Thomas MartinezSep 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.

Published in writing · Sports IllustratedRead the original

0 of 1calls landed1 miss · 25 waiting

0Average accuracyout of 100, across 1 call

100A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

1 of 26Settled25 still waiting

25Waitingnot graded yet

What Thomas Martinez said

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.

Thomas Martinez, the lead quote

Where it was published: Sports Illustrated
The piece: Predicting Chargers' Starters vs Bills for NFL Week 3: Multiple Starters Out
The original: Read the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

SaidSep 27
GradedSep 27

Box score, by kind

HitCloseMissWaiting

Group	Misses	Waiting
Roster Spot Calls	1	0
Depth Chart Calls	0	23
Availability Calls	0	2
All	1	25

How each call scored

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 call.

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.

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

Jake Slaughter · 2026 season

Thomas Martinez — 1the room — 18 calls from 16 punditsmedian 1

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.

Roster Spot Calls1 missShow ▸

Patrick Herbert to land on the practice squad
“with Patrick Herbert set to be elevated and active from the practice squad”
Patrick Herbert Los Angeles Chargers
1 week on a 53
0Miss
0 − 100 naive = −100 × 1.89 difficulty = −189 skill
How 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
Think this is wrong?

Depth Chart Calls23 waitingShow ▸

Teair Tart to be 1st on the depth chart
“Defensive tackle: Teair Tart”
Teair Tart Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jamaree Caldwell to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jamaree Caldwell will get extra reps this week as the starter opposite of Teair Tart”
Jamaree Caldwell Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Daiyan Henley to be 1st on the depth chart
“Linebacker: Daiyan Henley”
Daiyan Henley Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Tony Jefferson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Safety: Tony Jefferson”
Tony Jefferson Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart
“Running back: Omarion Hampton”
Omarion Hampton Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jake Slaughter to be 1st on the depth chart
“Center: Jake Slaughter (R)”
Jake Slaughter Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Hayden Rucci to be 2nd on the depth chart
“recently signed newcomer Hayden Rucci will be the backup”
Hayden Rucci Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Del'Shawn Phillips to be 1st on the depth chart
“Linebacker: Del'Shawn Phillips”
Del'Shawn Phillips Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Cam Hart to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cornerback: Cam Hart”
Cam Hart Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Alec Ingold to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fullback: Alec Ingold”
Alec Ingold Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Derwin James to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nickelback: Derwin James Jr”
Derwin James Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
R.J. Mickens to be 1st on the depth chart
“Last week, RJ Mickens got the start opposite Tony Jefferson ... and that should continue.”
R.J. Mickens Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Tarheeb Still to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cornerback: Tarheeb Still”
Tarheeb Still Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Rashawn Slater to be 1st on the depth chart
“Left tackle: Rashawn Slater”
Rashawn Slater Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Joe Alt to be 1st on the depth chart
“Right tackle: Joe Alt”
Joe Alt Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Oronde Gadsden II to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tight end: Oronde Gadsden II ... Oronde Gadsden will assume starting duties”
Oronde Gadsden II Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Justin Herbert to be 1st on the depth chart
“Quarterback: Justin Herbert”
Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Cole Strange to be 1st on the depth chart
“Right guard: Cole Strange”
Cole Strange Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Tuli Tuipulotu to be 1st on the depth chart
“Edge rusher: Tuli Tuipulotu/ Akheem Mesidor”
Tuli Tuipulotu Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
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.”
Trevor Penning Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Quentin Johnston to be 1st on the depth chart
“Wide receiver: Quentin Johnston”
Quentin Johnston Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Ladd McConkey to be 1st on the depth chart
“Wide receiver: Ladd McConkey”
Ladd McConkey Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Khalil Mack to be 1st on the depth chart
“Edge rusher: Khalil Mack”
Khalil Mack Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Availability Calls2 waitingShow ▸

“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)”
Marquez Valdes-Scantling Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
“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)”
Ladd McConkey Los Angeles Chargers
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Others on the same people

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.
Tyler Sullivan · Game Outcome Picks · Los Angeles Chargers · Miss 0
Sullivan flags five Week 9 underdogs they expect to pull upsets: the Packers at New England, the Vikings over Buffalo, the winless Chargers over Houston, the Panthers over Denver, and the Falcons over Cincinnati in Madrid.
Kevin Wildes · Game Outcome Picks · Los Angeles Chargers · Miss 0
Wildes used their upset alert on the winless Chargers to beat the Rams.
Greg Auman · Score Predictions · Los Angeles Chargers · Miss 21
Auman predicts an all-Los Angeles Super Bowl with the Chargers beating the Rams 24-21.
Nick Wright · Game Outcome Picks · Los Angeles Chargers · Miss 0
Nick Wright ran through their projected 2025 records for all 16 AFC teams, calling Baltimore a 13-win regular-season juggernaut, Houston a 12-win team with the league's best defense, and going under on the Jets, Bengals, Steelers and Chargers; they also picked the Chiefs' game-by-game schedule to 12-5 and said Buffalo wins the AFC East.
Eric Mangini · Game Outcome Picks · Los Angeles Chargers · Miss 0
Mangini took the Titans to upset the Texans, and in the chips segment backed the Chargers to upset Denver, the Patriots over the Raiders, and the Rams over the Bills.

More depth chart calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

Jeremy Brener · Depth Chart Calls · Drew Lock · Hit 100
Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback.
Jeremy Brener · Depth Chart Calls · Jalen Milroe · Miss 0
Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for their first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury.
Michael Moore · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. They also expect Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.
Zachary Pereles · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints.
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.
Garrett Podell · Depth Chart Calls · Carson Beck · Miss 0
Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace them as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut.