Do not be shocked if ... : Fantasy predictions for 2024

In lower than every week, we may have NFL video games that depend and, due to this fact, fantasy football outcomes to trace. Hope springs everlasting and everybody has an opinion on which gamers will do that and which groups will do this. That is the enjoyable of being a fan, proper?

With that in thoughts, we requested our ESPN fantasy soccer analysts to place these ideas on the market for the world to see. If any of those come true, do not act shocked.

Do not be shocked if …

Adonai Mitchell finishes as a top-35 fantasy WR

Presently being drafted as WR61, the Indianapolis Colts rookie has the scale and velocity (his 4.34 40-yard sprint was third quickest amongst vast receivers at this 12 months’s mix) to render him a deep risk on this offense. And with Josh Downs at present sidelined due to a excessive ankle sprain, Mitchell has had the chance to construct rapport with QB Anthony Richardson in camp. Mitchell flew below the radar at Georgia however emerged at Texas to offer a glimpse of what he may turn out to be — and the Colts preferred what they noticed, drafting him 52nd total. If Downs has a chronic absence and/or Mitchell makes a robust case for taking part in time, he may present an enormous return on funding for fantasy managers. — Stephania Bell

Travis Etienne Jr. finishes as a top-five fantasy RB

Etienne averaged 16.6 factors per recreation final season and scored 12 touchdowns. He is a quantity runner (267 carries) with the dual-threat abilities to supply within the go recreation, as Etienne caught 58 of 73 targets in 2023. Even when he has a slight decline in complete touches this season, his deployment results in constant weekly quantity as each a runner and receiver whereas additionally creating scoring alternatives within the low crimson zone. There’s actual upside right here for Etienne in a Jacksonville Jaguars offense that has the items — and the scheme below head coach Doug Pederson — to supply explosive numbers in 2024. — Matt Bowen

Kyren Williams finishes as a top-five fantasy RB

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Will Kyren Williams returning punts have an effect on his fantasy potential?

Mike Clay’s fantasy confidence in Kyren Williams is unfazed by experiences that he’ll return punts for the Rams.

Williams’ inventory is dipping after current “information” that he’ll be the Los Angeles Rams‘ primary punt returner. Word that Williams dealt with that position throughout Weeks 1-3 final season (he was liable for all three of the Rams’ punt returns) whereas additionally taking part in 86% of the workforce’s offensive snaps in the course of the span. Williams really opened the 2023 season in a timeshare with Cam Akers, however proceeded to deal with 14 of the workforce’s first 24 RB carries whereas taking part in 67% of the snaps in a snug Week 1 win over Seattle. He discovered the top zone twice in that recreation and, earlier than Austin Trammell dealt with punt return duties in Week 4, sat fifth amongst working backs in fantasy factors. We already factored in a dip in utilization for Williams with rookie Blake Corum within the combine, so double-counting for that now that he’ll return one or two punts per recreation looks like a mistake. One 12 months after becoming a member of Christian McCaffrey as the one backs to common greater than 18.0 fantasy PPG, the 24-year-old Williams is nicely positioned for one more strong RB1 marketing campaign. — Mike Clay

The Denver Broncos‘ passing recreation delivers excellent fantasy numbers

Specifically, Marvin Mims Jr. turns into the breakout star in our recreation so many anticipated he’d be in 2023. Bo Nix‘s crowning because the beginning quarterback is an enormous plus, contemplating he appeared loads comfy within the pocket and was mistake-free throughout his two preseason video games. The discharge of Tim Patrick streamlines the receiving pecking order such that the targets for Courtland Sutton and Mims are safer than they have been even a couple of weeks in the past. Sutton, who’s going because the No. 42 vast receiver on common, and Mims, going outdoors the positional high 75, have ceilings that attain into the place’s high 20. In the meantime, Nix ought to have matchups enchantment with an opportunity at being his place’s out-of-nowhere shock — a top-12 quarterback. — Tristan H. Cockcroft

Kyle Pitts is TE1 this season

The primary three seasons of Pitts’ profession have been irritating for his fantasy managers. Even Pitts’ rookie season, through which he grew to become solely the second tight finish in league historical past to debut with 1,000 yards receiving, was a bit disappointing as a result of he scored just one landing. Accidents, quarterback play and scheme design have been the co-conspirators the final two years. That is the season it lastly comes collectively. Pitts will play in an Atlanta Falcons offense that options his extraordinary skills and is run by a reliable QB in Kirk Cousins. At the moment subsequent 12 months, we’ll take a look at Pitts as a Spherical 2-3 fantasy decide. — Tyler Fulghum

