# Mike Fanelli: 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. **Claimed:** Aug 12, 2026 **Pundit:** Mike Fanelli — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-fanelli **Outlet:** FantasyPros — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/fantasypros **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://www.fantasypros.com/2026/08/fantasy-football-power-rankings-2026/ 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 call. 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. > Maye is a dark horse candidate to lead the NFL in passing touchdowns this season. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Kyler Murray to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Jalen Nailor to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jalen Nailor, Las Vegas Raiders - Verdict: not settled yet - **Troy Franklin to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Rico Dowdle to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Carson Beck to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Christian Watson to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers - Verdict: not settled yet - “I've put together fantasy football rankings for all 32 NFL teams, along with my thoughts on each squad for the 2026 season.” - Kind: Power Rankings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Bhayshul Tuten to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars - Verdict: not settled yet - **Nico Collins to finish top 10 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Nico Collins, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **DeVonta Smith to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles - Verdict: not settled yet - **Malik Washington to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **Xavier Legette to be 3rd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jordan Mason to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings - Verdict: not settled yet - “He is my TE1 for this season... The only tight end I would draft over Trey McBride is Brock Bowers” - Kind: Fantasy Rankings - Verdict: not settled yet - “Jackson is the QB2 in my four points per passing touchdown scoring rankings behind Josh Allen.” - Kind: Fantasy Rankings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Travis Hunter to outplay his draft cost (WR70 ADP)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jaylen Warren to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Zachariah Branch to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Zachariah Branch, Atlanta Falcons - Verdict: not settled yet - **Joe Burrow to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year** - Kind: Award Picks · About: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Chris Godwin Jr. to outplay his draft cost (WR42)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Chris Godwin Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Drake Maye to finish top 1 at his position, by passing tds** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Drake Maye, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Emeka Egbuka to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Travis Etienne to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Travis Etienne, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kenneth Walker III to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Isaiah Davis to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Isaiah Davis, New York Jets - Verdict: not settled yet - “Bijan Robinson is the top overall player on my board” - Kind: Fantasy Rankings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Aaron Jones to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jeremiyah Love to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: not settled yet - **De'Von Achane to fall short of his draft cost (RB5 and first-round ADP)** - Kind: Fantasy Bust Calls · About: De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tony Pollard to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Kirk Cousins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kirk-cousins - Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/raiders - Kyler Murray — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kyler-murray - Minnesota Vikings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/vikings - Tua Tagovailoa — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tua-tagovailoa - Atlanta Falcons — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/falcons - Jalen Nailor — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jalen-nailor - Troy Franklin — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/troy-franklin - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Rico Dowdle — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/rico-dowdle - Pittsburgh Steelers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/steelers - Carson Beck — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/carson-beck - Arizona Cardinals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cardinals - Christian Watson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/christian-watson - Green Bay Packers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/packers - Bhayshul Tuten — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/bhayshul-tuten - Jacksonville Jaguars — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jaguars - Nico Collins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/nico-collins - Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/texans - DeVonta Smith — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/devonta-smith - Philadelphia Eagles — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/eagles - Malik Washington — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/malik-washington - Miami Dolphins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/dolphins - Xavier Legette — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/xavier-legette - Carolina Panthers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/panthers - Jordan Mason — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jordan-mason - Travis Hunter — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/travis-hunter - Jaylen Warren — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jaylen-warren - Zachariah Branch — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/zachariah-branch - Joe Burrow — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-burrow - Cincinnati Bengals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bengals - Chris Godwin Jr. — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chris-godwin-jr - Tampa Bay Buccaneers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/buccaneers - Drake Maye — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/drake-maye - New England Patriots — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/patriots - Emeka Egbuka — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/emeka-egbuka - Travis Etienne — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/travis-etienne - New Orleans Saints — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/saints - Kenneth Walker III — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kenneth-walker-iii - Kansas City Chiefs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chiefs - Jaylen Waddle — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jaylen-waddle - Isaiah Davis — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/isaiah-davis - New York Jets — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jets - Aaron Jones — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/aaron-jones - Jeremiyah Love — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jeremiyah-love - De'Von Achane — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/de-von-achane - Tony Pollard — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tony-pollard - Tennessee Titans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/titans ## What others said about the same people - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0) - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0) - Chris Clark on Nikko Remigio: Clark expects the Chiefs to bring back exclusive-rights receiver Nico (Remigio) and long snapper James Winchester, to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster as a cheap veteran fifth receiver, and not to bring back Hollywood Brown, Josh Dobbs-type depth, Gardner Minshew, Janarius Robinson or Mike Caliendo; they also say the Chiefs will not use a franchise tag and believes Bryan Cook won't return. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/99521265-d5c0-4db1-b2a0-fe77908ea0b3 (scored 0) - Jason Harmon on Max Brosmer: Harmon expects the Vikings' quarterback room to stay intact while Kyler Murray is hurt, and predicts Max Brosmer will be released and re-signed to the practice squad since Minnesota won't carry four QBs. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa393501-3f38-481e-8e75-48125587e911 (scored 0) - Logan Lazarczyk on Kirk Cousins: Ahead of the trade deadline, they float three Raiders moves: shipping Kirk Cousins to Minnesota if the Vikings offer a second-round pick, selling Maxx Crosby to Dallas for a first-rounder plus, and acquiring Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for a second- or third-round pick. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d0fd408a-7dcd-4e50-ac62-6b4510a8a800 (scored 100) - Logan Lazarczyk on Kirk Cousins: Lazarczyk expects the Raiders to be sellers before the trade deadline, suggesting Kirk Cousins could be dealt back to the Vikings and that benched interior lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson is a prime candidate to be traded somewhere. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fda03952-2ea6-4919-8114-0ebb127478d1 (scored 100) ## More depth chart calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Jeremy Brener on Drew Lock: Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7eb2d245-63d0-4be0-80ba-3f60197e2b16 (scored 100) - Jeremy Brener on Jalen Milroe: Brener suggests Seattle may turn to rookie-contract quarterback Jalen Milroe for their first career start in Week 9 against the Cardinals, with Sam Darnold ruled out and Drew Lock dealing with an elbow injury. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/42d1bd81-5e19-456e-9f68-b3b135170ec0 (scored 0) - Michael Moore on Shedeur Sanders: In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. They also expect Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e26319a3-10aa-49a6-a24d-a257521363f0 (scored 100) - Zachary Pereles on Shedeur Sanders: Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6dad75dd-1818-4a6a-91ea-832f491c2530 (scored 100) - Nic Bodiford on Joe Fagnano: Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a13b9f29-bb76-4c56-b226-aca74b21f5b7 (scored 100) - Jacob Herlin on J.J. McCarthy: Herlin published Week 7 fantasy D/ST rankings with projections for 28 team defenses, led by Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland. They also expect Cleveland to post a fourth straight top-10 fantasy defense result, and predicts Jalon Daniels starts another week for Tampa Bay while J.J. McCarthy takes over as the Giants' starter. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cf4a2992-3760-464e-b540-6182ebc4457f (scored 100) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=mike-fanelli