Evan Tarracciano· Aug 13, 2026
Tarracciano names several running backs he's avoiding at their current draft cost: Travis Etienne Jr. (whose upside he says Alvin Kamara will cap), Bucky Irving (who he expects to split carries with Kenneth Gainwell), Jaylen Warren (who he says stays a change-of-pace back behind breakout Rico Dowdle), and the entire Denver backfield of J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman.
“Yep, I said all of them.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
8 checkable claims — 6 fantasy bust calls, 1 depth chart call and 1 sleeper 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 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Rico Dowdle · 2026 season11 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 2. Evan Tarracciano 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
8 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.
Travis Etienne to fall short of his draft cost (Currently ranked as the RB18 atop the fourth tier at the position)
“Currently ranked as the RB18 atop the fourth tier at the position, I'd pivot elsewhere for upside.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsRico DowdlePittsburgh SteelersAug 13, 2026
Rico Dowdle to outplay his draft cost (being drafted behind Warren)
“pegging Rico Dowdle as one of my breakout players at the running back position”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJonah ColemanDenver BroncosAug 13, 2026
Jonah Coleman to fall short of his draft cost
“rookie Jonah Coleman breathing down their necks ... I'll just pass on this situation completely and sleep better at night.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRico DowdlePittsburgh SteelersAug 13, 2026
Rico Dowdle to be 1st on the depth chart
“pegging Rico Dowdle as one of my breakout players at the running back position ... Warren should remain in his current role rather than ascend to being the featured back for Pittsburgh.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJ.K. DobbinsDenver BroncosAug 13, 2026
J.K. Dobbins to fall short of his draft cost (being drafted in near-identical positions)
“J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey are being drafted in near-identical positions ... I'll just pass on this situation completely”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsRJ HarveyDenver BroncosAug 13, 2026
RJ Harvey to fall short of his draft cost (being drafted in near-identical positions)
“If Dobbins is on the field, Harvey's upside is dramatically lowered ... I'll just pass on this situation completely”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaylen Warren to fall short of his draft cost (being drafted ahead of Dowdle)
“Considering that Warren is being drafted ahead of Dowdle, I'm happy to take the discount.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Bucky Irving to fall short of his draft cost (currently ranked as the RB21)
“Considering that Irving is currently ranked as the RB21 and Gainwell the RB36 in our expert consensus rankings (ECR), I'd honestly rather wait and take the value.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- Jason McIntyreTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre argued the 49ers' window is closed amid a brutal injury list and record travel, floated a Bijan Robinson trade to the Bears, predicted the Lions can win the NFC North, doubted Atlanta is even a playoff team, said Baker Mayfield's Tampa run ends after this season, and delivered a top-10 quarterback ranking.
- Danny ParkinsTrade and Signing Calls · Trey HendricksonMiss · 0Parkins predicts Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to the Raiders, Trey Hendrickson signs in Tampa, Michael Penix Jr. wins Atlanta's QB competition, Jared Wilson takes over at center in New England, Mike Evans reaches 1,000 yards, and the Bears lose Byard and Brisker.
- Evan SilvaFantasy Defense Calls · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100In 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 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.
- 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.
- Derek BrownFantasy Bust Calls · Zay FlowersMiss · 0Derek Brown ("Debro") laid out a slate of wide receiver breakouts — Ricky Pearsall, Jalen Coker, Egbuka, Jalen Waddle, Joshua Palmer, George Pickens, DeVonta Smith and Travis Hunter — while fading Xavier Worthy, Tyreek Hill and the cheap Cleveland/late-round types, and gave his own rankings well ahead of ADP for several of them.