Listener 2026 NFL Draft Q&A: Going Deep with Brandon Angelo & Matt Waldman: 3.16.26

Matt Waldman speculates that A.J. Brown has been linked to the Patriots since October, with the trade becoming more likely in June due to favorable cap hit implications for the Eagles; Waldman believes the trade will happen and that Kayshon Boutte would be part of the deal.

Brandon Angelo uses A.J. Green as an aspirational ceiling comparison for Lance's potential development trajectory; represents the high-end outcome if Lance improves his route-running and hand placement. Green is positioned above George Pickens as Lance's upside target.

Waldman identifies Antonio Williams from Clemson as a potential breakout candidate with Jaden Reed and Ladd McConkey-type upside if he can develop as a flanker. Williams has the tools to become a good starter but needs to commit to the development process.

Brandon Angelo raises durability concerns about Bucky Irving, noting that Irving plays with reckless abandon at a million miles an hour with no off switch; Irving frequently leaves the field with nicks and bruises, and these injury patterns have compounded in the past year, creating questions about his recovery and long-term durability.

Calvin Ridley was largely unavailable in 2026, missing time due to injury and failing to establish himself as a reliable receiver option for Cam Ward in Tennessee. His absence and inconsistency underscore the Titans' need to add a bonafide receiver one in the 2026 draft.

Brandon Angelo identifies Cam Akers as a high-graded running back pushed down in draft rankings; graded as a top-10 NFL running back before injury, but regime change risk (e.g., Jeremiah Love acquisition) could limit role opportunity despite strong talent evaluation.

Cardell Tate is positioned as a top-tier WR prospect in the 2026 class alongside Makai Lemon; Brandon Angelo notes that while both are highly regarded, the last four draft classes have consistently produced prospects of this caliber, suggesting less rarity than historical blue-chip comparisons.

Brandon Angelo identifies Carson Ryan as a potentially valuable tight end prospect in the emerging oversized fullback and two-tight-end set offensive scheme trend, positioning him as a role-specific sleeper if NFL teams shift away from 11 personnel.

Brandon Angelo describes Chris Bell as a dangerous player with significant uncertainty; he's equally afraid to consider and not consider him because his game film shows either an ascending talent destined for stardom or an inconsistent frustrating tease. Angelo compares Bell to DeVante Parker's trajectory at Louisville—a player with God-given ability who didn't develop discipline until year three or four with Miami, by which point expectations had dropped and it was too late for his ceiling to be realized. The risk is Bell follows Parker's path of wasted early potential.

Brandon Angelo asserts that Chris Godwin will not return to his pre-injury form, stating he's 'never going to be the same player,' indicating a permanent decline in fantasy value from his historical peak.

Brandon Angelo cites Darrell Henderson Jr. as a high-graded running back pushed down in draft rankings despite not being selected early in the NFL draft; Angelo and his sources can prove he can play at a high enough level to deserve potential long-term roles.

Angelo notes Deion Burks as a prospect with positional flexibility upside; if Burks can develop as a flanker, he could unlock additional value in his skill set.

Brandon Angelo describes Demond Claiborne as an intriguing prospect at 188 lbs with potential to add 10 lbs and develop into a Clinton Portis or James Cook-type scat back/change-of-pace player, but carries significant projection risk due to physical profile uncertainty.

Brandon Angelo uses DeVante Parker as a cautionary comparison for Chris Bell; Parker had God-given ability but didn't develop discipline until year three or four with Miami, by which point expectations had dropped and it was too late for his game to reach its potential ceiling.

Matt Waldman assesses Elijah Surratt as a medium-floor, medium-upside player whose skill set limits his fantasy ceiling. Waldman argues Surratt lacks the speed to beat interior corners and the outside receiver toolkit to consistently produce 800+ yards, positioning him as a Josh Palmer-type contributor rather than a high-end fantasy asset. Waldman notes Surratt may exceed Palmer's floor and reach Michael Wilson upside in best-case scenarios, but expects a real-life contributor role without significant fantasy production.

Brandon Angelo positions George Pickens as a mid-range baseline comparison for multiple 2026 draft prospects. Pickens serves as Lance's floor outcome if he doesn't improve certain aspects of his game—still a positive outcome but below the A.J. Green ceiling. Pickens is also used as the aspirational profile for Chris Brazil, who Angelo jokingly calls the winner of the George Pickens look-alike contest for the 2026 draft class.

Jadarian Price is widely loved and has starter upside potential, but Brandon Angelo emphasizes that projections for him and similar RB prospects are more difficult than market consensus suggests; must prove improvement beyond prospect status rather than relying on pedigree alone.

Brandon Angelo identifies Jaylen Coker as a buy-low candidate in dynasty fantasy football, suggesting he's undervalued despite being fairly well-known. Angelo considers him a solid target for acquisition at a discount.

