Mike Fanelli· Aug 12, 2026
Fanelli ranks all 32 NFL teams for 2026 fantasy purposes, with the Bengals first and the Dolphins last, and makes assorted calls including Joe Burrow winning Comeback Player of the Year, Drake Maye leading the league in passing touchdowns, various starting-role and depth-chart projections, plus sleepers (Godwin, Travis Hunter, Jonathon Brooks) and a bust call on De'Von Achane.
“Maye is a dark horse candidate to lead the NFL in passing touchdowns this season.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
33 checkable claims — 22 depth chart calls, 3 fantasy rankings, 3 positional finishes, 2 sleeper calls, 1 award pick, 1 fantasy bust call and 1 power ranking — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 48 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
3 of 33 have settled so far, averaging 66.7 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 20 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 18.
Where this call stands in the room
Aaron Jones · 2026 season6 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 2. Mike Fanelli said 2. 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Kirk Cousins
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Kyler Murray
- Minnesota Vikings
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Atlanta Falcons
- DeVonta Smith
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Jaylen Warren
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Travis Hunter
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Troy Franklin
- Denver Broncos
- Emeka Egbuka
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tony Pollard
- Tennessee Titans
- Isaiah Davis
- New York Jets
- Chris Godwin Jr.
- Malik Washington
- Miami Dolphins
- Travis Etienne
- New Orleans Saints
- Zachariah Branch
- Jordan Mason
- Drake Maye
- New England Patriots
- Christian Watson
- Green Bay Packers
- Jaylen Waddle
- Aaron Jones
- Joe Burrow
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Jeremiyah Love
- Arizona Cardinals
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Jalen Nailor
- Rico Dowdle
- De'Von Achane
- Xavier Legette
- Carolina Panthers
- Carson Beck
- Kenneth Walker III
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Nico Collins
- Houston Texans
The games in this take
- Falcons at Steelers 34 calls
- Dolphins at Raiders 48 calls
- Packers at Vikings 42 calls
33 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.
- Depth Chart CallsKirk CousinsLas Vegas RaidersAug 12, 2026
Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Kirk Cousins is expected to start in Week 1 and keep the job until the Raiders feel that Mendoza is ready”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- LV
- week:
- 1
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Kirk Cousins
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he starts
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- QB
- reported:
- named the starter
- naive slot:
- 2
- settled by:
- a confirmed report from the crawl (reported outcomes)
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he keeps the job he had last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Depth Chart CallsKyler MurrayMinnesota VikingsAug 12, 2026
Kyler Murray to be 1st on the depth chart
“everyone believes the veteran is in the driver's seat and all but guaranteed to be the Week 1 starter”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- MIN
- week:
- 1
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Kyler Murray
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he starts
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- QB
- reported:
- named the starter
- naive slot:
- 2
- settled by:
- a confirmed report from the crawl (reported outcomes)
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he keeps the job he had last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Depth Chart CallsTua TagovailoaAtlanta FalconsAug 12, 2026
Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart
“it sounds like Tua Tagovailoa will start in Week 1 with Michael Penix Jr. still recovering from a torn ACL”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- ATL
- week:
- 1
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Tua Tagovailoa
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he starts
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- reported:
- he did not play that week
- naive slot:
- 1
- settled by:
- weekly snap counts (he took no snap in the game)
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he keeps the job he had last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
DeVonta Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“He should have a breakout season as the team's No. 1 wide receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaylen Warren to be 2nd on the depth chart
“I expect Dowdle to be the lead running back and play on early downs while Warren takes over Gainwell's role in passing situations.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTravis HunterJacksonville JaguarsAug 12, 2026
Travis Hunter to outplay his draft cost (WR70 ADP)
“Travis Hunter could be the best bang for your buck with a WR70 ADP”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTroy FranklinDenver BroncosAug 12, 2026
Troy Franklin to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Don't be shocked if he ends up replacing Sutton as the No. 2 guy at some point this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Emeka Egbuka to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“he is one of my dark horse candidates to end the year as a top-five wide receiver with Mike Evans gone”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTony PollardTennessee TitansAug 12, 2026
Tony Pollard to be 1st on the depth chart
“Don't be shocked if the Titans lean on Pollard on early downs and make Spears their passing-downs running backs”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsIsaiah DavisNew York JetsAug 12, 2026
Isaiah Davis to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Isaiah Davis could see some passing game work as the No. 2 running back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Godwin Jr. to outplay his draft cost (WR42)
“he could be a massive steal at his ADP (WR42) if he can return to his 2024 form”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMalik WashingtonMiami DolphinsAug 12, 2026
