Derek Brown#12 of 87 NFL pundits · Sep 1, 2026
The Fantasy Pros analyst laid out their biggest fantasy offseason moves and then a round-by-round list of players they're high and low on, headlined by breakout calls on Parker Washington, Jordan Mason, DJ Moore, Jaylen Waddle, A.J. Brown and Marshawn Lloyd, plus fades on Justin Jefferson, Rashee Rice and Josh Jacobs.
Said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast)Hear the original
What Derek Brown said
A.J. Brown is going to end up with the best statistical season that he's ever had in his career.
- Where it was said
- The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast)
- The episode
- Sharp or Square - NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Player Rankings & Offseason Updates
- The original
- Hear the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positional Finishes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Award Picks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Depth Chart Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |
| Fantasy Bust Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | |
| Sleeper Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
| Season Win Totals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| All | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
How each call scored
33 checkable claims — 14 fantasy bust calls, 8 sleeper calls, 7 depth chart calls, 2 positional finishes, 1 award pick and 1 season win total — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 39 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 10 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 9.
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
Houston Texans · 2026 season · wins5 calls from 4 pundits between 4 wins and 11 wins. Derek Brown said 10 wins. the room's median is 11 wins. 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
positional finishTheir call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Positional Finishes2 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
James Cook to finish top 3 at his position, by fantasy points
“James Cook, I'm all in. I think we see he sets a career high in receptions, the top three running back season.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
A.J. Brown to finish top 5 at his position, by fantasy points
“I literally have AJ Brown as wide receiver five, right above CD land. The only wide receivers I have above him right now is Puka Nakua, Jamar Chase, Amon Ross, Sam Brown, and Jason.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Award Picks1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Bo Nix to win MVP
“I think that Bo Nix is going to We're going to see the best year of his career. Bet the long shot odds for him at MVP”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Depth Chart Calls7 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think he's going to take the job away from Chuba Hubbard.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DJ Moore to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think him going there and them having a true wide receiver one this year is going to be fantastic for this offense.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quentin Johnston to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think he's the real wide receiver one from Los Angeles chargers.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“I believe in the upside being Green Bay's true wide receiver one this year”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
David Montgomery to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think they're going to roll him right into the Joe Mixon role. Just absolutely ride him this year... I don't have any questions about who's getting the red zone work in Houston. I think it's 10 toes down, David Montgomery.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“Bo Nix out now has a true wide receiver one to throw to Cortland Sutton goes down the pecking order.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dontayvion Wicks to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Dontavion Wicks is the clear wide receiver two for Philly.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Fantasy Bust Calls14 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Mark Andrews to fall short of his draft cost (round 10)
“I mean, I could easily shout out Mark Andrews. I think that he's cooked at this point in his career.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Makai Lemon to fall short of his draft cost (round nine)
“I'm out on Lemon at cost... he is going to force Makai Lemon into a very Luther Burden-esque rookie season where he has trouble getting on the field”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Alec Pierce to fall short of his draft cost (round eight)
“There's a crap ton of guys that I'm avoiding in this round. I could shout out Alec Pierce.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tetairoa McMillan to fall short of his draft cost (a top 20 wide receiver price tag)
“And I cannot pay this price tag for Tedderow and McMillan where he is going... So Ted Romig Millen, a top 20 wide receiver price tag. No, thank you”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chuba Hubbard to fall short of his draft cost (round eight)
“I could shout out Chuba Hubbard. No, thank you.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brian Thomas Jr. to fall short of his draft cost (round seven)
“And Brian Thomas Jr., we walked the schedule earlier. Hell no. I am not attracting him anywhere.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josh Downs to fall short of his draft cost (round nine)
“I am not drafting Josh Downs. I don't think they can win on the outside. I think Keenan Allen is going to capsize his target volume”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josh Jacobs to fall short of his draft cost (round eight)
“Josh Jacobs, the aforementioned I'll go with Jacobs here. I just want people to know that he is firmly off my draft board.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Josh Allen to fall short of his draft cost (a second-round price tag)
