Nathan Jahnke· Aug 3, 2026
An unsigned PFF fantasy article names five late-round wide receivers as sleepers/breakout candidates: Josh Downs (top-36 fantasy finish, second on the Colts' depth chart), Xavier Worthy (possible Chiefs receiving-yards leader with top-10 upside), Jayden Higgins, Rashid Shaheed (second passing-game option in Seattle) and Adonai Mitchell (Jets starting X receiver).
“Downs finished 44th in fantasy points last season, but the bump in snaps and targets should be enough to make him a top-36 option.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
11 checkable claims — 5 sleeper calls, 4 depth chart calls and 2 positional finishes — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 10 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 5 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 4.
Where this call stands in the room
Rashid Shaheed · 2026 season6 calls from 6 pundits between 2 and 2. Nathan Jahnke said 2. 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.
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Who this take is about
11 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 CallsAdonai MitchellNew York JetsAug 3, 2026
Adonai Mitchell to outplay his draft cost
“Mitchell is worth a late-round pick as a talented former early-round selection who will finally get a chance to start.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josh Downs to finish top 36 at his position, by fantasy points
“the bump in snaps and targets should be enough to make him a top-36 option”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rashid Shaheed to be 2nd on the depth chart
“presumably passing Cooper Kupp on the depth chart to become the second option in the passing game behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josh Downs to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Indianapolis traded Pittman to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, finally moving Downs to second on the depth chart.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsRashid ShaheedSeattle SeahawksAug 3, 2026
Rashid Shaheed to outplay his draft cost
“Shaheed is a fine, high-upside late-round option.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJayden HigginsHouston TexansAug 3, 2026
Jayden Higgins to outplay his draft cost
“Higgins is being viewed as a potential breakout star for Houston, and there is a good chance he improves his efficiency.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Adonai Mitchell to be 1st on the depth chart
“New York plans to keep Mitchell as its X receiver, alongside a healthy Wilson and first-round rookie Omar Cooper Jr.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsXavier WorthyKansas City ChiefsAug 3, 2026
Xavier Worthy to outplay his draft cost
“Xavier Worthy has breakout potential: A healthy shoulder and increased opportunity could position Worthy to lead Kansas City in receiving.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Xavier Worthy to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points
“Worthy is a flex option in drafts, with the upside of a top-10 finish if he becomes the top weapon in Kansas City's offense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJosh DownsIndianapolis ColtsAug 3, 2026
Josh Downs to outplay his draft cost
“Here are five wide receivers currently being drafted in the 11th round or later who have the potential to become weekly must-start options. Josh Downs , Indianapolis Colts (ADP: 11.02)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Xavier Worthy to be 1st on the depth chart
“it is entirely possible Worthy leads the Chiefs in receiving yards”
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.
- 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.
- Noah ComptonDepth Chart Calls · C.J. AllenMiss · 0After watching the Colts' eleventh training camp practice, Compton says rookie linebacker CJ Allen is still expected to start the regular-season opener, identifies Alec Pierce as the team's top receiver and Cam Taylor-Britt as the first cornerback behind the starting trio, and declares the kicking job Blake Grupe's to lose.
- 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.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Prisco is the lone expert cited picking Kansas City, 20-17 over Denver.
- Mike FlorioScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Florio gives score predictions for every Week 1 game of the 2026 NFL season, including an opening-night upset by the Patriots in Seattle and narrow home wins for the Giants and Chiefs.
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.
- Brandon CarneySleeper Calls · Javonte WilliamsHit · 100Carney 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.
- Chad Ochocinco JohnsonSleeper Calls · Saquon BarkleyMiss · 0Johnson 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.
- Ross JacksonSleeper Calls · Devaughn VeleMiss · 0Ross 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.
- 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.
- Andrew EricksonSleeper Calls · Malik NabersMiss · 0Erickson 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.