Ethan Hurwitz· Aug 22, 2026
Previewing the Patriots' preseason game, Hurwitz assesses veterans fighting for 53-man roster spots, predicting JaMycal Hasty is most likely headed to the practice squad at best, and that Mike Brown — once seen as a near-lock — could now be a roster casualty behind Dell Pettus and John Saunders Jr.
“In all liklihood, he's destined for the practice squad, if that.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 2 roster spot calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 4 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 above the rest of the room.
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Who this take is about
3 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.
JaMycal Hasty to make the roster
“With a crowded room, Hasty will need a strong showing against Philadelphia and the Cleveland Browns to potentially earn a spot. In all liklihood, he's destined for the practice squad, if that.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Charles Woods to be 4th on the depth chart
“the Patriots claimed Charles Woods off of waivers -- who's now turned into the team's fourth cornerback”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMike BrownNew England PatriotsAug 22, 2026
Mike Brown to be cut
“Since camp opened up, both Dell Pettus and John Saunders Jr. have impressed, potentially making Brown (who played deep into the fourth quarter against Indianapolis) a roster casualty.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
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- Nick WrightMock Draft Picks · Cashius HowellClose · 65Nick 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 · Zion YoungClose · 55Harrison 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 · Chris JohnsonHit · 84Daniel 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.
- Brandon CarneyMock Draft Picks · Max IheanachorClose · 65Co-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 · Jermod McCoyMiss · 5Rosenthal 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.