Derek Brown· Aug 18, 2026
Brown touts Jonathon Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd as late-round fliers with upside, likes Blake Corum as a high-end handcuff, projects Marvin Harrison Jr. as a volume-based WR3/flex, sees Brian Thomas Jr. as a WR3/4, and is avoiding Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell entirely.
“I'll happily avoid Worthy in drafts again this year.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
7 checkable claims — 2 fantasy bust calls, 2 positional finishes, 2 sleeper calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 11 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 above the room on 1 and below it on 1.
Where this call stands in the room
Jonathon Brooks · 2026 season17 calls from 10 pundits between 1 and 2. Derek Brown 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
7 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.
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
“Brooks could pull an Uncle Rico from last year and steal Hubbard's starting job in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Xavier Worthy to fall short of his draft cost
“I had zero interest in drafting Xavier Worthy for fantasy purposes last year, and I don't have any in 2026... I'll happily avoid Worthy in drafts again this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMarShawn LloydGreen Bay PackersAug 18, 2026
MarShawn Lloyd to outplay his draft cost (late in drafts)
“Take a flier on Lloyd late in drafts.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsAdonai MitchellNew York JetsAug 18, 2026
Adonai Mitchell to fall short of his draft cost
“Mitchell is a deep league or best-ball option only.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJonathon BrooksCarolina PanthersAug 18, 2026
Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost
“Jonathon Brooks is a wonderful wild card pick for 2026 with big-time upside... I'll be drafting Brooks a ton this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesBrian Thomas Jr.Aug 18, 2026
Brian Thomas Jr. to finish top 48 at his position, by fantasy points
“Thomas is a WR3/4 who could easily be a WR2 by the end of the year if the big plays and touchdowns come.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Marvin Harrison Jr. to finish top 36 at his position, by fantasy points
“If he can overcome the quarterback play and a talented running mate in Michael Wilson, Harrison Jr. can be a volume-based WR3/flex for 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Prisco is the lone expert cited picking Kansas City, 20-17 over Denver.
- Mike FlorioScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Florio gives score predictions for every Week 1 game of the 2026 NFL season, including an opening-night upset by the Patriots in Seattle and narrow home wins for the Giants and Chiefs.
- John PluymGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Pluym's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
- Matt VerderameGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Verderame's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
- Mike KadlickGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Kadlick's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
More fantasy bust calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Mike HarmonFantasy Bust Calls · Joe BurrowHit · 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.
- Ryan WormeliFantasy Bust Calls · Ashton JeantyMiss · 0Warmley predicted Kyle Pitts and Trey McBride both finish as top-five tight ends in the Cardinals-Falcons game, Justin Jefferson bounces back into the top 15 receivers, Quinshen Judkins finishes top 12 against Buffalo, the Ravens beat the Patriots, and the Raiders produce no startable fantasy players against Houston.
- Patrick ClaybonFantasy Bust Calls · Aaron RodgersHit · 100Claibon says Aaron Rodgers' deep-passing outburst was a one-week product of Baltimore's defense and won't continue, still endorses starting Jacoby Brissett in a tough Houston matchup, and picks Devon Achane as the top running back and AJ Brown as the top receiver for Week 15.
- Marcas GrantFantasy Bust Calls · Michael PittmanMiss · 0Grant calls Christian Watson the Packers' clear No. 1 receiver and RJ Harvey Denver's lead back, while labeling Mike Gesicki's and Tony Pollard's big weeks mirages to avoid; he also wants no part of Colts pass catchers with Philip Rivers signing. For Week 15 he picks Matthew Stafford as the top quarterback and Puka Nacua among the top receivers.
- Andrew EricksonFantasy Bust Calls · Cooper KuppHit · 100Erickson reiterated his prediction that Jordan Mason will lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns, backed the Broncos to blow out the Titans in Week 1, called Garrett Wilson a sell and Jacoby Myers a buy-low, expects little from Cooper Kupp, and made several depth-chart calls (Thornton starting in New England, Myers as Vegas' No. 1 receiver, Croskey-Merritt eventually taking the Commanders' 'A back' role).
- Ryan WormeliFantasy Bust Calls · Zay FlowersMiss · 0Host Ryan Warmley endorsed Ricky Pearsall as a bet worth making and put his rookie-receiver capital in Tetairoa McMillan, while fading Zay Flowers at his cost and opting out of Marvin Harrison Jr.