Evan Tarracciano· Aug 19, 2026
Tarracciano names his 2026 fantasy breakout candidates: Justin Herbert (threatening a top-five QB finish), Jared Goff (well ahead of his QB16 cost), Cam Skattebo as the Giants' unquestioned lead back, rookie Jadarian Price taking over Seattle's backfield, Emeka Egbuka exceeding his projections, DJ Moore as Josh Allen's top target, and tight ends Isaiah Likely and Dallas Goedert.
“If the Chargers stay healthy this season, he will threaten to finish within the top five at the position.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
16 checkable claims — 8 sleeper calls, 4 player season numbers, 3 depth chart calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 15 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 7 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 6.
Where this call stands in the room
Jadarian Price · 2026 season12 calls from 11 pundits between 1 and 1. Evan Tarracciano 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
16 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 19, 2026
Justin Herbert to outplay his draft cost
“it is time to share my official list of fantasy football breakout candidates for the upcoming 2026 season... Justin Herbert (QB – LAC)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksAug 19, 2026
Jadarian Price to outplay his draft cost (ranked as the RB26 in ECR)
“For some reason, Price is ranked as the RB26 in ECR, behind committee/rotational backs like Quinshon Judkins, Bhayshul Tuten and TreVeyon Henderson. I'll invest in Price wherever possible.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDallas GoedertPhiladelphia EaglesAug 19, 2026
Dallas Goedert to outplay his draft cost
“but I expect a dramatic rise in targets, thanks to the departure of A.J. Brown to New England”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Emeka Egbuka to record 1,097 receiving yards
“Our current projections have him finishing with 192 fantasy points amid a 73/1,097/8 split — I'm more bullish on his ability to surpass those totals.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Emeka Egbuka to record 8 receiving tds
“Our current projections have him finishing with 192 fantasy points amid a 73/1,097/8 split — I'm more bullish on his ability to surpass those totals.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsAug 19, 2026
DJ Moore to be 1st on the depth chart
“Moore becomes the de facto first read for Josh Allen on all passing plays.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsCam SkatteboNew York GiantsAug 19, 2026
Cam Skattebo to outplay his draft cost
“It feels like I've spent most of the offseason sitting in the conductor's seat aboard the Cam Skattebo express hype train.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsAug 19, 2026
DJ Moore to outplay his draft cost
“Fantasy owners could be gun-shy about drafting DJ Moore after his disappointing 2025 campaign... I'll go completely against the grain and be perfectly happy with it.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJared GoffDetroit LionsAug 19, 2026
Jared Goff to outplay his draft cost (the QB16 in both average draft position (ADP) and expert consensus rankings (ECR))
“Currently ranked as the QB16 in both average draft position (ADP) and expert consensus rankings (ECR), I have little hesitation that Goff will have any issue surpassing that mark in short order.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsEmeka EgbukaTampa Bay BuccaneersAug 19, 2026
Emeka Egbuka to outplay his draft cost
“I'm hardly alone in expressing my optimism for a breakout campaign from Emeka Egbuka.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksAug 19, 2026
Jadarian Price to be 1st on the depth chart
“Seattle brought in Jadarian Price to immediately slide into the vacancy that Kenneth Walker III left behind... Price seems set to dominate touches for the Seahawks early in the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Emeka Egbuka to record 192 fantasy points
“Our current projections have him finishing with 192 fantasy points amid a 73/1,097/8 split — I'm more bullish on his ability to surpass those totals.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsIsaiah LikelyNew York GiantsAug 19, 2026
Isaiah Likely to outplay his draft cost
“Likely is a lock to see the most looks in his career, after playing the perpetual backup role behind Mark Andrews with the Ravens.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Justin Herbert to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“If the Chargers stay healthy this season, he will threaten to finish within the top five at the position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCam SkatteboNew York GiantsAug 19, 2026
Cam Skattebo to be 1st on the depth chart
“If Skattebo can remain healthy, he will be an unquestioned No. 1 RB for a team that wants to establish a physical presence by running the ball.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Emeka Egbuka to record 73 receptions
“Our current projections have him finishing with 192 fantasy points amid a 73/1,097/8 split — I'm more bullish on his ability to surpass those totals.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.
- Jeff KerrDepth Chart Calls · Michael CarterMiss · 0Kerr says several Eagles have raised their stock in camp: Darius Cooper is emerging as the team's WR4, Drew Kendall is the No. 3 interior lineman/top backup at guard and center, Willie Lampkin is in prime position to make the 53-man roster, and Michael Carter is a roster lock who could start at safety in Week 1.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Adam RankSleeper Calls · J.J. McCarthyMiss · 0Rank recommends JJ McCarthy as a Week 15 quarterback streamer against Dallas and thinks Shedeur Sanders can carry fantasy teams into the semifinals against the Bears. For the Week 15 'perfect lineup' he picks Drake Maye as the top quarterback and Christian McCaffrey as a top running back, and he expects Terry McLaurin to produce with Marcus Mariota starting.
- Patrick ClaybonSleeper Calls · Jacoby BrissettHit · 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.