Mike Fanelli· Aug 20, 2026
Fanelli names six players as his favorite 2026 redraft draft values based on Sleeper ADP, arguing each will outperform his current draft cost, with Chase Brown repeating as a top-10 back and DeVonta Smith posting a career year and top-12 receiver finish.
“Smith will have a career year and a top-12 finish this year.”
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11 checkable claims — 6 sleeper calls, 3 depth chart calls and 2 positional finishes — 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 above the room on 1 and below it on 4.
Where this call stands in the room
DeVonta Smith · 2026 season12 calls from 11 pundits between 1 and 1. Mike Fanelli 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
11 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 CallsDaniel JonesIndianapolis ColtsAug 20, 2026
Daniel Jones to outplay his draft cost (ADP 205.1 | QB26)
“Daniel Jones (IND) – ADP 205.1 | QB26 ... Jones should be drafted significantly higher than the 26th quarterback off the board just based on last year's success.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsChris OlaveNew Orleans SaintsAug 20, 2026
Chris Olave to be 1st on the depth chart
“While Chris Olave will remain the Saints' clear-cut top option in the passing game”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChase BrownCincinnati BengalsAug 20, 2026
Chase Brown to outplay his draft cost (ADP 17.8 | RB10)
“Chase Brown (CIN) – ADP 17.8 | RB10 ... Let's look at six of my favorite draft values based on Sleeper ADP”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsZay FlowersBaltimore RavensAug 20, 2026
Zay Flowers to be 1st on the depth chart
“Flowers' role as the clear-cut No. 1 option in the passing game remains unchallenged”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChris Rodriguez Jr.Aug 20, 2026
Chris Rodriguez Jr. to outplay his draft cost (ADP 155.8 | RB45)
“Chris Rodriguez Jr. (JAC) – ADP 155.8 | RB45 ... Rodriguez won't be a benchwarmer for the Jaguars”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DeVonta Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“Smith will take over as the Eagles' clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver in 2026”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJuwan JohnsonNew Orleans SaintsAug 20, 2026
Juwan Johnson to outplay his draft cost (ADP 187.5 | TE23)
“Juwan Johnson (NO) – ADP 187.5 | TE23 ... Johnson is now the obvious candidate to fill Tyson's role”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesChase BrownCincinnati BengalsAug 20, 2026
Chase Brown to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points
“fantasy players should expect another top-10 finish in 2026”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDeVonta SmithPhiladelphia EaglesAug 20, 2026
DeVonta Smith to outplay his draft cost (ADP 37.1 | WR16)
“DeVonta Smith (PHI) – ADP 37.1 | WR16”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DeVonta Smith to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Smith will have a career year and a top-12 finish this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsZay FlowersBaltimore RavensAug 20, 2026
Zay Flowers to outplay his draft cost (ADP 41.2 | WR19)
“Zay Flowers (BAL) – ADP 41.2 | WR19”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Noah ComptonDepth Chart Calls · C.J. AllenMiss · 0After watching the Colts' eleventh training camp practice, Compton says rookie linebacker CJ Allen is still expected to start the regular-season opener, identifies Alec Pierce as the team's top receiver and Cam Taylor-Britt as the first cornerback behind the starting trio, and declares the kicking job Blake Grupe's to lose.
- 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.
- Mason CameronDepth Chart Calls · Ethan PocicMiss · 0An unsigned PFF piece ranks the NFL's top 32 centers heading into the 2026 season, with Creed Humphrey first for the fourth straight year, and names Ethan Pocic and Austin Schlottmann as the favorites to win starting center jobs in Baltimore and Tennessee.
- Pat FitzmauriceTrade and Signing Calls · Trey HendricksonMiss · 0Fitzmorris made picks 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 in the 2026 mock, ranked the top three receiver prospects Tate-Lemon-Tyson, said Caleb Downs won't fall to Day 2, and predicted Trey Hendrickson won't be back in Cincinnati.
- Evan SilvaFantasy Defense Calls · Baltimore RavensClose · 58In his 2020 fantasy defense/special teams rankings, Silva puts the Steelers first, the 49ers second and the Ravens third, citing pass rush, favorable early schedules and game scripts.
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.
- 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.
- Joe PisapiaSleeper Calls · Omarion HamptonMiss · 0Joe Pisapia's 2026 first round is receiver-heavy, starting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ja'Marr Chase, insisting Amon-Ra St. Brown belongs in the top five, keeping Justin Jefferson in round one, and dropping Christian McCaffrey to 12. He also sees Omarion Hampton as a value who will be a top-10 pick a year later.
- Mike HarmonSleeper Calls · Ray DavisMiss · 0Harmon 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.