Ralph Vacchiano· Aug 6, 2026
Vacchiano names one breakout candidate for each of the 16 NFC teams for 2026, including Abdul Carter reaching double-digit sacks, Colston Loveland becoming the NFL's best tight end, and Zach Charbonnet taking over as Seattle's unquestioned lead back.
“Double digits in sacks wouldn't be a shock for Carter.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
24 checkable claims — 16 sleeper calls, 6 depth chart calls, 1 player season number and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 34 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 7 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 5.
Where this call stands in the room
Jalen Coker · 2026 season6 calls from 6 pundits between 1 and 3. Ralph Vacchiano said 3. the room's median is 2. 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
- Makai Lemon
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Jalen Coker
- Carolina Panthers
- Dallas Turner
- Minnesota Vikings
- Chig Okonkwo
- Washington Commanders
- Zach Charbonnet
- Seattle Seahawks
- Renardo Green
- San Francisco 49ers
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Arizona Cardinals
- Abdul Carter
- New York Giants
- Tyler Shough
- New Orleans Saints
- Byron Young
- Los Angeles Rams
- Alim McNeill
- Detroit Lions
- DeVonta Smith
- Christian Watson
- Green Bay Packers
- Colston Loveland
- Chicago Bears
- DeMarvion Overshown
- Dallas Cowboys
- Xavier Watts
- Atlanta Falcons
- Dontayvion Wicks
- Emeka Egbuka
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24 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.
Makai Lemon to be 2nd on the depth chart
“first-rounder Makai Lemon is the favorite to be No. 2”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJalen CokerCarolina PanthersAug 6, 2026
Jalen Coker to outplay his draft cost
“if quarterback Bryce Young continues to improve, Coker has a chance to put up sizable numbers in that role”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDallas TurnerMinnesota VikingsAug 6, 2026
Dallas Turner to outplay his draft cost
“If the second half of last season was any indication, he could eventually be one of the best pass-rushers in the league.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chig Okonkwo to outplay his draft cost
“All of that should mean an increase in workload for Okonkwo, who potentially has huge upside with a better quarterback.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsZach CharbonnetSeattle SeahawksAug 6, 2026
Zach Charbonnet to outplay his draft cost
“Don't be surprised if Charbonnet puts up Walker-like numbers as Seattle's unquestioned No. 1 back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Renardo Green to outplay his draft cost
“That rush should be better this season, and accordingly, the 25-year-old Green could be right back on track.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Marvin Harrison Jr. to outplay his draft cost
“His numbers should spike, even if the Cardinals’ QB situation remains a mess.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Abdul Carter to record 10 sacks
“Double digits in sacks wouldn’t be a shock for Carter.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTyler ShoughNew Orleans SaintsAug 6, 2026
Tyler Shough to outplay his draft cost
“Playing in a bad division, Shough could quickly emerge into a star.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsByron YoungLos Angeles RamsAug 6, 2026
Byron Young to outplay his draft cost
“with Garrett drawing most of the attention now, Young’s pressure rate and sack totals should only increase”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsAlim McNeillDetroit LionsAug 6, 2026
Alim McNeill to outplay his draft cost
“McNeill won’t get a lot of attention from blockers, which could give him the room for his pass rushing numbers to shoot back up.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DeVonta Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“Yes, DeVonta Smith is the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Watson to outplay his draft cost
“What they did was clear the deck for the 27-year-old to finally fulfill his promise in what surely will be a larger role.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Colston Loveland to finish top 1 at his position, by receiving yards
“If he even comes close to replicating that over a full season, he might be the NFL's top receiver at his position.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
DeMarvion Overshown to outplay his draft cost
“Presumably healthy now, the 6-2, 220-pound linebacker could be a star on a Dallas defense that needs one with Micah Parsons now long gone”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Colston Loveland to be 1st on the depth chart
“Loveland is firmly established as Chicago’s No. 1 tight end”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsXavier WattsAtlanta FalconsAug 6, 2026
Xavier Watts to outplay his draft cost
“He has the potential to be a regular among NFL interception leaders and an anchor in the Atlanta secondary for a long time.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Zach Charbonnet to be 1st on the depth chart
“the 25-year-old Charbonnet is in prime position to be a bell-cow back ... Seattle's unquestioned No. 1 back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsColston LovelandChicago BearsAug 6, 2026
Colston Loveland to outplay his draft cost
“Colston Loveland, Tight End Chicago Bears ... There aren’t many more electric than him in the entire league.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dontayvion Wicks to outplay his draft cost
“Wicks will have a chance to help fill Brown’s shoes, especially early in the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalen Coker to be 3rd on the depth chart
“The 6-3, 213-pounder likely opens the season as Carolina’s third receiver”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsAbdul CarterNew York GiantsAug 6, 2026
Abdul Carter to outplay his draft cost
“Abdul Carter, Linebacker New York Giants ... Those are huge numbers, which indicate there's a lot more to come.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Emeka Egbuka to outplay his draft cost
“he will have a chance to put up elite numbers, especially with Evans no longer in the picture”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dallas Turner to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia, clearing the way for the speedy Turner to be the top edge rusher in Brian Flores’ blitzing scheme.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Randy GurziDepth Chart Calls · Jadarian PriceHit · 100Gurzi suggests the Seahawks could sign three free agents — safety Donovan Wilson, guard Kevin Zeitler, and running back Kareem Hunt — if weaknesses show up after Week 1. He also notes Trevon Diggs starting on the practice squad and describes Seattle's projected backfield roles.
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Jalyx HuntMiss · 0From an Eagles training camp practice, Kerr projects Willie Lampkin as a possible 53-man roster player, Jalyx Hunt as the likely Week 1 starting edge rusher over Nolan Smith, Byron Young as the No. 4 defensive tackle, Jake Elliott as the uncontested kicker, and Darius Cooper pressuring Hollywood Brown for the WR4 role.
- Rich EisenTrade and Signing Calls · A.J. BrownMiss · 0Eisen delivered his SoFi-presented power rankings of the 2026 NFL draftees most likely to live up to their billing, counting down from Mekhi Lemmon at No. 10 to Jeremiah Love at No. 1. He also predicted the Eagles will trade A.J. Brown and picked three NFC South teams to go over their win totals.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
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.
- 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.
- 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 · 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.
- Adam RankSleeper Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Rank recommends JJ McCarthy as a Week 15 quarterback streamer against Dallas and thinks Shedeur Sanders can carry fantasy teams into the semifinals against the Bears. For the Week 15 'perfect lineup' he picks Drake Maye as the top quarterback and Christian McCaffrey as a top running back, and he expects Terry McLaurin to produce with Marcus Mariota starting.
- Chris WelshSleeper Calls · Malik WashingtonHit · 100Welsh argued Quentin Johnston should now be viewed as the Chargers' No. 1 receiver, that Jaylen Waddle becomes Miami's de facto No. 1 with Tyreek Hill out, and called Malik Washington a sneaky deeper option.