Lane Mills· Aug 22, 2026
Mills expects Calvin Ridley to open the season as the Titans' third receiver behind Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate, but believes Elic Ayomanor will ascend into that starting role by year's end. He also predicts Tyjae Spears will take over the lead running back job from Tony Pollard.
“Ayomanor is tracking to ascend into that role by the end of the year.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 5 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 6 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 5 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 3.
Where this call stands in the room
Carnell Tate · 2026 season8 calls from 7 pundits between 1 and 3. Lane Mills said 2. 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
5 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 CallsCalvin RidleyTennessee TitansAug 22, 2026
Calvin Ridley to be 3rd on the depth chart
“It's almost certain that Calvin Ridley will have claim to that role behind Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate to start the year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTyjae SpearsTennessee TitansAug 22, 2026
Tyjae Spears to be 1st on the depth chart
“much like Tyjae Spears being primed to take over from Tony Pollard”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCarnell TateTennessee TitansAug 22, 2026
Carnell Tate to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Calvin Ridley will have claim to that role behind Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate to start the year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsElic AyomanorTennessee TitansAug 22, 2026
Elic Ayomanor to be 3rd on the depth chart
“much like Tyjae Spears being primed to take over from Tony Pollard, Ayomanor is tracking to ascend into that role by the end of the year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Wan'Dale Robinson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Calvin Ridley will have claim to that role behind Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate to start the year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- John MiddlekauffGame Outcome Picks · Tennessee TitansMiss · 0Middlekauff expects blowout wins for Seattle over Washington and Kansas City over Miami in Week 3, picks Cincinnati to beat Pittsburgh in the AFC North matchup, and takes Tennessee over the Giants if Jameis Winston is taking snaps.
- Colin CowherdGame Outcome Picks · Tennessee TitansMiss · 0The co-host (identified only as "Mitchell") made his own Week 3 picks, including blowout wins for Seattle and San Francisco, Cincinnati 27-17, Detroit 37-13, Denver 24-21 over the Rams, and predicted Jonah Coleman takes over the Broncos' running back role.
- Tyler SullivanScore Predictions · Tennessee TitansClose · 45Sullivan projects final scores for every Week 3 game, including a Bills blowout of the reeling Chargers, a Chiefs rout in Miami, a Seahawks win over a Mariota-led Washington, and the Saints beating the Raiders in their home opener. He also expects Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart all to be sidelined in Week 3, with Marcus Mariota starting for Washington.
- Josh EdwardsRoster Spot Calls · Cam WardHit · 100A CBS Sports piece on roster-cut season names likely starters and roster/cut candidates across several teams, including Chiefs and Cowboys cornerback depth charts, the Chargers' projected offensive line, Jalin Hyatt as a Giants cut candidate, Cole Payton headed for Philadelphia's practice squad, and Cam Ward and Mitchell Trubisky as safe on Tennessee's roster.
- Dharya SharmaRoster Spot Calls · Wan'Dale RobinsonHit · 100Previewing the Titans' preseason opener, Sharma identifies five receivers as roster locks, expects Bryce Oliver to make the 53 on special teams value, and predicts Will Levis will not be on Tennessee's roster by September, likely being moved for a late-round pick.
- Bradley LockerTrade and Signing Calls · Will LevisHit · 100Locker lists 10 players on the roster bubble entering 2026, suggesting Tyrone Tracy may not make the Giants' 53, Broderick Jones could be traded or cut by Pittsburgh, Dillon Gabriel may lose the Browns' QB3 job, Evan Neal's Giants tenure may end, and Will Levis will likely be traded or cut by Tennessee.
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.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- 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.