Thomas Martinez· Sep 27, 2026
Martinez projects the Chargers' starting lineups on offense and defense for their Week 3 game at Buffalo, with injuries forcing several changes — Oronde Gadsden II at tight end, Trevor Penning at left guard, Jamaree Caldwell at defensive tackle and RJ Mickens at safety — while expecting Ladd McConkey to play and Marquez Valdez-Scantling to debut.
“Trevor Penning who served as the swing guard in week two, will make his debut in 2026 as a starter and assume the left guard role.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
26 checkable claims — 23 depth chart calls, 2 availability calls and 1 roster spot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 26 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 26 have settled so far, averaging 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 12 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
Jake Slaughter · 2026 season18 calls from 16 pundits between 1 and 2. Thomas Martinez 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Patrick Herbert
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Omarion Hampton
- Alec Ingold
- Hayden Rucci
- Ladd McConkey
- Quentin Johnston
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Rashawn Slater
- Jake Slaughter
- Cole Strange
- Jamaree Caldwell
- R.J. Mickens
- Oronde Gadsden II
- Daiyan Henley
- Del'Shawn Phillips
- Trevor Penning
- Joe Alt
- Khalil Mack
- Tuli Tuipulotu
- Teair Tart
- Derwin James
- Tony Jefferson
- Tarheeb Still
- Justin Herbert
- Cam Hart
26 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.
Patrick Herbert to make the roster
“with Patrick Herbert set to be elevated and active from the practice squad”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-189 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- LAC
- skill:
- -189
- player:
- Patrick Herbert
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 1.89
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 16
- first week on the53:
- 3
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 2
Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart
“Running back: Omarion Hampton”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAlec IngoldLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Alec Ingold to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fullback: Alec Ingold”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Hayden Rucci to be 2nd on the depth chart
“recently signed newcomer Hayden Rucci will be the backup”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ladd McConkey to be 1st on the depth chart
“Wide receiver: Ladd McConkey”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“Wide receiver Ladd McConkey will have to monitor his ribs but he practiced in full all week and should be good to go (Week 3 vs Bills)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quentin Johnston to be 1st on the depth chart
“Wide receiver: Quentin Johnston”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“Wide receiver Brenen Thompson is out for this game and should make way for the debut for veteran journeyman wide receiver Marquez Valdez-Scantling. (Week 3 at Buffalo)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rashawn Slater to be 1st on the depth chart
“Left tackle: Rashawn Slater”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jake Slaughter to be 1st on the depth chart
“Center: Jake Slaughter (R)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Cole Strange to be 1st on the depth chart
“Right guard: Cole Strange”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jamaree Caldwell to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jamaree Caldwell will get extra reps this week as the starter opposite of Teair Tart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
R.J. Mickens to be 1st on the depth chart
“Last week, RJ Mickens got the start opposite Tony Jefferson ... and that should continue.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Oronde Gadsden II to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tight end: Oronde Gadsden II ... Oronde Gadsden will assume starting duties”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Daiyan Henley to be 1st on the depth chart
“Linebacker: Daiyan Henley”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Del'Shawn Phillips to be 1st on the depth chart
“Linebacker: Del'Shawn Phillips”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trevor Penning to be 1st on the depth chart
“Trevor Penning who served as the swing guard in week two, will make his debut in 2026 as a starter and assume the left guard role.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJoe AltLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Joe Alt to be 1st on the depth chart
“Right tackle: Joe Alt”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKhalil MackLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Khalil Mack to be 1st on the depth chart
“Edge rusher: Khalil Mack”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tuli Tuipulotu to be 1st on the depth chart
“Edge rusher: Tuli Tuipulotu/ Akheem Mesidor”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTeair TartLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Teair Tart to be 1st on the depth chart
“Defensive tackle: Teair Tart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Derwin James to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nickelback: Derwin James Jr”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tony Jefferson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Safety: Tony Jefferson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tarheeb Still to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cornerback: Tarheeb Still”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Justin Herbert to be 1st on the depth chart
“Quarterback: Justin Herbert”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCam HartLos Angeles ChargersSep 27, 2026
Cam Hart to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cornerback: Cam Hart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South.
- David DroegemeierTrade and Signing Calls · Mekhi BectonHit · 100Drogemeier says the Chargers cutting Mekhi Becton is a foregone conclusion, freeing nearly $9 million in cap space, and only a matter of when.
- Mina KimesTrade and Signing Calls · Mekhi BectonHit · 100Kimes projects Washington receiver Denzel Boston as a second-half-of-the-first-round pick and expects the Chargers to move on from Mekhi Becton.
- Eric ManginiGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0In his taped upset alert, the coach took the winless Chargers to beat the undefeated Bills, citing Los Angeles' desperation and Buffalo's leaky defense.
- Eric WilliamsGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0Williams picks the Chargers as the 0-2 team to rebound, comparing it to the 2017 team that started 0-4 and finished 9-7, and suggests they will rise up on the road against Buffalo rather than collapse.
- David DroegemeierGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0Drogmeier also buys the Chargers as a top-five offense, thinks Ladd McConkie reaching roughly 100 catches/top-five in receptions is realistic, predicts the Chargers beat the Bills, projects six to eight and a half sacks for Justin Eboigbe, and expects Khalil Mack to retire after the season.
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.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- 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.