Simon Hunter· Sep 1, 2026
The professional bettor co-host gave his own fantasy calls: high on JSN, Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, D.J. Moore, Luther Burden, Bo Nix, Chris Godwin, Dalton Kincaid and Dallas Goedert, while fading Bijan Robinson, Pickens, Rashee Rice, Skattebo, Mike Evans, Josh Jacobs and Michael Pittman.
“I just can't see a world where AJ doesn't finish top five, top six and wide receiver fantasy points.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
32 checkable claims — 14 sleeper calls, 10 fantasy bust calls, 4 depth chart calls, 2 player season numbers and 2 positional finishes — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 42 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 above the room on 1 and below it on 4.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Carnell Tate
- Tennessee Titans
- Nick Nash
- Dallas Cowboys
- Makai Lemon
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Dalton Kincaid
- Buffalo Bills
- Dallas Goedert
- DJ Moore
- De'Zhaun Stribling
- San Francisco 49ers
- Saquon Barkley
- Michael Pittman
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Chris Godwin Jr.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Josh Jacobs
- Green Bay Packers
- Tae Johnson
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Luther Burden III
- Chicago Bears
- A.J. Brown
- New England Patriots
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- Seattle Seahawks
- Jalen Hurts
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Washington Commanders
- DK Metcalf
- Cam Skattebo
- Rashee Rice
- D'Andre Swift
- Bo Nix
- Denver Broncos
- David Montgomery
- Houston Texans
- Ray Rice
- Mike Evans
- Bijan Robinson
- Atlanta Falcons
32 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.
Carnell Tate to fall short of his draft cost (round seven)
“A guy I'm avoiding just because of what this price is, Tate. Who is taking Tate for Tennessee?... There's no world I see an upside of Tate being worth his draft value here.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsNick NashDallas CowboysSep 1, 2026
Nick Nash to fall short of his draft cost (the second round)
“Guy I'm avoiding, I can't take pickings in the second round... Pickens ain't returning a second round value to you.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Makai Lemon to fall short of his draft cost (round nine)
“People have been drafting the Eagles receiver Lemon in this round, Chad... So I am out on lemon. I'd much rather have Wicks at cost.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDalton KincaidBuffalo BillsSep 1, 2026
Dalton Kincaid to outplay his draft cost (round nine)
“I think Kincaid's a nice pick here... Kincaid this late to be your tight end one. The upside is there.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dallas Goedert to outplay his draft cost (round 10)
“people are sleeping on Dallas Goddard... it's just where I think the value is in this draft is Kincaid and then Goddard the round after.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsSep 1, 2026
DJ Moore to outplay his draft cost (the fourth, fifth round)
“All in on DJ Moore... Now he's kind of moved up, Chad, to the fourth, fifth round.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
De'Zhaun Stribling to outplay his draft cost (Eighth, ninth round)
“People are loving this kid for the 49ers, which I am all in on him as well.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Saquon Barkley to outplay his draft cost (a back-end first-round pick)
“My guy is Barkley. I just think in this new offense, he's a first-round pick to me... I think Saquon, he's like a back-end first-round pick. That's great value”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Michael Pittman to fall short of his draft cost (round 10)
“for me, I'm passing on Pittman. He's the second receiver now in the Pittsburgh.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Godwin Jr. to outplay his draft cost (round eight)
“And a guy I love upside, Chris Godwin. No one's talking about him... So in this range, I love that value.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josh Jacobs to fall short of his draft cost (the 10th round)
“It's just Jacobs for me. He's undraftable. It doesn't even matter if it's the 10th round in my opinion.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsTae JohnsonKansas City ChiefsSep 1, 2026
Tae Johnson to outplay his draft cost (End of year draft)
“Johnson's a sneaky play. End of year draft. Just grab this kid.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsLuther Burden IIIChicago BearsSep 1, 2026
Luther Burden III to outplay his draft cost (rounds four and five)
“Give me my guy, Luther Burden. This is exactly where you want to take him. You're not paying a premium anymore because of the injury.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
A.J. Brown to finish top 6 at his position, by fantasy points
“if he stays healthy, if that knee holds up, I just can't see a world where AJ doesn't finish top five, top six and wide receiver fantasy points.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Michael Pittman to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He's the second receiver now in the Pittsburgh.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba to record 100 receptions
“So just give me a guy that's going to give her 100 receptions.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJalen HurtsPhiladelphia EaglesSep 1, 2026
