Derek Brown· Sep 1, 2026
The Fantasy Pros analyst laid out his biggest fantasy offseason moves and then a round-by-round list of players he's high and low on, headlined by breakout calls on Parker Washington, Jordan Mason, DJ Moore, Jaylen Waddle, A.J. Brown and Marshawn Lloyd, plus fades on Justin Jefferson, Rashee Rice and Josh Jacobs.
“A.J. Brown is going to end up with the best statistical season that he's ever had in his career.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
39 checkable claims — 14 fantasy bust calls, 14 sleeper calls, 7 depth chart calls, 2 positional finishes, 1 award pick and 1 season win total — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 44 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 10 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 9.
Where this call stands in the room
DJ Moore · 2026 season7 calls from 7 pundits between 1 and 1. Derek Brown 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Justin Jefferson
- Minnesota Vikings
- Aaron Jones
- Houston Texans
- Jonathon Brooks
- De'Zhaun Stribling
- Kenny Gainwell
- Josh Downs
- DJ Moore
- Buffalo Bills
- Josh Allen
- Chris Olave
- Quinshon Judkins
- Cleveland Browns
- Trayvon Henderson
- Brian Thomas Jr.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Josh Jacobs
- Green Bay Packers
- Rashee Rice
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Jordan Mason
- Chuba Hubbard
- A.J. Brown
- New England Patriots
- Tetairoa McMillan
- Alec Pierce
- Parker Washington
- Kenneth Walker III
- David Montgomery
- Jalen Hurts
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Chase Brown
- Jaylen Waddle
- Denver Broncos
- Christian Watson
- Quentin Johnston
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Makai Lemon
- MarShawn Lloyd
- Bo Nix
- James Cook
- Dontayvion Wicks
- Mark Andrews
39 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.
Justin Jefferson to fall short of his draft cost (the first round)
“And for all the reasons by Kyler Murray, I'm out on Justin Jefferson in the first round.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsAaron JonesSep 1, 2026
Aaron Jones to fall short of his draft cost (round 10)
“But Aaron Jones is the low-hanging fruit. I just don't think he can hold up with the hamstrings and the volume anymore.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsHouston TexansSep 1, 2026
Houston Texans to finish with 10 wins
“And they just ride David Montgomery in the defense to 10 plus wins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJonathon BrooksSep 1, 2026
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think he's going to take the job away from Chuba Hubbard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDe'Zhaun StriblingSep 1, 2026
De'Zhaun Stribling to outplay his draft cost (round nine)
“I think DeJuan Stribling is young enough that he can fight the substation... one wide receiver I am not drafting and one that I like.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsKenny GainwellSep 1, 2026
Kenny Gainwell to outplay his draft cost (round 10)
“My guys in round 10, Kenny Gainwell... If he could just be better Rashad White, I think he's going to crush this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJosh DownsSep 1, 2026
Josh Downs to fall short of his draft cost (round nine)
“I am not drafting Josh Downs. I don't think they can win on the outside. I think Keenan Allen is going to capsize his target volume”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsSep 1, 2026
DJ Moore to outplay his draft cost (round five)
“I think DJ Moore is going to crush him Buffalo... the guy that I will garner again... DJ Moore, the Stefan new Stefan digs for the Buffalo bills.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJosh AllenSep 1, 2026
Josh Allen to fall short of his draft cost (a second-round price tag)
“I'm not going to pay a second-round price tag for Josh Allen at quarterback.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChris OlaveSep 1, 2026
Chris Olave to outplay his draft cost (wide receiver 12 price tag)
“All in on Chris Alave, wide receiver 12 price tag... So we are undervaluing Chris Alave and his upside.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quinshon Judkins to fall short of his draft cost (a top 24 running back)
“Quinn Sean Judkins as a top 24 running back on a horrible Cleveland Browns offense. Uh, no, thank you.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsTrayvon HendersonSep 1, 2026
Trayvon Henderson to fall short of his draft cost (round six)
“I'm avoiding Travion Henderson. I don't understand his price tag going above Ramondre Stevenson.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brian Thomas Jr. to fall short of his draft cost (round seven)
“And Brian Thomas Jr., we walked the schedule earlier. Hell no. I am not attracting him anywhere.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josh Jacobs to fall short of his draft cost (round eight)
“Josh Jacobs, the aforementioned I'll go with Jacobs here. I just want people to know that he is firmly off my draft board.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJonathon BrooksSep 1, 2026
Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (round seven)
“Jonathan Brooks, baby. I think he's going to take the job away from Chuba Hubbard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rashee Rice to fall short of his draft cost (third round)
