Derek Brown· Aug 26, 2026
Brown names four late-round running backs to target in 2026 fantasy drafts: Jordan Mason as a high-end handcuff/touchdown-dependent flex who could be a plug-and-play RB2 if Aaron Jones misses time; Kenny Gainwell as a Tampa Bay complement to Bucky Irving who could return RB2 value; Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a late-round dice roll; and Jonah Coleman, who enters Denver as the RB3 with room to climb.
“Coleman is a wonderful late-round dart to toss in fantasy drafts in 2026.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
6 checkable claims — 4 sleeper calls and 2 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 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 above the room on 1 and below it on 1.
Where this call stands in the room
Jonah Coleman · 2026 season7 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 3. Derek Brown said 3. 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
6 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.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt to outplay his draft cost
“Croskey-Merritt is worth a late-round dice roll this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJonah ColemanDenver BroncosAug 26, 2026
Jonah Coleman to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Jonah Coleman walks into the Denver depth chart as the RB3 with the ability to climb the depth chart.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsKenny GainwellTampa Bay BuccaneersAug 26, 2026
Kenny Gainwell to outplay his draft cost
“Gainwell could easily return RB2 value in 2026 if everything falls in his favor.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJordan MasonMinnesota VikingsAug 26, 2026
Jordan Mason to be 1st on the depth chart
“He's a strong early down option for NFL offenses and should continue to serve in the role this season for Minnesota... Aaron Jones will continue to be the passing-down partner for Mason for Minny in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJordan MasonMinnesota VikingsAug 26, 2026
Jordan Mason to outplay his draft cost
“Here are four running backs fantasy football expert Derek Brown loves to target in the later rounds of drafts. Jordan Mason (MIN)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJonah ColemanDenver BroncosAug 26, 2026
Jonah Coleman to outplay his draft cost
“Coleman is a wonderful late-round dart to toss in fantasy drafts in 2026.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- 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.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- 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.
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.