Evan Tarracciano· Sep 3, 2026
Tarracciano names five late-round running backs (RB3/RB4 tier) he believes can outperform their draft cost and reach RB1-type value if the backs ahead of them falter: MarShawn Lloyd, Blake Corum, Jonathon Brooks, Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jonah Coleman.
“Here are several options I'd strongly consider that have true RB1 potential if things break right ahead of them.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 5 sleeper calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 10 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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Who this take is about
5 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.
- Sleeper CallsBlake CorumLos Angeles RamsSep 3, 2026
Blake Corum to outplay his draft cost (Currently ranked as the RB35)
“Currently ranked as the RB35, I'm fine rostering him in the FLEX spot most weeks and am happy to stash him as an investment with one of the highest ceilings at the position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMarShawn LloydGreen Bay PackersSep 3, 2026
MarShawn Lloyd to outplay his draft cost (RB31 in ECR)
“MarShawn Lloyd is still ranked as the RB31 in ECR... If — and yes, that is a massive if —Lloyd can stay healthy, he has a shot at low-end RB1 value.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (RB32 in average draft position (ADP))
“it appears the market overcorrected, sinking Brooks back down to RB32 in average draft position (ADP)... He simply has a better skill set than Hubbard and a much higher ceiling.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJonah ColemanDenver BroncosSep 3, 2026
Jonah Coleman to outplay his draft cost
“thrusting Coleman into the discussion as a late-round dart throw who could provide a massive return if given the opportunity to start”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. to outplay his draft cost (Currently the RB46 in ADP)
“Currently the RB46 in ADP, Rodriguez, is being viewed as the fly in the ointment of Tuten's breakout campaign, but I think he can be the more valuable player to roster by season's end.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jack KiserMiss · 0Shipley projects a full 16-player (plus one international/exemption spot) Jaguars practice squad for 2026, naming specific players at each position he expects to land there.
- Jared DubinDepth Chart Calls · Daniel FaaleleMiss · 0Dubin grades the Faalele trade, predicting Faalele has a decent chance to be Jacksonville's Week 1 starting right guard in competition with Wyatt Milum, and that Evan Neal's odds of making the Giants' 53-man roster improved while Jon Runyan and Francis Mauigoa hold the Giants' starting guard jobs.
- John ShipleyDepth Chart Calls · Patrick MekariMiss · 0Shipley projects second-year cornerback Jabbar Muhammad to make the Jaguars' 53-man roster and describes him as the team's clear No. 5 cornerback, a role that would earn him a game-day jersey. He also identifies Patrick Mekari, Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland as projected Week 1 offensive line starters.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 2Dubin picks Denver to win narrowly in Kansas City, 21-20.
- 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.
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.