Five Fantasy Football Bold Predictions - 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

August 16, 2024

Danny Boily makes five bold predictions for the 2024 fantasy football season. Which fantasy football players may potentially have a very surprising season?

As we gear up for the 2024 fantasy football season, it's time to make some fearless predictions. We're not talking about safe bets. We're diving into the realm of the bold, the brave, and the downright controversial. These are the kind of predictions that'll either make you look like a fantasy football savant or have your league mates questioning your sanity.

Fortune favors the bold in fantasy football. Remember when everyone assumed Austin Ekeler would be a top-3 RB last year? The point is zigging while others zag, which can be the difference between hoisting that championship trophy and finishing in the middle of the road. 

Let's dive in and see which of these predictions might just be wild enough to come true.

Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

Prediction: Garrett Wilson Will Finish as a Top-3 WR

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for the Garrett Wilson show. Currently hovering around an ADP of WR8, Wilson is poised to leapfrog into elite territory this season. Now, enter Aaron Rodgers. Yes, he's coming off an injury and he's older than most, but he's still Aaron Freaking Rodgers and is the best QB Wilson has played with by far. The last time Rodgers played an entire season, he helped make Davante Adams a fantasy stud. Imagine what he can do with a young, hungry talent like Wilson.

Wilson's target share last year was a juicy 27.1%, ranking him ninth among all WRs, and his 163 targets placed him fourth in that category. With Rodgers under center, expect those numbers to skyrocket. We're talking potential for 180+ targets, 1,400+ yards, and double-digit TDs. In addition to the fact that he has not missed a game due to injury, he is a reliable player who will be on your roster every week. A healthy Mike Williams will just help him avoid double teams. 

The Jets' improved offensive line (drafting Olumuyiwa Fashanu at 11th overall helps) and a (hopefully) competent running game will only create more opportunities for Wilson to shine. Don't be surprised if he outperforms established stars like A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Wilson isn't just knocking on the door of WR1 territory; he's about to kick it down.

Garrett Wilson turns on the burners for a career-long 68-yard touchdown. pic.twitter.com/YxoxSI1aFY

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 17, 2023

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Prediction: Tony Pollard Will Finish as a Top-10 RB

Pollard, last year, you broke our hearts. We drafted you expecting Alvin Kamara 2.0, and instead, we got... well, let's not relive that trauma. But fear not, brave fantasy managers, for Pollard's redemption is here. 

Currently being drafted at the RB27 mark (ADP83), Pollard is the epitome of a post-hype sleeper. Yes, he disappointed last year with just 1,005 rushing yards and six TDs (and no receiving TDs). Let's remember the flashes of brilliance we saw in 2022 when he racked up 1,378 total yards and 12 TDs as Ezekiel Elliott's understudy.

Head coach Brian Callahan comes from the Bengals, where Joe Mixon was a bell-cow RB. Expect Pollard to be used in a similar all-purpose role. Looking at the advanced metrics, Pollard's 657 yards after contact (ranked ninth among RBs) suggests he still has the ability for tough yardage if given the opportunity. Pollard could push for 1,500 total yards and 10+ TDs with a more focused role and better usage.

IM THANKFUL FOR A TONY POLLARD TOUCHDOWN
pic.twitter.com/O416etF4bv

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) November 23, 2023

Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Prediction: Kyren Williams Will Not Finish as the Top RB on the Rams

Alright, I can hear the gasps already. Kyren Williams, the darling of the 2023 season, the man who came out of nowhere to finish as the RB2 in fantasy points per game, won't even be the best back on his own team? Have I lost my mind? Possibly, but hear me out. Williams had a fantastic 2023, no doubt. 1,144 rushing yards, 32 receptions, and 15 total TDs are nothing to sneeze at. Let's pump the brakes on anointing him the next Marshall Faulk.

As for injury concerns, he missed four games in the middle of last season due to an ankle injury and has not participated in minicamp due to an undisclosed foot injury. Ankle and foot issues are a real problem for RBs. 

Enter Blake Corum, the Rams' third-round pick in 2024. Reports out of minicamp are that Corum has been taking the reins to the offense, getting the majority of reps, and has looked electric. He was a two-time All-American with Michigan and was the offensive most valuable player in the national championship. This kid can play. 

Let's remember the Sean McVay factor. McVay loves to keep defenses guessing, and what better way to do that than with a two-headed monster in the backfield? With McVay, it comes down to who is producing. If it’s Corum, he won’t care what Williams did in 2023.

Does this Blake Corum touchdown run against Alabama in the Rose Bowl still live rent-free in anyone else’s heads besides mine? #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/YvS7NE4nLZ

— Don Thomas (@REALDonThomas) January 17, 2024

Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Prediction: Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely Will Both Finish as Top-10 TEs

Let's start with the obvious: Mark Andrews is a stud. Despite missing six games last season, he still finished as the TE15. He's Lamar Jackson's favorite target when healthy, especially in the red zone. An entire season could easily see him push for 1,000 yards and eight TDs.

Here's where it gets interesting. When Andrews was out, Likely showed flashes of brilliance. Look at his finish in PPR formats in 2023:

• Week 14 - 19.3 Points
• Week 15 - 18 Points
• Week 16 - 8.6 Points
• Week 17 - 18.2 Points
• Week 18 - 11.1 Points

You might be thinking, "But there's only one ball to go around!" That is accurate, but with Zay Flowers as the only established wideout, the Ravens might lean into a two-TE set as their base offense.

Consider this: if Andrews and Likely combine for 180 targets (not unreasonable in this offense), they could easily surpass 700 yards and six TDs. At the TE position, those numbers are easily top-10 production.

LAMAR TO LIKELY TOUCHDOWN RAVENS‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/UeBjC3QMUW

— Lukas (@LukasAGS) December 31, 2023

 

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

Prediction: Jaylen Waddle Will Finish Ahead of Tyreek Hill in Total Fantasy Points

I hear the Tyreek Hill truthers sharpening their pitchforks, but hear me out. Hill is coming off a monster season where he led all WRs in fantasy points, and he's currently being drafted as the WR2. Waddle, on the other hand, is going around pick 38 as the WR20. 2024 might just be the year of the Waddle.

First, let's acknowledge Hill's greatness. 1,799 yards and 13 TDs is video game stuff. Here's the thing about video-game numbers -- they're hard to replicate in real life. Hill will be 30 this season, and while he hasn't shown signs of slowing down, Father Time remains undefeated.

Now, let's talk Waddle. He posted 1,015 and 1,356 yards in his first two seasons, respectively. Last year, despite missing three games, he still managed 1,014 yards and four TDs. The talent is undeniable.

The final piece of the puzzle? Regression to the mean. Hill's 2023 was historic, but history tells us that such seasons are often followed by a step back. Meanwhile, Waddle is entering his prime at age 25, with room to grow.

Don't be shocked if Waddle ends up with 1,400+ yards and 10+ TDs while Hill settles for a still-excellent but not-quite-as-godly 1,300 yards and eight TDs. Ultimately, Waddle could be the better value pick and potentially the higher scorer.

📊 Tyreek Hill without Jaylen Waddle in 2023:

➖ 3 games
➖ 22 receptions
➖ 315 receiving yards
➖ 2 receiving touchdowns #GoFins pic.twitter.com/jx8BMuqQdb

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) June 4, 2024

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