Derek Brown· Jul 20, 2026
Derek Brown built a round-by-round fantasy draft blueprint, headlined by James Cook as the best value at the back of round one and a top-three running back finish, AJ Brown as a top-five receiver in New England, Colston Loveland as a league-defining tight end, and a series of mid-to-late round values (Waddle, Montgomery, Tuten, Pollard, Washington, Johnston, Likely, Willis, Ward, Diggs, Brooks).
“I think James Cook is the best value on the board. Looking at eleventh overall.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 5, 2026. The quote and evidence above are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
26 checkable claims — 14 sleeper calls, 7 positional finishes and 5 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 21 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 11 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 3 and below it on 8.
Where this call stands in the room
Jaylen Waddle · 2026 season6 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 1. 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.
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Who this take is about
26 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.
Quentin Johnston to outplay his draft cost (ninth round)
“I'm all in on Quentin Johnston this year... If you want Lad McConkie production, but you don't want to pay the Ladd mconkee price tag, this year, draft Quentin Johnston”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDavid MontgomeryHouston TexansJul 20, 2026
David Montgomery to outplay his draft cost (fifth round)
“fifth round... David Montgomery... he's gonna be the engine of that offense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJames CookBuffalo BillsJul 20, 2026
James Cook to outplay his draft cost (eleventh overall)
“I think James Cook is the best value on the board. Looking at eleventh overall, he's being valued basically based off of what he did last year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsStefon DiggsJul 20, 2026
Stefon Diggs to outplay his draft cost (Round fourteen)
“the last guy that I'm bringing up Stefan Diggs in Round fourteen... a player that's going to be a wide receiver three in ranks that has wide receiver two upside”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsBhayshul TutenJul 20, 2026
Bhayshul Tuten to outplay his draft cost (sixth round)
“So in the sixth round ECR sixty four, your perfect pick... BA Suton is gonna explode in his second season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesIsaiah LikelyJul 20, 2026
Isaiah Likely to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“I've got him as a top twelve tight end to my rankings at tight end eight”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsA.J. BrownNew England PatriotsJul 20, 2026
A.J. Brown to outplay his draft cost (second round)
“AJ Brown, He's my guy... I think we get a career season from AJ Brown in a limited volume passing offense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJonathon BrooksJul 20, 2026
Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (eleventh round)
“Yeah, Jonathan Brooks... So it's just free access, free upside.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsColston LovelandJul 20, 2026
Colston Loveland to outplay his draft cost (third round)
“Coleston Loveland, I'm bringing him up in the third round... I think that Colston Loveland is going to be a league defining player”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsA.J. BrownNew England PatriotsJul 20, 2026
A.J. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“aj Brown is going to be their go to guy in the red zone... when they've had a true alpha level wide receiver, they get fed”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsParker WashingtonJul 20, 2026
Parker Washington to outplay his draft cost (eighth round)
“It's Parker Washington. If he could replicate what he did on the back half of last year, he could be one of those league winning type of players... you're paying for it in the eighth round”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTony PollardTennessee TitansJul 20, 2026
Tony Pollard to be 1st on the depth chart
“It's not Tajay Spears. So Tony Poward is going to get the bulk of the work.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quentin Johnston to be 1st on the depth chart
“I don't think you're getting the real wide receiver one for the Chargers if you're paying up for Ladd McConkey... He was their clear wide receiver one”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesJames CookBuffalo BillsJul 20, 2026
James Cook to finish top 3 at his position, by fantasy points
“I think James Cook can take a step into rarefied air and I'm not saying RB one overall, but I think he could be top three this year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesBhayshul TutenJul 20, 2026
Bhayshul Tuten to finish top 22 at his position, by fantasy points
“Facial Twoton my RB twenty two in my rankings, and I think he's gonna have a fantastic season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsIsaiah LikelyJul 20, 2026
Isaiah Likely to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Isaiah Likely. I think he's gonna be the clear number two on this passing attack.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosJul 20, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (fourth round)
“I'm just not going to shut up talking about Jayleen Wattle... He's going from a run heavy offense to a pass heavy offense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTony PollardTennessee TitansJul 20, 2026
Tony Pollard to outplay his draft cost (seventh round)
“ECR seventy seven is where you're gonna be going with your seventh round pick... Tony Pollard, I just it's just free money for me”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
A.J. Brown to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“Because I've got AJ Brown at wide receiver five.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesTony PollardTennessee TitansJul 20, 2026
Tony Pollard to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points
“He's going to produce as an RB two this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosJul 20, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“I think Waddle is going to put up a wide receiver one season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosJul 20, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“That passing attack is going to condense around Jalen Wattle and Courtland Sutton. Wattle is going to be the clear number one”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsIsaiah LikelyJul 20, 2026
Isaiah Likely to outplay his draft cost (tenth round)
“tenth round... you need to be draft in. Isaiah Likely... you get free access to a tight end one in the later rounds”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsCam WardJul 20, 2026
Cam Ward to outplay his draft cost (thirteenth round)
“I'd like thirteenth round cam Ward Again. If I'm waiting on quarterbacks, I want an upside shot at like who could be this year is Caleb Williams”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMalik WillisMiami DolphinsJul 20, 2026
Malik Willis to outplay his draft cost (round twelve)
“My guy in round twelve is Malik Willis... Malik Willis is going to freaking run this year, and if he runs this year, you're getting a QB two that has top twelve upside”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
David Montgomery to finish top 20 at his position, by fantasy points
“Dave Montgomery's a top twenty back and he's got RB one upside.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a large number of depth-chart, role and fantasy-value calls across the league, including Chig Okonkwo as a top sleeper tight end, Tre Tucker as the Raiders' top receiver, and various backfield hierarchies.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's fantasy football preseason recap projects depth-chart outcomes, roster spots and fantasy value for numerous players across several preseason games, including Chig Okonkwo's expanded role in Washington, Ja'Kobi Lane as Baltimore's WR3, Malachi Fields winning the Giants' starting X job, and Zachariah Branch being a fantasy bust relative to his late-round cost.
- Garrett PodellTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports report frames Stefon Diggs as filling Washington's vacant No. 2 receiver role opposite Terry McLaurin after his reported one-year deal, expecting him in that spot in the 2026 passing game with Jayden Daniels.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsHit · 100In a quarterback rapid-fire segment and later discussion, Brooks named starters for several clubs (Kyler Murray over JJ McCarthy in Minnesota, Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland, Tua in Atlanta, Jeremiah Love as Arizona's starting running back), called Chris Olave a No. 1 receiver, backed Stefon Diggs landing with the Commanders and Aaron Donald returning to the Rams, argued Baker Mayfield belongs among the top 15-17 quarterbacks, and published a top-five defensive tackle list topped by Jeffrey Simmons.
- Chad Ochocinco JohnsonTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsHit · 100Ocho predicted the free-agent receiver would sign with either Baltimore or Washington, and separately claimed the Dallas Cowboys would be the class of the NFC this season.
- Shannon SharpeTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsHit · 100Sharpe ("Unc"/"Donk") said the veteran receiver they were discussing would be signed by a team, though he named no destination.
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- 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.
- Jake CielySleeper Calls · Saquon BarkleyMiss · 0Sealey laid out his projected first round for 2026 fantasy drafts, opening with Bijan Robinson followed by three wide receivers, then a tier of running backs, and closing with Rashee Rice, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Omarion Hampton. He also called Saquon 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.