Derek Brown· Aug 15, 2026
Brown names six running backs he wants in 2026 fantasy drafts, projecting Chase Brown, Javonte Williams, Omarion Hampton and Kenneth Walker III as RB1s, David Montgomery as a strong RB2 with RB1 upside, and Tony Pollard as an RB2 value being drafted as an RB3.
“Brown is a solid RB1 with top-five upside this season.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
15 checkable claims — 6 positional finishes, 6 sleeper calls and 3 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 12 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 9 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 5 and below it on 4.
Where this call stands in the room
Kenneth Walker III · 2026 season12 calls from 11 pundits between 1 and 1. Derek Brown 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
15 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 CallsTony PollardTennessee TitansAug 15, 2026
Tony Pollard to outplay his draft cost
“Pollard will be lingering in the RB3 range in plenty of drafts, but I think he returns strong RB2 value and production this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Omarion Hampton to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Hampton should be a rock-solid RB1 with massive upside in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Javonte Williams to finish top 15 at his position, by fantasy points
“he is a locked-in top ten back with top-five upside. At his floor, he looks like a low-end RB1 or top 15 fantasy back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJavonte WilliamsDallas CowboysAug 15, 2026
Javonte Williams to outplay his draft cost
“Here are a few of DBro's must-have running backs to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts. ... Javonte Williams (DAL)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesTony PollardTennessee TitansAug 15, 2026
Tony Pollard to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points
“Pollard will be lingering in the RB3 range in plenty of drafts, but I think he returns strong RB2 value and production this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDavid MontgomeryHouston TexansAug 15, 2026
David Montgomery to outplay his draft cost
“Here are a few of DBro's must-have running backs to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts. ... David Montgomery (HOU)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChase BrownCincinnati BengalsAug 15, 2026
Chase Brown to outplay his draft cost
“Here are a few of DBro's must-have running backs to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts. Chase Brown (CIN)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“With his salivating mix of talent and efficiency, Walker should be an explosive RB1 in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to be 1st on the depth chart
“Kenneth Walker arrives in Kansas City as the Chiefs' new lead back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDavid MontgomeryHouston TexansAug 15, 2026
David Montgomery to be 1st on the depth chart
“David Montgomery now finds himself as the Texans' do it all workhorse for 2026. ... Montgomery is the superior back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsOmarion HamptonLos Angeles ChargersAug 15, 2026
Omarion Hampton to outplay his draft cost
“Here are a few of DBro's must-have running backs to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts. ... Omarion Hampton (LAC)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to outplay his draft cost
“Here are a few of DBro's must-have running backs to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts. ... Kenneth Walker III (KC)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTony PollardTennessee TitansAug 15, 2026
Tony Pollard to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tony Pollard remains the clear leadback for the Titans entering the 2026 season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesChase BrownCincinnati BengalsAug 15, 2026
Chase Brown to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Brown is a solid RB1 with top-five upside this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
David Montgomery to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points
“he'll be a strong volume-driven RB2 that could flirt with RB1 production.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Pat FitzmauriceTrade and Signing Calls · Trey HendricksonMiss · 0Fitzmorris made picks 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 in the 2026 mock, ranked the top three receiver prospects Tate-Lemon-Tyson, said Caleb Downs won't fall to Day 2, and predicted Trey Hendrickson won't be back in Cincinnati.
- 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.
- John PluymGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Pluym's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
- Matt VerderameGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Verderame's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- 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.
- Jake CielySleeper Calls · Saquon BarkleyMiss · 0Sealey laid out his projected first round for 2026 fantasy drafts, opening with Bijan Robinson followed by three wide receivers, then a tier of running backs, and closing with Rashee Rice, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Omarion Hampton. He also called Saquon Barkley a buy-low.
- Mike HarmonSleeper Calls · Zay FlowersHit · 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.
- Andrew EricksonSleeper Calls · Audric EstiméMiss · 0Erickson predicted the Chiefs could lose outright at Tennessee in a flat spot, with Tony Pollard finishing as a top-24 running back for a third straight week; he also called Darren Waller a likely TE1 in Week 16, Tetairoa McMillan a top-20 receiver against Tampa Bay, Omarion Hampton the week's RB1, Isaiah Likely a top-12 tight end in a Patriots win over the Ravens, and Audric Estime a smash flex play for the Saints.