Rich Hribar· Sep 9, 2026
In his Week 1 Broncos-Chiefs fantasy preview, Hribar sets weekly fantasy tiers for the key skill players — Mahomes as a floor-based QB2, Nix on the QB1/QB2 line, Kenneth Walker as an RB1, Harvey an RB3/FLEX, Waddle an upside WR2 who leads Denver in targets, Rice a floor-based WR2/WR3, Sutton a WR3/FLEX, Worthy a WR4/FLEX and Kelce a TE1 — and projects several Kansas City defensive starters.
“This move pushes Walker into the RB1 field, though Josh Simmons missing Week 1 and the Denver matchup limit the odds of a ceiling outcome to open the year.”
published in writing · Sharp Football Analysis · read the original →
16 checkable claims — 10 positional finishes and 6 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 17 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
Mansoor Delane · 2026 season15 calls from 13 pundits between 1 and 1. Rich Hribar 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.
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Who this take is about
16 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.
Alohi Gilman to be 1st on the depth chart
“Alohi Gilman will replace Cook.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesBo NixDenver BroncosSep 9, 2026
Bo Nix to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“Nix is on the QB1/QB2 line for me in Week 1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“This move pushes Walker into the RB1 field, though Josh Simmons missing Week 1 and the Denver matchup limit the odds of a ceiling outcome to open the year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
J.K. Dobbins to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“That leaves him as a touchdown-dependent FLEX.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Xavier Worthy to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“we still are not targeting the Denver pass defense for spike weeks, leaving Worthy as a WR4/FLEX in Week 1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Patrick Mahomes to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“Paired with this matchup, all of that makes Mahomes more of a floor-based QB2 in Week 1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
L'Jarius Sneed to be 3rd on the depth chart
“L'Jarius Sneed was brought back as a third corner after a turbulent season on and off the field with Tennessee.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsPat BryantDenver BroncosSep 9, 2026
Pat Bryant to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Bryant appears to have the inside track to play the most snaps among him, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, and Lil'Jordan Humphrey.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Nohl Williams to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nohl Williams played well last season and will slide into a starting role opposite first-round pick Mansoor Delane at corner.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mansoor Delane to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nohl Williams played well last season and will slide into a starting role opposite first-round pick Mansoor Delane at corner.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesRJ HarveyDenver BroncosSep 9, 2026
RJ Harvey to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“At least to open the season, I am handling Harvey as more of an RB3/FLEX who has greater appeal in full-PPR formats than touchdown-driven leagues.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Courtland Sutton to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“The addition of Waddle makes Sutton more of a boom-or-bust WR3/FLEX.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rashee Rice to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“The target potential can still be here, but I am treating Rice as more of a floor-based WR2/WR3 in the opener.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Travis Kelce to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“Kelce's top-down usage and the lack of competition at this position keep him in play as a TE1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaylen Waddle to finish top ? at his position, by fantasy points
“Waddle is an upside WR2 who has added upside with all of the moving parts in the secondary for Kansas City.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosSep 9, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“Waddle steps into a passing environment where he can excel and should push to be the WR1 target in the offense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 2Dubin picks Denver to win narrowly in Kansas City, 21-20.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Prisco is the lone expert cited picking Kansas City, 20-17 over Denver.
- Tyler SullivanScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 10Sullivan picks Denver to beat Kansas City 24-20.
- Jordan DajaniScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 7Dajani picks the Broncos over the Chiefs, 17-14.
- John BreechScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 5In the Pick Six newsletter, Breech picks the Broncos to upset the Chiefs on Monday night, 23-21.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 2The unbylined CBS Sports preview picks Denver to win at Arrowhead in Week 1, 21-20, and expects Kenneth Walker III to be Kansas City's lead back while Jaylen Waddle serves as Bo Nix's top receiving target in Denver.
More positional finishes
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris BrockmanPositional Finishes · Jaxon Smith-NjigbaHit · 100Brockman argued Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already the best receiver in the NFL and deserves to be the highest paid, called his shot that three quarterbacks (Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck) go in the first round with Mendoza first overall, and suggested New England is headed for a 7-10 season.
- Pat GustavsonPositional Finishes · Bijan RobinsonClose · 75Gustafson picks the Patriots, Bills, Seahawks and Bears in the divisional round with a Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl, predicts Mike Tomlin and Matt LaFleur stay, Aaron Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh, and lays out his own coaching landing spots.
- JP AcostaPositional Finishes · Bijan RobinsonClose · 75JP picked the Eagles to beat the 49ers in a low-scoring game and the Jaguars to beat the Bills, called Bijan Robinson the best running back in the league, and named his own first-team All-Pro roster.
- Rich EisenPositional Finishes · George PickensHit · 100Eisen called the Rams-winning-it-all take an overreaction but expects Los Angeles to win the NFC West, said he doesn't see how Myles Garrett fails to win Defensive Player of the Year, and called George Pickens perhaps the third-best receiver in the NFL this season.
- Chad Ochocinco JohnsonPositional Finishes · Christian GonzalezMiss · 0Ochocinco says Christian Gonzalez belongs in the top-five DB conversation, believes Kyler Murray will be elsewhere next year, expects Chase to get a one-game suspension, backs Sam Darnold to bounce back, and floats Jaxon Smith-Njigba reaching 2,000 receiving yards. He also reminds listeners he called the Bears and Panthers as teams to watch before the season.
- Rich EisenPositional Finishes · Puka NacuaHit · 92Eisen defended his preseason call of the Packers reaching the Super Bowl, said the Chiefs will win the AFC West, called the Ravens the favorites in the AFC North, said the Colts are a playoff team, expected Denver to handle Cincinnati and the Giants to beat the winless Saints, and endorsed Puka Nacua as the league's best receiver.