Mike Fanelli· Sep 3, 2026
Fanelli warns off Christian McCaffrey and Jameson Williams at their draft costs, calling McCaffrey too injury-risky to take near his ADP and Williams too volatile, and expects Rhamondre Stevenson to keep the meaningful backfield work in New England ahead of TreVeyon Henderson.
“I will avoid drafting him anywhere near his ADP, especially after turning 30 years old during the offseason.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls and 2 fantasy bust calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 7 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.
Where this call stands in the room
Rhamondre Stevenson · 2026 season14 calls from 10 pundits between 1 and 2. Mike Fanelli 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
4 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.
Rhamondre Stevenson to be 1st on the depth chart
“the Patriots will continue to give Rhamondre Stevenson the more meaningful touches, including on third down and near the goal line”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
TreVeyon Henderson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Fantasy players would love for Henderson to earn a featured workload in Josh McDaniels' offense. Unfortunately, the Patriots will continue to give Rhamondre Stevenson the more meaningful touches”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian McCaffrey to fall short of his draft cost (ADP 5.8)
“Christian McCaffrey (SF) – ADP 5.8 | RB3 ... I will avoid drafting him anywhere near his ADP, especially after turning 30 years old during the offseason.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jameson Williams to fall short of his draft cost (ADP 57.8)
“I have been on record all offseason about avoiding Williams at his ADP because of how volatile the former Alabama star is.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.
- 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.
- Evan SilvaFantasy Defense Calls · San Francisco 49ersMiss · 0In his 2020 fantasy defense/special teams rankings, Silva puts the Steelers first, the 49ers second and the Ravens third, citing pass rush, favorable early schedules and game scripts.
- Pete PriscoGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Prisco predicts the Lions blow out the Saints in Detroit and that the Chargers rout the Cardinals behind a new-look offense.
- Kirk HerbstreitGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Herbstreit made a full slate of Week 1 picks — Lions, Ravens, Bears, Bills, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Titans, Eagles, Packers and Cowboys — and also said he still thinks Seattle is the team to beat in the NFC West.
- Matt DeryScore Predictions · Detroit LionsHit · 93Derry predicted a Lions win over the Saints by a 24-20 score, with the Saints covering the 7.5-point spread.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.