Henry McKenna· Aug 24, 2026
McKenna's preseason notebook: DeVonta Smith takes over as the Eagles' WR1 with rookie Makai Lemon as WR2; Fernando Mendoza will start for the Raiders at some point in 2026; the Browns are the best-positioned team for the 2027 No. 1 overall pick; Houston will end up paying C.J. Stroud; and he flags several rookie receivers as fantasy names to watch.
“I still think he'll start at some point this season.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 1 team draft slot call and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
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 4 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season29 calls from 22 pundits between 1 and 3. Henry McKenna 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.
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Who this take is about
5 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.
- Trade and Signing CallsC.J. StroudHouston TexansAug 24, 2026
C.J. Stroud to move to Houston Texans
“In all likelihood, the Texans will have to pay Stroud.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsCleveland BrownsAug 24, 2026
Cleveland Browns to pick at number 1
“But after the Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson as QB1, no other team is in a better position to get the top pick.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st on the depth chart
“I still like Mendoza. I still think he'll start at some point this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DeVonta Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“It would've been hard enough to get promoted from WR2 to WR1 in the wake of the A.J. Brown trade.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMakai LemonPhiladelphia EaglesAug 24, 2026
Makai Lemon to be 2nd on the depth chart
“But he is expected to contribute immediately as the team's WR2.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Houston TexansClose · 48Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 0Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Matt HarmonScore Predictions · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Harmon picked the Bengals to beat the Texans in Week 2, expecting Nico Collins to miss the game with a hamstring injury, and also predicted the Titans would be shut out by the Eagles. He took the Rams over the Giants, the Bears over the Vikings, and the Jaguars at Denver.
- Ty SchmitGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 0While taking the Bears to cover, he said he expects the Eagles to win Monday night in Chicago in a tight game.
- Darius ButlerGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 0He trusts Jalen Hurts over the Bears' quarterback situation and picked Philadelphia to beat Chicago on Monday night.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a Week 1 recap with no named byline, CBS Sports suggested Michael Penix Jr. would take over as Atlanta's Week 2 starter if healthy, called Ashton Jeanty's sophomore breakout imminent, and warned readers not to overlook San Francisco as NFC West winners.