# Derek Brown: Derek Brown built a round-by-round fantasy draft blueprint, headlined by James Cook as the best value at the back of round one and a top-three running back finish, AJ Brown as a top-five receiver in New England, Colston Loveland as a league-defining tight end, and a series of mid-to-late round values (Waddle, Montgomery, Tuten, Pollard, Washington, Johnston, Likely, Willis, Ward, Diggs, Brooks). **Claimed:** Jul 20, 2026 **Pundit:** Derek Brown — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/derek-brown **Outlet:** FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/fantasypros-fantasy-football-podcast-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air or in an interview **Original:** https://omny.fm/shows/fantasypros-fantasy-football-podcast/the-perfect-fantasy-football-draft-strategy-for-2026-the-top-value-picks-in-every-round-ep-2092 26 checkable claims — 14 sleeper calls, 7 positional finishes and 5 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call. It names 21 players and teams, each linked to their own record. None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in. Of the 11 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 3 and below it on 8. > I think James Cook is the best value on the board. Looking at eleventh overall. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Tony Pollard to outplay his draft cost (seventh round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Isaiah Likely to outplay his draft cost (tenth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Isaiah Likely - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tony Pollard to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Quentin Johnston to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Parker Washington to outplay his draft cost (eighth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Parker Washington - Verdict: not settled yet - **Cam Ward to outplay his draft cost (thirteenth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Cam Ward - Verdict: not settled yet - **Bhayshul Tuten to finish top 22 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Bhayshul Tuten - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (eleventh round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Jonathon Brooks - Verdict: not settled yet - **David Montgomery to finish top 20 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: David Montgomery, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Quentin Johnston to outplay his draft cost (ninth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Stefon Diggs to outplay his draft cost (Round fourteen)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Stefon Diggs - Verdict: not settled yet - **A.J. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: A.J. Brown, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Malik Willis to outplay his draft cost (round twelve)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **James Cook to outplay his draft cost (eleventh overall)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: James Cook, Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **A.J. Brown to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: A.J. Brown, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **James Cook to finish top 3 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: James Cook, Buffalo Bills - 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 - **Bhayshul Tuten to outplay his draft cost (sixth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Bhayshul Tuten - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (fourth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **A.J. Brown to outplay his draft cost (second round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: A.J. Brown, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Isaiah Likely to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Isaiah Likely - Verdict: not settled yet - **David Montgomery to outplay his draft cost (fifth round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: David Montgomery, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Isaiah Likely to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Isaiah Likely - Verdict: not settled yet - **Colston Loveland to outplay his draft cost (third round)** - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Colston Loveland - 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 - **Jaylen Waddle to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Tony Pollard — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tony-pollard - Tennessee Titans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/titans - Isaiah Likely — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/isaiah-likely - Quentin Johnston — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/quentin-johnston - Los Angeles Chargers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chargers - Parker Washington — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/parker-washington - Cam Ward — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cam-ward - Bhayshul Tuten — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/bhayshul-tuten - Jonathon Brooks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jonathon-brooks - David Montgomery — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/david-montgomery - Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/texans - Stefon Diggs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/stefon-diggs - A.J. Brown — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/a-j-brown - New England Patriots — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/patriots - Malik Willis — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/malik-willis - Miami Dolphins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/dolphins - James Cook — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/james-cook - Buffalo Bills — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bills - Jaylen Waddle — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jaylen-waddle - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Colston Loveland — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/colston-loveland ## 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) - Nate Gosney on Daiyan Henley: After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/60272861-4ad0-4749-b36a-dcdf09b9213f (scored 0) - Chad Jensen on Jordan Turner: Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a84d2c6e-5554-46aa-95b1-620858d31e0f (scored 0) - Pete Prisco on Buffalo Bills: Prisco picked the Bills to win 21-14 at Minnesota. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/baf85732-a389-4d56-8efe-5ce1e77fb8ae (scored 76.19) - John Breech on Buffalo Bills: Breech picked the Bills to beat the Vikings on Monday night by a score of 24-17. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4d22cd22-c9e2-4e03-ac32-129a116a34d0 (scored 76.19) ## More sleeper calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Tom Strachan on Ricky Pearsall: Tom Strachan backed Xavier Worthy, Jalen Coker, Egbuka, Jalen Waddle, Darnell Mooney, Zay Flowers, George Pickens, DeVonta Smith and Travis Hunter as values at their draft costs, while avoiding Jerry Jeudy and the Cleveland receivers. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c42eacc5-eb10-4103-a94d-50545a487cbb (scored 100) - Ryan Wormeli on Ricky Pearsall: Host Ryan Warmley endorsed Ricky Pearsall as a bet worth making and put their rookie-receiver capital in Tetairoa McMillan, while fading Zay Flowers at their cost and opting out of Marvin Harrison Jr. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/192d6e67-2e0e-49b3-bc82-4c8a77bd5950 (scored 100) - Chris Welsh on Tyler Warren: Welsh drafted Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, RJ Harvey, Tetairoa McMillan, Travis Hunter, the Rams and Saints receivers, Justin Fields (a top-10 QB), Drake Maye (QB10-14), Travis Kelce and Tyler Warren, while passing on Joe Mixon, the Commanders backfield, Tyreek Hill, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9f0f2132-f3b8-4813-b2b1-374b827d86a8 (scored 100) - Pat Fitzmaurice on Rashee Rice: Pat Fitzmaurice gave draft-or-pass calls: reluctant drafts on Christian McCaffrey, RJ Harvey, Tetairoa McMillan (their WR16), Rashee Rice at a ninth-round price, Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, Chris Olave, Drake Maye (their QB8) and Tyler Warren, with passes on Breece Hall, Joe Mixon, Croskey-Merritt, Tyreek Hill, Travis Hunter, the Rams receivers and Justin Fields. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e36f1287-466c-4889-a7ea-c9d86f4b5182 (scored 0) - Joe Pisapia on Tyler Warren: Joey P (Joe Pisapia) played draft-or-pass on 2025 fantasy values: they passed on Christian McCaffrey at pick 7, Breece Hall, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Travis Hunter and Chris Olave, while drafting RJ Harvey, Tyreek Hill, Tetairoa McMillan, Puka Nacua, Tyler Warren and a late-round Joe Mixon. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c3c95c1c-64a4-42b6-9389-58d5fb5b27d1 (scored 100) - Ryan Wormeli on Tetairoa McMillan: Hosting the segment, Warmley backed Bryce Young to finish better than their QB22 consensus ranking, endorsed Cedric Tillman as a late-round target, and said Tetairoa McMillan will be a top-15 fantasy receiver this season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2c695b79-bc5e-4d3f-8136-6705656267a2 (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=derek-brown