Chris Welsh· Aug 13, 2026
Welsh publishes his 2026 fantasy draft sheet, naming sleepers and busts at every position, value picks by draft range, and rookies to target or avoid.
“I am throwing my targets in the mix here for draft day.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
26 checkable claims — 24 sleeper calls and 2 fantasy bust calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 26 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Stefon Diggs
- Emmett Johnson
- Keenan Allen
- Jake Tonges
- Greg Dulcich
- Braelon Allen
- Deebo Samuel Sr.
- Quinshon Judkins
- K.C. Concepcion
- Tank Dell
- Omarion Hampton
- Antonio Williams
- Mike Evans
- De'Zhaun Stribling
- Matthew Golden
- Jaylen Waddle
- Malik Washington
- CeeDee Lamb
- Nicholas Singleton
- Emeka Egbuka
- Ja'Kobi Lane
- Tyler Warren
- Caleb Williams
- David Montgomery
- Ted Hurst
- Bucky Irving
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.
- Sleeper CallsStefon DiggsAug 13, 2026
Stefon Diggs to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120)
“Late-Round Values (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120): Stefon Diggs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsEmmett JohnsonAug 13, 2026
Emmett Johnson to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120)
“Late-Round Values (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120): Emmett Johnson”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsKeenan AllenAug 13, 2026
Keenan Allen to outplay his draft cost (Outside Top 200)
“Deep-League Values (Outside Top 200): Keenan Allen”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJake TongesAug 13, 2026
Jake Tonges to outplay his draft cost (Outside Top 200)
“Deep-League Values (Outside Top 200): Jake Tonges”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsGreg DulcichAug 13, 2026
Greg Dulcich to outplay his draft cost (Outside Top 200)
“Deep-League Values (Outside Top 200): Greg Dulcich”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsBraelon AllenAug 13, 2026
Braelon Allen to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120)
“Late-Round Values (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120): Braelon Allen”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDeebo Samuel Sr.Aug 13, 2026
Deebo Samuel Sr. to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120)
“Late-Round Values (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120): Deebo Samuel Sr.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsQuinshon JudkinsAug 13, 2026
Quinshon Judkins to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60)
“Early-Round Values (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60): Quinshon Judkins”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsK.C. ConcepcionAug 13, 2026
K.C. Concepcion to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120)
“Late-Round Values (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120): KC Concepcion”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTank DellAug 13, 2026
Tank Dell to outplay his draft cost (Outside Top 200)
“Deep-League Values (Outside Top 200): Tank Dell”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsOmarion HamptonAug 13, 2026
Omarion Hampton to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60)
“Early-Round Values (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60): Omarion Hampton”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsAntonio WilliamsAug 13, 2026
Antonio Williams to outplay his draft cost (Outside Top 200)
“Deep-League Values (Outside Top 200): Antonio Williams”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMike EvansAug 13, 2026
Mike Evans to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60)
“Early-Round Values (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60): Mike Evans”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDe'Zhaun StriblingAug 13, 2026
De'Zhaun Stribling to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120)
“Late-Round Values (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120): De’Zhaun Stribling”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMatthew GoldenAug 13, 2026
Matthew Golden to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120)
“Late-Round Values (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120): Matthew Golden”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJaylen WaddleAug 13, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60)
“Early-Round Values (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60): Jaylen Waddle”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMalik WashingtonAug 13, 2026
Malik Washington to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120)
“Late-Round Values (Rounds 11+ | Outside Top 120): Malik Washington”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsCeeDee LambAug 13, 2026
CeeDee Lamb to fall short of his draft cost (at Top 5 cost)
“CeeDee Lamb (at Top 5 cost)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsNicholas SingletonAug 13, 2026
Nicholas Singleton to outplay his draft cost (Outside Top 200)
“Deep-League Values (Outside Top 200): Nicholas Singleton”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsEmeka EgbukaAug 13, 2026
Emeka Egbuka to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60)
“Early-Round Values (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60): Emeka Egbuka”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJa'Kobi LaneAug 13, 2026
Ja'Kobi Lane to outplay his draft cost (Outside Top 200)
“Deep-League Values (Outside Top 200): Ja’Kobi Lane”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTyler WarrenAug 13, 2026
Tyler Warren to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60)
“Early-Round Values (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60): Tyler Warren”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsCaleb WilliamsAug 13, 2026
Caleb Williams to fall short of his draft cost (at Top 7 cost)
“Caleb Williams (at Top 7 cost)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDavid MontgomeryAug 13, 2026
David Montgomery to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60)
“Early-Round Values (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60): David Montgomery”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTed HurstAug 13, 2026
Ted Hurst to outplay his draft cost (Outside Top 200)
“Deep-League Values (Outside Top 200): Ted Hurst III”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsBucky IrvingAug 13, 2026
Bucky Irving to outplay his draft cost (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60)
“Early-Round Values (Rounds 1-5 | Picks 1-60): Bucky Irving”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Garrett PodellTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsHit · 100A 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mike TannenbaumTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Tannenbaum argues the Chiefs should lean on the run game early while Mahomes recovers, says the Bills haven't done enough at receiver and would repeat their playoff shortcoming, expects AJ Brown to have a massive impact in New England, thinks George Pickens will earn a big raise, and offers free-agent fits: Deebo Samuel to Buffalo, Joey Bosa to Tampa Bay, Taylor Decker to Houston, and Stefon Diggs to San Francisco.
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Derek BrownSleeper Calls · Travis HunterHit · 100Derek 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.
- Tom StrachanSleeper Calls · Ricky PearsallHit · 100Tom Strachan backed Xavier Worthy, Jalen Coker, Egbuka, Jalen Waddle, Darnell Mooney, Zay Flowers, George Pickens, DeVonta Smith and Travis Hunter as values at their draft costs, while avoiding Jerry Jeudy and the Cleveland receivers.
- Ryan WormeliSleeper Calls · Ricky PearsallHit · 100Host 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.
- Pat FitzmauriceSleeper Calls · Rashee RiceMiss · 0Pat Fitzmaurice gave draft-or-pass calls: reluctant drafts on Christian McCaffrey, RJ Harvey, Tetairoa McMillan (his WR16), Rashee Rice at a ninth-round price, Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, Chris Olave, Drake Maye (his QB8) and Tyler Warren, with passes on Breece Hall, Joe Mixon, Croskey-Merritt, Tyreek Hill, Travis Hunter, the Rams receivers and Justin Fields.
- Joe PisapiaSleeper Calls · Tyreek HillMiss · 0Joey P (Joe Pisapia) played draft-or-pass on 2025 fantasy values: he passed on Christian McCaffrey at pick 7, Breece Hall, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Travis Hunter and Chris Olave, while drafting RJ Harvey, Tyreek Hill, Tetairoa McMillan, Puka Nacua, Tyler Warren and a late-round Joe Mixon.
- Ryan WormeliSleeper Calls · Tetairoa McMillanHit · 100Hosting the segment, Warmley backed Bryce Young to finish better than his QB22 consensus ranking, endorsed Cedric Tillman as a late-round target, and said Tetairoa McMillan will be a top-15 fantasy receiver this season.