Ralph Vacchiano· Aug 5, 2026
Vacchiano names one breakout candidate for each of the 16 AFC teams in 2026, predicting players like Laiatu Latu will reach double-digit sacks, Jayden Higgins will be Houston's No. 2 receiver, Chris Rodriguez Jr. will become Jacksonville's workhorse back, and Ashton Jeanty, Ladd McConkey and Cam Ward will bounce back into stars.
“Double-digit sacks seem like a lock for the 2024 first-round pick, especially with Arden Key now on the opposite end to take some of the pressure off.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
24 checkable claims — 17 sleeper calls, 6 depth chart calls and 1 player season number — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 33 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 6 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Daxton Hill
- Cincinnati Bengals
- RJ Harvey
- Denver Broncos
- Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Harold Fannin Jr.
- Cleveland Browns
- Adonai Mitchell
- New York Jets
- Ladd McConkey
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Laiatu Latu
- Indianapolis Colts
- Cole Bishop
- Buffalo Bills
- Tutu Atwell
- Miami Dolphins
- Will Campbell
- New England Patriots
- Cam Ward
- Tennessee Titans
- Nohl Williams
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Derrick Harmon
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ashton Jeanty
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Malaki Starks
- Baltimore Ravens
- Jaylin Noel
- Houston Texans
- Jayden Higgins
24 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 CallsDaxton HillCincinnati BengalsAug 5, 2026
Daxton Hill to outplay his draft cost
“he finally looks healthy and settled in at the correct position. His speed and skills should take care of the rest.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsRJ HarveyDenver BroncosAug 5, 2026
RJ Harvey to outplay his draft cost
“He'll almost certainly get more touches this season even if Dobbins is healthy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“he could get the majority of the carries, especially when it comes to the tougher, shorter yards.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Harold Fannin Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“Fannin might just be the Browns' best weapon in the passing game... Harold Fannin is primed to become the team's top receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Adonai Mitchell to be 2nd on the depth chart
“show he can be, at least, a good No. 2.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ladd McConkey to outplay his draft cost
“Don't be surprised then if McConkey ultimately blossoms into a star.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsLaiatu LatuIndianapolis ColtsAug 5, 2026
Laiatu Latu to outplay his draft cost
“Colts GM Chris Ballard said that Latu is on the verge of a breakout, and it's easy to see why he believes that.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Harold Fannin Jr. to outplay his draft cost
“he has a chance to put up truly elite numbers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsCole BishopBuffalo BillsAug 5, 2026
Cole Bishop to outplay his draft cost
“Cole Bishop, Safety, Buffalo Bills — named as the Bills' breakout candidate: "Leonhard is the right guy to figure out how to use him best."”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTutu AtwellMiami DolphinsAug 5, 2026
Tutu Atwell to outplay his draft cost
“the 26-year-old Atwell is the top candidate for that... he could end up being one of Willis' favorite and most productive targets.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Will Campbell to be 1st on the depth chart
“He's entrenched at left tackle in New England”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsCam WardTennessee TitansAug 5, 2026
Cam Ward to outplay his draft cost
“All the additions should put Ward in position to prove he was worthy of being the top pick.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsAdonai MitchellNew York JetsAug 5, 2026
Adonai Mitchell to outplay his draft cost
“That'll give Mitchell plenty of room to start fulfilling his potential”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsNohl WilliamsKansas City ChiefsAug 5, 2026
Nohl Williams to outplay his draft cost
“the door is wide open for Williams... he'll have a much larger role in a Steve Spagnuolo defense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Derrick Harmon to outplay his draft cost
“he'll have an increasing impact and show everyone why he's being groomed as Heyward's successor.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsAshton JeantyLas Vegas RaidersAug 5, 2026
Ashton Jeanty to outplay his draft cost
“The stage is set for Jeanty to show why he was drafted so high.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMalaki StarksBaltimore RavensAug 5, 2026
Malaki Starks to outplay his draft cost
“Starks has a chance to put up much bigger numbers... he'll be one of the biggest beneficiaries this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. to outplay his draft cost
“I believe he's a good bet to emerge as the workhorse back in the Jaguars' offense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJaylin NoelHouston TexansAug 5, 2026
Jaylin Noel to outplay his draft cost
“if Higgins can't deliver, don't rule out a breakout from his former Iowa State teammate, WR Jaylin Noel”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Nohl Williams to be 1st on the depth chart
“He'll likely start alongside Delane on the outside.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Laiatu Latu to record 10 sacks
“Double-digit sacks seem like a lock for the 2024 first-round pick”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJayden HigginsHouston TexansAug 5, 2026
Jayden Higgins to outplay his draft cost
“the 6-4, 215-pounder is capable of a lot more, especially as a red-zone weapon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jayden Higgins to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He should clearly be C.J. Stroud's No. 2 option behind Nico Collins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Will Campbell to outplay his draft cost
“there is plenty of hope, even after Campbell's disappointing season... he's definitely a lot better than he showed as a rookie.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- 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 · Caleb WilliamsHit · 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.