Lane Mills· Aug 16, 2026
Reviewing the Titans' preseason opener, Mills describes rookie guard Fernando Carmona as the starter at right guard and the answer on the offensive line, and frames Tyjae Spears as being positioned for an expanded role behind Tony Pollard.
“On a more positive note, rookie guard Fernando Carmona looks like the answer Tennessee was searching for all offseason on the offensive line.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 3 depth chart 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.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 2.
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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.
- Depth Chart CallsCordale FlottTennessee TitansAug 16, 2026
Cordale Flott to be 1st on the depth chart
“Flott, who is expected to hold down the secondary alongside Alontae Taylor, needs a much better showing against the Seahawks.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTyjae SpearsTennessee TitansAug 16, 2026
Tyjae Spears to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Spears got behind the likes of Carmona and Latham to deliver a taste of what could come in his anticipated expanded role this year. Pollard will need a successor sooner rather than later”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fernando Carmona to be 1st on the depth chart
“Carmona getting the start at right guard shocked folks at first, but it's clear that the Titans knew exactly what they had in him on the offensive line from the jump.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Jaime EisnerMock Draft Picks · Fernando CarmonaMiss · 2A seven-round Jets mock draft projecting New York to take Ohio State's Arvell Reese at No. 2 and Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson at No. 16, followed by Ty Simpson, Brandon Cisse, Jalon Kilgore, Tyreak Sapp, Kaelon Black, Fernando Carmona and Trebor Pena.
- Danny ParkinsMock Draft Picks · Jeremiyah LoveHit · 96Danny 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.
- Nick WrightMock Draft Picks · Jeremiyah LoveHit · 96Nick 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.
- David HarrisonMock Draft Picks · Jeremiyah LoveHit · 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 · Sonny StylesHit · 88Daniel 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.
- Rich EisenMock Draft Picks · Jeremiyah LoveHit · 96Eisen laid out his "come at me" mock draft of the top 10 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft, including a projected Chiefs trade up to No. 3 for Arvell Reese.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
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- Carter BahnsDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Bahns calls it reality that Shedeur Sanders will take over as Cleveland's starting quarterback by Week 4, with Deshaun Watson set to fail.
- Carter BahnsDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0A CBS Sports preseason overreaction column argues Shedeur Sanders will take over as Cleveland's starting quarterback by Week 4, that Ja'Kobi Lane has a real path to a No. 2 receiver role as a rookie, and that Kenneth Walker III is a legitimate lead back atop the Chiefs' depth chart.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100Podell ranks all 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Josh Allen first, Patrick Mahomes second and Case Keenum last. He also expects Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. to return to action in Week 3 and Case Keenum to possibly start for the Bears.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100A roundup of NFC injury news expects Jameis Winston to start for the Giants in any games Jaxson Dart misses, and suggests third-stringer Case Keenum could end up starting for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3 with both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent sidelined.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100With Caleb Williams injured and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, third-string quarterback Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3.