Evan Tarracciano· Sep 5, 2026
Tarracciano lists seven players he will not draft in 2026 fantasy leagues, arguing each will fail to return value at his current draft cost due to injury risk, competition for touches, or unsustainable prior production.
“I'll side with history on this one and fade McCaffrey at his current draft cost.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 3 fantasy bust calls and 2 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 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
Deshaun Watson · 2026 season47 calls from 33 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.
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Who this take is about
5 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.
Mike Evans to fall short of his draft cost (the WR28 in average draft position (ADP))
“All of these factors have me leery of Evans justifying his current price tag as the WR28 in average draft position (ADP).”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Deshaun Watson has been pegged as the starter for Cleveland, but who knows how long he'll be able to hold off Shedeur Sanders.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJacory Croskey-MerrittSep 5, 2026
Jacory Croskey-Merritt to fall short of his draft cost (currently being selected as an RB3 in most formats)
“Jacory Croskey-Merritt is currently being selected as an RB3 in most formats... My issue with Croskey-Merritt is his distinct lack of upside”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosSep 5, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“Waddle immediately slides in as the alpha receiver for the Broncos offense”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Harold Fannin Jr. to fall short of his draft cost (ranked as the TE6)
“Despite all of these shortcomings, Fannin is still ranked as the TE6, and I'm running to the hills at that price range.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Mike EvansMiss · 0Carney predicts Geno Smith signs with the Vikings and starts for them, that at least four of the fringe veteran quarterbacks (Tua, Kyler, Cousins, Fields, Geno) will be starters next season, and that Mike Evans stays with Tampa Bay. He also ranks his top fantasy wide receivers and comments on running back landing spots and trade values.
- Rich EisenTrade and Signing Calls · Myles GarrettHit · 100Discussing Myles Garrett's trade request, Eisen said he expects Garrett to get his way and be moved out of Cleveland rather than stay, which is why staying would be shocking.
- Pete PriscoScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson.
- AJ HawkGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Hawk said the Chiefs would beat the Jets, the Seahawks would beat the Cardinals, and the 49ers would beat the Raiders, even while taking the points with the underdogs in each case.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100Rogers picked straight-up winners in every Week 9 game, agreeing with Simms on all of them, and gave a 24-20 Bills score over the Vikings on Monday night.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 93Simms gave a predicted final score for every Week 9 game, picking the Bengals, Chiefs, Broncos, Lions, Giants, Rams, Cowboys, Saints, 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, Texans, Bears and Bills, and also said he wouldn't be shocked to see Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship Game.
More fantasy bust calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ryan WormeliFantasy Bust Calls · Zay FlowersMiss · 0Host Ryan Warmley endorsed Ricky Pearsall as a bet worth making and put his rookie-receiver capital in Tetairoa McMillan, while fading Zay Flowers at his cost and opting out of Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Derek BrownFantasy Bust Calls · Zay FlowersMiss · 0Derek 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.
- Chris WelshFantasy Bust Calls · Austin EkelerHit · 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 PisapiaFantasy Bust Calls · Rashee RiceMiss · 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 FitzmauriceFantasy Bust Calls · Breece HallMiss · 0Pat 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.
- Derek BrownFantasy Bust Calls · Chuba HubbardHit · 100Derek Brown ("Deebro") names three busts to avoid in 2025 fantasy drafts: Kyren Williams at an RB1 price, Chuba Hubbard as a top-20 RB, and Xavier Worthy as his ultimate bust, arguing Rashee Rice is the clear No. 1 receiver in Kansas City.