“I'm not going to pay a second-round price tag for Josh Allen at quarterback.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trayvon Henderson to fall short of his draft cost (round six)
“I'm avoiding Travion Henderson. I don't understand his price tag going above Ramondre Stevenson.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Aaron Jones to fall short of his draft cost (round 10)
“But Aaron Jones is the low-hanging fruit. I just don't think he can hold up with the hamstrings and the volume anymore.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quinshon Judkins to fall short of his draft cost (a top 24 running back)
“Quinn Sean Judkins as a top 24 running back on a horrible Cleveland Browns offense. Uh, no, thank you.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Justin Jefferson to fall short of his draft cost (the first round)
“And for all the reasons by Kyler Murray, I'm out on Justin Jefferson in the first round.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rashee Rice to fall short of his draft cost (third round)
“Walker's arrival and his upside in the passing game, I think is going to ding Rasheed Rice a little bit... And the guy that I'm avoiding like the plague is where she rice.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Sleeper Calls8 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Jonathon Brooks to outplay his draft cost (round seven)
“Jonathan Brooks, baby. I think he's going to take the job away from Chuba Hubbard.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quentin Johnston to outplay his draft cost (round eight)
“Gwen Johnson is my call out here. I think he's the real wide receiver one from Los Angeles chargers.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
DJ Moore to outplay his draft cost (round five)
“I think DJ Moore is going to crush him Buffalo... the guy that I will garner again... DJ Moore, the Stefan new Stefan digs for the Buffalo bills.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chase Brown to outplay his draft cost (round two)
“Chase Brown, I'm all in on... So I'm all in on Chase Brown”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (round four)
“Jim and Waddle, baby. Talked about the Broncos passing attack all in.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kenny Gainwell to outplay his draft cost (round 10)
“My guys in round 10, Kenny Gainwell... If he could just be better Rashad White, I think he's going to crush this year.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
De'Zhaun Stribling to outplay his draft cost (round nine)
“I think DeJuan Stribling is young enough that he can fight the substation... one wide receiver I am not drafting and one that I like.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chris Olave to outplay his draft cost (wide receiver 12 price tag)
“All in on Chris Alave, wide receiver 12 price tag... So we are undervaluing Chris Alave and his upside.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Season Win Totals1 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Houston Texans to finish with 10 wins
“And they just ride David Montgomery in the defense to 10 plus wins.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
James Cook, Buffalo Bills, Bo Nix, Denver Broncos, Jonathon Brooks, DJ Moore, Mark Andrews, Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles, Alec Pierce, Tetairoa McMillan, Chuba Hubbard, Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers, Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars, Josh Downs, Chase Brown, Jaylen Waddle, Houston Texans, A.J. Brown, New England Patriots, Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers, Josh Allen, Trayvon Henderson, Aaron Jones, Christian Watson, David Montgomery, Kenny Gainwell, Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns, Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, De'Zhaun Stribling, Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs, Chris Olave, Dontayvion Wicks
Others on the same people
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
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.Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
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.Chris Clark · Trade and Signing Calls · Nikko Remigio · Miss 0
Clark expects the Chiefs to bring back exclusive-rights receiver Nico (Remigio) and long snapper James Winchester, to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster as a cheap veteran fifth receiver, and not to bring back Hollywood Brown, Josh Dobbs-type depth, Gardner Minshew, Janarius Robinson or Mike Caliendo; they also say the Chiefs will not use a franchise tag and believes Bryan Cook won't return.Nate Gosney · Trade and Signing Calls · Daiyan Henley · Miss 0
After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season.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.
More fantasy bust calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Chris Welsh · Fantasy Bust Calls · Austin Ekeler · 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 · Fantasy Bust Calls · Breece Hall · 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 · Fantasy Bust Calls · Christian McCaffrey · Miss 0
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.Jake Ciely · Fantasy Bust Calls · Romeo Doubs · Miss 0
Seeley mocks anyone going back to Kyle Pitts, treating them as a tight end who will burn drafters again, while touting Trey Benson as a discounted value who remains the clear backup to James Connor. They also call out late-round picks like Justice Hill, Rashad Bateman and Romeo Doubs as upside-less bench wastes.Jake Ciely · Fantasy Bust Calls · Breece Hall · Miss 0
Jake has Christian McCaffrey as their RB4 and a back-end first-round pick, views Ashton Jeanty as more of a back-end RB1 than a mid-first pick, likes Brashard Smith as a late-round flier, and sees Breece Hall as a bust risk at their RB13 cost, projecting them as a back-end RB2 while expecting Justin Fields to run for around eight touchdowns.