Big Brother 28: Our 5 Favorite Power Players So Far
As of now, it’s only Week 2 of Big Brother 28, so every assessment comes with the understanding that one conversation, competition, or poorly handled veto meeting could completely reorder the house. Still, after two HOH reigns, the first eviction, and a growing number of alliances, we have had enough time to get a sense of how these players approach the game.
Some have already taken control of major decisions. Others are working from less visible positions, allowing themselves to be included without becoming responsible for every move. And in a house where several players are still learning how quickly information travels, even a relatively steady social game can become a serious advantage.
These are not necessarily our predicted final five. For now, they are the five players whose strategy, positioning, personalities, and willingness to participate in the game have impressed us most.
5. Barrett Pfeiffer
Barrett has yet to make one enormous move that immediately identifies him as a frontrunner, but he continues to be included in conversations that affect the direction of the house. He has found a place within the strong Crossovers alongside Dee Valladares, Rick Devens, Angela Murray, and Drew Campbell, while maintaining enough social flexibility to avoid feeling entirely dependent on that group.
That position should not be underestimated. Barrett is earning trust without becoming the person everyone blames when a plan goes wrong, which is useful in a cast where several players are already exposing their alliances, targets, and frustrations much earlier than necessary.
That said. there are still openings in his game. His relationships with more visible players could eventually make him collateral damage, and he will need enough independent influence to avoid becoming expendable within his own group. For now, though, his ability to remain involved while staying outside the center of the chaos makes him one of the season’s early gamer personas.
4. Drew Campbell
Drew initially appeared capable of flying under the radar, but his strong social standing has quickly made him a more central player than some of the house realizes. In fact, he has already built relationships across several groups and seems comfortable working with people whose strengths can benefit his own game.
That flexibility has helped him remain well-positioned, though it is also beginning to create problems. Drew appears determined to keep several paths open at once, and the more widely he extends himself, the harder it becomes to reassure each ally that they are genuinely important to him. Some of the people closest to Drew have even begun questioning where his loyalty lies, making him a possible early fracture point if the current power structure starts to split.
At the same time, there is a clear strategy behind some of those choices. Rather than treating Dee, Devens, and Angela as immediate threats because of their larger reputations, Drew recognizes the value of keeping experienced players close. They offer knowledge and protection, allowing him to benefit from their presence while they absorb more attention. That approach could take him far, provided his efforts to remain connected across the house do not eventually leave every side feeling uncertain about him.
3. Rick Devens
Anyone familiar with Rick Devens from Survivor already knows that chaos tends to follow him, often because he is perfectly happy to create some of it himself. His transition into Big Brother has maintained that same unpredictable energy, complete with loose information, ambitious plans, and a willingness to take risks much earlier than most players would consider comfortable.
His Week 2 HOH reign has also shown that Devens did not enter the house intending to avoid responsibility. He has helped organize a major move against Rome Seymour (until making a questionable choice to essentially undermine the move with the way he used the Veto), nominated three players connected to Rome’s side of the house, and remained willing to win power despite arriving with one of the season’s most recognizable reputations.
There are obvious dangers in that approach. Devens has already shared information on multiple occasions that could have remained private, and Big Brother gives mistakes considerably more time to circulate than Survivor. Even so, he has shown some willingness to listen to his allies and develop plans collectively instead of demanding that every decision begin and end with him.
Overall, a known competitor who still chooses to win, take a position, and accept the consequences will usually earn our respect. Devens may not play the cleanest game in the house, but he is unquestionably playing.
2. Dee Valladares
Dee won Survivor for a reason, and her first two weeks inside the Big Brother house have already shown how naturally her social instincts can transfer between formats. After becoming the season’s first HOH, she built several useful relationships, navigated an unstable opening vote, and stepped down from power without becoming the house’s primary target.
Much of that comes from the balance she brings to her social game. Dee does not need to hover around every conversation to stay informed, but she also never disappears long enough to feel passive. She can be direct when necessary without placing herself at the center of every conflict, giving her the kind of positioning many Big Brother players spend weeks trying to establish.
Her allies strengthen that position even further. Several of them have personalities and reputations capable of drawing attention before it reaches her, allowing Dee to remain influential without absorbing all the pressure that comes with it. The challenge now is managing how threatening she appears to some of the newer houseguests. Mallory has already discussed targeting her (and quite often), suggesting Dee’s strengths are becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.
If she can ease those concerns without sacrificing her status in the house, Dee could remain well-positioned long after the season’s louder personalities begin taking shots at one another.
1. Angela Murray
Yes, Angela Murray.
Angela entered Big Brother 28 with an established reputation, though she was not necessarily remembered as the most technically polished strategist from her first season. Her game was often defined by emotional reactions and memorable confrontations, but she also displayed strong reads, timely competition wins, and enough personality to make her return feel immediately justified.
This time around, Angela has already shown signs of a more deliberate approach. She has helped form important relationships, played an active role in conversations surrounding nominations and targets, and positioned herself alongside players with both strategic influence and competitive ability. Rather than simply circling the game as an entertaining wildcard, she is beginning to shape its direction.
That does not mean the more combustible side of Angela has disappeared. Her Week 2 confrontation with Jason De Puy proved she is still willing to react when pushed, though in this case, her frustration felt entirely justified. More importantly, the moment showed that Angela’s intensity can sometimes work in service of her game, particularly when it allows her to voice concerns shared by others or apply pressure without exposing the full extent of her strategy.
Above all, Angela has returned with greater purpose, and that growth makes her especially enjoyable to watch. If she can manage the occasional confrontation, preserve her relationships, and continue influencing decisions without becoming the house’s easiest target, she could develop into a legitimate contender.
At this rate, we would happily watch Angela become a recurring fixture of the series. Put her in the house every summer and let everyone else figure out how to handle it.