“Walker's arrival and his upside in the passing game, I think is going to ding Rasheed Rice a little bit... And the guy that I'm avoiding like the plague is where she rice.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJordan MasonMinnesota VikingsSep 1, 2026
Jordan Mason to outplay his draft cost
“The big takeaway for me with Kyler Murray is I am much more in on Jordan Mason this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsChuba HubbardSep 1, 2026
Chuba Hubbard to fall short of his draft cost (round eight)
“I could shout out Chuba Hubbard. No, thank you.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsSep 1, 2026
DJ Moore to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think him going there and them having a true wide receiver one this year is going to be fantastic for this offense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
A.J. Brown to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“I literally have AJ Brown as wide receiver five, right above CD land. The only wide receivers I have above him right now is Puka Nakua, Jamar Chase, Amon Ross, Sam Brown, and Jason.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsTetairoa McMillanSep 1, 2026
Tetairoa McMillan to fall short of his draft cost (a top 20 wide receiver price tag)
“And I cannot pay this price tag for Tedderow and McMillan where he is going... So Ted Romig Millen, a top 20 wide receiver price tag. No, thank you”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsAlec PierceSep 1, 2026
Alec Pierce to fall short of his draft cost (round eight)
“There's a crap ton of guys that I'm avoiding in this round. I could shout out Alec Pierce.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Parker Washington to outplay his draft cost
“I think it's going to be a monster season for him, monster breakout season... I think Parker Washington's going to operate as Jacksonville's Amon Ross St. Brown”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to outplay his draft cost
“Kenneth Walker going to Kansas City... I love him in fantasy and I think he's going to be part of like a big reason like the engine of the KC offense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
David Montgomery to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think they're going to roll him right into the Joe Mixon role. Just absolutely ride him this year... I don't have any questions about who's getting the red zone work in Houston. I think it's 10 toes down, David Montgomery.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJalen HurtsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 1, 2026
Jalen Hurts to outplay his draft cost
“I'm actually talking about Jalen Hurts, who's one of the best values on the board for fantasy... He's going to cook this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChase BrownSep 1, 2026
Chase Brown to outplay his draft cost (round two)
“Chase Brown, I'm all in on... So I'm all in on Chase Brown”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosSep 1, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“Bo Nix out now has a true wide receiver one to throw to Cortland Sutton goes down the pecking order.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosSep 1, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (round four)
“Jim and Waddle, baby. Talked about the Broncos passing attack all in.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Watson to outplay his draft cost (round six)
“Like Christian Watson versus Parker Washington. I'll go Christian Watson just because I believe in the upside being Green Bay's true wide receiver one this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“I believe in the upside being Green Bay's true wide receiver one this year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quentin Johnston to outplay his draft cost (round eight)
“Gwen Johnson is my call out here. I think he's the real wide receiver one from Los Angeles chargers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quentin Johnston to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think he's the real wide receiver one from Los Angeles chargers.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Makai Lemon to fall short of his draft cost (round nine)
“I'm out on Lemon at cost... he is going to force Makai Lemon into a very Luther Burden-esque rookie season where he has trouble getting on the field”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMarShawn LloydGreen Bay PackersSep 1, 2026
MarShawn Lloyd to outplay his draft cost
“I think he's going to have a really like a breakout season... I'm all in on Marshawn Lloyd and his draft calls for fantasy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksBo NixDenver BroncosSep 1, 2026
Bo Nix to win MVP
“I think that Bo Nix is going to We're going to see the best year of his career. Bet the long shot odds for him at MVP”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesJames CookBuffalo BillsSep 1, 2026
James Cook to finish top 3 at his position, by fantasy points
“James Cook, I'm all in. I think we see he sets a career high in receptions, the top three running back season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dontayvion Wicks to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Dontavion Wicks is the clear wide receiver two for Philly.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsMark AndrewsSep 1, 2026
Mark Andrews to fall short of his draft cost (round 10)
“I mean, I could easily shout out Mark Andrews. I think that he's cooked at this point in his career.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.