Rich Eisen#38 of 87 NFL pundits · May 11, 2026
Eisen predicted Deshaun Watson would be Cleveland's Week 1 starter, that Daniel Jones would start Week 1 for the Colts with Anthony Richardson eventually moved on from, and agreed that Justin Herbert finishes top three in MVP voting and that Denver is the AFC's top team for 2026.
Said on air, transcribed by us · Overreaction Monday (podcast)Hear the original
What Rich Eisen said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromI think Deshaun Watson's the week one starter.
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The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 12, 2026. The quote and evidence here are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
- 1Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart“I think Deshaun Watson's the week one starter.”
- 2Anthony Richardson to move to Indianapolis Colts“I just think Anthony Richardson is as good as gone. But he just isn't yet for various reasons.”
- 3Justin Herbert — MVP: finish in the top three“He will deserve his MVP notice this year and finish top three. That is not an exaggeration or an overreaction, sir. K. I am with you.”
- 4Denver Broncos to reach the Super Bowl“Yeah. This is not an overreaction by any stretch of the imagination... I could've went Bills. I could've went Pats... I'm with you.”
- 5Daniel Jones to be 1st on the depth chart“But the Colts are not on Anthony Richardson time right now, and I think Daniel Jones is starting week one.”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart1 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Anthony Richardson to move to Indianapolis Colts2 | Trade and Signing Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Justin Herbert — MVP: finish in the top three3 | Award Picks | — | — | — | — | |
| Denver Broncos to reach the Super Bowl4 | Conference Champions | — | — | — | — | |
| Daniel Jones to be 1st on the depth chart5 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 5 calls · 5 waiting | — | — | ||||
How each call scored
5 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls, 1 award pick, 1 conference champion and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
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
Deshaun Watson · 2026 season31 calls from 21 pundits between 1 and 2. Rich Eisen said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
1Depth Chart CallsDeshaun WatsonCleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
2Trade and Signing CallsAnthony RichardsonIndianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson to move to Indianapolis Colts
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
3Award PicksJustin HerbertLos Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert — MVP: finish in the top three
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
4Conference ChampionsDenver Broncos
Denver Broncos to reach the Super Bowl
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
5Depth Chart CallsDaniel JonesIndianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones to be 1st 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
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.Nate Gosney · Trade and Signing Calls · Daiyan Henley · Miss 0
After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season.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.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Nic Bodiford · Depth Chart Calls · Joe Fagnano · Hit 100
Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.Jacob Herlin · Depth Chart Calls · J.J. McCarthy · Hit 100
Herlin published Week 7 fantasy D/ST rankings with projections for 28 team defenses, led by Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland. They also expect Cleveland to post a fourth straight top-10 fantasy defense result, and predicts Jalon Daniels starts another week for Tampa Bay while J.J. McCarthy takes over as the Giants' starter.