# Alex Kay: Kay names five undrafted rookies they expect to make rosters and contribute in 2026, projecting Kahlil Benson as a Chiefs roster lock and possible Week 1 right tackle starter, Khalil Jacobs as a Patriots backup linebacker, Will Pauling as the 49ers' sixth receiver, Collin Wright as Houston's fourth cornerback, and Taurean York as a Broncos roster survivor. **Claimed:** Aug 12, 2026 **Pundit:** Alex Kay — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/alex-kay **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25470213-5-undrafted-rookies-pushing-roster-spots-nfl-training-camp 14 checkable claims — 10 depth chart calls and 4 roster spot calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call. It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record. 1 of 14 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess at the same calls. Of the 5 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one. > He's not only jumped out as a lock to make the final roster, but a potential Week 1 starter at right tackle due to his consistent presence with the first team during practice. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Kahlil Benson to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Kahlil Benson, Kansas City Chiefs - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Collin Wright — “spot on his hometown team's final roster”** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Collin Wright, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kamari Lassiter to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Kamari Lassiter, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Alex Singleton to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Alex Singleton, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Collin Wright to be 4th on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Collin Wright, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Taurean York to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Taurean York, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Will Pauling to be 6th on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Will Pauling, San Francisco 49ers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Christian Elliss to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Christian Elliss, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Derek Stingley Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Robert Spillane to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Robert Spillane, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Khalil Jacobs — “lock down a backup role”** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Khalil Jacobs, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kahlil Benson to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Kahlil Benson, Kansas City Chiefs - Verdict: not settled yet - **Justin Strnad to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Justin Strnad, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Khalil Jacobs to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Khalil Jacobs, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Kahlil Benson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kahlil-benson - Kansas City Chiefs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chiefs - Collin Wright — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/collin-wright - Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/texans - Kamari Lassiter — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kamari-lassiter - Alex Singleton — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/alex-singleton - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Taurean York — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/taurean-york - Will Pauling — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/will-pauling - San Francisco 49ers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/49ers - Christian Elliss — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/christian-elliss - New England Patriots — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/patriots - Derek Stingley Jr. — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/derek-stingley-jr - Robert Spillane — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/robert-spillane - Khalil Jacobs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/khalil-jacobs - Justin Strnad — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/justin-strnad ## 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) - Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0) - Chad Jensen on Jordan Turner: Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a84d2c6e-5554-46aa-95b1-620858d31e0f (scored 0) - Gilberto Manzano on Josh Downs: Previewing the trade deadline, he expects Justin Herbert to stay in Los Angeles despite the Chargers' 0–7 start, thinks the Jets will keep Garrett Wilson and pair him with their young weapons, expects a receiver-hungry Kansas City to be aggressive with Josh Downs the likeliest target, and suggests expiring Eagles contracts Moro Ojomo and Riq Woolen could be dealt for mid-round picks. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/67d5af78-94ea-4ee2-a277-5e68347022de (scored 100) ## More depth chart calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Jeremy Brener on Drew Lock: Brener 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7eb2d245-63d0-4be0-80ba-3f60197e2b16 (scored 100) - Jeremy Brener on Jalen Milroe: Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for their first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/42d1bd81-5e19-456e-9f68-b3b135170ec0 (scored 0) - Michael Moore on Shedeur Sanders: In 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. They also expect Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e26319a3-10aa-49a6-a24d-a257521363f0 (scored 100) - Zachary Pereles on Shedeur Sanders: Pereles 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. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6dad75dd-1818-4a6a-91ea-832f491c2530 (scored 100) - Nic Bodiford on Joe Fagnano: Previewing 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. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a13b9f29-bb76-4c56-b226-aca74b21f5b7 (scored 100) - Garrett Podell on Carson Beck: Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace them as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2f499498-ebbe-41f8-8ea3-41fe96f79432 (scored 0) --- 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=alex-kay