# Brandon Carney: 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. **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 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. > 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 - **Stefon Diggs to move to Las Vegas Raiders** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Stefon Diggs, Las Vegas Raiders - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **New Orleans Saints to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: New Orleans Saints - 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 - **Deebo Samuel Sr. to move to Miami Dolphins** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Deebo Samuel Sr., Miami Dolphins - 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 - **Najee Harris to move to Green Bay Packers** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Najee Harris, Green Bay Packers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: not settled yet - **New England Patriots to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Philadelphia Eagles to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Philadelphia Eagles - 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 - **Jauan Jennings to move to Miami Dolphins** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Jauan Jennings, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jacksonville Jaguars to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Jacksonville Jaguars - 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 - **Chicago Bears to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Chicago Bears - 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 - **Minnesota Vikings to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Minnesota Vikings - 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 - **Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Denver Broncos to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Denver Broncos - 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 - **Dallas Cowboys to make the playoffs** - Kind: Playoff Picks · About: Dallas Cowboys - Verdict: not settled yet - **Liam Cohen to win Coach of the Year** - Kind: Coach Award Picks - 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 - **Austin Ekeler to move to Seattle Seahawks** - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Austin Ekeler, Seattle Seahawks - 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 - **Los Angeles Chargers to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Los Angeles Chargers - 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 - **Caleb Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Caleb Downs - 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 - **Eli Stowers to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Eli Stowers, Philadelphia Eagles - 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 - **Joe Burrow to win MVP** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Rams to win the division** - Kind: Division Winners · About: Los Angeles Rams - 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 - Stefon Diggs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/stefon-diggs - Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/raiders - New Orleans Saints — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/saints - Brandon Aiyuk — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/brandon-aiyuk - Washington Commanders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/commanders - Deebo Samuel Sr. — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/deebo-samuel-sr - Miami Dolphins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/dolphins - Tyreek Hill — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tyreek-hill - Kansas City Chiefs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chiefs - Najee Harris — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/najee-harris - Green Bay Packers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/packers - Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/seahawks - Philadelphia Eagles — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/eagles - Justin Jefferson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/justin-jefferson - Minnesota Vikings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/vikings - Jauan Jennings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jauan-jennings - Jacksonville Jaguars — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jaguars - Chicago Bears — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bears - Jeremiyah Love — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jeremiyah-love - Arizona Cardinals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cardinals - Baltimore Ravens — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/ravens - Cincinnati Bengals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bengals - Buffalo Bills — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bills - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Calvin Ridley — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/calvin-ridley - Tennessee Titans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/titans - Dallas Cowboys — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cowboys - Austin Ekeler — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/austin-ekeler - Carnell Tate — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/carnell-tate - Los Angeles Chargers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chargers - Joe Mixon — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-mixon - Caleb Downs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/caleb-downs - Eli Stowers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/eli-stowers - Maxx Crosby — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/maxx-crosby - Joe Burrow — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-burrow - Los Angeles Rams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/rams ## What others said about the same people - Chris Simms on Kansas City Chiefs: Simms 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/662b7ba3-1bf6-4ad0-9f93-9f2ab83143fd (scored 100) - Connor Rogers on Seattle Seahawks: Rogers 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/83d1e88b-95a0-45ba-83d3-f86297170c6c (scored 0) - Chris Long on Cincinnati Bengals: Long 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3df9ea25-e57f-4fd7-b20c-c910a1c3633a (scored 0) - Steven Ruiz on Las Vegas Raiders: Previewing 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a30ff469-4972-4c48-855b-ba984e4de9d0 (scored 100) - Nate Tice on Baltimore Ravens: Tice 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b8378e16-ea5c-4107-a883-28aaf0e71134 (scored 100) - Chris Simms on Green Bay Packers: Simms picked the Packers to beat the Falcons in the Thursday night game by a low score, expecting a defensive struggle. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b12420c5-837c-4a24-8a8e-c74b10cc697c (scored 9.52) ## More trade and signing calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Bryan DeArdo on Darius Slayton: A 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3f1834cd-6520-4f07-9efc-4060a6b5cb1c (scored 100) - Noah Strackbein on Darius Slayton: Strackbein 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c6348972-c1bf-48f1-ba03-d5c2ef44561a (scored 100) - Patricia Traina on Darius Slayton: Traina 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/970d968f-3133-436c-a8a6-114412a9f178 (scored 100) - Greg Auman on Will Levis: Auman predicts that Will Levis, released by Tennessee, will almost certainly be claimed on waivers by another team. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/55b7732a-4131-430b-adbf-a33c60c47dc0 (scored 100) - John Maakaron on Joe Bachie: Maakaron 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6cc7cac4-1a70-4e0a-a762-8c280319c3af (scored 100) - Bradley Locker on Mazi Smith: Locker 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/538fc657-f762-4d98-84e1-b03c4bc14469 (scored 100) --- 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 We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=brandon-carney