Brandon Carney· May 5, 2026
Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
“I will eventually be right about the motherfucking Chargers winning this division.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Bran Coverage with BenchwarmerBran (podcast) · read the original →
35 checkable claims — 10 trade and signing calls, 8 division winners, 6 playoff picks, 5 award picks, 2 depth chart calls, 2 positional finishes, 1 coach award pick and 1 fantasy ranking — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 38 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
2 of 35 have settled so far, averaging 50 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 1.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- A.J. Brown
- New England Patriots
- Stefon Diggs
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New Orleans Saints
- Brandon Aiyuk
- Washington Commanders
- Deebo Samuel Sr.
- Miami Dolphins
- Tyreek Hill
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Najee Harris
- Green Bay Packers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Justin Jefferson
- Minnesota Vikings
- Jauan Jennings
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Chicago Bears
- Jeremiyah Love
- Arizona Cardinals
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Buffalo Bills
- Denver Broncos
- Calvin Ridley
- Tennessee Titans
- Dallas Cowboys
- Austin Ekeler
- Carnell Tate
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Joe Mixon
- Caleb Downs
- Eli Stowers
- Maxx Crosby
- Joe Burrow
- Los Angeles Rams
35 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.
A.J. Brown to move to New England Patriots
“This is contingent on a certain trade going through that I think we are all very certain is going to go through at this point... as a Patriots fan, I'm so excited to get AJ Brown on board”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- A.J. Brown
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- NE
- was with:
- PHI
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- reported:
- traded → NE (from PHI)
- settled by:
- a confirmed report from the crawl (reported outcomes)
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he stays where he is
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
Stefon Diggs to move to Las Vegas Raiders
“So Stefon Diggs, this is the one I feel the least confident about. But just looking at depth charts, like, I put them on your Raiders.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Stefon Diggs
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- LV
- was with:
- NE
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he stays where he is
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- ended up with:
- WAS
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Division WinnersNew Orleans SaintsMay 5, 2026
New Orleans Saints to win the division
“Cock on table, I'll go with the Saints.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brandon Aiyuk to move to Washington Commanders
“So I've got Brandon Ayuk going to the commanders.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Deebo Samuel Sr. to move to Miami Dolphins
“So I'm gonna put Jennings and Samuel both on the Dolphins”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyreek Hill to move to Kansas City Chiefs
“Tyreek Hill, I still just think he ends up on the Chiefs.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Najee Harris to move to Green Bay Packers
“just looking at potential fits for Najee Harris and looking at back fields that have, again, vacancies, I think the Packers make a lot of sense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksSeattle SeahawksMay 5, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs
“And then wildcards, Seahawks, obviously... And then I went with the Bears and the Cowboys.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersNew England PatriotsMay 5, 2026
New England Patriots to win the division
“So I will go with the Patriots for the AFC East.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersPhiladelphia EaglesMay 5, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles to win the division
“starting with the NFC East. I gave some thought to the Cowboys. I went with the Eagles.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJustin JeffersonMinnesota VikingsMay 5, 2026
Justin Jefferson to win Offensive Player of the Year
“My offensive player of the year going along with the Kyler resurgence, is Justin Jefferson.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jauan Jennings to move to Miami Dolphins
“So I'm gonna put Jennings and Samuel both on the Dolphins, filling different roles here”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersJacksonville JaguarsMay 5, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars to win the division
“I went with the Jaguars here. Obviously, it was between them and the Texans.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jauan Jennings to be 1st on the depth chart
“Oh, he's immediately their number one receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksChicago BearsMay 5, 2026
Chicago Bears to make the playoffs
“And then I went with the Bears and the Cowboys.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jeremiyah Love to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points
“you've got a guy like Jeremiah Love who is, I think, highly likely to be at least a high end RB two for fantasy purposes”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersMinnesota VikingsMay 5, 2026
Minnesota Vikings to win the division
“I'm picking the Vikings... So Vikings in the NFC North.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBaltimore RavensMay 5, 2026
Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs
“Wild card, Broncos, Ravens, Bills.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersCincinnati BengalsMay 5, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to win the division
“So I'm going with the Bengals as well.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksBuffalo BillsMay 5, 2026
Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs
“I do have the Bills, Broncos, and Ravens... Wild card, Broncos, Ravens, Bills.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDenver BroncosMay 5, 2026
Denver Broncos to make the playoffs
“Wild card, Broncos, Ravens, Bills.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Calvin Ridley to move to Tennessee Titans
“I think Calvin Ridley is kinda just biding his time before he finds his way, quite frankly, out of the league, but at least off the titans.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Playoff PicksDallas CowboysMay 5, 2026
Dallas Cowboys to make the playoffs
“And then I went with the Bears and the Cowboys.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksMay 5, 2026
Liam Cohen to win Coach of the Year
“But to me, the Jags, Liam Cohen was just such a clear runner-up this past year to Mike Grable that if they just run it back and look even better this year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJeremiyah LoveArizona CardinalsMay 5, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“I think love just has so much opportunity compared to everyone. No. I agree.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Austin Ekeler to move to Seattle Seahawks
“Are you going to Seattle here? Yeah... Ekeler's the best guy out there.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Carnell Tate to finish top 1 at his position, by receptions
“I think he's definitely, you know, health permitting and all that, gonna be the target leader among rookie receivers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles ChargersMay 5, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers to win the division
“But I'll go with the Chargers and the AFC West.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Joe Mixon to move to Washington Commanders
“So I put Joe Mixon to the commanders, big asterisk if he's good to go.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksCaleb DownsMay 5, 2026
Caleb Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“I'll go Caleb Downs.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy RankingsMay 5, 2026
“I've got quarterback Drew Aller... Running backs, Jonah Coleman and Caitron Allen. Wide receivers here... Karneltate, Mekhi Lemmon, Jordan Tyson, and then, as my second flex... Casey Concepcion, and tight end Eli Stowers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Eli Stowers to be 2nd on the depth chart
“I'll go with Eli Stowers... I think obviously buried behind Dallas Goedder for year one, but should at least see the field occasionally.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksMaxx CrosbyLas Vegas RaidersMay 5, 2026
Maxx Crosby to win Defensive Player of the Year
“Defensive player of the year. Give me a motivated Max Crosby”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJoe BurrowCincinnati BengalsMay 5, 2026
Joe Burrow to win MVP
“MVP. I'm going with Joe Burrow until I'm right. So I'm going with Joe Burrow.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Division WinnersLos Angeles RamsMay 5, 2026
Los Angeles Rams to win the division
“it wasn't that hard for me. It's the Rams.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms 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.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- 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 · Baltimore RavensHit · 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.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Green Bay PackersMiss · 10Simms picked the Packers to beat the Falcons in the Thursday night game by a low score, expecting a defensive struggle.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece on the Giants releasing Darius Slayton predicts he will be signed by another NFL team fairly quickly, and lists possible landing spots without committing to one.
- Noah StrackbeinTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100Strackbein says Pittsburgh views Roman Wilson as its No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., but argues the Steelers should add released Giants veteran Darius Slayton as insurance, expecting Slayton to sign cheaply on a veteran-minimum deal, and refers to 2026 as Aaron Rodgers' final season.
- Patricia TrainaTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100Traina writes that the Giants may make more trades before the roster cutdown and names the players she sees as the most likely candidates to be dealt: kicker Ben Sauls, one of receivers Darius Slayton or Darnell Mooney, offensive lineman Jake Kubas, and linebacker Darius Muasau.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Auman predicts that Will Levis, released by Tennessee, will almost certainly be claimed on waivers by another team.
- John MaakaronTrade and Signing Calls · Joe BachieHit · 100Maakaron suggests several Lions players could be cut and land on other rosters: linebacker Joe Bachie, defensive linemen Ben Stille and Chris Smith, and running back Sione Vaki.
- Bradley LockerTrade and Signing Calls · Mazi SmithHit · 100Locker lists 10 players on the roster bubble entering 2026, suggesting Tyrone Tracy may not make the Giants' 53, Broderick Jones could be traded or cut by Pittsburgh, Dillon Gabriel may lose the Browns' QB3 job, Evan Neal's Giants tenure may end, and Will Levis will likely be traded or cut by Tennessee.