Pat Fitzmaurice· Aug 11, 2026
Fitzmaurice names five quarterbacks he loves to target in the middle rounds of 2026 fantasy drafts — Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford — arguing each will outproduce his mid-round cost, with Purdy specifically pegged as a low-end QB1.
“Consider him a low-end QB1 in 2026 fantasy drafts.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
6 checkable claims — 5 sleeper calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 9 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 above the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Brock Purdy · 2026 season · positional finish6 calls from 6 pundits between 8 positional finish and 12 positional finish. Pat Fitzmaurice said 12 positional finish. the room's median is 10 positional finish. 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.
- Sleeper CallsJustin HerbertLos Angeles ChargersAug 11, 2026
Justin Herbert to outplay his draft cost (the middle rounds)
“Pat Fitzmaurice shares quarterbacks he loves to target in the middle rounds of fantasy football drafts. Justin Herbert (LAC) ... Herbert could have a banner season in tandem with new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsBrock PurdySan Francisco 49ersAug 11, 2026
Brock Purdy to outplay his draft cost (the middle rounds)
“quarterbacks he loves to target in the middle rounds ... Brock Purdy (SF) ... Consider him a low-end QB1 in 2026 fantasy drafts.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMatthew StaffordLos Angeles RamsAug 11, 2026
Matthew Stafford to outplay his draft cost (the middle rounds)
“Stafford seems well positioned for another big season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDak PrescottDallas CowboysAug 11, 2026
Dak Prescott to outplay his draft cost (the middle rounds)
“Dak Prescott seems primed for another big season ... quarterbacks he loves to target in the middle rounds of fantasy football drafts”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTrevor LawrenceAug 11, 2026
Trevor Lawrence to outplay his draft cost (the middle rounds)
“quarterbacks he loves to target in the middle rounds ... Trevor Lawrence (JAC) ... Now, we'll see if T-Law can pick up where he left off.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brock Purdy to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Consider him a low-end QB1 in 2026 fantasy drafts.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- 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.
- Nick ShookRoster Spot Calls · Aaron DonaldHit · 100Shook unveiled his first NFL power rankings of the year, putting the Rams first, the Broncos second and the defending champion Seahawks only third, with the Dolphins last.
- 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.
- Pete PriscoGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0Prisco predicts the Lions blow out the Saints in Detroit and that the Chargers rout the Cardinals behind a new-look offense.
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Andrew EricksonSleeper Calls · Audric EstiméMiss · 0Erickson predicted the Chiefs could lose outright at Tennessee in a flat spot, with Tony Pollard finishing as a top-24 running back for a third straight week; he also called Darren Waller a likely TE1 in Week 16, Tetairoa McMillan a top-20 receiver against Tampa Bay, Omarion Hampton the week's RB1, Isaiah Likely a top-12 tight end in a Patriots win over the Ravens, and Audric Estime a smash flex play for the Saints.