Bob Folger· Aug 16, 2026
Reviewing the Giants' preseason opener, Folger predicts that neither Eric Gray nor Dante Miller will earn a spot on the roster, while fullback Grant Finley looks like a practice squad candidate.
“He's still got that straight-line speed and a good feel for playing specials, but Miller is not roster material.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 3 roster spot calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 4 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
3 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.
- Roster Spot CallsGrant FinleyNew York GiantsAug 16, 2026
Grant Finley to land on the practice squad
“which would make Finley an ideal candidate for the practice squad”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDante MillerNew York GiantsAug 16, 2026
Dante Miller to be cut
“but Miller is not roster material”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsEric GrayNew York GiantsAug 16, 2026
Eric Gray to be cut
“That said, it’s hard to envision him getting a roster spot. Twice, he had to be told where to line up and what to do”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Patricia TrainaRoster Spot Calls · Trace FordHit · 100Traina projects the Giants' initial 53-man roster position by position, naming who makes the team and who lands on the practice squad, including keeping Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Evan Neal (with a possible trade), Dalen Cambre over Braxton Berrios, Lucas Patrick as backup center, and Dominic Zvada as the kicker.
- Lance ZierleinMock Draft Picks · Carnell TateHit · 96Zuerlein describes his mock draft 3.0: Carnell Tate to the Giants at No. 5, Sonny Styles falling to the Cowboys at No. 12, and Colton Hood to Dallas at No. 20. He also expects runs on linebackers from the late twenties to about pick 45, defensive tackles from the early-mid twenties into the 40s, and says Ahvion Terrell's 4.65 forty knocks him out of first-round contention. He calls Kenyon Saddiq and Mansoor Delaine the safest picks for Dallas, and thinks Delaine's tape is top-four caliber, while Jeremiah Smith could be a generational, Megatron-type receiver.
- Nick WrightMock Draft Picks · Jordyn TysonHit · 92Nick Wright unveiled his full 32-pick 2026 NFL mock draft 4.0, starting with Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 and ending with Avion Terrell to the Seahawks at 32. He also called Carnell Tate the best/safest receiver in the class, projected Ty Simpson inside the top 45, said Mendoza profiles as a low-end top-15 NFL quarterback, and expected the Dolphins to lose 15 games.
- Danny ParkinsMock Draft Picks · Sonny StylesHit · 92Danny Parkins presented his one-and-only 2026 mock draft, including trades: Mendoza at 1 to the Raiders, David Bailey second to the Jets, the Cowboys trading up to No. 3 for Arvell Reese, the Bears trading up to 16 for Kadyn Proctor, and Ty Simpson going to Arizona at 32 at the end of round one.
- David HarrisonMock Draft Picks · Caleb DownsHit · 96Harrison delivers his only first-round mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft, projecting all 32 first-round picks (including several trades) plus the rest of Washington's projected class, while noting it is an exercise in what could happen rather than a firm forecast.
- Daniel JeremiahMock Draft Picks · Jeremiyah LoveHit · 92Daniel Jeremiah's final 2026 NFL mock draft, projecting the first round pick by pick (including mock trades), starting with Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 and ending with Peter Woods to the Ravens via a trade with Seattle.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jordan FooteRoster Spot Calls · Cole ChristiansenMiss · 0Foote writes that after the Week 4 game in Las Vegas, Cole Christiansen will revert to the Chiefs' practice squad, having exhausted his three standard elevations, and considers it unlikely Kansas City signs him to the 53-man roster given Cam Jones' remaining activations and a possible Cooper McDonald return.
- Ralph VentreRoster Spot Calls · Kani WalkerMiss · 0Ventre expects Christian Benford's toe injury to sideline him for at least the Week 4 game against New England, and believes the Bills will have to add a cornerback to the 53-man roster this week — likely by moving Benford to injured reserve — with practice squad rookie Kani Walker the most likely player elevated.
- Gene ChamberlainRoster Spot Calls · Marcus DavenportHit · 100Chamberlain argues the Bears' cap restructuring won't lead to a splashy edge-rusher trade for Maxx Crosby or Josh Sweat, and that Marcus Davenport will be promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster as their veteran edge help. He also describes the Bears opening the season with rookie Dillon Thieneman starting at safety and Cam Lewis at the deep safety spot.
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Trevon DiggsMiss · 0Gurzi 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.
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jabbar MuhammadHit · 100Shipley projects a full 16-player (plus one international/exemption spot) Jaguars practice squad for 2026, naming specific players at each position he expects to land there.
- Ralph VentreRoster Spot Calls · Kani WalkerHit · 100Ventre reads the Bills' preseason finale as revealing the Week 1 roster: Alec Anderson wins the starting left guard job, Dorian Williams starts at inside linebacker next to Terrel Bernard, Maxwell Hairston starts at cornerback opposite Christian Benford, and Joe Andreessen, Sam Franklin, Trent Sherfield and undrafted Kani Walker make the 53.