Mike Fanelli· Aug 31, 2026
Fanelli names 10 must-have fantasy running backs for 2026 drafts, arguing James Cook should be the third back drafted, that Chase Brown repeats as a top-seven back, that Judkins and Jadarian Price can crack the top 12, and that Swift, Dowdle and Brooks hold or seize lead-back roles, with Jonah Coleman as his favorite late sleeper.
“Coleman is my favorite sleeper running back candidate and someone I want to draft in every league.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
9 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 3 positional finishes and 3 sleeper calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 6 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
Jonathon Brooks · 2026 season4 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 2. Mike Fanelli 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
9 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.
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
“Don't be surprised if Brooks takes the starting role from Chuba Hubbard sooner than later”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesChase BrownCincinnati BengalsAug 31, 2026
Chase Brown to finish top 7 at his position, by fantasy points
“fantasy players should expect another top-seven finish in 2026”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksAug 31, 2026
Jadarian Price to outplay his draft cost (ADP 59.8 | RB 26)
“Price has a chance to be a massive steal at his current ADP, especially given how he stood out during training camp.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quinshon Judkins to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Judkins could be a top-12 running back this season, especially after the Browns improved their offensive line.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jadarian Price to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Price could have a massive second-half breakout and push for a top-12 finish.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsD'Andre SwiftChicago BearsAug 31, 2026
D'Andre Swift to be 1st on the depth chart
“Some believe that Kyle Monangai will replace Swift as the Bears' starting running back this season. However, there is nothing to suggest that it will happen.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJames CookBuffalo BillsAug 31, 2026
James Cook to outplay his draft cost (ADP 9.6 | RB 5)
“I happily draft him as the third running back off the board, easily ahead of Christian McCaffrey.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRico DowdlePittsburgh SteelersAug 31, 2026
Rico Dowdle to be 1st on the depth chart
“While he will split the work with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, Dowdle should be the lead guy on the ground.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJonah ColemanDenver BroncosAug 31, 2026
Jonah Coleman to outplay his draft cost (ADP 168.2 | RB 53)
“Coleman is my favorite sleeper running back candidate and someone I want to draft in every league.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Denver BroncosHit · 98Simms 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 · Cincinnati BengalsMiss · 0Long 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 · Denver BroncosHit · 100Previewing 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 · Denver BroncosHit · 100Tice 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.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Monson 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.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- 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.
- Rich HribarDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter.
- Bradley LockerDepth Chart Calls · Carson WentzHit · 100PFF's unsigned adjusted power rankings after Week 1 of the 2026 season place the Bills first, the Rams second and the Dolphins last, with notes on quarterback situations in Seattle, Minnesota and Cleveland.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a Week 1 recap with no named byline, CBS Sports suggested Michael Penix Jr. would take over as Atlanta's Week 2 starter if healthy, called Ashton Jeanty's sophomore breakout imminent, and warned readers not to overlook San Francisco as NFC West winners.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Rashod BatemanMiss · 0In his Week 2 waiver wire column, Fitzmaurice recommends a slate of pickups he expects to outperform their current rostership (Kaelon Black, Deebo Samuel, Tyler Shough, Geno Smith and others), lays out several depth-chart expectations (Black as the 49ers' No. 2 back, Shedeur Sanders eventually taking over in Cleveland, Penix returning for Atlanta), and flags Fool's Gold/drop candidates such as Mike Gesicki, Kendrick Bourne and Rashid Shaheed.