Evan Tarracciano· Aug 17, 2026
Tarracciano names five post-hype sleepers for 2026 fantasy drafts: Rome Odunze (worth his WR29 ECR as a WR3), Kyler Murray (worth the risk at QB17 as the Vikings' announced starter), Malik Willis (ideal backup at QB21 who could threaten QB1 status), Greg Dulcich (breakout as Miami's top tight end) and Jonathon Brooks (mid-round investment who takes over as Carolina's lead back).
“Given his current price point as the QB21, Willis is the ideal backup quarterback for managers to draft”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 5 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 9 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 above the room on 1 and below it on 3.
Where this call stands in the room
Jonathon Brooks · 2026 season20 calls from 9 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.
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.
- Depth Chart CallsGreg DulcichMiami DolphinsAug 17, 2026
Greg Dulcich to be 1st on the depth chart
“Dulcich currently tops the Dolphins’ depth chart at the position and should be peppered with targets”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
“fully expecting that he usurps Chuba Hubbard as the lead back for Carolina in short order”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMalik WillisMiami DolphinsAug 17, 2026
Malik Willis to outplay his draft cost (the QB21)
“Given his current price point as the QB21, Willis is the ideal backup quarterback for managers to draft”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJonathon BrooksCarolina PanthersAug 17, 2026
Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (a mid-round investment)
“I’ve written about him extensively this preseason as a mid-round investment I’m incredibly high on”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsRome OdunzeChicago BearsAug 17, 2026
Rome Odunze to outplay his draft cost (the WR29 in expert consensus rankings (ECR))
“Currently ranked as the WR29 in expert consensus rankings (ECR), I see plenty of value at that spot and would be thrilled to have him on my team as a WR3.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsKyler MurrayMinnesota VikingsAug 17, 2026
Kyler Murray to outplay his draft cost (his QB17 ranking)
“I understand the justification for his QB17 ranking, but I’ll be quick to remind managers that “scared money don’t make no money.” He is worth the risk.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRome OdunzeChicago BearsAug 17, 2026
Rome Odunze to be 3rd on the depth chart
“would be thrilled to have him on my team as a WR3”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsGreg DulcichMiami DolphinsAug 17, 2026
Greg Dulcich to outplay his draft cost
“I’m buying the hype on his ability to break out.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesMalik WillisMiami DolphinsAug 17, 2026
Malik Willis to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“coupled with his rushing upside could have him threatening QB1 status quickly”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- 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.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's fantasy football preseason recap projects depth-chart outcomes, roster spots and fantasy value for numerous players across several preseason games, including Chig Okonkwo's expanded role in Washington, Ja'Kobi Lane as Baltimore's WR3, Malachi Fields winning the Giants' starting X job, and Zachariah Branch being a fantasy bust relative to his late-round cost.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to open the season as Minnesota's starting quarterback and to be one of the better quarterback values in 2026 fantasy drafts, and he likewise likes Tyler Shough as New Orleans' entrenched starter with an easy schedule.
- 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.
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.