Mike Fanelli· Aug 6, 2026
Fanelli recommends three late-round fantasy stacks built entirely from players going outside the top 100 picks, naming Chiefs, 49ers and Buccaneers players as values at their ADP and projecting depth-chart roles for several of them.
“Mahomes is on pace to play in Week 1, which makes him a steal at his ADP despite coming off a knee injury.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
11 checkable claims — 6 sleeper calls, 4 depth chart calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 14 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 4 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 3.
Where this call stands in the room
Brock Purdy · 2026 season · positional finish13 calls from 9 pundits between 5 positional finish and 12 positional finish. Mike Fanelli said 5 positional finish. the room's median is 12 positional finish. 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
11 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.
Kenny Gainwell to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 104.2)
“If Bucky Irving struggles to stay healthy for the second consecutive season, Gainwell could have a career year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brock Purdy to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“If the 49ers' receiving corps stays healthy, Purdy could have a top-five finish.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalen McMillan to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He could easily be the No. 2 wide receiver in Tampa Bay if Chris Godwin can't stay healthy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jordan James to be 2nd on the depth chart
“James is the early favorite to be the superstar's backup with Brian Robinson Jr. in Atlanta.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
De'Zhaun Stribling to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 180.8)
“Yet, Stribling only needs to see a starting role to become a massive steal at his current ADP.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Deebo Samuel Sr. to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He joined the team with Ricky Pearsall needing season-ending knee surgery, putting the veteran in the driver's seat for the No. 2 wide receiver role.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Godwin Jr. to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 100.2)
“Godwin should bounce back if he can stay healthy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Patrick Mahomes to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 103.8)
“Mahomes is on pace to play in Week 1, which makes him a steal at his ADP despite coming off a knee injury.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Baker Mayfield to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 135.2)
“Don't be surprised if he has a bounce-back season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Cyrus Allen to be 3rd on the depth chart
“He has a clear pathway to the No. 3 wide receiver role, having only to beat out Tyquan Thornton.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsXavier WorthyKansas City ChiefsAug 6, 2026
Xavier Worthy to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 128.3)
“Worthy could have a third-year breakout if he can stay healthy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- Jason McIntyreTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre argued the 49ers' window is closed amid a brutal injury list and record travel, floated a Bijan Robinson trade to the Bears, predicted the Lions can win the NFC North, doubted Atlanta is even a playoff team, said Baker Mayfield's Tampa run ends after this season, and delivered a top-10 quarterback ranking.
- Mike TannenbaumTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Tannenbaum argues the Chiefs should lean on the run game early while Mahomes recovers, says the Bills haven't done enough at receiver and would repeat their playoff shortcoming, expects AJ Brown to have a massive impact in New England, thinks George Pickens will earn a big raise, and offers free-agent fits: Deebo Samuel to Buffalo, Joey Bosa to Tampa Bay, Taylor Decker to Houston, and Stefon Diggs to San Francisco.
- Danny ParkinsTrade and Signing Calls · Trey HendricksonMiss · 0Parkins predicts Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to the Raiders, Trey Hendrickson signs in Tampa, Michael Penix Jr. wins Atlanta's QB competition, Jared Wilson takes over at center in New England, Mike Evans reaches 1,000 yards, and the Bears lose Byard and Brisker.
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.
- Ross JacksonSleeper Calls · Devaughn VeleMiss · 0Ross Jackson agreed to the same Saints mock draft board — Jeremiah Love at eight, Akeem Mesador in the second, Keonte Scott at 73, Keelan Rutledge and Ted Hurst in the fourth, Xavien Harris at 148, Aaron Anderson in the fifth and Bryce Boettcher in the sixth — and also called Devon Vellet a 2026 breakout candidate.
- 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.