Nathan Jahnke· Aug 6, 2026
A PFF piece names five late-round running backs (16th round or later ADP) as sleepers with paths to expanded fantasy roles in 2026, led by Keaton Mitchell, who they say has top-10 upside at the position if he approaches De'Von Achane's production.
“If Mitchell approaches Achane's level of production, he offers top-10 upside at the position.”
published in writing · Pro Football Focus · read the original →
The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 6, 2026. The quote and evidence above are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
11 checkable claims — 6 depth chart calls, 4 sleeper calls and 1 positional finishe — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 12 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 5 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
11 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.
Keaton Mitchell to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 16.03)
“Keaton Mitchell , Los Angeles Chargers (ADP: 16.03) ... Given those similarities to Achane, there is a real chance McDaniel ultimately prefers Mitchell over his other options.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTank BigsbyPhiladelphia EaglesAug 6, 2026
Tank Bigsby to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 17.01)
“It would not be surprising if Bigsby's rushing attempts per game see a notable increase this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJames CookBuffalo BillsAug 6, 2026
James Cook to be 1st on the depth chart
“Davis has spent the first two years of his career in a three-man backfield with James Cook and Ty Johnson, and that will be the case again this season. Cook has served as the starter”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dylan Sampson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“This makes Sampson more likely to be a starter at some point this season than the typical handcuff would be.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Washington to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 16.07)
“Washington is a solid pick in deep leagues for his touchdown upside and his handcuff value.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tank Bigsby to be 2nd on the depth chart
“It's fair to consider Bigsby the primary handcuff to Barkley”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsRay DavisBuffalo BillsAug 6, 2026
Ray Davis to outplay his draft cost (ADP: 20.05)
“That makes him one of the more intriguing pure handcuffs available.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mike Washington to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He was drafted in the fourth round by the Raiders, where there is a clear path to being the backup to Ashton Jeanty.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ashton Jeanty to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jeanty is a special player and will see the clear majority of touches”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRay DavisBuffalo BillsAug 6, 2026
Ray Davis to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Cook has served as the starter, Davis the backup and Johnson the third-down back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Keaton Mitchell to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points
“If Mitchell approaches Achane's level of production, he offers top-10 upside at the position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Buffalo BillsHit · 100Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Buffalo BillsHit · 100Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 0Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles ChargersMiss · 0Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South.
- Matt HarmonScore Predictions · Philadelphia EaglesHit · 100Harmon picked the Bengals to beat the Texans in Week 2, expecting Nico Collins to miss the game with a hamstring injury, and also predicted the Titans would be shut out by the Eagles. He took the Rams over the Giants, the Bears over the Vikings, and the Jaguars at Denver.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a Week 1 recap with no named byline, CBS Sports suggested Michael Penix Jr. would take over as Atlanta's Week 2 starter if healthy, called Ashton Jeanty's sophomore breakout imminent, and warned readers not to overlook San Francisco as NFC West winners.