# Ian Rapoport: Rapoport says Fernando Mendoza is widely believed to be the No. 1 overall pick, predicts Kyler Murray will be released by the Cardinals, suggests Breece Hall gets a transition tag rather than a franchise tag, expects the Colts to keep Daniel Jones (long-term deal or tag) with Alec Pierce then leaving as the top receiver in free agency, and forecasts a trade-heavy offseason. **Claimed:** Feb 26, 2026 **Pundit:** Ian Rapoport — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/ian-rapoport **Outlet:** The Rich Eisen Show (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/the-rich-eisen-show-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air, transcribed by us **Original:** https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/ESP9136164063.mp3?updated=1772140260 3 checkable claims — 2 trade and signing calls and 1 mock draft pick — 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. 1 of 3 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess at the same calls. > I believe he'll get released. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Fernando Mendoza - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess - **Alec Pierce to move** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Alec Pierce - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kyler Murray to move to Arizona Cardinals** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Fernando Mendoza — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/fernando-mendoza - Alec Pierce — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/alec-pierce - Kyler Murray — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kyler-murray - Arizona Cardinals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cardinals ## What others said about the same people - Nathan Jahnke on Devin Duvernay: PFF's preseason usage recap makes a number of depth-chart and roster projections, including nine rookie receivers slotting as top-three options on their teams, sleeper tight end usage, and specific depth-chart placements for Cardinals, Falcons and Ravens players. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8f52d1f8-91ed-459c-99a7-30c2d3fb38e0 (scored 100) - Nathan Jahnke on Devin Duvernay: An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/47566b48-8024-4960-b25c-11c03fe43543 (scored 100) - Nathan Jahnke on Devin Duvernay: PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/265cbdba-b0e0-4f80-9665-a4ca5aaec53e (scored 100) - Donnie Druin on Jalen Brooks: Druin suggests Jalen Brooks has broken out in Cardinals camp and could land a roster spot as Arizona's sixth wide receiver, though he won't displace any of the top wideouts. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a199c40d-87c8-4034-a6a8-e042c68652f3 (scored 100) - Donnie Druin on Eku Leota: Previewing the Cardinals' final 2026 preseason game, Druin identifies roster bubble players: he favors Jalen Brooks over Ihmir Smith-Marsette for a sixth receiver spot, expects Oli Udoh to miss out, projects BJ Ojulari to be cut with Eku Leota making the team instead, and names Elijah Jones as the likely cornerback casualty. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5ab6b69b-7514-4c48-9ad4-a6495e981071 (scored 100) - Donnie Druin on Bam Knight: Druin says Bam Knight has effectively locked up the final running back spot on the Cardinals' roster, which contributed to Trey Benson being waived/injured. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/0c250de4-e1ba-4d79-8ef4-e9d9bda3a89c (scored 100) ## More trade and signing calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Adam Carlson on J.J. McCarthy: Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/65e3f9cf-c441-42a2-baaf-7cd3dbebafad (scored 100) - Greg Auman on J.J. McCarthy: Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9b8eb78e-ddfa-4274-ac8f-17b069e6b87f (scored 100) - Bucky Brooks on J.J. McCarthy: Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/10c3797b-f9e0-41ca-a2a3-5d765a242a79 (scored 100) - Bryan DeArdo on J.J. McCarthy: Named several players as candidates to be traded before Sunday's cut deadline, including Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy, Cardinals edge Josh Sweat and Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1efd361e-309f-48ba-ab0a-28d77ff76942 (scored 100) - Bryan DeArdo on J.J. McCarthy: A CBS Sports piece lists veterans it expects could be traded before the 53-man roster deadline, including quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (with Buffalo floated as a landing spot), J.J. McCarthy and Will Howard, plus Jerry Jeudy, Joey Porter Jr., Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, Josh Sweat, Kristian Fulton and Marist Liufau. It also says Mason Rudolph's and Drew Allar's roster spots in Pittsburgh are secure. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/bd269550-714b-4a52-b6e1-2ba079b58fef (scored 100) - Matthew Coller on J.J. McCarthy: Coller argues J.J. McCarthy's development is far behind schedule and that he will likely end up needing a fresh start with another team rather than developing into the Vikings' answer at quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9ffe221e-9c07-4fd5-9e59-a767ffbc691c (scored 100) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=ian-rapoport