Mike Fanelli· Sep 11, 2026
Fanelli names six widely available players as last-minute Week 1 waiver-wire pickups, highlighting Michael Mayer as a potential top-five tight end with Brock Bowers out, Tre Tucker as a borderline top-30 receiver, and Devaughn Vele as the Saints' No. 2 wideout.
“More importantly, Mayer has an excellent opportunity to finish Week 1 as a top-five tight end.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 6 sleeper calls, 2 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 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
Devaughn Vele · 2026 season5 calls from 5 pundits between 2 and 4. Mike Fanelli said 2. the room's median is 3. 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 record
positional finishTheir call against what actually happened last time. Not yet settled.
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.
Michael Mayer to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“More importantly, Mayer has an excellent opportunity to finish Week 1 as a top-five tight end.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesTre TuckerLas Vegas RaidersSep 11, 2026
Tre Tucker to finish top 30 at his position, by fantasy points
“Tucker is a borderline top-30 wide receiver in Week 1 because Brock Bowers is out with a knee injury”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMalik WillisMiami DolphinsSep 11, 2026
Malik Willis to outplay his draft cost
“I wouldn’t be shocked if Willis has one of his better fantasy performances this year against Las Vegas.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChris Rodriguez Jr.Sep 11, 2026
Chris Rodriguez Jr. to outplay his draft cost
“Not only will the former Kentucky star have a meaningful role alongside Tuten, but Rodriguez could see an increase in work on Sunday against the Browns.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsKeaton MitchellLos Angeles ChargersSep 11, 2026
Keaton Mitchell to outplay his draft cost
“More importantly, Sunday’s matchup makes the veteran a solid desperation flex option.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMichael MayerLas Vegas RaidersSep 11, 2026
Michael Mayer to outplay his draft cost
“Therefore, Mayer is an outstanding waiver wire pickup for Week 1 and moving forward.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTre TuckerLas Vegas RaidersSep 11, 2026
Tre Tucker to outplay his draft cost
“Thankfully, Tucker has an excellent fantasy matchup on Sunday against the Dolphins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDevaughn VeleNew Orleans SaintsSep 11, 2026
Devaughn Vele to outplay his draft cost
“Devaughn Vele (WR – NO) vs. Detroit Lions (12.4% Rostered)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDevaughn VeleNew Orleans SaintsSep 11, 2026
Devaughn Vele to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Therefore, Vele will be the team’s No. 2 wide receiver on Sunday against Detroit.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Fernando Alfaro-DonisTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Argues the Raiders' weakest spot is their receiver room, expects Jalen Nailor to take a big step forward in Klint Kubiak's scheme with Kirk Cousins starting before Fernando Mendoza takes over, and suggests Las Vegas should trade a mid-round pick for Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte, who would immediately become their top option.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · Miami DolphinsMiss · 0Chad Millman said he had taken money-line positions on several Week 1 underdogs — the Texans outright over the Bills, the Giants outright over Dallas (in a money-line underdog parlay), and Miami outright at Las Vegas — and that the show's survivor pick was the Steelers to win.
- Chris RolingScore Predictions · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 31Roling predicts a lopsided Chargers home win over the Cardinals in Week 1, 30-10, and advises starting Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton in fantasy while sitting Ladd McConkey.
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
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- 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.
- Adam RankSleeper Calls · J.J. McCarthyMiss · 0Rank recommends JJ McCarthy as a Week 15 quarterback streamer against Dallas and thinks Shedeur Sanders can carry fantasy teams into the semifinals against the Bears. For the Week 15 'perfect lineup' he picks Drake Maye as the top quarterback and Christian McCaffrey as a top running back, and he expects Terry McLaurin to produce with Marcus Mariota starting.