Noah StrackbeinOct 20, 2026

Strackbein expects Pittsburgh to promote Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad to the active roster quickly, and sees them serving as the Steelers' third receiving option behind DK Metcalf and rookie Germie Bernard while Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. are out.

Published in writing · Sports IllustratedRead the original

Waiting3 calls, none settled yet

—Average accuracynothing settled yet

—A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

0 of 3Settled3 still waiting

3Waitingnot graded yet

What Noah Strackbein said

our reading, beside the words we read it from

They're simply looking for a rotational player who can help more than the ones they already have.

Noah Strackbein, the lead quote · each call’s own words are below

Where it was published: Sports Illustrated
The piece: Marquez Valdes-Scantling Signing Might Mean Good News for Steelers
The original: Read the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

1Marquez Valdes-Scantling to be 3rd on the depth chart“they simply view the addition of Valdes-Scantling as a better third option in a short span”
2Germie Bernard to be 2nd on the depth chart“the addition of Valdes-Scantling certainly tells you that rookie Bernard is going to get the first opportunity to remain the focal point of the passing attack... Both Bernard and Metcalf caught 11 passes in the team's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5, and look like the 1-2 punch Pittsburgh has been looking for.”
3Marquez Valdes-Scantling to land on the practice squad“The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad, and it's easy to interpret that they're expecting to call him up to the active roster as soon as possible.”

Box score

HitCloseMissWaiting

Call	Kind	What happened	Score	Naive	Skill
Marquez Valdes-Scantling to be 3rd on the depth chart¹	Depth Chart Calls	—	—	—	—
Germie Bernard to be 2nd on the depth chart²	Depth Chart Calls	—	—	—	—
Marquez Valdes-Scantling to land on the practice squad³	Roster Spot Calls	—	—	—	—
3 calls · 3 waiting			—	—

How each call scored

3 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls and 1 roster spot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.

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.

Where this call stands in the room

Germie Bernard · 2026 season

Noah Strackbein — 2the room — 6 calls from 5 punditsmedian 3

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.

1Depth Chart Calls Marquez Valdes-Scantling Pittsburgh Steelers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling to be 3rd on the depth chart
VerdictWaiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
2Depth Chart Calls Germie Bernard Pittsburgh Steelers
Germie Bernard to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
3Roster Spot Calls Marquez Valdes-Scantling Pittsburgh Steelers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling to land on the practice squad
VerdictWaiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Who this take is about

Where do you stand on this one?Pick every open claim on Picks →

Others on the same people

Bryan DeArdo · Trade and Signing Calls · Joey Porter Jr. · Miss 0
The piece predicts Joey Porter Jr. most likely stays with the Steelers through 2026, while listing possible trade destinations if they were moved.
Bryan DeArdo · Score Predictions · Pittsburgh Steelers · Close 60
DeArdo picks the Steelers to beat the Browns at home in Week 8, citing Pittsburgh's quarterback edge and a running game that should exploit Cleveland's weak run defense.
Greg Jennings · Game Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh Steelers · Hit 100
Jennings backed the Vikings to upset the Lions in Detroit, put chips on the Steelers over the Browns, and took the Chiefs to win in Denver.
Chris Simms · Score Predictions · Pittsburgh Steelers · Close 74
Simms gave straight-up winners with predicted final scores for every Week 8 game, including upset calls on the Ravens in Buffalo, the Broncos over the Chiefs, the Jets over the Raiders and the Seahawks over the Bears, and they expected Josh Downs to play for the Colts despite their trade request.
Connor Rogers · Game Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh Steelers · Hit 100
Rogers picked straight-up winners across the Week 8 slate, siding with the Bills over the Ravens, the Lions, Steelers, Jaguars, Bengals, Falcons, Raiders, Broncos, Rams, Patriots, Commanders and the Bears in Seattle.
James Harrison · Game Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh Steelers · Hit 100
Harrison picked the Steelers to beat the Browns in their Sunday meeting, saying Pittsburgh would even the season series at 1-1 after losing the first matchup.

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

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Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback.
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Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for their first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury.
Michael Moore · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
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Zachary Pereles · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints.
Nic Bodiford · Depth Chart Calls · Joe Fagnano · Hit 100
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Garrett Podell · Depth Chart Calls · Carson Beck · Miss 0
Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace them as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut.