Jesse HolleyAug 25, 2026
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.
Said on air, transcribed by us · DLLS Dallas Cowboys (podcast)Hear the original
What Jesse Holley said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromI'm gonna say Leofell makes it as a special teamer.
- Where it was said
- DLLS Dallas Cowboys (podcast)
- The episode
- Cowboys Defense 53-Man Roster Projection: Who Actually Makes It?
- The original
- Hear the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidAug 25
- GradedNov 9
- 1Marist Liufau to make the roster“I'm gonna say Leofell makes it as a special teamer.”
- 2Devin Moore to make the roster“Do Devin Moore is gonna pick this football team.”
- 3Jay Toia to make the roster“I believe that they're gonna go with Toya.”
- 4Joe Milton III to be 2nd on the depth chart“You traded for Joe, so he had value, and he's done well, and he's gonna be in front of Sam.”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marist Liufau to make the roster1 | Roster Spot Calls | 1 week on a 53 | 100 | 100 | 0 | |
| Devin Moore to make the roster2 | Roster Spot Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Jay Toia to make the roster3 | Roster Spot Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Joe Milton III to be 2nd on the depth chart4 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 4 calls · 1 hit · 3 waiting | 100 | 100 | ||||
How each call scored
a naive guessbetter than naive4 checkable claims — 3 roster spot calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 5 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 4 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
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.
1Roster Spot CallsMarist LiufauDallas Cowboys
Marist Liufau to make the roster
What happened1 week on a 53100Hit · naive 100100this call−100a naive guess=0better than naive×2difficulty=0skillThink this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- DAL
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Marist Liufau
- 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:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 9
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
2Roster Spot CallsDevin MooreDallas Cowboys
Devin Moore to make the roster
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
3Roster Spot CallsJay ToiaDallas Cowboys
Jay Toia to make the roster
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
4Depth Chart CallsJoe Milton IIIDallas Cowboys
Joe Milton III to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Rich Eisen · Trade and Signing Calls · Micah Parsons · Miss 0
Eisen expects Myles Garrett to be traded before the draft and says the Browns will then take Abdul Carter with their early first-round pick; they also predict Buffalo will end up paying James Cook and that Micah Parsons will remain a Cowboy and get their money from Dallas, likely late in the process.Randy Gurzi · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Hudson · Miss 0
Gurzi predicts the Cowboys' 17-man practice squad, naming each player they expect Dallas to sign, including a surprise addition of released Giants tackle Evan Neal. They also predict Jaydon Blue will be claimed off waivers by another team and that Sam Williams will land elsewhere.Jeff Cavanaugh · Roster Spot Calls · Marist Liufau · Hit 100
Building their 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.Jake Arthur · Game Outcome Picks · Dallas Cowboys · Hit 100
Arthur predicted the Cowboys would beat the Colts 31-24 at Lucas Oil Stadium, a closer loss than Indianapolis' recent blowouts, citing Dallas' large talent edge offset by its poor defense. They also made several lineup calls for the game and suggested it could be Jonathan Taylor's last home game as a Colt ahead of the trade deadline.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
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.Chad Jensen · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Turner · Miss 0
Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot.Charean Williams · Roster Spot Calls · Odell Beckham Jr. · Miss 0
Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad.