Ethan Hurwitz· Sep 4, 2026
Previewing the Patriots' Week 1 roster, Hurwitz lays out the interior offensive line with Jared Wilson at center flanked by Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mike Onwenu, with Greg Van Roten as the top interior backup, names Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss the starting linebackers, and puts Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones atop the cornerback pecking order.
“There's a pecking order at the top of this, with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones leading the way.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 9 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 10 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 8 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 6.
Where this call stands in the room
Jared Wilson · 2026 season5 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 1. Ethan Hurwitz 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
9 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.
Greg Van Roten to be 2nd on the depth chart
“it's been veteran Greg Van Roten operating at the top interior backup to Jared Wilson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jared Wilson to be 1st on the depth chart
“it's been veteran Greg Van Roten operating at the top interior backup to Jared Wilson. Wilson is back at his natural position after spending last year at left guard”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Carlton Davis III to be 2nd on the depth chart
“There's a pecking order at the top of this, with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones leading the way.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Alijah Vera-Tucker to be 1st on the depth chart
“Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mike Onwenu flank him on either side.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Onwenu to be 1st on the depth chart
“Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mike Onwenu flank him on either side.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Robert Spillane to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Patriots have already started to rework this group behind starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Marcus Jones to be 3rd on the depth chart
“There's a pecking order at the top of this, with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones leading the way.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Gonzalez to be 1st on the depth chart
“There's a pecking order at the top of this, with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones leading the way.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Elliss to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Patriots have already started to rework this group behind starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · New England PatriotsHit · 100Previewing Week 2, Long called New England a spot to bounce back against Pittsburgh, projected a 27-14 Patriots win, saw Eagles-Titans as a 23-10 grinder, liked the Rams' spot Monday night against the Giants, and wrote down a Bills 31, Lions 23 final for the Thursday nighter.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · New England PatriotsHit · 100Tice picked the Bengals over the Texans in a low-scoring game, the Jaguars at Denver, the Bears over the Vikings, the Patriots over the Steelers and the Rams to edge the Giants, and his Hail Mary was the Cowboys scoring 40 on Washington. He also floated Abdul Carter as a possible All-Pro.
- Chris BroussardGame Outcome Picks · New England PatriotsMiss · 0Broussard picked the Bills to beat the Chargers in a competitive, higher-scoring game, said the Chiefs will rout the Dolphins, and for upset alert parlayed the Patriots over the Jaguars and the Raiders over the Saints. He also restated his Cowboys-versus-Ravens Super Bowl matchup pick.
- Danny ParkinsGame Outcome Picks · New England PatriotsMiss · 0In the winners-only chips segment Parkins backed the Patriots over the Jaguars, the Bengals over the Steelers and the Ravens over the Cowboys in Brazil. He also said New England has a real shot at a top-10 defense and that Kayshon/Romeo Dobbs will be the Patriots' number one target.
- Mark WahlbergGame Outcome Picks · New England PatriotsMiss · 0Wahlberg went game-by-game through the Patriots' schedule and predicted a 14-3 season, with losses only at Buffalo, to the Lions in Germany, and at Kansas City.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Efton Chism IIIHit · 100An 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.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100Podell ranks all 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Josh Allen first, Patrick Mahomes second and Case Keenum last. He also expects Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. to return to action in Week 3 and Case Keenum to possibly start for the Bears.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100A roundup of NFC injury news expects Jameis Winston to start for the Giants in any games Jaxson Dart misses, and suggests third-stringer Case Keenum could end up starting for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3 with both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent sidelined.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100With Caleb Williams injured and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, third-string quarterback Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3.
- 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.