Pat Fitzmaurice· Aug 22, 2026
Fitzmaurice names Malik Willis, Tyler Shough and Sam Darnold as late-round quarterback targets who should outperform their draft cost, arguing Willis' rushing keeps him fantasy-viable, Shough builds on a QB12 half-season with an easy schedule, and Darnold could benefit from a higher pass rate in Seattle.
“But Willis' running ability should make him fantasy-viable even if his passing numbers are mediocre.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
4 checkable claims — 3 sleeper calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 6 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Tyler Shough · 2026 season9 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 1. Pat Fitzmaurice 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.
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Who this take is about
4 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 CallsTyler ShoughNew Orleans SaintsAug 22, 2026
Tyler Shough to be 1st on the depth chart
“He now enters the 2026 season as the Saints' undisputed starter”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMalik WillisMiami DolphinsAug 22, 2026
Malik Willis to outplay his draft cost (late-round)
“Let's dive into a few notable late-round quarterbacks fantasy football experts love to target. ... Malik Willis (MIA) ... But Willis' running ability should make him fantasy-viable even if his passing numbers are mediocre.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTyler ShoughNew Orleans SaintsAug 22, 2026
Tyler Shough to outplay his draft cost (late-round)
“Tyler Shough (NO) ... He now enters the 2026 season as the Saints' undisputed starter ... Still, it was an impressive half-season for Shough, and the Saints should have an easy schedule again in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsSam DarnoldSeattle SeahawksAug 22, 2026
Sam Darnold to outplay his draft cost (late-round)
“Sam Darnold (SEA) ... But it's possible Seattle throws at a higher rate this year, which could potentially boost Darnold's passing numbers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- 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.
- Michael HanichDepth Chart Calls · Bud ClarkMiss · 0Hanich suggests Nick Emmanwori may miss Week 1 after ankle surgery, and that Noah Igbinoghene is making a strong case to be the Seahawks' Week 1 starting nickel, with Bud Clark also possibly stepping into a starting role if Emmanwori is out.
- 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.
- Alain PoupartScore Predictions · Miami DolphinsMiss · 24Poupart predicts the Dolphins upset the Raiders in Week 1 in Las Vegas, 27-24, and also expects Miami to win few games overall in 2026.
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.
- 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.