Nathan Jahnke· Aug 28, 2026
An unsigned PFF Fantasy piece names five players — Kenneth Walker, DeVonta Smith, Garrett Wilson, George Kittle and Trevor Lawrence — as values likely to outperform their 2026 ADPs, with Walker projected for top-five RB upside, Smith as Philadelphia's new No. 1 target with top-10 WR potential, Wilson with top-10 upside and Lawrence returning as a top-10 quarterback.
“These five players check all three boxes and have the potential to dramatically outperform their current ADPs in 2026.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
10 checkable claims — 5 sleeper calls, 4 positional finishes and 1 depth chart call — 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 below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
DeVonta Smith · 2026 season12 calls from 10 pundits between 1 and 1. Nathan Jahnke 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
10 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 CallsDeVonta SmithPhiladelphia EaglesAug 28, 2026
DeVonta Smith to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 3.10)
“WR DeVonta Smith , Philadelphia Eagles (ADP: 3.10) ... have the potential to dramatically outperform their current ADPs in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesGarrett WilsonNew York JetsAug 28, 2026
Garrett Wilson to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points
“If the unit clicks, he has clear top-10 fantasy potential.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“If his usage expands in the passing game or Andy Reid leans more heavily on the run than in recent seasons, Walker has the upside to finish as a top-five fantasy running back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsGeorge KittleSan Francisco 49ersAug 28, 2026
George Kittle to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 7.11)
“TE George Kittle , San Francisco 49ers (ADP: 7.11) ... have the potential to dramatically outperform their current ADPs in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTrevor LawrenceJacksonville JaguarsAug 28, 2026
Trevor Lawrence to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 8.04)
“That makes him a strong value at his current ADP.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsGarrett WilsonNew York JetsAug 28, 2026
Garrett Wilson to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 4.06)
“WR Garrett Wilson , New York Jets (ADP: 4.06) ... have the potential to dramatically outperform their current ADPs in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DeVonta Smith to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points
“Smith's ability to be a top-five or top-10 fantasy wide receiver will somewhat depend on the Eagles' ability to rebound as a team, but given the talent on the unit, that is a decent bet to make.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 2.06)
“RB Kenneth Walker , Kansas City Chiefs (ADP: 2.06) ... These five players check all three boxes and have the potential to dramatically outperform their current ADPs in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DeVonta Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“DeVonta Smith is the new top target in Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Eagles traded A.J. Brown this offseason”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trevor Lawrence to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points
“That should make Lawrence a top-10 option again, yet he is being drafted outside the top 10”
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.
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Michael CarterMiss · 0Kerr says several Eagles have raised their stock in camp: Darius Cooper is emerging as the team's WR4, Drew Kendall is the No. 3 interior lineman/top backup at guard and center, Willie Lampkin is in prime position to make the 53-man roster, and Michael Carter is a roster lock who could start at safety in Week 1.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- Joe PisapiaSleeper Calls · Omarion HamptonMiss · 0Joe Pisapia's 2026 first round is receiver-heavy, starting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ja'Marr Chase, insisting Amon-Ra St. Brown belongs in the top five, keeping Justin Jefferson in round one, and dropping Christian McCaffrey to 12. He also sees Omarion Hampton as a value who will be a top-10 pick a year later.