Nathan Jahnke· Aug 17, 2026
An unsigned PFF fantasy piece on the running back "dead zone" recommends D'Andre Swift as a stable low-end RB2 who will keep his starting role over Kyle Monangai, and David Montgomery as a target in Houston with a clear path to a large workload over Woody Marks.
“A slight decline is a reasonable expectation, leaving him as a low-end RB2.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls, 2 sleeper calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 4 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 2.
Where this call stands in the room
David Montgomery · 2026 season22 calls from 15 pundits between 1 and 1. Nathan Jahnke 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.
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Who this take is about
5 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 CallsD'Andre SwiftChicago BearsAug 17, 2026
D'Andre Swift to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 5.11)
“If you do find yourself looking for a running back in the dead zone, these are the players to target. ... D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (ADP: 5.11)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDavid MontgomeryHouston TexansAug 17, 2026
David Montgomery to be 1st on the depth chart
“With Nick Chubb gone, Woody Marks is Montgomery's primary competition for touches ... That leaves Montgomery with a clear path to his largest workload in years.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsD'Andre SwiftChicago BearsAug 17, 2026
D'Andre Swift to be 1st on the depth chart
“There is some risk that Monangai improves enough to take on a larger role, but Swift graded notably better as a runner, receiver and pass blocker last season, making a significant shift in playing time unlikely.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesD'Andre SwiftChicago BearsAug 17, 2026
D'Andre Swift to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points
“A slight decline is a reasonable expectation, leaving him as a low-end RB2.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDavid MontgomeryHouston TexansAug 17, 2026
David Montgomery to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 5.10)
“David Montgomery, Houston Texans (ADP: 5.10) ... That leaves Montgomery with a clear path to his largest workload in years.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Mike MoraitisDepth Chart Calls · Ozzy TrapiloMiss · 0Moraitis writes that although Braxton Jones has looked like the favorite, Ozzy Trapilo is likely to take over as the Bears' starting left tackle once he's healthy enough to play.
- Pete MartuneacDepth Chart Calls · Ozzy TrapiloMiss · 0After Trapilo's activation from the PUP list roughly seven months after rupturing his patellar tendon, Martuneac says the Bears' left tackle competition is over and Trapilo will be starting at left tackle early in the 2026 season, even if not by Week 1.
- Eric CohenGame Outcome Picks · Chicago BearsHit · 100Cohen says the Bears win easily in Carolina, and that Tennessee starts 1-0 over a Jets team he considers the third-worst in the league.
- John BreechGame Outcome Picks · Houston TexansMiss · 0Breech picks the Texans to upset the Bills in Houston, trusting Houston's defense to smother Josh Allen, and takes the Raiders to beat the Dolphins by at least a touchdown.
- Judah FortgangGame Outcome Picks · Houston TexansMiss · 0PFF's divisional-round same-game parlay picks: Tampa Bay beats Cincinnati with Cade Otton exploiting the Bengals' linebackers, Las Vegas beats Miami behind Kirk Cousins attacking a depleted Dolphins secondary, and Houston beats Buffalo with C.J. Stroud throwing effectively and Jaylin Noel benefiting from the slot matchup.
- Gene ChamberlainScore Predictions · Chicago BearsClose · 57Chamberlain picks the Bears to beat the Panthers in Week 1 at Charlotte, 34-30, giving Chicago the edge in the run game, passing game, pass defense and coaching.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- 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.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- 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.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- 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.