# Derek Brown: 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). **Claimed:** Jul 20, 2026 **Pundit:** Derek Brown — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/pundits/derek-brown **Outlet:** The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/outlets/the-herd-with-colin-cowherd-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air or in an interview **Original:** https://omny.fm/shows/fantasypros-fantasy-football-podcast/the-perfect-fantasy-football-draft-strategy-for-2026-the-top-value-picks-in-every-round-ep-2092 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. > I think James Cook is the best value on the board. Looking at eleventh overall. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Quentin Johnston to outplay his draft cost (ninth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **David Montgomery to outplay his draft cost (fifth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: David Montgomery, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **James Cook to outplay his draft cost (eleventh overall)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: James Cook, Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Stefon Diggs to outplay his draft cost (Round fourteen)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Stefon Diggs - Verdict: not settled yet - **Bhayshul Tuten to outplay his draft cost (sixth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Bhayshul Tuten - Verdict: not settled yet - **Isaiah Likely to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Isaiah Likely - Verdict: not settled yet - **A.J. Brown to outplay his draft cost (second round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: A.J. Brown, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (eleventh round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Jonathon Brooks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Colston Loveland to outplay his draft cost (third round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Colston Loveland - Verdict: not settled yet - **A.J. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: A.J. Brown, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Parker Washington to outplay his draft cost (eighth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Parker Washington - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tony Pollard to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Quentin Johnston to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **James Cook to finish top 3 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: James Cook, Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Bhayshul Tuten to finish top 22 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Bhayshul Tuten - Verdict: not settled yet - **Isaiah Likely to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Isaiah Likely - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (fourth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tony Pollard to outplay his draft cost (seventh round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **A.J. Brown to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: A.J. Brown, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tony Pollard to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jaylen Waddle to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Isaiah Likely to outplay his draft cost (tenth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Isaiah Likely - Verdict: not settled yet - **Cam Ward to outplay his draft cost (thirteenth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Cam Ward - Verdict: not settled yet - **Malik Willis to outplay his draft cost (round twelve)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **David Montgomery to finish top 20 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: David Montgomery, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Quentin Johnston — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/quentin-johnston - Los Angeles Chargers — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/chargers - David Montgomery — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/david-montgomery - Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/texans - James Cook — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/james-cook - Buffalo Bills — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/bills - Stefon Diggs — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/stefon-diggs - Bhayshul Tuten — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/bhayshul-tuten - Isaiah Likely — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/isaiah-likely - A.J. Brown — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/a-j-brown - New England Patriots — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/patriots - Jonathon Brooks — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/jonathon-brooks - Colston Loveland — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/colston-loveland - Parker Washington — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/parker-washington - Tony Pollard — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/tony-pollard - Tennessee Titans — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/titans - Jaylen Waddle — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/jaylen-waddle - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Cam Ward — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/cam-ward - Malik Willis — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/malik-willis - Miami Dolphins — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/dolphins ## What others said about the same people - Nathan Jahnke on Jalen Tolbert: PFF'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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/760054fd-7815-4b86-a9e3-bc9bdb0a730b (scored 0) - Nathan Jahnke on Jalen Tolbert: PFF'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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/22a4578b-eb92-41d2-820b-1a7eaa2e4e2f (scored 0) - Garrett Podell on Stefon Diggs: An 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/bc79861b-dbde-474e-9d55-bf50f7b766d2 (scored 100) - Bucky Brooks on Stefon Diggs: In 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/9538b827-fc12-4c2e-8e32-eaa69edc6c2d (scored 100) - Chad Ochocinco Johnson on Stefon Diggs: Ocho 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/7ea7ec88-8e00-40c9-96d4-e028012959d8 (scored 100) - Shannon Sharpe on Stefon Diggs: Sharpe ("Unc"/"Donk") said the veteran receiver they were discussing would be signed by a team, though he named no destination. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/547c2b7d-e77e-4982-9c11-5e64da38bfe0 (scored 100) ## More sleeper calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Brandon Carney on Javonte Williams: Carney 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/9337347d-fde9-46c9-9bb6-26ade467538b (scored 100) - Chad Ochocinco Johnson on Saquon Barkley: Johnson 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/cd0eab3d-1392-41f3-a9b6-026860f9ffa5 (scored 0) - Ross Jackson on Devaughn Vele: Ross 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/b4c58f9f-23b8-4857-8505-17c213d3a342 (scored 0) - Andrew Erickson on Malik Nabers: Erickson 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/abd0628c-1338-467b-9ac3-d89c922468eb (scored 0) - Jake Ciely on Saquon Barkley: Sealey 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/b63cc1db-f999-42de-9255-55ffa7d8d29f (scored 0) - Mike Harmon on Zay Flowers: Harmon 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. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/e2e20c82-d482-48e6-90f3-929d0862fc0d (scored 100) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/corrections?pundit=derek-brown