Evan TarraccianoAug 17, 2026
Tarracciano names five post-hype sleepers for 2026 fantasy drafts: Rome Odunze (worth their WR29 ECR as a WR3), Kyler Murray (worth the risk at QB17 as the Vikings' announced starter), Malik Willis (ideal backup at QB21 who could threaten QB1 status), Greg Dulcich (breakout as Miami's top tight end) and Jonathon Brooks (mid-round investment who takes over as Carolina's lead back).
Published in writing · FantasyProsRead the original
What Evan Tarracciano said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromGiven his current price point as the QB21, Willis is the ideal backup quarterback for managers to draft
- Where it was published
- FantasyPros
- The piece
- 5 Post-Hype Fantasy Football Sleepers (2026)
- The original
- Read the original
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- 1Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart“fully expecting that he usurps Chuba Hubbard as the lead back for Carolina in short order”
- 2Rome Odunze to outplay his draft cost (the WR29 in expert consensus rankings (ECR))“Currently ranked as the WR29 in expert consensus rankings (ECR), I see plenty of value at that spot and would be thrilled to have him on my team as a WR3.”
- 3Malik Willis to outplay his draft cost (the QB21)“Given his current price point as the QB21, Willis is the ideal backup quarterback for managers to draft”
- 4Rome Odunze to be 3rd on the depth chart“would be thrilled to have him on my team as a WR3”
- 5Kyler Murray to outplay his draft cost (his QB17 ranking)“I understand the justification for his QB17 ranking, but I’ll be quick to remind managers that “scared money don’t make no money.” He is worth the risk.”
- 6Greg Dulcich to be 1st on the depth chart“Dulcich currently tops the Dolphins’ depth chart at the position and should be peppered with targets”
- 7Malik Willis to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points“coupled with his rushing upside could have him threatening QB1 status quickly”
- 8Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (a mid-round investment)“I’ve written about him extensively this preseason as a mid-round investment I’m incredibly high on”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart1 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Rome Odunze to outplay his draft cost (the WR29 in expert consensus rankings (ECR))2 | Sleeper Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Malik Willis to outplay his draft cost (the QB21)3 | Sleeper Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Rome Odunze to be 3rd on the depth chart4 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Kyler Murray to outplay his draft cost (his QB17 ranking)5 | Sleeper Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Greg Dulcich to be 1st on the depth chart6 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Malik Willis to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points7 | Positional Finishes | — | — | — | — | |
| Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (a mid-round investment)8 | Sleeper Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 8 calls · 8 waiting | — | — | ||||
How each call scored
8 checkable claims — 4 sleeper calls, 3 depth chart calls and 1 positional finish — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 9 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 4 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 3.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Where this call stands in the room
Jonathon Brooks · 2026 season6 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 2. Evan Tarracciano 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.
1Depth Chart CallsJonathon BrooksCarolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
2Sleeper CallsRome OdunzeChicago Bears
Rome Odunze to outplay his draft cost (the WR29 in expert consensus rankings (ECR))
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
3Sleeper CallsMalik WillisMiami Dolphins
Malik Willis to outplay his draft cost (the QB21)
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
4Depth Chart CallsRome OdunzeChicago Bears
Rome Odunze to be 3rd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
5Sleeper CallsKyler MurrayMinnesota Vikings
Kyler Murray to outplay his draft cost (his QB17 ranking)
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
6Depth Chart CallsGreg DulcichMiami Dolphins
Greg Dulcich to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
7Positional FinishesMalik WillisMiami Dolphins
Malik Willis to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
8Sleeper CallsJonathon BrooksCarolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (a mid-round investment)
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Logan Lazarczyk · Trade and Signing Calls · Kirk Cousins · Hit 100
Ahead of the trade deadline, they float three Raiders moves: shipping Kirk Cousins to Minnesota if the Vikings offer a second-round pick, selling Maxx Crosby to Dallas for a first-rounder plus, and acquiring Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for a second- or third-round pick.Charean Williams · Roster Spot Calls · Odell Beckham Jr. · Miss 0
Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad.John Middlekauff · Draft Bust Calls · Caleb Williams · Miss 0
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.Justin Penik · Trade and Signing Calls · Aaron Jones · Hit 100
Pennock predicted Sam Darnold to Pittsburgh, Zach Baun re-signing in Philadelphia, Charvarius Ward and Jamien Sherwood to Washington, Cam Robinson to Chicago as left tackle, Cam Bynum to the Jets, Darius Slayton to the Chargers, Aaron Jones back to Minnesota and Aaron Rodgers to the Giants.
More sleeper calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Derek Brown · Sleeper Calls · Travis Hunter · Hit 100
Derek 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 their own rankings well ahead of ADP for several of them.Chris Welsh · Sleeper Calls · Tyler Warren · Hit 100
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.Pat Fitzmaurice · Sleeper Calls · Rashee Rice · Miss 0
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.Joe Pisapia · Sleeper Calls · RJ Harvey · Hit 100
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.