Andrew Erickson· Sep 16, 2026
In his Week 2 'Beyond the Waiver Wire' column, Erickson makes a long series of buy/sell/add calls on individual players (sleepers vs. busts), plus a few specific role, availability and outlook predictions — notably that Jahmyr Gibbs scores again Thursday night, that Drew Lock remains Seattle's starter, and that Kenneth Walker III leads the NFL in rushing yards.
“Nobody should be panicked about the No. 3 consensus pick in 2026 fantasy football drafts.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
31 checkable claims — 23 depth chart calls, 3 positional finishes, 2 availability calls, 2 fantasy defense calls and 1 roster spot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 47 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 25 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Drew Lock · 2026 season13 calls from 12 pundits between 1 and 2. Andrew Erickson said 1. 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.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- New York Giants
- Kyren Williams
- Los Angeles Rams
- Malik Nabers
- Devaughn Vele
- New Orleans Saints
- Jameson Williams
- Detroit Lions
- Matthew Golden
- Green Bay Packers
- Bucky Irving
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Kenny Gainwell
- Zay Flowers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Jake Ferguson
- Dallas Cowboys
- Pat Freiermuth
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Bryce Lance
- Elic Ayomanor
- Tennessee Titans
- Nico Collins
- Houston Texans
- Elijah Sarratt
- Keaton Mitchell
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Brian Thomas Jr.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Drew Lock
- Seattle Seahawks
- Cooper Kupp
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Washington Commanders
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Michael Penix Jr.
- Atlanta Falcons
- Drake London
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Garrett Wilson
- New York Jets
- Terry McLaurin
- Colby Parkinson
- Kenneth Walker III
- Emmett Johnson
31 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 CallsTyrone Tracy Jr.New York GiantsSep 16, 2026
Tyrone Tracy Jr. to be 4th on the depth chart
“Tyrone Tracy Jr. was a distant No. 3 RB but fumbled. I imagine he continues to fall on the depth chart behind Najee Harris.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsKyren WilliamsLos Angeles RamsSep 16, 2026
Kyren Williams to be 1st on the depth chart
“A 63.2% snap share (vs. Corum's 22.8%) plus this usage make him the highest-priority/ranked Rams back going forward.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesMalik NabersNew York GiantsSep 16, 2026
Malik Nabers to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“He's a locked-and-loaded fantasy WR1 for the rest of the season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDevaughn VeleNew Orleans SaintsSep 16, 2026
Devaughn Vele to be 2nd on the depth chart
“it was clear from the get-go that he was the No. 2 pass-game option behind Olave in Week 1”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJameson WilliamsDetroit LionsSep 16, 2026
Jameson Williams to be 2nd on the depth chart
“behind only St. Brown — real No. 2 WR volume worth tracking”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMatthew GoldenGreen Bay PackersSep 16, 2026
Matthew Golden to be 1st on the depth chart
“He had the clear true No. 1 WR role”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Bucky Irving to be 1st on the depth chart
“Irving is the every-down back; Gainwell the change-of-pace/passing-down piece”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenny Gainwell to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Gainwell was in the backup role at a 46.2% snap share ... treat him as a change-of-pace back, not a standalone streamer”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Availability CallsZay FlowersBaltimore RavensSep 16, 2026
“Adam Schefter reported it's probably unrealistic to expect him in Week 2.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJake FergusonDallas CowboysSep 16, 2026
Jake Ferguson to be 1st on the depth chart
“He is Dallas' clear No. 1 TE”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Pat Freiermuth to be 1st on the depth chart
“Freiermuth also played clearly ahead of Darnell Washington, more than doubling his routes (31 versus 15).”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsBryce LanceNew Orleans SaintsSep 16, 2026
Bryce Lance to be 3rd on the depth chart
“he was clearly the No. 3WR on the offense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsElic AyomanorTennessee TitansSep 16, 2026
Elic Ayomanor to be 1st on the depth chart
“Given that Calvin Ridley posted zero targets on a 65.7% routes-run rate, it might be a matter of time until he gets benched in favor of Ayomanor.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsNico CollinsHouston TexansSep 16, 2026
Nico Collins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nico Collins is Houston's unquestioned No. 1 WR”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsElijah SarrattBaltimore RavensSep 16, 2026
Elijah Sarratt to make the roster
“I'd expect fourth-round rookie wide receiver Elijah Sarratt to be active next week.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Keaton Mitchell to be 2nd on the depth chart
“clearly the Chargers' clear-cut No. 2 RB/change-of-pace role behind Hampton's 32 snaps”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
“He left with an injury but is expected to play in Week 2.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDrew LockSeattle SeahawksSep 16, 2026
Drew Lock to be 1st on the depth chart
“Lock is the Week 2-and-beyond starter (pending another injury or a colossal implosion).”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCooper KuppSeattle SeahawksSep 16, 2026
Cooper Kupp to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Kupp operated as the No. 2 WR, ahead of Rashid Shaheed”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt to be 1st on the depth chart
“Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the clear early-down/goal-line back (49% snap share, 16 carries...)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Defense CallsSan Francisco 49ersSep 16, 2026
San Francisco 49ers defense to finish ? among fantasy defenses
“The 49ers' schedule is very good; the next two weeks are against Miami and Arizona. Make sure to add their D/ST this week off waivers.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
- Fantasy Defense CallsKansas City ChiefsSep 16, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs defense to finish ? among fantasy defenses
“Schedule is great for the Chiefs DST over the next three weeks. Add them.”
