two punch at running back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 first overall draft pick, may end up marinating behind Kirk Cousins longer than expected to protect his long-term health”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCaleb DouglasMiami DolphinsSep 4, 2026
Caleb Douglas to be 1st on the depth chart
“many of them are in line to start as rookies: ... third-round rookie Caleb Douglas”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jacob Rodriguez to be 1st on the depth chart
“many of them are in line to start as rookies: ... second-round linebacker Jacob Rodriguez”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKadyn ProctorMiami DolphinsSep 4, 2026
Kadyn Proctor to be 1st on the depth chart
“many of them are in line to start as rookies: first-round guard Kadyn Proctor”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 first overall draft pick, may end up marinating behind Kirk Cousins longer than expected”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Michael Taaffe to be 1st on the depth chart
“many of them are in line to start as rookies: ... fifth-round safety Michael Taaffe”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsChris JohnsonMiami DolphinsSep 4, 2026
Chris Johnson to be 1st on the depth chart
“many of them are in line to start as rookies: ... first-round cornerback Chris Johnson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing 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.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Tice 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.
- Chris BroussardGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Broussard picked the Bills to beat the Chargers in a competitive, higher-scoring game, said the Chiefs will rout the Dolphins, and for upset alert parlayed the Patriots over the Jaguars and the Raiders over the Saints. He also restated his Cowboys-versus-Ravens Super Bowl matchup pick.
- Tyler DeSenaRoster Spot Calls · Kevin ColemanHit · 100DeSena expects Chris Bell to function as Miami's X-receiver, with Caleb Douglas as the deep-threat Z and Malik Washington in the slot, and considers Bell, Douglas, Washington and fifth-round rookie Kevin Coleman locks to make the 53-man roster.
- Alain PoupartRoster Spot Calls · Keith Cooper Jr.Miss · 0Poupart's third 53-man roster projection of 2026 for the Dolphins names which players make the roster and which are cut at each position group.
- Mike MoraitisRoster Spot Calls · Andre Jones Jr.Hit · 100Moraitis expects Andre Jones Jr. to hold a spot on Miami's 53-man roster after being signed off Buffalo's practice squad, with a significant special teams role under coordinator Chris Tabor.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.