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Why?:

When I asked Pat why he felt this way, his answer was simple. “Mike McDaniel and the two returning tackles.”

Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (out of 5)

My thoughts:

Considering this has only happened once in the NFL history (2014 Steelers in standard formats), this take is as hot as it gets. The logic is there though. With a healthy offensive line, a revamped offense, and high-quality group of weapons, the Chargers are in line to be an explosive offense in 2026. I admire the gusto here.

Why?:

Avery mentioned that this take stems from the idea that the Chiefs are being under-the-radar as a whole right now. On top of that, Eric Bieniemy is back as the offensive coordinator. He was the OC when Mahomes had the greatest seasons of his career so far.

Spicy Level: 🌶️ (out of 5)

My Take:

This isn’t a particularly hot take in my opinion. Since becoming the starter in 2018, Mahomes has finished as a top-5 QB four times. He enters the season with an advantageous schedule, and has Rashee Rice at his disposal once again. The only “risk” with this hot take is that Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL. The former MVP is currently ranked as our QB13 with a ceiling of QB1.

Why?:

Sam knew his take was hot! He sent me the following stats to bolster his argument:

Loveland rattled off three games over 21 fantasy points in his final four games last year, including playoffs. In games where he played over 80% of snaps, he averaged 18.8 fantasy points per game, which would have ranked ahead of Trey McBride's most recent season.

Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (out of 5)

My Take:

I absolutely adore Colston Loveland this season. But, him finishing ahead of Brock Bowers feels very unlikely to me (hence the four peppers). Loveland is on a far better offense than Bowers or McBride are, and the fantasy football community would start to have some very interesting conversations if you Loveland pulled this off. Loveland has a ceiling of TE1 this season in the WalterPicks app.

Why?:

When interviewing Trevor for this piece, he provided a few reasons as to why he has conviction in this take:

Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (out of 5)

My Take:

I love this take. I’m a huge believer in Kellen Moore’s offense, as well as the second-year leap for Tyler Shough. The offense is littered with weapons, and Shough showcased some high upside towards the end of last season.

Why?:

Bryan told me that he believes the Bears will finish this season as a top-5 offense for a few reasons. Another year in Ben Johnson’s system, Colston Loveland and Luther Burden’s second-year breakouts, as well as Caleb Williams’ overlooked rushing upside. He believes that all those factors will result in Caleb Williams being one of the premier fantasy QBs in 2026. I guess he does NOT believe in the Madden curse.

Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (out of 5)

My Take:

His reasoning is logical (regardless of whether or not he’s a Bears fan). Caleb has a real shot as taking a sizable leap as he becomes more comfortable in Johnson’s system. I like this take a lot, and believe it has as good a chance of coming to fruition as any of them.

Why?:

All offseason, you could see Seth’s ELITE TikTok account and hear his opinions on Tuten, so this take didn't surprise me. His logic is that he’s nowhere near as good as Travis Ettiene, and that Tuten will fail to replicate Ettiene’s production. On top of that, he believes that Chris Rodriguez will be the goal line back, further hindering the approximated ceiling of Tuten.

Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️ (out of 5)

My Take:

Considering the limited production we’ve seen from Tuten so far, I’m only going to give this take two peppers. I will note, however, that Tuten isn’t going particularly early in drafts (around pick 60 on ESPN & Sleeper), making that part of the take is pretty hot. I believe in the talent of Tuten, as well as the Jaguars’ offense. I don’t agree with Seth’s take, but respect it immensely.

Why?:

When asking Ryan why he felt this way, he shared that: “Luther Burden's WR21 price assumes he absorbs all of DJ Moore's vacated targets in an offense where Ben Johnson had 5 different guys clear 60 targets last year and 6 different players led the team in receiving yards week to week. Burden was a single digit PPR scorer in 11 of his 15 games, and the one stretch where he looked good was when Rome Odunze was hurt.”

Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (out of 5)

My Take:

This take is SPICY… and I LOVE IT. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but I admire the zigging while everyone else is zagging. It’s hard for me to get 100% behind this take because of how much Ben Johnson has been hyping Burden up. But, similarly to the Tuten take, we haven’t seen a ton from the former Missouri Tiger, so the logic is sound.

Sidenote: I think Rome Odunze is being undervalued right now.

Why?:

Dean told me his reasoning for this take was a combination of not believing in Cam Ward and this offense, as well as how difficult the Titans’ schedule is.

Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (out of 5)

My Take:

This is an insanely hot take. If you read the WalterPicks Rookie Guide, you would know how much I liked Carnell Tate coming into this draft. I can understand the skepticism in Cam Ward after last season. But now, he has a massive upgrade with Brian Daboll at OC, and will be playing behind in most matchups. I think Carnell Tate has a real chance at being awesome this year.

Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (out of 5)

My Take:

I believe Jalen Nailor is one of the most undervalued assets in all of fantasy football this year. He signed a 3-year, $35 million contract this offseason. And, in my opinion, is the best and most versatile WR on then Raiders. He showcased some serious flashes last season (two games with 18 or more fantasy points), but has always been overshadowed playing behind one of the best WR tandems in the NFL. I think Klint Kubiak is going to get the absolute best out of Nailor in 2026.

I’m giving myself five peppers for this take considering he’s going outside the top-60 WRs and the WalterPicks app has him ranked as the WR50. We have his ceiling as the WR33.

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