Derek Brown· Sep 1, 2026
The Fantasy Pros analyst laid out his biggest fantasy offseason moves and then a round-by-round list of players he's 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.
“A.J. Brown is going to end up with the best statistical season that he's ever had in his career.”
said on air or in an interview · The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) · read the original →
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 bet.
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.
Where this call stands in the room
Dontayvion Wicks · 2026 season7 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 2. Derek Brown said 2. the room's median is 2. 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
- Christian Watson
- Green Bay Packers
- Justin Jefferson
- Minnesota Vikings
- Houston Texans
- Jonathon Brooks
- De'Zhaun Stribling
- DJ Moore
- Buffalo Bills
- Josh Allen
- Quinshon Judkins
- Cleveland Browns
- Brian Thomas Jr.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Josh Jacobs
- Rashee Rice
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Chuba Hubbard
- Bo Nix
- Denver Broncos
- Chris Olave
- A.J. Brown
- New England Patriots
- Tetairoa McMillan
- James Cook
- Chase Brown
- Jaylen Waddle
- Quentin Johnston
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Josh Downs
- Dontayvion Wicks
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Mark Andrews
- Trayvon Henderson
- Kenny Gainwell
- Makai Lemon
- Alec Pierce
- David Montgomery
- Aaron Jones
33 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.
Christian Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“I believe in the upside being Green Bay's true wide receiver one this year”
Not 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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Season Win TotalsHouston TexansSep 1, 2026
Houston Texans to finish with 10 wins
“And they just ride David Montgomery in the defense to 10 plus wins.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJonathon BrooksSep 1, 2026
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think he's going to take the job away from Chuba Hubbard.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDe'Zhaun StriblingSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJosh AllenSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not 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.”
Not 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.”
Not 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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJonathon BrooksSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not 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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsChuba HubbardSep 1, 2026
Chuba Hubbard to fall short of his draft cost (round eight)
“I could shout out Chuba Hubbard. No, thank you.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksBo NixDenver BroncosSep 1, 2026
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”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChris OlaveSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not 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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsTetairoa McMillanSep 1, 2026
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”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Positional FinishesJames CookBuffalo BillsSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsChase BrownSep 1, 2026
Chase Brown to outplay his draft cost (round two)
“Chase Brown, I'm all in on... So I'm all in on Chase Brown”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJaylen WaddleDenver BroncosSep 1, 2026
Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (round four)
“Jim and Waddle, baby. Talked about the Broncos passing attack all in.”
Not 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.”
Not 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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJosh DownsSep 1, 2026
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”
Not 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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsMark AndrewsSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsTrayvon HendersonSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsKenny GainwellSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not 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”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsAlec PierceSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not 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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsAaron JonesSep 1, 2026
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.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Rogers made his own Week 2 calls, taking the Packers, Eagles (by at least 10), Panthers (by at least a field goal), Cowboys (by at least six), Chargers, Chiefs and Rams to win. He also noted Baltimore was his Super Bowl pick and said it wouldn't shock him if Jacksonville hosted the AFC Championship Game.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Houston TexansMiss · 24Simms went through every Week 2 game with predicted final scores, picking the Texans, Bears, Steelers (as an upset), Packers, Ravens, Eagles, Buccaneers, Panthers, Jaguars, Seahawks, Cowboys, 49ers, Chargers, Chiefs and Rams to win. He also reiterated that Denver was his preseason Super Bowl pick while predicting the Broncos would fall to 0-2.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · New England PatriotsHit · 100Previewing Week 2, Long called New England a spot to bounce back against Pittsburgh, projected a 27-14 Patriots win, saw Eagles-Titans as a 23-10 grinder, liked the Rams' spot Monday night against the Giants, and wrote down a Bills 31, Lions 23 final for the Thursday nighter.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Buffalo BillsHit · 100Rogers predicted the Bills would beat the Lions in their new stadium on Thursday night, winning by a touchdown.
- Mary Kay CabotTrade and Signing Calls · Za'Darius SmithMiss · 0Cabot reported that Za'Darius Smith is expected to sign with the Browns, possibly as early as Sunday, after working out for the team.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Joe PisapiaFantasy Bust Calls · Christian McCaffreyMiss · 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.
- Jake CielyFantasy Bust Calls · Romeo DoubsMiss · 0Seeley mocks anyone going back to Kyle Pitts, treating him 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. He also calls out late-round picks like Justice Hill, Rashad Bateman and Romeo Doubs as upside-less bench wastes.
- Jake CielyFantasy Bust Calls · Breece HallMiss · 0Jake has Christian McCaffrey as his 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 his RB13 cost, projecting him as a back-end RB2 while expecting Justin Fields to run for around eight touchdowns.