Nathan Jahnke· Aug 6, 2026
An unsigned PFF piece names five late-round running backs (16th round or later ADP) as sleepers with paths to expanded fantasy roles in 2026, led by Keaton Mitchell, who they say has top-10 upside at the position if he approaches De'Von Achane's production.
“If Mitchell approaches Achane's level of production, he offers top-10 upside at the position.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
12 checkable claims — 6 depth chart calls, 5 sleeper calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 12 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 below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Mike Washington · 2026 season6 calls from 5 pundits between 2 and 2. Nathan Jahnke said 2. the room's median is 2. 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.
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Who this take is about
12 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 CallsJames CookBuffalo BillsAug 6, 2026
James Cook to be 1st on the depth chart
“Davis has spent the first two years of his career in a three-man backfield with James Cook and Ty Johnson, and that will be the case again this season. Cook has served as the starter”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dylan Sampson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“This makes Sampson more likely to be a starter at some point this season than the typical handcuff would be.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ashton Jeanty to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jeanty is a special player and will see the clear majority of touches”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Keaton Mitchell to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 16.03)
“Keaton Mitchell , Los Angeles Chargers (ADP: 16.03) ... Given those similarities to Achane, there is a real chance McDaniel ultimately prefers Mitchell over his other options.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDylan SampsonCleveland BrownsAug 6, 2026
Dylan Sampson to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 16.04)
“Sampson should see a substantial increase in playing time and efficiency, which could be enough to make him a flex option against the right opponents.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Keaton Mitchell to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points
“If Mitchell approaches Achane's level of production, he offers top-10 upside at the position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Washington to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 16.07)
“Washington is a solid pick in deep leagues for his touchdown upside and his handcuff value.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsRay DavisBuffalo BillsAug 6, 2026
Ray Davis to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 20.05)
“That makes him one of the more intriguing pure handcuffs available.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tank Bigsby to be 2nd on the depth chart
“It's fair to consider Bigsby the primary handcuff to Barkley”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRay DavisBuffalo BillsAug 6, 2026
Ray Davis to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Cook has served as the starter, Davis the backup and Johnson the third-down back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Washington to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He was drafted in the fourth round by the Raiders, where there is a clear path to being the backup to Ashton Jeanty.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTank BigsbyPhiladelphia EaglesAug 6, 2026
Tank Bigsby to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 17.01)
“It would not be surprising if Bigsby's rushing attempts per game see a notable increase this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Paul KerenDepth Chart Calls · Teven JenkinsMiss · 0Keren says Teven Jenkins still projects as Cleveland's Week 1 starting right guard despite a push from KT Leveston, and that Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams will be the Browns' lead linebackers.
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Michael CarterMiss · 0Kerr says several Eagles have raised their stock in camp: Darius Cooper is emerging as the team's WR4, Drew Kendall is the No. 3 interior lineman/top backup at guard and center, Willie Lampkin is in prime position to make the 53-man roster, and Michael Carter is a roster lock who could start at safety in Week 1.
- Fernando Alfaro-DonisTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Argues the Raiders' weakest spot is their receiver room, expects Jalen Nailor to take a big step forward in Klint Kubiak's scheme with Kirk Cousins starting before Fernando Mendoza takes over, and suggests Las Vegas should trade a mid-round pick for Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte, who would immediately become their top option.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- Chris RolingScore Predictions · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 31Roling predicts a lopsided Chargers home win over the Cardinals in Week 1, 30-10, and advises starting Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton in fantasy while sitting Ladd McConkey.
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.
- 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.