Rafael Zamorano· Nov 3, 2026
Zamorano argues Deshaun Watson cannot be Cleveland's quarterback in 2027 and beyond, and predicts the Browns will finish the 2026 season with Watson rather than making a trade-deadline splash, then draft a young passer.
“there's a good chance the Browns will ride 2026 out with Watson and his plethora of sacks, and then look to the draft to pick out a passer”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 1 depth chart call and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Deshaun Watson · 2026 season74 calls from 42 pundits between 1 and 2. Rafael Zamorano 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.
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Who this take is about
2 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.
Deshaun Watson to stay with Cleveland Browns
“As much as Browns fans might want to see the team make a splash before the trade deadline, options aren't really that great out there... there's a good chance the Browns will ride 2026 out with Watson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“there's a good chance the Browns will ride 2026 out with Watson and his plethora of sacks, and then look to the draft to pick out a passer from a once very promising class”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Rich EisenTrade and Signing Calls · Myles GarrettHit · 100Discussing Myles Garrett's trade request, Eisen said he expects Garrett to get his way and be moved out of Cleveland rather than stay, which is why staying would be shocking.
- Doug JoubertScore Predictions · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 26Joubert picks the Browns to win 28-17, saying the Saints haven't improved over the first half of the season despite Cleveland starting Shedeur Sanders.
- Pat McAfeeGame Outcome Picks · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 0McAfee picked the Browns, with Shedeur Sanders starting, to beat the Saints in New Orleans.
- Michael MooreDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. He also expects Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.
- Zachary PerelesDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints.
- Mitchell EisensteinGame Outcome Picks · Cleveland BrownsMiss · 0Mitchell gave his Week 9 top-five power rankings, keeping Buffalo first and the 49ers second while elevating the Bears, Jaguars and Lions, and picked a slate of Week 9 games including a Packers win in New England, a Panthers upset of Denver, and blowouts for Detroit, Kansas City and Houston. He also tabbed Jonah Coleman as a late-season Offensive Rookie of the Year pick.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Jeremy BrenerDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockHit · 100Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback.
- Jeremy BrenerDepth Chart Calls · Jalen MilroeMiss · 0Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for his first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury.
- Nic BodifordDepth Chart Calls · Joe FagnanoHit · 100Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. He also views Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Carson BeckMiss · 0Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace him as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut.
- Jacob HerlinDepth Chart Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Herlin published Week 7 fantasy D/ST rankings with projections for 28 team defenses, led by Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland. He also expects Cleveland to post a fourth straight top-10 fantasy defense result, and predicts Jalon Daniels starts another week for Tampa Bay while J.J. McCarthy takes over as the Giants' starter.
- Donnie DruinDepth Chart Calls · Jacoby BrissettHit · 100Following the Cardinals' decision not to make staff or lineup changes, Druin states that Jacoby Brissett will remain Arizona's starting quarterback for another week, with rookie Carson Beck staying behind him.