Pat Fitzmaurice· Sep 17, 2026
In 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.
“At the very least, Black is the most indispensable handcuff in fantasy football as the clear backup to McCaffrey.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 3 availability calls and 2 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 5 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Where this call stands in the room
Kaelon Black · 2026 season13 calls from 7 pundits between 2 and 2. Pat Fitzmaurice said 2. the room's median is 2. 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
The game in this take
- Vikings at Bears 20 calls
5 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 CallsAaron JonesMinnesota VikingsSep 17, 2026
Aaron Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jordan Mason went on injured reserve with a thumb injury this week, leaving Aaron Jones as the Vikings’ lead back in a Week 2 game against the Bears in Chicago.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+194 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- MIN
- week:
- 2
- skill:
- 194
- player:
- Aaron Jones
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he starts
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- position:
- RB
- reported:
- named the starter
- naive slot:
- 2
- settled by:
- a confirmed report from the crawl (reported outcomes)
- difficulty:
- 1.94
- the naive guess:
- he keeps the job he had last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- Depth Chart CallsKaelon BlackSan Francisco 49ersSep 17, 2026
Kaelon Black to be 2nd on the depth chart
“At the very least, Black is the most indispensable handcuff in fantasy football as the clear backup to McCaffrey”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“Michael Penix Jr.,Atlanta’s one true hope at quarterback, isn’t quite ready to come back from his third ACL tear.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsTua TagovailoaAtlanta FalconsSep 17, 2026
“The QB problems won’t be solved in Week 2. Tua Tagovailoa is unlikely to play due to an oblique injury”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“The Falcons’ fine young slot corner, Billy Bowman Jr., who tore his Achilles early last season, missed Week 1 but has been practicing this week and could return to help check Coker.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Minnesota VikingsHit · 90Simms 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.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Minnesota VikingsHit · 100Monson 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.
- Carter BahnsRoster Spot Calls · Jeshaun JonesMiss · 0A CBS Sports piece expects suspended Vikings receiver Jeshaun Jones to lose his roster battle and be cut by the Aug. 30 deadline, given Minnesota's established receiver group.
- Adam CarlsonTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
More availability calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ralph VentreAvailability Calls · Christian BenfordPendingVentre expects Christian Benford's toe injury to sideline him for at least the Week 4 game against New England, and believes the Bills will have to add a cornerback to the 53-man roster this week — likely by moving Benford to injured reserve — with practice squad rookie Kani Walker the most likely player elevated.
- Fox SportsAvailability Calls · Jayden DanielsPendingWith surgery ruled out, Washington's outlet speculates Jayden Daniels avoids injured reserve and, if he isn't back for the Week 4 game in London, returns either in Week 5 against the Giants or Week 6 against the 49ers.
- Ian RapoportAvailability Calls · J.J. McCarthyPendingOn the JJ McCarthy trade he expects Jameis Winston to keep starting for the Giants while McCarthy learns, with McCarthy ready to go around midseason weeks six through eight; he also expects Tyson Bagent to start for the Bears next week with Caleb Williams out.
- Jordan DajaniAvailability Calls · Baker MayfieldPendingDajani writes that, based on the injury timeline, Baker Mayfield should be available to return for Tampa Bay's Oct. 25 game against the Carolina Panthers.
- Evan TarraccianoAvailability Calls · Garrett WilsonPendingIn his Week 3 studs and duds recap, Tarracciano says Drake London becomes a mid-tier WR1 now that Michael Penix Jr. is back, maintains Chase Brown should still be ranked as an RB1 despite a slow start, and expects Garrett Wilson to be fine after a concussion evaluation and play in Week 4.
- Kelly KirbyAvailability Calls · Breece HallPendingKirby suggested Breece Hall's leg injury casts doubt on whether he will be available for the Jets in Week 4, making Braelon Allen a priority pickup.