Fantasy Billboard: Bold prections for your draft’s early rounds

I had my initially Fantasy Draft this 7 days in the OFFL — Our Frivolous Fantasy League. The OFFL has been around due to the fact 1985, the longest functioning Fantasy league that I’m aware of. Here are my bold predictions for gamers taken in rounds one to 5.

Round 1

Justin Jefferson will be the No. 1 Fantasy WR — Jefferson is in the legendary 3rd 12 months for receivers, where by historical past indicates they will crack through to the up coming amount. If he did not “break through” very last year, I can not wait around to see what he accomplishes in 2022. Randy Moss is the ideal WR in Minnesota Vikings background. He was poetry in motion, traveling past defenseless backs with relieve in a flash of purple and gold. His finest year was in 2003 with 111 receptions for 1,632 yards and a staggering 17 TDs. Jefferson came near to Moss past yr with 108 receptions for 1,616 yards and 10 TDs. New head mentor Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips arrive in Minnesota sizzling off the Rams’ championship year. They orchestrated an offense about Cooper Kupp, who had a preposterous 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 TDs. I’m not predicting individuals pinball figures, but I do assume Jefferson to thrive in this new method to most effective the documents of Moss. That ought to be good adequate to rise to the best of the WR charts for 2022.

Spherical 2

Josh Allen will shatter QB factors scored — Dismiss the “don’t consider a QB early” crowd. The Charges were being 3rd in the NFL in 2021 with 483 points scored. This yr they will have to rating even far more. The Buffalo defense was ranked No. 1 very last calendar year, but they performed a single of the least difficult schedules in the NFL, facing this sort of quick marks as the Commanders, Texans, Jags, Saints, Panthers, Falcons, Jets (2 times) and Dolphins (two times). The Payments authorized just 10.3 points for every activity in individuals ten contests. Conversely, when they performed the significant boys — the Chiefs (2 times), Bucs, Titans and Colts, they gave up an astounding 170 factors in 5 games, for a dismal common of 34 factors for each contest. If the Payments are to make it to the Super Bowl, Allen is heading to have to place up gargantuan quantities to offset his suspect defense. He faces a murderer’s row of the Rams, Titans, Ravens, Chiefs, Packers, Vikings, Bengals and a resurgent AFC East. I’m predicting 50 complete TDs rushing and passing (certainly, 50) with more than 5,000 passing yards and 600 hurrying yards. Anything less and the Expenses will be household for the vacations.

Round 3

David Montgomery will be a Top 15 RB — Quantity is king in Fantasy. Montgomery averages more than 20 touches for each game. His 15 details for every start in 2021 tied him with Aaron Jones (11th in PPR scoring), Josh Jacobs (12th) and Nick Chubb (13th). Missing 4 video games past year, Montgomery still completed as RB19 in PPR formats. How he completed this with the NFL’s worst head mentor is a miracle. The given that-fired Matt Nagy’s mish-mash game ideas appeared like Arena League soccer chucking the ball all over the put with gadget performs and no well balanced attack. Only Nagy could make Professional Bowl WR Allen Robinson decrease to 38 receptions last yr just after catching 102 in 2020. New offensive coordinator Luke Getsy created Aaron Jones a topflight back in Inexperienced Bay. With cellular QB Justin Fields working Getsy’s run-go-possibility offense, Montgomery will prosper both equally dashing and getting. Draft him with self-assurance.

Round 4

Kyle Pitts will finish Top Three at TE — The Falcons will path in most online games and have to toss a ton. They do not have any veteran WRs that could make several NFL rosters. Do the names Bryan Edwards (traded from the Raiders), Olamide Zaccheaus (undrafted no cost agent), KhaDarel Hodge (cut by the Lions), Damiere Byrd (slice by the Bears) or Frank Darby (2021 sixth rounder) strike fear in the hearts of foes? I feel not. At minimum the Falcons understood their dearth of WR expertise by making Drake London the very first wideout drafted in 2022. In addition to London and Pitts, who is new QB Marcus Mariota heading to throw to? Pitts is a thing exclusive. He had the 2nd-most obtaining yards by a rookie restricted close in NFL history past yr with 1,026. Mike Ditka has held the history (1,076 yards) due to the fact 1961. That is a good deal of time among stellar rookie campaigns. If you noticed Pitts’ emphasize reel 52-lawn reception in previous week’s preseason match against the Jets, you could be tempted to draft him the No. 1 TE in Fantasy.

Round 5

Rhamondre Stevenson is a Leading 20 RB — Monthly bill Belichick thinks in the dreaded RB by committee. But Belichick does love RBs that can catch. From 2016-2020, Patriots RB James White averaged 50 receptions, 500 yards and 5 TDs. Final 12 months the a lot less gifted Brandon Bolden chipped in 41 catches for 405 yards and two TDs. White retired and Bolden is in Vegas, leaving a golden prospect for Rhamondre. He is the finest acquiring back on the Pats. Major, speedy and elusive, his type is the opposite of north-south operating teammate Damien Harris. I hope Harris’ carries to diminish a little bit considering the fact that Rhamondre skipped 5 game titles in 2021. Therefore, if we extrapolate Stevenson’s hurrying totals based on last time, he will have 900 yards and 8 TDs. Insert the envisioned acquiring job (50/500/5), and he is in a issue complete class with initial/second rounders Fournette, Mixon, Kamara and Cook. Really don't wait around far too long to pounce on Rhamondre at your draft even the famously damaging Belichick praised him to the Boston push this week.

Up coming week: Previous Moment Draft Assistance

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