Evan Tarracciano· Sep 5, 2026
Tarracciano lists seven players he will not draft in 2026 fantasy leagues, arguing each will fail to return value at his current draft cost due to injury risk, competition for touches, or unsustainable prior production.
“I'll side with history on this one and fade McCaffrey at his current draft cost.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 7 fantasy bust calls and 2 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 13 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 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
Deshaun Watson · 2026 season29 calls from 22 pundits between 1 and 1. 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.
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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.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJayden DanielsSep 5, 2026
Jayden Daniels to fall short of his draft cost
“Jayden Daniels appears on my list for several reasons... I'm worried that fantasy managers will be stuck sinking significant draft capital in a player who will end up injured again.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyler Shough to fall short of his draft cost
“Other analysts have pegged Tyler Shough as a true breakout at the position for 2026, but I'm skeptical... I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I just don't see it.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJacory Croskey-MerrittSep 5, 2026
Jacory Croskey-Merritt to fall short of his draft cost (currently being selected as an RB3 in most formats)
“Jacory Croskey-Merritt is currently being selected as an RB3 in most formats... My issue with Croskey-Merritt is his distinct lack of upside”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Courtland Sutton to fall short of his draft cost
“I'm worried that with a severe reduction in targets, Sutton will be unable to convert looks into production.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosSep 5, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“Waddle immediately slides in as the alpha receiver for the Broncos offense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Harold Fannin Jr. to fall short of his draft cost (ranked as the TE6)
“Despite all of these shortcomings, Fannin is still ranked as the TE6, and I'm running to the hills at that price range.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Deshaun Watson has been pegged as the starter for Cleveland, but who knows how long he'll be able to hold off Shedeur Sanders.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian McCaffrey to fall short of his draft cost
“Last season's RB1, who scored 17 total touchdowns and eclipsed 2,100 total yards, is someone I'm shying away from... I'll side with history on this one and fade McCaffrey at his current draft cost.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Evans to fall short of his draft cost (the WR28 in average draft position (ADP))
“All of these factors have me leery of Evans justifying his current price tag as the WR28 in average draft position (ADP).”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.
- Paul KerenDepth Chart Calls · Teven JenkinsMiss · 0Keren says Teven Jenkins still projects as Cleveland's Week 1 starting right guard despite a push from KT Leveston, and that Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams will be the Browns' lead linebackers.
- 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.
- Evan SilvaFantasy Defense Calls · San Francisco 49ersMiss · 0In his 2020 fantasy defense/special teams rankings, Silva puts the Steelers first, the 49ers second and the Ravens third, citing pass rush, favorable early schedules and game scripts.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 2Dubin picks Denver to win narrowly in Kansas City, 21-20.
- Tyler SullivanScore Predictions · Denver BroncosMiss · 10Sullivan picks Denver to beat Kansas City 24-20.
More fantasy bust calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Mike HarmonFantasy Bust Calls · Joe BurrowHit · 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.
- Ryan WormeliFantasy Bust Calls · Ashton JeantyMiss · 0Warmley predicted Kyle Pitts and Trey McBride both finish as top-five tight ends in the Cardinals-Falcons game, Justin Jefferson bounces back into the top 15 receivers, Quinshen Judkins finishes top 12 against Buffalo, the Ravens beat the Patriots, and the Raiders produce no startable fantasy players against Houston.
- Patrick ClaybonFantasy Bust Calls · Aaron RodgersHit · 100Claibon says Aaron Rodgers' deep-passing outburst was a one-week product of Baltimore's defense and won't continue, still endorses starting Jacoby Brissett in a tough Houston matchup, and picks Devon Achane as the top running back and AJ Brown as the top receiver for Week 15.
- Marcas GrantFantasy Bust Calls · Michael PittmanMiss · 0Grant calls Christian Watson the Packers' clear No. 1 receiver and RJ Harvey Denver's lead back, while labeling Mike Gesicki's and Tony Pollard's big weeks mirages to avoid; he also wants no part of Colts pass catchers with Philip Rivers signing. For Week 15 he picks Matthew Stafford as the top quarterback and Puka Nacua among the top receivers.
- Andrew EricksonFantasy Bust Calls · Cooper KuppHit · 100Erickson reiterated his prediction that Jordan Mason will lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns, backed the Broncos to blow out the Titans in Week 1, called Garrett Wilson a sell and Jacoby Myers a buy-low, expects little from Cooper Kupp, and made several depth-chart calls (Thornton starting in New England, Myers as Vegas' No. 1 receiver, Croskey-Merritt eventually taking the Commanders' 'A back' role).
- Ryan WormeliFantasy Bust Calls · Zay FlowersMiss · 0Host 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.