Nathan Jahnke· Jul 31, 2026
An unsigned PFF fantasy piece names Ashton Jeanty, Kenneth Walker III and Omarion Hampton as high-upside running backs outside the elite tier who could finish as fantasy's overall RB1 in 2026, while flagging Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson as the favorites for that finish. It also tempers Jeanty's outlook due to expected goal-line competition and gives Walker top-five upside in Kansas City.
“Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson enter 2026 as the favorites to finish as fantasy football's overall RB1.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
8 checkable claims — 4 positional finishes, 3 sleeper calls and 1 mock draft pick — 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.
1 of 8 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 4 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Kenneth Walker III · 2026 season · positional finish7 calls from 7 pundits between 1 positional finish and 24 positional finish. Nathan Jahnke said 5 positional finish. the room's median is 5 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.
Their call against what happened
overall pickTheir call against what actually happened.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
8 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.
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1
“all indications point to the team having selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 50How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- player:
- Fernando Mendoza
- season:
- 2026
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- only one pick — no order to score
- Sleeper CallsAshton JeantyLas Vegas RaidersJul 31, 2026
Ashton Jeanty to outplay his draft cost
“Ashton Jeanty could explode with improved support ... making him a prime breakout candidate in an improved Raiders offense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to outplay his draft cost
“Kenneth Walker III captures an elite volume ceiling in Kansas City ... positioning him to dominate high-leverage touches following his high-profile arrival in the Chiefs backfield.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ashton Jeanty to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“While Jeanty still has an opportunity to be among the league leaders in touches, a lack of goal-line work will hurt his chances of finishing among the top-5 fantasy running backs this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“If his usage expands in the passing game or Andy Reid leans more heavily on the run than in recent seasons, Walker has the upside to finish as a top-five fantasy running back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesJahmyr GibbsJul 31, 2026
Jahmyr Gibbs to finish top 1 at his position, by fantasy points
“Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson enter 2026 as the favorites to finish as fantasy football's overall RB1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsOmarion HamptonLos Angeles ChargersJul 31, 2026
Omarion Hampton to outplay his draft cost
“If McDaniel elevates the Chargers' offense into one of the league's best and Hampton handles the clear majority of backfield touches, he could be in for a special season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesBijan RobinsonJul 31, 2026
Bijan Robinson to finish top 1 at his position, by fantasy points
“Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson enter 2026 as the favorites to finish as fantasy football's overall RB1.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Fernando Alfaro-DonisTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Argues the Raiders' weakest spot is their receiver room, expects Jalen Nailor to take a big step forward in Klint Kubiak's scheme with Kirk Cousins starting before Fernando Mendoza takes over, and suggests Las Vegas should trade a mid-round pick for Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte, who would immediately become their top option.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Prisco is the lone expert cited picking Kansas City, 20-17 over Denver.
- Mike FlorioScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsClose · 57Florio gives score predictions for every Week 1 game of the 2026 NFL season, including an opening-night upset by the Patriots in Seattle and narrow home wins for the Giants and Chiefs.
- John PluymGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Pluym's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
- Matt VerderameGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Verderame's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
More positional finishes
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris BrockmanPositional Finishes · Jaxon Smith-NjigbaHit · 100Brockman argued Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already the best receiver in the NFL and deserves to be the highest paid, called his shot that three quarterbacks (Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck) go in the first round with Mendoza first overall, and suggested New England is headed for a 7-10 season.
- Pat GustavsonPositional Finishes · Josh AllenMiss · 17Gustafson picks the Patriots, Bills, Seahawks and Bears in the divisional round with a Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl, predicts Mike Tomlin and Matt LaFleur stay, Aaron Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh, and lays out his own coaching landing spots.
- Rich EisenPositional Finishes · George PickensHit · 100Eisen called the Rams-winning-it-all take an overreaction but expects Los Angeles to win the NFC West, said he doesn't see how Myles Garrett fails to win Defensive Player of the Year, and called George Pickens perhaps the third-best receiver in the NFL this season.
- Chad Ochocinco JohnsonPositional Finishes · Christian GonzalezMiss · 0Ochocinco says Christian Gonzalez belongs in the top-five DB conversation, believes Kyler Murray will be elsewhere next year, expects Chase to get a one-game suspension, backs Sam Darnold to bounce back, and floats Jaxon Smith-Njigba reaching 2,000 receiving yards. He also reminds listeners he called the Bears and Panthers as teams to watch before the season.
- Rich EisenPositional Finishes · Puka NacuaHit · 92Eisen defended his preseason call of the Packers reaching the Super Bowl, said the Chiefs will win the AFC West, called the Ravens the favorites in the AFC North, said the Colts are a playoff team, expected Denver to handle Cincinnati and the Giants to beat the winless Saints, and endorsed Puka Nacua as the league's best receiver.
- Chris BrockmanPositional Finishes · Puka NacuaHit · 92Brockman claimed the AFC North would send only the Steelers to the playoffs, that the Chiefs will win the AFC West, that Puka Nacua is the NFL's best wide receiver, and that the Jaguars are a top-eight team; he also had a preseason prophecy of the Ravens reaching the Super Bowl.