10 Fantasy Football HOT TAKES | Don't Miss These BOLD Predictions (Ep. 2111)
August 4, 2026
AI Summary
5 min read10 Fantasy Football HOT TAKES | Don't Miss These BOLD Predictions (Ep. 2111)
The FantasyPros crew—Chris Welsh, Andrew Erickson, and Derek Brown—returned for their annual hot takes episode, this time without the literal hot wings and Carolina Reaper sauce that made last year's show memorable. "I might still be in the hospital," Brown joked about skipping the spicy challenge. But the predictions themselves remained scorching: ten bold calls ranging from plausible league-winners to outright madness, organized by increasing volatility.
The Plausible League-Winners
Derek Brown kicked off with Jalen Waddle as a top-10 wide receiver. Waddle was top-12 in every efficiency metric that matters last season—targets per route run, yards per route run, separation score, route win rate—while playing on a Miami offense that was bottom-five in neutral passing rate. He now moves to Denver, which was top-five in that category. "I don't understand why everybody's so concerned about Jalen Waddle," Brown said. "He was healthy last year." Welsh noted that FantasyPros aggregate projections have Waddle at WR27 with 74 catches, 999 yards, and six touchdowns—numbers Brown called "really light" given the Broncos' projected pace-up offense.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:39) **Show Introduction & Hot Take Philosophy** - Hosts Chris Welsh, Andrew Erickson, and Derek Brown introduce the episode's 10 fantasy football hot takes for 2026, noting the absence of last year's hot wings challenge.
- 2 (04:24) **Hot Take #1 (Debro): Jalen Waddle as Top-10 WR** - Derek Brown kicks off the "high likelihood" tier by predicting Jalen Waddle finishes as a top-10 wide receiver in 2026.
- 3 (09:06) **Hot Take #2 (Erickson): Omarion Hampton Leads RBs in Touchdowns** - Erickson predicts second-year Chargers running back Omarion Hampton will lead all running backs in total touchdowns.
- 4 (14:43) **Hot Take #3 (Debro): Jonathan Brooks as Top-15 RB** - Brown predicts Panthers running back Jonathan Brooks will finish as a top-15 fantasy running back in points per game.
- 5 (21:24) **Hot Take #4 (Erickson): Trevor Lawrence as QB1** - Erickson makes the bold claim that Trevor Lawrence will be the overall QB1 in 2026.
- 6 (28:08) **Hot Take #5 (Debro): Colston Loveland as TE1** - Brown predicts Bears tight end Colston Loveland will finish as the overall TE1, outscoring Brock Bowers and Trey McBride.
- 7 (32:29) **Hot Take #6 (Erickson): Rome Odunze as Top-5 WR** - Erickson predicts Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze will finish as a top-5 fantasy wide receiver in his third season.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
How bold are you willing to get in your fantasy football draft? Join Chris Welsh, Andrew Erickson, and Derek Brown as they dive into 10 of their biggest bold predictions for the 2026 fantasy football season.
Will Trevor Lawrence make the leap into the overall QB1 discussion behind an improved Jaguars offense? Can Jaylen Waddle lead the Denver offense to new heights? Can the Chicago Bears support both Colston Loveland as the overall TE1 and Rome Odunze as a Top-5 fantasy wide receiver? Plus, some absolutely scorching-hot takes that will spark debate!
If you're looking for league-winning upside instead of simply following consensus rankings, these names could define your 2026 fantasy football season.
Timestamps: (May be off due to ads)
Intro - 0:00:00
League Winner or Loser - Dbro: Jaylen Waddle is a top 10 WR | Erickson: Omarion Hampton leads RBs in TDs - 0:03:19
Draft Simulator Promo - 0:12:22
Spicy & Plausible - Dbro: Jonathon Brooks is a top 15 RB this season | Erickson: Trevor Lawrence is the fnatasy QB1 - 0:13:40
High Variance Volatility - Dbro: Colston Loveland is the TE1 in fppg | Erickson - Rome Odunze is a top-5 fantasy WR - 0:25:40
Hard Rock Bet - 0:35:19
Scorching Pipe Dreams - Dbro: Quentin Johnston is the clear WR1 for LAC and a top 15 WR in fppg | Erickson: Zay Flowers is the WR1 overall - 0:37:00
Absolute Madness - Dbro - Malik Willis is a top 5 fantasy QB in fppg | Erickson - Greg Dulcich is a top-5 fantasy TE1 in 2026 - 0:46:19
Outro - 0:53:55
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