# Mike Fanelli: 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 their favorite late sleeper.

**Claimed:** Aug 31, 2026
**Pundit:** Mike Fanelli — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-fanelli
**Outlet:** FantasyPros — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/fantasypros
**How it reached us:** published in writing
**Original:** https://www.fantasypros.com/2026/08/10-must-have-running-backs-2026-fantasy-football/

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 call.

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.

> Coleman is my favorite sleeper running back candidate and someone I want to draft in every league.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **James Cook to outplay his draft cost (ADP 9.6 | RB 5)**
  - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: James Cook, Buffalo Bills
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **D'Andre Swift to be 1st on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Jadarian Price to outplay his draft cost (ADP 59.8 | RB 26)**
  - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Quinshon Judkins to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points**
  - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Jonah Coleman to outplay his draft cost (ADP 168.2 | RB 53)**
  - Kind: Sleeper Calls · About: Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Jadarian Price to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points**
  - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Chase Brown to finish top 7 at his position, by fantasy points**
  - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Rico Dowdle to be 1st on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- James Cook — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/james-cook
- Buffalo Bills — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bills
- D'Andre Swift — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/d-andre-swift
- Chicago Bears — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bears
- Jadarian Price — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jadarian-price
- Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/seahawks
- Quinshon Judkins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/quinshon-judkins
- Cleveland Browns — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/browns
- Jonah Coleman — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jonah-coleman
- Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos
- Chase Brown — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chase-brown
- Cincinnati Bengals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bengals
- Jonathon Brooks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jonathon-brooks
- Carolina Panthers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/panthers
- Rico Dowdle — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/rico-dowdle
- Pittsburgh Steelers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/steelers

## 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)
- 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)
- John Middlekauff on Caleb Williams: Middlekauff expects either Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson to win this year's MVP, calling them the two best players in the league. They are pessimistic on the Bears, forecasting six or seven wins and saying they'd bet Caleb Williams doesn't work out as a franchise quarterback. They also see Oklahoma's John Mattier as a first-round pick who'll be in the Heisman mix. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/deaaf3f6-e53e-4080-a0ca-d5f872b54c6a (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 depth chart calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Nic Bodiford on Joe Fagnano: Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a13b9f29-bb76-4c56-b226-aca74b21f5b7 (scored 100)
- Garrett Podell on Carson Beck: Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace them as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2f499498-ebbe-41f8-8ea3-41fe96f79432 (scored 0)
- Jacob Herlin on J.J. McCarthy: Herlin published Week 7 fantasy D/ST rankings with projections for 28 team defenses, led by Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland. They also expect Cleveland to post a fourth straight top-10 fantasy defense result, and predicts Jalon Daniels starts another week for Tampa Bay while J.J. McCarthy takes over as the Giants' starter. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cf4a2992-3760-464e-b540-6182ebc4457f (scored 100)
- Donnie Druin on Jacoby Brissett: Following the Cardinals' decision not to make staff or lineup changes, Druin states that Jacoby Brissett will remain Arizona's starting quarterback for another week, with rookie Carson Beck staying behind them. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cb29b9b6-2fbf-4df8-8438-ac3f0b9b9566 (scored 100)
- Jordan Dajani on Drew Kendall: Dajani expects Cam Jurgens to move back to center as the Ravens' starter after the trade, and projects a rebuilt Eagles offensive line for Week 5 with Jordan Mailata, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall, Tyler Steen and Markel Bell starting from left tackle to right tackle. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cad37b83-7924-4f90-9898-82a22fa12331 (scored 0)
- Donnie Druin on Jacoby Brissett: Druin writes that despite the 1-3 start and a three-interception game, Jacoby Brissett will stay Arizona's starting quarterback heading into the Week 5 game against Detroit, with Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck remaining behind them. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/680ba698-8a2c-4d83-9b6b-9b90e7643a8c (scored 100)

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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.

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