# Brandon Carney: Carney drafted a team of rookies they expect 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. **Claimed:** May 5, 2026 **Pundit:** Brandon Carney — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/brandon-carney **Outlet:** Bran Coverage with BenchwarmerBran (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/bran-coverage-with-benchwarmerbran-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air, transcribed by us **Original:** https://www.buzzsprout.com/2182919/episodes/19128823-best-rookies-for-fantasy-way-too-early-nfl-predictions-for-2026-podcast-for-5-5.mp3 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 call. It names 38 players and teams, each linked to their own record. 1 of 35 have settled so far, averaging 100 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. > I will eventually be right about the motherfucking Chargers winning this division. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **A.J. Brown to move to New England Patriots** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: A.J. Brown, New England Patriots - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Jacksonville Jaguars to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Jacksonville Jaguars - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Dallas Cowboys to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Dallas Cowboys - Verdict: not settled yet - **New England Patriots to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tyreek Hill to move to Kansas City Chiefs** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs - Verdict: not settled yet - **Joe Burrow to win MVP** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Austin Ekeler to move to Seattle Seahawks** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Austin Ekeler, Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Minnesota Vikings to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Minnesota Vikings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Justin Jefferson to win Offensive Player of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Stefon Diggs to move to Las Vegas Raiders** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Stefon Diggs, Las Vegas Raiders - Verdict: not settled yet - **Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - “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.” - Kind: Fantasy Rankings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Brandon Aiyuk to move to Washington Commanders** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Brandon Aiyuk, Washington Commanders - Verdict: not settled yet - **Philadelphia Eagles to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Philadelphia Eagles - Verdict: not settled yet - **New Orleans Saints to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Deebo Samuel Sr. to move to Miami Dolphins** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Deebo Samuel Sr., Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **Caleb Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Caleb Downs - Verdict: not settled yet - **Calvin Ridley to move to Tennessee Titans** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Chargers to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jauan Jennings to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jauan Jennings, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **Maxx Crosby to win Defensive Player of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders - Verdict: not settled yet - **Chicago Bears to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Chicago Bears - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Los Angeles Rams - Verdict: not settled yet - **Liam Cohen to win Coach of the Year** - Kind: Coach Award Picks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Carnell Tate to finish top 1 at his position, by receptions** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Najee Harris to move to Green Bay Packers** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Najee Harris, Green Bay Packers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jauan Jennings to move to Miami Dolphins** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Jauan Jennings, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **Eli Stowers to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Eli Stowers, Philadelphia Eagles - Verdict: not settled yet - **Baltimore Ravens to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **Cincinnati Bengals to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jeremiyah Love to win Offensive Rookie of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Joe Mixon to move to Washington Commanders** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Joe Mixon, Washington Commanders - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jeremiyah Love to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - A.J. Brown — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/a-j-brown - New England Patriots — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/patriots - Jacksonville Jaguars — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jaguars - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Dallas Cowboys — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cowboys - Tyreek Hill — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tyreek-hill - Kansas City Chiefs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chiefs - Joe Burrow — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-burrow - Cincinnati Bengals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bengals - Austin Ekeler — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/austin-ekeler - Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/seahawks - Minnesota Vikings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/vikings - Justin Jefferson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/justin-jefferson - Stefon Diggs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/stefon-diggs - Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/raiders - Buffalo Bills — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bills - Brandon Aiyuk — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/brandon-aiyuk - Washington Commanders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/commanders - Philadelphia Eagles — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/eagles - New Orleans Saints — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/saints - Deebo Samuel Sr. — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/deebo-samuel-sr - Miami Dolphins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/dolphins - Caleb Downs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/caleb-downs - Calvin Ridley — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/calvin-ridley - Tennessee Titans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/titans - Los Angeles Chargers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chargers - Jauan Jennings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jauan-jennings - Maxx Crosby — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/maxx-crosby - Chicago Bears — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bears - Los Angeles Rams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/rams - Carnell Tate — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/carnell-tate - Najee Harris — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/najee-harris - Green Bay Packers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/packers - Eli Stowers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/eli-stowers - Baltimore Ravens — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/ravens - Jeremiyah Love — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jeremiyah-love - Arizona Cardinals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cardinals - Joe Mixon — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-mixon ## What others said about the same people - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0) - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0) - Chris Clark on Nikko Remigio: Clark expects the Chiefs to bring back exclusive-rights receiver Nico (Remigio) and long snapper James Winchester, to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster as a cheap veteran fifth receiver, and not to bring back Hollywood Brown, Josh Dobbs-type depth, Gardner Minshew, Janarius Robinson or Mike Caliendo; they also say the Chiefs will not use a franchise tag and believes Bryan Cook won't return. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/99521265-d5c0-4db1-b2a0-fe77908ea0b3 (scored 0) - Nate Gosney on Daiyan Henley: 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/60272861-4ad0-4749-b36a-dcdf09b9213f (scored 0) - Jordan Dajani on Washington Commanders: Dajani picks the Commanders to edge the Giants 21-20 on Thursday and the Chiefs to beat the Falcons 26-20 in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/46f7646f-2c64-4827-a522-67975af79fb6 (scored 95.24) - Tyler Sullivan on Washington Commanders: Sullivan takes the Commanders 24-21 over the Giants on Thursday night and calls for a Steelers upset of the Bengals, 27-24, in Week 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1bb32676-c3b3-4b8e-8a03-b58396cf98bf (scored 100) ## More trade and signing calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Patricia Traina on J.J. McCarthy: Traina expects defensive tackle to be a top need for the Giants in next year's draft, and suggests the Giants could trade J.J. McCarthy next offseason — or keep both them and Jaxson Dart if the return isn't good enough. They also expect Dart to make a full recovery. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b638ed13-01ca-4ea6-9384-ec7130f912c1 (scored 100) - Michael David Smith on Keenan Allen: Smith suggests the Colts are likely to grant Josh Downs' trade request given their contract situation and their recent sell-off, and that they could also try to trade Keenan Allen. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/52d7108f-f754-44e8-9bf3-cc3336b4e5f7 (scored 100) - Noah Compton on Josh Downs: Compton expects the rebuilding Colts to keep dealing veterans before the November 10 deadline, naming Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs and Grover Stewart as the likeliest remaining trade candidates, and believes Indianapolis should and likely will move on from quarterback Daniel Jones, while Shane Steichen keeps starting Jones in the meantime. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/97a66c60-b5a2-4503-a0c2-aa0181552557 (scored 100) - Mike Fanelli on Keenan Allen: Fanelli suggested Keenan Allen may be dealt away from Indianapolis, with Week 9 potentially their final appearance for the Colts. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/22dd9803-d10f-4aa9-99d1-b0ef1a22f778 (scored 100) - Jordan Schultz on Josh Downs: Schultz expects Jonathan Taylor to be traded for at least a second-round pick plus additional compensation, and believes Josh Downs will ultimately be dealt for a fourth-round pick rather than the third the Colts are seeking. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2d7c8d17-c4d1-4eda-b469-070134b39a6a (scored 100) - Adam Schefter on Josh Downs: Schefter, as relayed on the show, said they expect Josh Downs to be traded. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ce15495b-2a1f-47a3-a73d-143421544b4e (scored 100) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. 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