Derrick Henry rushes for 20 touchdowns

Maybe this is not daring sufficient. Twenty-five scores? Henry has reached double-digit dashing touchdowns in six consecutive seasons, however even in his 2,000-yard season, he had “solely” 17. That was in a 16-game season. Now he will get 17 video games, and the Baltimore Ravens offense gives an ideal setup, boasting a stronger offensive line, an elusive quarterback with elite abilities and artistic playcalling. In any case, if Gus Edwards can rating 13 touchdowns, what can Henry do? Sure, he’s 30, however he is nonetheless destroying defenders and piling on yards after contact. Extra touchdowns than receptions are in play too. — Eric Karabell

Rome Odunze leapfrogs Keenan Allen as Caleb Williams‘ No. 2 goal

It is a query of when, not if. Odunze will probably be Williams’ second-favorite goal behind DJ Moore earlier than season’s finish. Odunze has exuded Alpha vitality all through his school profession (10 video games of at the very least 100 receiving yards in 2023 and a Biletnikoff Award finalist) and from the leap since being drafted ninth total by the Chicago Bears. He and Williams have demonstrated instantaneous chemistry. The 2 notably attached on an out-of-structure play that resulted in a stunning 45-yard connection in the course of the workforce’s third preseason outing in opposition to Cincinnati. A participant with Odunze’s body, route savvy and catch radius can’t be relegated to No. 3 WR duties for lengthy. His stat strains is likely to be a bit increase or bust to start, however he is an superior upside decide within the tenth spherical (an astonishing three rounds after Allen is being chosen). — Liz Loza

Travis Kelce finishes outdoors the highest 5 TEs

Kelce continues to be the most effective (if not one of the best) tight ends within the recreation, however the hole between him and the remainder of the sphere has shrunk significantly. Since 2016, Kelce has completed as the highest tight finish six occasions and by no means decrease than TE3 in that span. His dominant run has been spectacular, however now Kelce has competitors, not solely in his personal offense, however from a bunch of different thrilling fantasy-relevant tight ends. Contemplate Sam LaPorta, Trey McBride, Mark Andrews, Dalton Kincaid, Evan Engram, David Njoku and (now that he has an actual QB) Kyle Pitts, simply to call a handful. Kelce turns 35 this 12 months and likewise has to take care of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown stealing targets within the Kansas City Chiefs offense. Kelce had the second-lowest goal share of his profession final season, and that was earlier than the Chiefs added extra weapons to the offense. Nothing gold can keep, which is why I will not be shocked if we see a altering of the guard on the high of the tight finish place this season. — Daniel Dopp

Caleb Williams throws for 4,000-plus yards and is a top-10 fantasy QB

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Why Area Yates is ‘all-in’ on Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams in fantasy

Area Yates explains why he is excited for the rookie QB class to excel in fantasy soccer.

The Bears are the one workforce that has by no means had a quarterback go for 4,000 yards in a season. Surrounded by a formidable supporting solid, Williams is well-positioned to finish that drought. The No. 1 decide would be the first rookie quarterback chosen within the high 5 to throw to a number of gamers who had at the very least 1,200 receiving yards the earlier season (Moore, Allen). He’ll even have an added goal in fellow first-round rookie Odunze, who led the FBS with 1,640 receiving yards in his closing school season at Washington. Williams’ dashing potential provides him a excessive fantasy ceiling. — Eric Moody

Jayden Daniels finishes as a top-seven fantasy QB as a rookie

Daniels checks in at QB12 in my preseason rankings, one spot forward of Caleb Williams amongst all rookie signal-callers. Daniels has quite a lot of elements working in his favor to publish an enormous season out of the gates, as he has elite mobility for the place (he led all FBS gamers in yards per rush try final season, minimal 100 rushes), is a gifted thrower and will probably be powering a fast-paced offense that can regularly play from behind this season. Whereas we frequently harp on the significance of dashing for quarterbacks because it pertains to making a excessive flooring, Daniels additionally possesses main upside. — Area Yates