Jordan Dajani· Aug 13, 2026
A CBS Sports preseason piece makes several depth-chart and roster projections: Deshaun Watson wins the Browns' QB job, the Browns' new offensive line starters are named, Chris Johnson starts immediately for Miami, Jacoby Brissett starts for Arizona, Tua Tagovailoa is the Falcons' frontrunner, Fernando Mendoza will start at some point for the Raiders, Brock Bowers is Cousins' top target, and Ventrell Miller replaces Devin Lloyd.
“I'm not going to change my initial prediction that Watson will win this battle, but I'd love to see Sanders make it a tough call for Todd Monken.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
12 checkable claims — 12 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 18 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season24 calls from 19 pundits between 1 and 3. Jordan Dajani 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
12 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.
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st on the depth chart
“This will be his only chance to experience those live reps before he's thrown into the starting lineup at some point this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTytus HowardCleveland BrownsAug 13, 2026
Tytus Howard to be 1st on the depth chart
“the versatile Tytus Howard at right tackle”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jacoby Brissett to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jacoby Brissett will likely be the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback this year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsZion JohnsonCleveland BrownsAug 13, 2026
Zion Johnson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Zion Johnson at left guard”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsElgton JenkinsCleveland BrownsAug 13, 2026
Elgton Jenkins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Elgton Jenkins at center”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTeven JenkinsCleveland BrownsAug 13, 2026
Teven Jenkins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Teven Jenkins at right guard”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsBrock BowersLas Vegas RaidersAug 13, 2026
Brock Bowers to be 1st on the depth chart
“We know Brock Bowers will likely be Cousins' top target”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsSpencer FanoCleveland BrownsAug 13, 2026
Spencer Fano to be 1st on the depth chart
“first-round pick Spencer Fano is expected to start at left tackle”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTua TagovailoaAtlanta FalconsAug 13, 2026
Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tagovailoa is the frontrunner since Penix hasn't been cleared for 11-on-11 work due to his torn ACL”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDeshaun WatsonCleveland BrownsAug 13, 2026
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“I'm not going to change my initial prediction that Watson will win this battle”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsChris JohnsonMiami DolphinsAug 13, 2026
Chris Johnson to be 1st on the depth chart
“spent the No. 27 overall pick on former San Diego State corner Chris Johnson, who figures to start immediately”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ventrell Miller to be 1st on the depth chart
“Ventrell Miller is the favorite to replace Lloyd”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Jacksonville JaguarsClose · 50Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 100Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Matt HarmonGame Outcome Picks · Jacksonville JaguarsMiss · 0Harmon picked the Bengals to beat the Texans in Week 2, expecting Nico Collins to miss the game with a hamstring injury, and also predicted the Titans would be shut out by the Eagles. He took the Rams over the Giants, the Bears over the Vikings, and the Jaguars at Denver.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Jacksonville JaguarsMiss · 0Tice 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.
- Jaron SporGame Outcome Picks · Jacksonville JaguarsMiss · 0The host predicted a comfortable Buccaneers win over Cleveland, 27-10, picked Jacksonville as an upset winner at Denver, said the Giants could win seven or eight games as a sneaky team, and expected Deshaun Watson and the Browns to part ways soon.
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.
- 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.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Rashod BatemanMiss · 0In his Week 2 waiver wire column, Fitzmaurice recommends a slate of pickups he expects to outperform their current rostership (Kaelon Black, Deebo Samuel, Tyler Shough, Geno Smith and others), lays out several depth-chart expectations (Black as the 49ers' No. 2 back, Shedeur Sanders eventually taking over in Cleveland, Penix returning for Atlanta), and flags Fool's Gold/drop candidates such as Mike Gesicki, Kendrick Bourne and Rashid Shaheed.
- Bill HuberDepth Chart Calls · Chris McClellanMiss · 0Huber's first Packers rookie progress report projects second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse to hold onto his spot with the No. 1 defense, third-round defensive tackle Chris McClellan to start in Week 1, and fifth-round lineman Jager Burton to be the team's top interior backup rather than a starter.
- Randy GurziDepth Chart Calls · Jadarian PriceHit · 100Gurzi suggests the Seahawks could sign three free agents — safety Donovan Wilson, guard Kevin Zeitler, and running back Kareem Hunt — if weaknesses show up after Week 1. He also notes Trevon Diggs starting on the practice squad and describes Seattle's projected backfield roles.