So here we are amidst a pandemic that leaves us all guessing what 2020 will bring not just in our real lives but also this fantasy world we seem to be enamored with so I am going to roll the dice and put on record a few BOLD predictions of mine for the 2020 NFL season.
Fantasy Rookie of the Year (FROY)
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is not what I necessarily consider to be the boldest prediction but this is a category that I enjoy predicting and I feel that Cincinnati Quarterback Joe Burrow has the best opportunity to earn this reward as he will be the starter right out of the gate and has the skillset to be successful at the next level in the NFL.
With that said, I will take this prediction to another level and say that Burrow will throw for 4,000+ yards, 30+ TD’s and lead the Bengals to their first playoff appearance since the 2015 NFL season when they lost by 2 points to the Steelers in the Wildcard round with A.J. McCarron under center.
The Bengals drafted WR Tee Higgins in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL Draft and he has been working out with Joe Burrow this offseason. The Bengals also have high expectations of TE Drew Sample and WR Auden Tate to go with starters Tyler Boyd and oft-injured A.J. Green. The team also hoping they can count on former 1st rounder John Ross to get past his injuries and prove that he can be a factor on offense.
Ironically, I had a similar prediction with Andy Dalton last year which left many rolling their eyes and had he not been benched, he was on pace to throw for 4,000+ yards as I predicted so the Bengals coaching staff does factor in to the prediction as they benched him for 3 games but still finished the season with just under 3500 yards (3494). Hopefully Bengals Head Coach and crew give Burrow the tools and chance to succeed in his first season in the NFL.
Other considerations here were Rams RB Cam Akers and Bills RB Zach Moss given their situations.
Fantasy MVP (PPR Leagues)
Embed from Getty ImagesLast year this title went to Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey in PPR leagues but I’m not sure he will achieve that top award this year with all the changes to the offense in Carolina although I do expect him to be included in the top five.
This year I fully expect Titans RB Derrick Henry to be included in the conversation of “Fantasy MVP” as he has been rumored to be concentrating on his receiving skills and is coming off a career year which he led the league in rushing with over 1500 yards but was well over 140 points in a standard PPR league from achieving this title. If Henry can add pass catching to his resume, he will definitely be in the running for the leading fantasy football contributor in PPR leagues.
If Henry does not finish at the top of fantasy PPR producers this year, then I would guess that a mobile QB such as Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson would earn the title.
Comeback Player of the Year
Embed from Getty ImagesIndianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton had his struggles with injuries last year but started the season with 20 catches (25 targets), 195 yards and 4 TD’s in his first three games before suffering injuries and just after his champion quarterback Andrew Luck announced his retirement from the NFL.
T.Y. Hilton was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2012 draft which is the same year the Colts selected Andrew Luck with the 1st overall pick and Hilton has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving five of the eight years he has been in the league but has never produced double digit touchdowns. I expect both of those to be accomplished this season.
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The Colts now have newly acquired veteran QB Philip Rivers on a one-year deal tossing the ball to him and he has reportedly developed great chemistry with Hilton. I fully expect these two to produce some big numbers in 2020.
So there you have it ……. three of my 2020 BOLD predictions. Let me hear your thoughts and better yet ……. some of your predictions for the 2020 NFL season. As always, I will own up to my predictions after the season by, often painfully, grading the results of those predictions. Best of luck to you and your 2020 fantasy football season……cheers!
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