Randy Gurzi#74 of 87 NFL pundits · Aug 26, 2026
Gurzi notes that rookies Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham could both be Week 1 starters for the Cowboys' defense.
Published in writing · Sports IllustratedRead the original
What Randy Gurzi said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromthe Cowboys have been thrilled with rookies such as Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham, who could both be Week 1 starters
- Where it was published
- Sports Illustrated
- The piece
- 2027 NFL Mock Draft Has Cowboys Landing Physical Georgia Linebacker
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- 1Caleb Downs to be 1st on the depth chart“the Cowboys have been thrilled with rookies such as Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham, who could both be Week 1 starters”
- 2Jaishawn Barham to be 1st on the depth chart“the Cowboys have been thrilled with rookies such as Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham, who could both be Week 1 starters”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb Downs to be 1st on the depth chart1 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Jaishawn Barham to be 1st on the depth chart2 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 2 calls · 2 waiting | — | — | ||||
How each call scored
2 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
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
Caleb Downs · 2026 season6 calls from 6 pundits between 1 and 3. Randy Gurzi 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
1Depth Chart CallsCaleb DownsDallas Cowboys
Caleb Downs to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
2Depth Chart CallsJaishawn BarhamDallas Cowboys
Jaishawn Barham to be 1st 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
Rich Eisen · Trade and Signing Calls · Micah Parsons · Miss 0
Eisen expects Myles Garrett to be traded before the draft and says the Browns will then take Abdul Carter with their early first-round pick; they also predict Buffalo will end up paying James Cook and that Micah Parsons will remain a Cowboy and get their money from Dallas, likely late in the process.Jeff Cavanaugh · Roster Spot Calls · Marist Liufau · Hit 100
Building their projected Cowboys 53-man roster on defense, Jeff keeps five interior linemen (Kenny Clark, Quentin, Tito Obonia, LT Overton, Bullard), six edge rushers including Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence and Marist Liufau while cutting Sam Williams, four linebackers with Jayshawn Barham starting, six corners including rookie Devin Moore, and four safeties including Marquise Bell.Jake Arthur · Game Outcome Picks · Dallas Cowboys · Hit 100
Arthur predicted the Cowboys would beat the Colts 31-24 at Lucas Oil Stadium, a closer loss than Indianapolis' recent blowouts, citing Dallas' large talent edge offset by its poor defense. They also made several lineup calls for the game and suggested it could be Jonathan Taylor's last home game as a Colt ahead of the trade deadline.
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.