Tom Strachan· Aug 26, 2026
Strachan lays out draft strategy from the 1.09 pick, arguing Amon-Ra St. Brown, James Cook, CeeDee Lamb and Saquon Barkley are values there, while calling elite tight ends Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, plus Omarion Hampton, players to avoid at that spot. He also expects the first five picks of drafts to be Robinson, Gibbs, Chase, Nacua and Smith-Njigba.
“While the passing offense will be spread out, Cook remains the safest and strongest bet outside of Josh Allen.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 4 sleeper calls, 3 fantasy bust calls, 1 depth chart call and 1 fantasy ranking — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 13 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 below the rest of the room.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
9 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.
Omarion Hampton to fall short of his draft cost (1.09)
“Omarion Hampton and the Chargers are very much the target of offseason hype... there are reasons not to get too carried away with offseason hype.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsCeeDee LambDallas CowboysAug 26, 2026
CeeDee Lamb to outplay his draft cost (1.09)
“If you're happy to believe 2025 was a blip rather than the new normal, it becomes easier to see Lamb as a value pick in this range.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsTrey McBrideArizona CardinalsAug 26, 2026
Trey McBride to fall short of his draft cost (1.09)
“Whether you prefer Brock Bowers or Trey McBride doesn't really matter. Neither should be drafted this high.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsAmon-Ra St. BrownDetroit LionsAug 26, 2026
Amon-Ra St. Brown to outplay his draft cost (ahead of Jaxon Smith-Njigba)
“Some might see him as a high-floor option, but it's fair to point out that not much more would need to swing his way for a WR1 overall finish.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJames CookBuffalo BillsAug 26, 2026
James Cook to outplay his draft cost (1.09)
“If reports from training camp are true and the Bills do use Cook more in the receiving game, a top-two finish is within his range of outcomes.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Saquon Barkley to be 1st on the depth chart
“Barkley is the undoubted No. 1 RB in an offense that will score points”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy RankingsAug 26, 2026
“The top of the draft will start with Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Ja'Marr Chase likely as the first three picks off the board. After that, Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba usually go next before things open up slightly.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsSaquon BarkleyPhiladelphia EaglesAug 26, 2026
Saquon Barkley to outplay his draft cost (1.09)
“With a new offensive coordinator and a healthy offensive line, it's not hard to start seeing positives for Barkley.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsBrock BowersAug 26, 2026
Brock Bowers to fall short of his draft cost (1.09)
“Whether you prefer Brock Bowers or Trey McBride doesn't really matter. Neither should be drafted this high.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- 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.
- 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.
- Henry McKennaDepth Chart Calls · Carson BeckMiss · 0McKenna predicts Kyler Murray will win the Vikings' starting QB job over J.J. McCarthy, that Minnesota will make the playoffs if Murray cuts out the hero ball, that both QBs will play in 2026, and wonders whether rookie Carson Beck could unseat Jacoby Brissett as Arizona's Week 1 starter.
- 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.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Sullivan takes the Jaguars to beat the Browns, doubting Deshaun Watson, and takes the Eagles over the Commanders at home.
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mike HarmonSleeper Calls · Zay FlowersHit · 100Harmon gave his Week 18 fantasy rankings — top five quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers — plus lists of 'hot plays,' 'cold sores' (players to avoid) and 'ninjas' (sneaky plays), and said Trevor Lawrence would land around a top-four fantasy quarterback finish for the season.
- Andrew EricksonSleeper Calls · Audric EstiméMiss · 0Erickson predicted the Chiefs could lose outright at Tennessee in a flat spot, with Tony Pollard finishing as a top-24 running back for a third straight week; he also called Darren Waller a likely TE1 in Week 16, Tetairoa McMillan a top-20 receiver against Tampa Bay, Omarion Hampton the week's RB1, Isaiah Likely a top-12 tight end in a Patriots win over the Ravens, and Audric Estime a smash flex play for the Saints.
- Adam RankSleeper Calls · J.J. McCarthyMiss · 0Rank recommends JJ McCarthy as a Week 15 quarterback streamer against Dallas and thinks Shedeur Sanders can carry fantasy teams into the semifinals against the Bears. For the Week 15 'perfect lineup' he picks Drake Maye as the top quarterback and Christian McCaffrey as a top running back, and he expects Terry McLaurin to produce with Marcus Mariota starting.
- Andrew EricksonSleeper Calls · Colston LovelandHit · 100Erickson ranked Brissett QB11 while burying Brock Purdy at QB25, was highest on Sam Darnold at QB12 in a Seahawks blowout of Minnesota, called Brenton Strange a borderline top-12 tight end, and tabbed Colston Loveland as next year's breakout tight end.