Pat Fitzmaurice· Aug 12, 2026
Fitzmaurice names several tight ends as 2026 fantasy sleepers: Greg Dulcich as the top pass-catching option in a thin Dolphins offense, Juwan Johnson in a fast-paced Saints attack, A.J. Barner taking another step forward in Seattle, and Terrance Ferguson as an athletic sleeper worth monitoring in a tight-end-friendly Rams offense. He pegs Barner as a midrange to low-end TE2 for 2026 drafts.
“Consider Barner a midrange to low-end TE2 for 2026 fantasy drafts.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 4 sleeper calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the rest of the room.
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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.
- Sleeper CallsGreg DulcichMiami DolphinsAug 12, 2026
Greg Dulcich to outplay his draft cost
“Although Miami isn’t expected to have a high-powered passing attack with the inexperienced Malik Willis taking over as the starting quarterback, Dulcich could be a sneaky-good fantasy option this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesAJ BarnerSeattle SeahawksAug 12, 2026
AJ Barner to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points
“Consider Barner a midrange to low-end TE2 for 2026 fantasy drafts.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTerrance FergusonLos Angeles RamsAug 12, 2026
Terrance Ferguson to outplay his draft cost
“his athleticism and the possibility that he earns a bigger role in a TE-friendly offense make him worth monitoring”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJuwan JohnsonNew Orleans SaintsAug 12, 2026
Juwan Johnson to outplay his draft cost
“The fast pace favored by Saints head coach and playcaller Kellen Moore is another thing working in Johnson’s favor.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsAJ BarnerSeattle SeahawksAug 12, 2026
AJ Barner to outplay his draft cost
“so if they either throw more frequently in 2026 or Barner carves out a bigger target share, Barner could take another step forward”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a large number of depth-chart, role and fantasy-value calls across the league, including Chig Okonkwo as a top sleeper tight end, Tre Tucker as the Raiders' top receiver, and various backfield hierarchies.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's fantasy football preseason recap projects depth-chart outcomes, roster spots and fantasy value for numerous players across several preseason games, including Chig Okonkwo's expanded role in Washington, Ja'Kobi Lane as Baltimore's WR3, Malachi Fields winning the Giants' starting X job, and Zachariah Branch being a fantasy bust relative to his late-round cost.
- Michael HanichDepth Chart Calls · Bud ClarkMiss · 0Hanich suggests Nick Emmanwori may miss Week 1 after ankle surgery, and that Noah Igbinoghene is making a strong case to be the Seahawks' Week 1 starting nickel, with Bud Clark also possibly stepping into a starting role if Emmanwori is out.
- Nick ShookRoster Spot Calls · Aaron DonaldHit · 100Shook unveiled his first NFL power rankings of the year, putting the Rams first, the Broncos second and the defending champion Seahawks only third, with the Dolphins last.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · Miami DolphinsMiss · 0Chad Millman said he had taken money-line positions on several Week 1 underdogs — the Texans outright over the Bills, the Giants outright over Dallas (in a money-line underdog parlay), and Miami outright at Las Vegas — and that the show's survivor pick was the Steelers to win.
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Matt Money SmithSleeper Calls · Tre HarrisMiss · 0Smith says Ladd McConkie is a legitimate No. 1 receiver who could post a Jaylen Waddle-like season of roughly 1,700 yards and eight touchdowns, and he predicts second-year Chargers receiver Trey Harris will have a big year under Mike McDaniel. He also expects Philip Rivers to become an NFL head coach and thinks the Chargers offense will be good in the coming season.
- Brandon CarneySleeper Calls · Javonte WilliamsHit · 100Carney predicted AJ Brown would not be back with the Eagles, forecast a wave of free-agent landing spots (Breece Hall to the Chiefs, Alec Pierce to the 49ers, Rico Dowdle to the Saints, George Pickens to the Patriots, Mike Evans to the Bills), and named Week 1 starting quarterbacks for several teams in flux. He also gave fantasy takes on Javonte Williams, Chris Olave and others.
- Chad Ochocinco JohnsonSleeper Calls · Saquon BarkleyMiss · 0Johnson says the Steelers aren't legitimate Super Bowl contenders even with Aaron Rodgers back, and that Saquon Barkley can have a bounce-back season in year nine with the Eagles competing for a championship if the offensive line stays healthy.
- Greg CosellSleeper Calls · Omarion HamptonMiss · 0Cosell expects the Nick Bonito vs. Will Campbell matchup to be pivotal, predicts Caleb Williams' future is bright, expects the Chargers' run game to improve dramatically under Mike McDaniel with a good season from Omarion Hampton, and expects Sean Payton not to hide Stidham.
- Andrew EricksonSleeper Calls · Malik NabersMiss · 0Erickson gave his 2026 first-round board, leaning on running backs early with Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, Ja'Marr Chase as his WR1 and Christian McCaffrey slipping to 12. He also touted Malik Nabers as a buying opportunity, projected big touchdown numbers for Burrow and Chase, and called Barkley a buy-low.
- Joe PisapiaSleeper Calls · Omarion HamptonMiss · 0Joe Pisapia's 2026 first round is receiver-heavy, starting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ja'Marr Chase, insisting Amon-Ra St. Brown belongs in the top five, keeping Justin Jefferson in round one, and dropping Christian McCaffrey to 12. He also sees Omarion Hampton as a value who will be a top-10 pick a year later.