Alain Poupart· Aug 23, 2026
Reviewing preseason snap counts, Poupart argued that veteran receivers Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert are in danger of not making Miami's 53-man roster, that Carlos Washington Jr. has moved ahead of Donovan Edwards in the running back competition, and that Major Burns is currently ahead of Louis Moore among the young safeties.
“Both of them played about half the offensive snaps, which clearly indicates their spot on the 53-man roster is far from secure.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 3 roster spot calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 5 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 4 have settled so far, averaging 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
4 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.
- Roster Spot CallsJalen TolbertMiami DolphinsAug 23, 2026
Jalen Tolbert to be cut
“This has to start with veteran wide receivers Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert, the two free agent acquisitions... it's clear both are in danger, if not outright on their way out.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- MIA
- skill:
- −200
- player:
- Jalen Tolbert
- 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:
- 4
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsArtie BurnsMiami DolphinsAug 23, 2026
Artie Burns to be a starter
“Major Burns (34) getting more snaps than Louis Moore (26)... would suggest Burns is ahead of the rookie free agent from Indiana at this point.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsCarlos WashingtonMiami DolphinsAug 23, 2026
Carlos Washington to make the roster
“It remains questionable how many running backs the Dolphins will keep, but Carlos Washington Jr. clearly has the edge over Donovan Edwards”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTutu AtwellMiami DolphinsAug 23, 2026
Tutu Atwell to make the roster
“Both of them played about half the offensive snaps, which clearly indicates their spot on the 53-man roster is far from secure. On the contrary, it's clear both are in danger, if not outright on their way out.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nick WrightMock Draft Picks · Mansoor DelaneHit · 81Nick Wright unveiled his full 32-pick 2026 NFL mock draft 4.0, starting with Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 and ending with Avion Terrell to the Seahawks at 32. He also called Carnell Tate the best/safest receiver in the class, projected Ty Simpson inside the top 45, said Mendoza profiles as a low-end top-15 NFL quarterback, and expected the Dolphins to lose 15 games.
- David HarrisonMock Draft Picks · Makai LemonClose · 68Harrison delivers his only first-round mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft, projecting all 32 first-round picks (including several trades) plus the rest of Washington's projected class, while noting it is an exercise in what could happen rather than a firm forecast.
- Daniel JeremiahMock Draft Picks · Caleb LomuHit · 92Daniel Jeremiah's final 2026 NFL mock draft, projecting the first round pick by pick (including mock trades), starting with Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 and ending with Peter Woods to the Ravens via a trade with Seattle.
- Pat GustavsonMock Draft Picks · Denzel BostonClose · 68Gustafson handled the even-numbered mock draft picks: David Bailey No. 2 to the Jets, Jeremiah Love No. 4 to the Titans, Karnell Tate No. 6 to the Browns, Ruben Bane No. 8 to the Saints, Jordan Tyson No. 10 to the Giants, and so on. He also said Ty Simpson will be the biggest first-round bust and predicted the Cowboys will trade up into the top five.
- Brandon CarneyMock Draft Picks · Francis MauigoaHit · 96Co-hosting a mock draft, Carney made the odd-numbered picks: Fernando Mendoza No. 1 to the Raiders, Arvell Reese No. 3 to the Cardinals, Sonny Styles No. 5 to the Giants, Mekhi Lemon No. 7 to the Commanders, Caleb Downs No. 9 to the Chiefs, and more. He also predicted AJ Brown will be a Patriot, said Kenyan Saddiq will be the first-round bust, and picked the Bengals to finish ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North.
- Gregg RosenthalMock Draft Picks · Mansoor DelaneHit · 81Rosenthal delivered a solo first-round mock draft (a "will happen" mock, no trades), naming a specific player at each of the first 32 picks. He also predicted he'd hit more than 4.5 picks correctly, and suggested George Pickens could be traded by Dallas next year.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Scott KennedyRoster Spot Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Kennedy reports that Atlanta is expected to keep three quarterbacks on its 53-man roster: Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr., and undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
- River WellsRoster Spot Calls · Jalon DanielsHit · 100Wells expects Baker Mayfield to sit out the preseason finale, suggests the Buccaneers could still name Jake Browning the backup quarterback entering the regular season, and predicts Tampa Bay will likely keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, with both Jalon Daniels and Browning making the active roster.
- Jeff CavanaughRoster Spot Calls · Hunter LuepkeHit · 100Jeff 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.
- Jeff CavanaughRoster Spot Calls · Jonathan BullardHit · 100Building his projected Cowboys 53-man roster on defense, Jeff keeps five interior linemen (Kenny Clark, Quentin, Tito Obonia, LT Overton, Bullard), six edge rushers including Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence and Marist Liufau while cutting Sam Williams, four linebackers with Jayshawn Barham starting, six corners including rookie Devin Moore, and four safeties including Marquise Bell.
- Philip HughesRoster Spot Calls · Caelen CarsonHit · 100A NFC East news roundup relays that cornerback is Dallas' weakest unit, with Caelen Carson holding on as the last man on the 53-man roster and Cobie Durant slotted in as the Cowboys' second cornerback.
- Fox SportsRoster Spot Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100The FOX Sports report states that the Vikings are expected to keep quarterback J.J. McCarthy on their active roster for the season.