Nathan Jahnke· Aug 28, 2026
An unsigned PFF fantasy preseason recap makes a series of depth-chart and roster-spot calls: Roman Wilson wins the Steelers' third receiver job over Germie Bernard, Robert Tonyan makes Pittsburgh's roster as the third tight end, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III stick in New England, Mike Washington Jr. is the Raiders' primary backup back, Jalen Nailor stays a Raiders starter, Kaelon Black leads the 49ers' backup running back competition, and Charlie Kolar is the Chargers' top tight end with top-12 fantasy upside.
“Wilson appears to be the favorite for the Steelers’ third receiver spot entering Week 1.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
21 checkable claims — 13 depth chart calls, 7 roster spot calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 24 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
6 of 21 have settled so far, averaging 83.3 out of 100, against 66.7 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 10 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 4 and below it on 6.
Where this call stands in the room
Kaelon Black · 2026 season6 calls from 4 pundits between 2 and 2. Nathan Jahnke said 2. the room's median is 2. 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Kyle Williams
- New England Patriots
- Robert Tonyan
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Efton Chism III
- Raheim Sanders
- Cleveland Browns
- Carsen Ryan
- Eli Heidenreich
- Kaelon Black
- San Francisco 49ers
- David Njoku
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Max Klare
- Los Angeles Rams
- Kaleb Johnson
- Roman Wilson
- Germie Bernard
- Charlie Kolar
- Oronde Gadsden II
- Ben Skowronek
- Mike Washington
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Jalen Nailor
21 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.
Kyle Williams to make the roster
“While Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III played in this game, both are still likely to make the roster.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NE
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Kyle Williams
- 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
Robert Tonyan to make the roster
“The fact that Pittsburgh rested him suggests he will make the roster as its third tight end.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Robert Tonyan
- 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
Efton Chism III to make the roster
“While Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III played in this game, both are still likely to make the roster.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NE
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Efton Chism III
- 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
- Roster Spot CallsRaheim SandersCleveland BrownsAug 28, 2026
Raheim Sanders to make the roster
“A few players who played for Cleveland in this game are likely to make the roster, including running back Raheim Sanders”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- CLE
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Raheim Sanders
- 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
- Roster Spot CallsCarsen RyanCleveland BrownsAug 28, 2026
Carsen Ryan to make the roster
“seventh-round rookie tight end Carsen Ryan”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- CLE
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Carsen Ryan
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he makes the 53
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- 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
Eli Heidenreich to make the roster
“It is highly unlikely that seventh-round rookie Eli Heidenreich makes the roster”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- PIT
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Eli Heidenreich
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- 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
Kyle Williams to be 5th on the depth chart
“New England traded Boutte to the Houston Texans, moving Williams and Chism up to fifth and sixth”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKaelon BlackSan Francisco 49ersAug 28, 2026
Kaelon Black to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Kaelon Black starts for San Francisco: Black appears to have the lead in the competition for the 49ers’ backup running back job.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDavid NjokuLos Angeles ChargersAug 28, 2026
David Njoku to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Kolar played the only snap out of 21 personnel, providing further evidence that he is the top tight end in that grouping.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMax KlareLos Angeles RamsAug 28, 2026
Max Klare to be 5th on the depth chart
“He will likely be a healthy inactive each week as long as the other four tight ends remain healthy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kaleb Johnson to make the roster
“while 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson also appears to be a likely cut”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Robert Tonyan to be 3rd on the depth chart
“he will make the roster as its third tight end”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRoman WilsonPittsburgh SteelersAug 28, 2026
Roman Wilson to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Roman Wilson sits while Germie Bernard plays: Wilson appears to be the favorite for the Steelers’ third receiver spot entering Week 1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Efton Chism III to be 6th on the depth chart
“moving Williams and Chism up to fifth and sixth, essentially the same spots they occupied last season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Germie Bernard to be 4th on the depth chart
“The fact that Wilson sat out this game while second-round rookie Germie Bernard played suggests Wilson will be ahead of Bernard for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the start of the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Charlie Kolar to be 1st on the depth chart
“More evidence that Charlie Kolar is the Chargers’ top tight end”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Charlie Kolar to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“he has a chance to finish as a top-12 fantasy tight end given the quality of the Chargers’ offense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Oronde Gadsden II to be 3rd on the depth chart
“while Oronde Gadsden played, providing the first indication that Gadsden was third on the depth chart”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ben Skowronek to be 5th on the depth chart
“He remains the favorite for the fifth receiver spot.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Washington to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Their plan at backup appears to center on Washington, their fourth-round pick.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJalen NailorLas Vegas RaidersAug 28, 2026
Jalen Nailor to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jalen Nailor remains a starter for Las Vegas ... Nailor doesn’t appear to be in danger of losing significant playing time to anyone currently on the roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 88Simms 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.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 0Long 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.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing 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.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Tice 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.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · New England PatriotsHit · 100Tice picked the Bengals over the Texans in a low-scoring game, the Jaguars at Denver, the Bears over the Vikings, the Patriots over the Steelers and the Rams to edge the Giants, and his Hail Mary was the Cowboys scoring 40 on Washington. He also floated Abdul Carter as a possible All-Pro.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a Week 1 recap with no named byline, CBS Sports suggested Michael Penix Jr. would take over as Atlanta's Week 2 starter if healthy, called Ashton Jeanty's sophomore breakout imminent, and warned readers not to overlook San Francisco as NFC West winners.