Evan Tarracciano· Sep 4, 2026
Tarracciano names four mid-round wide receivers being drafted outside the top 24 at the position who he believes can finish as top-12 fantasy receivers: Christian Watson, DJ Moore, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Parker Washington. He also expects MarShawn Lloyd to lead Green Bay's backfield, Jacoby Brissett to open the year as Arizona's starter, and DJ Moore to be Buffalo's top passing-game option.
“Watson's best fantasy finish came during his rookie campaign with a 41/611/7 split, but I'm confident that if his body holds up, he can become a fringe-WR1 in this offense.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
8 checkable claims — 4 sleeper calls, 3 depth chart calls and 1 positional finishe — 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 4 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
MarShawn Lloyd · 2026 season25 calls from 13 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.
Parker Washington to outplay his draft cost (around WR30 overall)
“the market appears to have settled on him around WR30 overall, despite the offseason hype train ... his floor each week with volume alone makes him a dangerous threat capable of pushing the WR1 envelope”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
MarShawn Lloyd to be 1st on the depth chart
“forcing oft-injured MarShawn Lloyd to become the de facto top running back instead”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsSep 4, 2026
DJ Moore to outplay his draft cost (outside of the first 24 selections)
“DJ Moore (WR – BUF) ... Leaving Chicago to join Buffalo during the offseason was a major boon for his fantasy value, as he instantly becomes Josh Allen's top option in the passing game.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jacoby Brissett to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jacoby Brissett will start the year for the Cardinals, with rookie Carson Beck waiting in the wings”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsSep 4, 2026
DJ Moore to be 1st on the depth chart
“he instantly becomes Josh Allen's top option in the passing game”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Marvin Harrison Jr. to outplay his draft cost (outside of the first 24 selections)
“I'm willing to give Harrison another chance in 2026, and am banking on a rebound campaign.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Watson to outplay his draft cost (outside of the first 24 selections)
“This article focuses on wide receivers that have the potential to finish within the top 12 at the position but are currently being drafted outside of the first 24 selections... Christian Watson (WR – GB)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Watson to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“I'm confident that if his body holds up, he can become a fringe-WR1 in this offense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jack KiserMiss · 0Shipley projects a full 16-player (plus one international/exemption spot) Jaguars practice squad for 2026, naming specific players at each position he expects to land there.
- Jared DubinDepth Chart Calls · Daniel FaaleleMiss · 0Dubin grades the Faalele trade, predicting Faalele has a decent chance to be Jacksonville's Week 1 starting right guard in competition with Wyatt Milum, and that Evan Neal's odds of making the Giants' 53-man roster improved while Jon Runyan and Francis Mauigoa hold the Giants' starting guard jobs.
- John ShipleyDepth Chart Calls · Patrick MekariMiss · 0Shipley projects second-year cornerback Jabbar Muhammad to make the Jaguars' 53-man roster and describes him as the team's clear No. 5 cornerback, a role that would earn him a game-day jersey. He also identifies Patrick Mekari, Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland as projected Week 1 offensive line starters.
- Henry McKennaDepth Chart Calls · Carson BeckMiss · 0McKenna predicts Kyler Murray will win the Vikings' starting QB job over J.J. McCarthy, that Minnesota will make the playoffs if Murray cuts out the hero ball, that both QBs will play in 2026, and wonders whether rookie Carson Beck could unseat Jacoby Brissett as Arizona's Week 1 starter.
- Jacob WestendorfScore Predictions · Green Bay PackersMiss · 24Westendorf picks the Packers to win the opener 27-21, with Tucker Kraft leading the team in catches, Christian Watson in yards, Jayden Reed in touchdowns and Josh Jacobs in rushing. He tabs Bo Nix as MVP, the Broncos as the AFC's top team and Super Bowl winner over the Rams, the Lions to win the NFC North, and the Packers to finish 8-9.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · Jacksonville JaguarsHit · 100Sullivan takes the Jaguars to beat the Browns, doubting Deshaun Watson, and takes the Eagles over the Commanders at home.
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.