Fox SportsAug 31, 2026
FOX Sports projects Kyle McCord as Miami's backup behind starter Malik Willis, Mitchell Trubisky as Tennessee's primary backup behind starter Cam Ward, and J.J. McCarthy making the Vikings' 53-man roster.
Published in writing · Fox SportsRead the original
What Fox Sports said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromMcCord, 23, is positioned to serve as the primary backup to starting quarterback Malik Willis in Miami.
- Where it was published
- Fox Sports
- The piece
- NFL Catchup: Aaron Donald Returns To Rams; OBJ Makes Giants Roster
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidAug 30
- GradedSep 25
- 1J.J. McCarthy to make the roster“The second-year quarterback from Michigan is expected to make the Vikings' final 53-man roster, as first reported by ESPN.”
- 2Kyle McCord to be 2nd on the depth chart“McCord, 23, is positioned to serve as the primary backup to starting quarterback Malik Willis in Miami.”
- 3Malik Willis to be 1st on the depth chart“McCord, 23, is positioned to serve as the primary backup to starting quarterback Malik Willis in Miami.”
- 4Cam Ward to be 1st on the depth chart“The decision solidifies veteran Mitchell Trubisky as the primary backup behind 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward heading into the regular season.”
- 5Mitchell Trubisky to be 2nd on the depth chart“The decision solidifies veteran Mitchell Trubisky as the primary backup behind 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward heading into the regular season.”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.J. McCarthy to make the roster1 | Roster Spot Calls | 3 weeks on a 53 | 100 | 100 | 0 | |
| Kyle McCord to be 2nd on the depth chart2 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Malik Willis to be 1st on the depth chart3 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Cam Ward to be 1st on the depth chart4 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Mitchell Trubisky to be 2nd on the depth chart5 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 5 calls · 1 hit · 4 waiting | 100 | 100 | ||||
How each call scored
a naive guessbetter than naive5 checkable claims — 4 depth chart calls and 1 roster spot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 5 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 4 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 3.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Where this call stands in the room
Malik Willis · 2026 season14 calls from 10 pundits between 1 and 1. Fox Sports 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.
1Roster Spot CallsJ.J. McCarthyMinnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy to make the roster
What happened3 weeks on a 53100Hit · naive 100100this call−100a naive guess=0better than naive×2difficulty=0skillThink this is wrong?How this was scored
- club:
- MIN
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- J.J. McCarthy
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
2Depth Chart CallsKyle McCordMiami Dolphins
Kyle McCord to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
3Depth Chart CallsMalik WillisMiami Dolphins
Malik Willis to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
4Depth Chart CallsCam WardTennessee Titans
Cam Ward to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
5Depth Chart CallsMitchell TrubiskyTennessee Titans
Mitchell Trubisky to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Logan Lazarczyk · Trade and Signing Calls · Kirk Cousins · Hit 100
Ahead of the trade deadline, they float three Raiders moves: shipping Kirk Cousins to Minnesota if the Vikings offer a second-round pick, selling Maxx Crosby to Dallas for a first-rounder plus, and acquiring Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for a second- or third-round pick.Patricia Traina · Trade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthy · Hit 100
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.Charean Williams · Roster Spot Calls · Odell Beckham Jr. · Miss 0
Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Michael Moore · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
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.Nic Bodiford · Depth Chart Calls · Joe Fagnano · Hit 100
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.