Jalen Hurts to outplay his draft cost (a seventh, eighth-round pick)
“Gian Hurts right now, Chad, is like a seventh, eighth-round pick... He's another guy that's a good value.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt to fall short of his draft cost (round eight)
“I'm avoiding Merritt. I just think the Washington backfield, to me, White makes more sense... I think Merritt's a bad pick here.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DK Metcalf to be 1st on the depth chart
“there's a lot of other guys to feed where DK, he's going to be the number one.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Godwin Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“And that offense, with that offensive line, I think he could be the number one receiver.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsCam SkatteboSep 1, 2026
Cam Skattebo to fall short of his draft cost (the fourth, fifth round)
“A guy I'm down on, it's got to be Skadabo... But taking him to the fourth, fifth round, that feels a little too rich for Skadaboo.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rashee Rice to fall short of his draft cost (third round)
“fade rice. I'm locked up with Derek here.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsD'Andre SwiftChicago BearsSep 1, 2026
D'Andre Swift to outplay his draft cost (the fourth round)
“He's, he's finally moved up to the fourth round... I think he has top, top three round value Swift on the bears.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDK MetcalfPittsburgh SteelersSep 1, 2026
DK Metcalf to outplay his draft cost (round seven)
“For me, a player I love, I know it's not sexy... it's DK Metcalf. It's another year with him and Rodgers”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsBo NixDenver BroncosSep 1, 2026
Bo Nix to outplay his draft cost (one of the last quarterbacks to go)
“Bo Nix, to me, is the best value... So great value on Bo Nix this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
David Montgomery to record 10 rushing tds
“if he's healthy this full year, I mean, the way their defense gets turnovers, Montgomery being fed in the red zone, minimum 10 touchdowns, honestly.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tae Johnson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“there's this kid, Johnson, who's their number two running back... He's the number two running back. Guaranteed.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsRay RiceSeattle SeahawksSep 1, 2026
Ray Rice to outplay his draft cost (round six)
“I'm just really high right now on just what this guy's potential could be, and I kind of gave it away, and that's Price. If you can get him still here in your home league, I think he's an outstanding option as your number two running back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsMike EvansSep 1, 2026
Mike Evans to fall short of his draft cost (round six)
“The guy I'm avoiding like a plague, Mike Evans... So Mike Evans, I just, there's other guys that are rather taking this range than him.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jalen Hurts to finish top 5 at his position, by passing yards
“Me saying he's a top five quarterback, it's like people are– they kill me.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
Bijan Robinson to fall short of his draft cost (the second pick over all)
“I have not drafted in a single league, Robinson. I just, I don't want Atlanta's running back... And he is the second pick over all.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba to outplay his draft cost (the first round)
“I am all in on JSN. I just think it's a safe pick”
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 · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Rogers 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 · 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 · Houston TexansMiss · 0Previewing 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 sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Derek BrownSleeper Calls · Travis HunterHit · 100Derek Brown ("Debro") laid out a slate of wide receiver breakouts — Ricky Pearsall, Jalen Coker, Egbuka, Jalen Waddle, Joshua Palmer, George Pickens, DeVonta Smith and Travis Hunter — while fading Xavier Worthy, Tyreek Hill and the cheap Cleveland/late-round types, and gave his own rankings well ahead of ADP for several of them.
- Tom StrachanSleeper Calls · Jalen CokerHit · 100Tom 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.
- Chris WelshSleeper Calls · Tyler WarrenHit · 100Welsh 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.
- Joe PisapiaSleeper Calls · Tyreek HillMiss · 0Joey P (Joe Pisapia) played draft-or-pass on 2025 fantasy values: he 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.
- Pat FitzmauriceSleeper Calls · Tetairoa McMillanHit · 100Pat Fitzmaurice gave draft-or-pass calls: reluctant drafts on Christian McCaffrey, RJ Harvey, Tetairoa McMillan (his WR16), Rashee Rice at a ninth-round price, Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, Chris Olave, Drake Maye (his QB8) and Tyler Warren, with passes on Breece Hall, Joe Mixon, Croskey-Merritt, Tyreek Hill, Travis Hunter, the Rams receivers and Justin Fields.
- Ryan WormeliSleeper Calls · Tetairoa McMillanHit · 100Hosting the segment, Warmley backed Bryce Young to finish better than his QB22 consensus ranking, endorsed Cedric Tillman as a late-round target, and said Tetairoa McMillan will be a top-15 fantasy receiver this season.