Nick Faria· Aug 15, 2026
After the Jets' preseason opener, Faria argued Bailey Zappe pitched himself off the roster entirely and that fourth-round receiver Arian Smith could be cut after one season, while praising Bamba, Klubnik and the backup offensive line without firm roster predictions.
“Things don't look good for Zappe to make the 53-man roster, or even find a home on the practice squad.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 2 roster spot calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
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.
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Who this take is about
2 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 CallsArian SmithAug 15, 2026
Arian Smith to be cut
“Most fourth-round picks don't usually get cut after just a single year on the team in the following camp. Arian Smith may be the exception.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsBailey ZappeNew York JetsAug 15, 2026
Bailey Zappe to be cut
“Things don't look good for Zappe to make the 53-man roster, or even find a home on the practice squad.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Jaime EisnerMock Draft Picks · Kaelon BlackMiss · 2A seven-round Jets mock draft projecting New York to take Ohio State's Arvell Reese at No. 2 and Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson at No. 16, followed by Ty Simpson, Brandon Cisse, Jalon Kilgore, Tyreak Sapp, Kaelon Black, Fernando Carmona and Trebor Pena.
- Danny ParkinsMock Draft Picks · David BaileyHit · 100Danny Parkins presented his one-and-only 2026 mock draft, including trades: Mendoza at 1 to the Raiders, David Bailey second to the Jets, the Cowboys trading up to No. 3 for Arvell Reese, the Bears trading up to 16 for Kadyn Proctor, and Ty Simpson going to Arizona at 32 at the end of round one.
- Nick WrightMock Draft Picks · Jermod McCoyMiss · 3Nick 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 · Jordyn TysonHit · 96Harrison 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 · David BaileyHit · 100Daniel 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.
- Matt MillerMock Draft Picks · David BaileyHit · 100Miller predicted the Jets take David Bailey second overall, that Jordan Tyson goes to the Giants at No. 5 as the first receiver off the board, that the Browns take an offensive lineman/trade back, and offered a wild prediction that Dallas trades up to No. 3 for Arvell Reese.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jordan FooteRoster Spot Calls · Cole ChristiansenMiss · 0Foote writes that after the Week 4 game in Las Vegas, Cole Christiansen will revert to the Chiefs' practice squad, having exhausted his three standard elevations, and considers it unlikely Kansas City signs him to the 53-man roster given Cam Jones' remaining activations and a possible Cooper McDonald return.
- Ralph VentreRoster Spot Calls · Kani WalkerMiss · 0Ventre expects Christian Benford's toe injury to sideline him for at least the Week 4 game against New England, and believes the Bills will have to add a cornerback to the 53-man roster this week — likely by moving Benford to injured reserve — with practice squad rookie Kani Walker the most likely player elevated.
- Gene ChamberlainRoster Spot Calls · Marcus DavenportHit · 100Chamberlain argues the Bears' cap restructuring won't lead to a splashy edge-rusher trade for Maxx Crosby or Josh Sweat, and that Marcus Davenport will be promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster as their veteran edge help. He also describes the Bears opening the season with rookie Dillon Thieneman starting at safety and Cam Lewis at the deep safety spot.
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Trevon DiggsMiss · 0Gurzi suggests the Seahawks could sign three free agents — safety Donovan Wilson, guard Kevin Zeitler, and running back Kareem Hunt — if weaknesses show up after Week 1. He also notes Trevon Diggs starting on the practice squad and describes Seattle's projected backfield roles.
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jabbar MuhammadHit · 100Shipley projects a full 16-player (plus one international/exemption spot) Jaguars practice squad for 2026, naming specific players at each position he expects to land there.
- Patricia TrainaRoster Spot Calls · Trace FordHit · 100Traina projects the Giants' initial 53-man roster position by position, naming who makes the team and who lands on the practice squad, including keeping Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Evan Neal (with a possible trade), Dalen Cambre over Braxton Berrios, Lucas Patrick as backup center, and Dominic Zvada as the kicker.