Is there any better way to celebrate the beginning of fantasy football season being a couple of weeks away than getting hopped up on Mountain Dew to make a series of bold predictions no one will hold me accountable for?
Unless I get any correct, of course. Then I will never let you — or Twitter — forget it. Here we go:
1. David Johnson will have a historically great season, joining Marshall Faulk as the only running back in NFL history to both run and receive for over 1,000 yards in a singles season and score 20-or-more total touchdowns in back-to-back seasons.
2. Antonio Brown will fail to catch 100-plus receptions for the first time since 2012.
3. Most fantasy analysts expect Danny Woodhead to have a big season in Baltimore, but Theo Riddick will outperform him with Detroit. I expect 80 receptions, 1,000 total yards and at least eight touchdowns, giving him serious value in PPR leagues.
4. If Carolina is serious about keeping Cam Newton healthy, they'll do it by dialing back his goal-line work. Enter Jonathan Stewart, who will surpass double-digit touchdowns for the first time since 2009.
5. Derrick Henry wrestles Tennessee's lucrative RB1 position away from DeMarco Murray by October.
6. Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston continue their dual ascent in the NFL by both finishing as top-six fantasy quarterbacks.
7. Keenan Allen won't miss a single game in 2017 while leading the NFL in receptions with 120-plus.
8. Andy Dalton will surpass his career high for passing yards (4,296) and eclipse 30 passing touchdowns for the second time in his career.
9. Chris Conley surpasses Tyreek Hill to become Kansas City's top wideout, catching 80 balls for 1,000 yards and eight scores.
10.Marshawn Lynch finishes with nine touchdowns, all rushing.
11. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp will both outperform Sammy Watkins in Los Angeles, becoming PPR stars while hauling in around 80 receptions each. Watkins will miss at least six games.
12. In honor of his 40th birthday, Tom Brady will toss 40-plus touchdowns, finishing as fantasy's QB1 for only the second time — the other being his nearly perfect 2007 season — after he adds almost 5,000 yards as well.
13. Adrian Peterson will surpass 1,000 rushing yards and double digit touchdowns for New Orleans before being lost for the season due to a knee injury he sustains Week 13 at home against Carolina. How specific was that? It feels like the Mountain Dew is finally kicking in!
