SportsLine Model Tags Nabers, Cook as 2026 Fantasy Busts — SkimNews
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- SportsLine's model correctly predicted Terry McLaurin would fall well short of his top-50 ADP last year; McLaurin posted career lows of 582 receiving yards and 3 TDs, down from nearly 1,100 yards and 13 TDs the prior season.
- The model simulated the 2026 NFL season 10,000 times and flagged Giants WR Malik Nabers as a top bust — he's going off the board at pick ~35 but the model doesn't rank him a top-15 receiver, citing his torn ACL, spring follow-up surgery, and a run-heavy scheme under OC Matt Nagy.
- Bills RB James Cook is another model-flagged bust with an ADP around No. 12 overall (5th RB off the board); the model ranks him RB10, behind Derrick Henry and Chase Brown, pointing to his higher fumble rate and Josh Allen as a touchdown vulture.
- The model is also fading one of the first five receivers off draft boards, ranking him barely inside the top 10 — his identity is gated to SportsLine subscribers.
- SportsLine's track record includes calling A.J. Brown as a 2020 sleeper, nailing Jonathan Taylor's 2021 season, predicting C.J. Stroud's 2024 step-back, and flagging Derrick Henry (2019), Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara (2018), and Davante Adams (2017).
- Top 10 PPR ADP via CBS is led by Jahmyr Gibbs (1.46), Bijan Robinson (1.83), Ja'Marr Chase (4.11), Puka Nacua (4.51), and Jonathan Taylor (5.63), with James Cook 10th at 12.17 ahead of the Sept. 9 season opener.
Why it matters: Fantasy drafters who follow SportsLine's model could avoid high-pedigree early picks like Malik Nabers (ADP ~35) and James Cook (ADP ~12) before the Sept. 9 season opener. The model's McLaurin call — a top-50 pick who delivered just 582 yards and 3 TDs — gives it credibility on bust calls that could reshape early-round draft strategy.
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