Brandon Angelo and Matt Waldman both strongly advocate for Jeremiah Love as an elite running back prospect. Waldman argues Love qualifies as a win-now RB option to put a team over the top, characterizing him as an Alvin Kamara-type prospect with elite receiving and versatility upside. Angelo positions Love as the only true blue-chip prospect in the 2026 RB class, in the tier of Bijan Gibbs, describing him as a prospect "you don't see every few years" with a talent ceiling comparable to Jamaal Charles. Angelo ranks Love as a must-have prospect in the 101–105 range of a superflex PPR rookie draft, placing him alongside Tate and Lemon as the ideal trio of targets for those slots regardless of team need.

Matt Waldman considers Jordan Tyson as a pre-draft upside option despite acknowledged concerns about the prospect, positioning him as someone to feel pretty good with in the context of seeking more upside before the NFL draft.

Brandon Angelo believes in Kayshon Boutte as a buy-low candidate in dynasty, noting the Eagles are likely seeking more receiver help. Angelo suggests repositioning Boutte as a big slot rather than split end, which aligns with his college tape and skill set. With Douglas's days likely gone, Angelo sees an opportunity for Boutte to find a better role fit in Philadelphia's offense.

Brandon Angelo identifies Kenneth Gainwell as the biggest buy-low running back candidate in dynasty, citing concerns about Bucky Irving's durability and recovery; Angelo notes Irving plays with reckless abandon and has accumulated nicks and bruises that compound his injury situation. Gainwell was the best back in Pittsburgh's backfield and is expected to receive the lion's share of touches in Tampa Bay, with a significant target share to support Baker Mayfield given Mike Evans' departure. Angelo also projects Gainwell as his biggest buy-now running back at current price, emphasizing his role as a pass-catching complement to Mayfield's underneath game.

Brandon Angelo identifies Kyle Williams as a buy-low candidate in dynasty, emphasizing the need to see if he can hold onto the ball. Angelo expects Williams to grow into a larger role, especially as A.J. Brown ages out of significant playing time, with veteran receivers providing development support.

Makai Lemon is evaluated as a top-tier WR prospect alongside Cardell Tate; Brandon Angelo notes that while both are highly regarded, the last four draft classes have consistently produced prospects of similar caliber, suggesting less rarity than historical blue-chip comparisons.

Brandon Angelo identifies Malik Washington as a buy-low candidate in dynasty, emphasizing that he must be a big part of the Eagles offense given the lack of other receiving options; Angelo expresses strong conviction in Washington's value.

Mike Washington Jr. could fit into a similar role as Omarian Hampton; combine performance was not a surprise and he is viewed as a known commodity without major upside projection.

Brandon Angelo identifies Miles Montgomery (UCF/Cincinnati) as a completely under-the-radar running back sleeper with a 'puncher's chance' to make his board; Angelo is finalizing his grade and planning to actively target him, indicating conviction in his film study.

Brandon Angelo identifies Nico Collins as the height of Caldwell's aspirational comparison stylistically; represents the ceiling for Caldwell's development trajectory.

Brandon Angelo identifies Omar Cooper Jr. as the next viable quarterback option after the top tier, projecting late-teens draft capital and noting his unique brand of football and carry-yourself demeanor make him tougher to find; positioned as having a solid floor despite potentially not having a super high ceiling, making him a viable long-term dynasty option.

Brandon Angelo notes that Omarian Hampton is not a great prospect on his own, but his fit with the Chargers provides fantasy relevance. Projects Hampton as RB2/RB3 value with ceiling to reach RB1 depending on usage in the system; expects him to be a fantasy factor for another year or two at least.

Brandon Angelo projects Oscar Delp as a Zach Ertz-type prospect with significant upside; Delp has been hidden in Georgia's scheme due to roster depth (Brock Bowers, Euresek) and quarterback instability, creating a situation-driven sleeper opportunity for a talented tight end who 'pops' on film.

Brandon Angelo references Robert Henry as a previously discussed running back sleeper prospect, noting he is not a massive speedster but remains part of the sleeper conversation in the 2026 class.

Brandon Angelo identifies Sam Roush as a potentially valuable tight end prospect in the emerging oversized fullback and two-tight-end set offensive scheme trend, positioning him as a role-specific sleeper if NFL teams shift away from 11 personnel.

Matt Waldman recommends looking at Skylar Bell as a pre-draft wide receiver option offering more upside than consensus. Brandon Angelo grades him as wide receiver four in the class despite his lack of size; notes he's a serial clap attacker with unorthodox catch technique but is an exception to the rule like Golden Tate, Marvin Harrison Sr., and Terry McLaurin who catch the ball with ugly technique but get it done. The key question is whether he'll have to fix his hand placement like Quentin Johnston did or remain an exception. Angelo believes if Bell cleans up his hand placement in contested situations, he'll be a long-term starter; currently loses 50/50 situations due to poor positioning rather than lack of strength.

Brandon Angelo highlights T.J. Harden (SMU, 6'2" 220) as a sleeper running back with elite receiving ability and Arian Foster-esque power running style; despite missing combine invitation, Harden demonstrates sufficient speed and pass-catching prowess to warrant sleeper consideration.

Brandon Angelo highlights Zach Charbonnet as having a massive role vacancy opportunity at his depth chart position; with Braelon Allen Jr. out of town and Austin Ekeler as the only real competition, Charbonnet has significant opportunity for a high-end starter role.