# Lance Zierlein: Lance says they do not see Riley Leonard as a starter, expects Jayden Higgins to be a second-round receiver, and believes Dominic Lovett can become a starting slot receiver.

**Claimed:** Mar 2, 2025
**Pundit:** Lance Zierlein — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/lance-zierlein
**Outlet:** Move the Sticks (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/move-the-sticks-podcast
**How it reached us:** said on air or in an interview
**Original:** https://omny.fm/shows/nfl-move-the-sticks-with-daniel-jeremiah-bucky-bro/2025-nfl-combine-recap-qbs-wrs-and-rbs

2 checkable claims — 1 depth chart call and 1 mock draft pick — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

1 of 2 have settled so far, averaging 58.3 out of 100, against 66.7 for a naive guess at the same calls.

> NOW i don't see a starter personally With Riley. LEONARD

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **Dominic Lovett to be 1st on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Dominic Lovett
  - Verdict: scored 58.33 out of 100, against 66.67 for a naive guess
- **Jayden Higgins to be picked “in the second, round”**
  - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Jayden Higgins
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- Dominic Lovett — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dominic-lovett
- Jayden Higgins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jayden-higgins

## What others said about the same people

- Kyle Crabbs on Jayden Higgins: Crabbs projects all seven rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, starting with Cam Ward going No. 1 overall to Tennessee, Travis Hunter second to Cleveland and Abdul Carter third to the Giants. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e8a40874-e85c-44ec-a4c8-b6f0edbd22d2 (scored 84.09)
- Derek Brown on Jayden Higgins: Derek Brown laid out a round-by-round target list, projecting Ashton Jeanty as a top-three back and Raiders bellcow, Drake London as a possible overall WR1, and Tetairoa McMillan (their must-have player) as a ten-plus touchdown scorer, with late-round upside picks like Dak Prescott and JJ McCarthy at quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fb4dac48-8a62-4706-b0a6-9e6e1af0a3c4 (scored 0)
- Sean Kerner on Jayden Higgins: Kerner's top move is Travis Hunter to Jacksonville, though they call Hunter's WR30 price a bit rich given usage uncertainty. They are all-in on Ashton Jeanty as a workhorse with top-five rookie upside, likes Ben Johnson's arrival for Caleb Williams and rookie TE Colston Loveland, expects DeVonta Adams to boost Matthew Stafford's touchdown total over 22.5, and is heavily drafting Jayden Higgins as Houston's No. 2 receiver. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ec510a56-f0ae-4583-8e26-5b031d8d6d10 (scored 0)
- Gregg Rosenthal on Jayden Higgins: Gregg Rosenthal predicted both Ohio State running backs go in the top 50, that Cam Ward has a decent chance to go No. 1 overall and won't fall past the first couple of picks, that Shedeur Sanders is a tier below them, that Jackson Dart won't be drafted much higher than Jalen Hurts' late-second slot, that Brady Cook won't be drafted, and that DeVante Adams is somewhat likely to be cut by the Jets. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/89637841-0be4-414d-9dd0-f380cb679557 (scored 100)
- John Maakaron on Dominic Lovett: Maakaron lists six candidates to take over punt return duties for the Lions after Tom Kennedy's season-ending injury, suggesting Dominic Lovett could be the ideal first choice and Khalil Dorsey the backup option, while cautioning that Amon-Ra St. Brown should only be used in spot duty. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1e72a9d7-da9d-4a30-b07b-fbd7a4cd2859 (not settled)
- Christian Booher on Dominic Lovett: Booher lays out a projected Detroit Lions offensive depth chart ahead of the 2026 regular season, naming starters, backups and practice squad members at every offensive position. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c8fa7c98-626b-413d-ac56-ac6dc7cc764f (not settled)

## More depth chart calls

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

- Jeremy Brener on Drew Lock: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7eb2d245-63d0-4be0-80ba-3f60197e2b16 (scored 100)
- Jeremy Brener on Jalen Milroe: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/42d1bd81-5e19-456e-9f68-b3b135170ec0 (scored 0)
- Michael Moore on Shedeur Sanders: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e26319a3-10aa-49a6-a24d-a257521363f0 (scored 100)
- Zachary Pereles on Shedeur Sanders: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6dad75dd-1818-4a6a-91ea-832f491c2530 (scored 100)
- Nic Bodiford on Joe Fagnano: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a13b9f29-bb76-4c56-b226-aca74b21f5b7 (scored 100)
- Garrett Podell on Carson Beck: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2f499498-ebbe-41f8-8ea3-41fe96f79432 (scored 0)

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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

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