Too vague to check — we could not tell what would count as right.
Michael Penix Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“points to a protection or play-design problem that should temper passing-game expectations for every Falcons pass-catcher until it's fixed — in the form of Michael Penix Jr. under center.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDrake LondonAtlanta FalconsSep 16, 2026
Drake London to be 1st on the depth chart
“Drake London is and remains the unquestioned No. 1 WR by role”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsAmon-Ra St. BrownDetroit LionsSep 16, 2026
Amon-Ra St. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“Amon-Ra St. Brown remains Detroit's clear-cut No. 1 WR.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsGarrett WilsonNew York JetsSep 16, 2026
Garrett Wilson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Meanwhile, Wilson was the clear-cut alpha receiver for the Jets.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Terry McLaurin to be 1st on the depth chart
“Diggs led in official volume, but McLaurin remained the clear No. 1 WR by role”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsColby ParkinsonLos Angeles RamsSep 16, 2026
Colby Parkinson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Parkinson played the larger role (75.4% snap share, 60.7% route participation).”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to finish top 1 at his position, by rushing yards
“I am feeling great about my Walker 30-1 ticket to lead the NFL in rushing yards.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenneth Walker III to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“points to top-five fantasy running back upside as long as this role holds”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Emmett Johnson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He's a clear-cut No. 2 RB and handcuff to Walker”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Ross JacksonScore Predictions · New Orleans SaintsMiss · 38Ross Jackson picked the Saints to beat the Raiders at home, projecting a 27-24 final score with the Raiders scoring 24 points.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Rogers made his own Week 2 calls, taking the Packers, Eagles (by at least 10), Panthers (by at least a field goal), Cowboys (by at least six), Chargers, Chiefs and Rams to win. He also noted Baltimore was his Super Bowl pick and said it wouldn't shock him if Jacksonville hosted the AFC Championship Game.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsClose · 57Simms went through every Week 2 game with predicted final scores, picking the Texans, Bears, Steelers (as an upset), Packers, Ravens, Eagles, Buccaneers, Panthers, Jaguars, Seahawks, Cowboys, 49ers, Chargers, Chiefs and Rams to win. He also reiterated that Denver was his preseason Super Bowl pick while predicting the Broncos would fall to 0-2.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Previewing Week 2, Long called New England a spot to bounce back against Pittsburgh, projected a 27-14 Patriots win, saw Eagles-Titans as a 23-10 grinder, liked the Rams' spot Monday night against the Giants, and wrote down a Bills 31, Lions 23 final for the Thursday nighter.
- Phil SimmsGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsMiss · 0Phil Simms said the Giants can hang with and beat the Rams in their Monday night matchup, citing the Rams' sluggish showing in Australia and the Giants' offensive versatility.
- Steve KubitzaTrade and Signing Calls · Za'Darius SmithHit · 100Kubitza suggests that Kevin Stefanski's Falcons may lure veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith away from Cleveland, signing him in Atlanta instead of the Browns.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100Podell ranks all 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Josh Allen first, Patrick Mahomes second and Case Keenum last. He also expects Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. to return to action in Week 3 and Case Keenum to possibly start for the Bears.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100A roundup of NFC injury news expects Jameis Winston to start for the Giants in any games Jaxson Dart misses, and suggests third-stringer Case Keenum could end up starting for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3 with both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent sidelined.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100With Caleb Williams injured and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, third-string quarterback Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In 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.
- 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.