Mike Fanelli· Aug 31, 2026
Fanelli names 10 must-have fantasy running backs for 2026 drafts, arguing James Cook should be the third back drafted, that Chase Brown repeats as a top-seven back, that Judkins and Jadarian Price can crack the top 12, and that Swift, Dowdle and Brooks hold or seize lead-back roles, with Jonah Coleman as his favorite late sleeper.
“Coleman is my favorite sleeper running back candidate and someone I want to draft in every league.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 3 positional finishes and 3 sleeper calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 6 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Jonathon Brooks · 2026 season4 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 2. 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.
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
9 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.
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
“Don't be surprised if Brooks takes the starting role from Chuba Hubbard sooner than later”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJonah ColemanDenver BroncosAug 31, 2026
Jonah Coleman to outplay his draft cost (ADP 168.2 | RB 53)
“Coleman is my favorite sleeper running back candidate and someone I want to draft in every league.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesChase BrownCincinnati BengalsAug 31, 2026
Chase Brown to finish top 7 at his position, by fantasy points
“fantasy players should expect another top-seven finish in 2026”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quinshon Judkins to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Judkins could be a top-12 running back this season, especially after the Browns improved their offensive line.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jadarian Price to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Price could have a massive second-half breakout and push for a top-12 finish.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsD'Andre SwiftChicago BearsAug 31, 2026
D'Andre Swift to be 1st on the depth chart
“Some believe that Kyle Monangai will replace Swift as the Bears' starting running back this season. However, there is nothing to suggest that it will happen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksAug 31, 2026
Jadarian Price to outplay his draft cost (ADP 59.8 | RB 26)
“Price has a chance to be a massive steal at his current ADP, especially given how he stood out during training camp.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJames CookBuffalo BillsAug 31, 2026
James Cook to outplay his draft cost (ADP 9.6 | RB 5)
“I happily draft him as the third running back off the board, easily ahead of Christian McCaffrey.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRico DowdlePittsburgh SteelersAug 31, 2026
Rico Dowdle to be 1st on the depth chart
“While he will split the work with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, Dowdle should be the lead guy on the ground.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.
- Paul KerenDepth Chart Calls · Teven JenkinsMiss · 0Keren says Teven Jenkins still projects as Cleveland's Week 1 starting right guard despite a push from KT Leveston, and that Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams will be the Browns' lead linebackers.
- Mike MoraitisDepth Chart Calls · Ozzy TrapiloMiss · 0Moraitis writes that although Braxton Jones has looked like the favorite, Ozzy Trapilo is likely to take over as the Bears' starting left tackle once he's healthy enough to play.
- Pete MartuneacDepth Chart Calls · Ozzy TrapiloMiss · 0After Trapilo's activation from the PUP list roughly seven months after rupturing his patellar tendon, Martuneac says the Bears' left tackle competition is over and Trapilo will be starting at left tackle early in the 2026 season, even if not by Week 1.
- Michael HanichDepth Chart Calls · Bud ClarkMiss · 0Hanich suggests Nick Emmanwori may miss Week 1 after ankle surgery, and that Noah Igbinoghene is making a strong case to be the Seahawks' Week 1 starting nickel, with Bud Clark also possibly stepping into a starting role if Emmanwori is out.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- 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.
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.