Malik Washington to be 1st on the depth chart
“leaving Malik Washington as the favorite to be the team's No. 1 wide receiver”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Travis Etienne to be 1st on the depth chart
“he will be New Orleans' lead running back after signing a massive contract in free agency”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsZachariah BranchAtlanta FalconsAug 12, 2026
Zachariah Branch to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Atlanta has no better option than the rookie as their No. 2 wide receiver”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJordan MasonMinnesota VikingsAug 12, 2026
Jordan Mason to be 1st on the depth chart
“I prefer Mason to Jones, even in PPR scoring leagues, because he should get more of the rushing workload and the goal-line touches.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy RankingsAug 12, 2026
“He is my TE1 for this season... The only tight end I would draft over Trey McBride is Brock Bowers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Drake Maye to finish top 1 at his position, by passing tds
“Maye is a dark horse candidate to lead the NFL in passing touchdowns this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Christian Watson leads the Green Bay wide receiver corps”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosAug 12, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“However, Jaylen Waddle is the new No. 1 wide receiver”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAaron JonesMinnesota VikingsAug 12, 2026
Aaron Jones to be 2nd on the depth chart
“I prefer Mason to Jones... because he should get more of the rushing workload and the goal-line touches.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Power RankingsAug 12, 2026
“I've put together fantasy football rankings for all 32 NFL teams, along with my thoughts on each squad for the 2026 season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJoe BurrowCincinnati BengalsAug 12, 2026
Joe Burrow to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year
“It's an even year, which means Joe Burrow is going to be a fantasy superstar and win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJeremiyah LoveArizona CardinalsAug 12, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to be 1st on the depth chart
“While Love should be the lead running back, the veterans will cut into his workload”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Bhayshul Tuten to be 1st on the depth chart
“opening the door for Bhayshul Tuten to take over as the starting running back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJalen NailorLas Vegas RaidersAug 12, 2026
Jalen Nailor to be 1st on the depth chart
“making him the favorite to be the team's No. 1 wide receiver”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRico DowdlePittsburgh SteelersAug 12, 2026
Rico Dowdle to be 1st on the depth chart
“I expect Dowdle to be the lead running back and play on early downs while Warren takes over Gainwell's role in passing situations.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsDe'Von AchaneMiami DolphinsAug 12, 2026
De'Von Achane to fall short of his draft cost (RB5 and first-round ADP)
“Yet, I am out on him at his RB5 and first-round ADP... I won't draft him in the first round and would like to avoid picking him altogether.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsXavier LegetteCarolina PanthersAug 12, 2026
Xavier Legette to be 3rd on the depth chart
“leaving Xavier Legette as the likely No. 3 wide receiver for Carolina”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy RankingsAug 12, 2026
“Jackson is the QB2 in my four points per passing touchdown scoring rankings behind Josh Allen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCarson BeckArizona CardinalsAug 12, 2026
Carson Beck to be 1st on the depth chart
“it's only a matter of time until Arizona gives Carson Beck the starting role”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to be 1st on the depth chart
“Reportedly, the Chiefs will make Kenneth Walker III their featured running back, including in the passing game.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy RankingsAug 12, 2026
“Bijan Robinson is the top overall player on my board”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesNico CollinsHouston TexansAug 12, 2026
Nico Collins to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points
“Collins is a top-10 wide receiver in my rankings.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 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.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long 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.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Green Bay PackersMiss · 10Simms picked the Packers to beat the Falcons in the Thursday night game by a low score, expecting a defensive struggle.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Rashod BatemanMiss · 0In his Week 2 waiver wire column, Fitzmaurice recommends a slate of pickups he expects to outperform their current rostership (Kaelon Black, Deebo Samuel, Tyler Shough, Geno Smith and others), lays out several depth-chart expectations (Black as the 49ers' No. 2 back, Shedeur Sanders eventually taking over in Cleveland, Penix returning for Atlanta), and flags Fool's Gold/drop candidates such as Mike Gesicki, Kendrick Bourne and Rashid Shaheed.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports preseason review grading all 32 teams, which along the way stakes out a number of depth-chart calls for Week 1 and beyond — including Deshaun Watson opening as Cleveland's starter, Fernando Mendoza taking over as Las Vegas' QB1 by season's end, and Minnesota's Murray-Wentz-McCarthy quarterback order.
- Ryan WilsonDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece states Deshaun Watson has won Cleveland's starting quarterback job for Week 1 with Shedeur Sanders next in line, while arguing Watson will not play like even an average NFL quarterback and that none of the Browns' current young passers should stop them from drafting a first-round quarterback next April.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano argues the Browns do not have a franchise quarterback and that it's unlikely Watson or Sanders is their long-term answer.