The Boldest Week 1 Predictions You Will See Today

Hey there GoingFor2 fam! Dr. Fantasy here with the first iteration of my weekly bold predictions for the 2022 season. If you haven’t seen my weekly series in previous seasons, I will offer 10 bold predictions each week. As the year progresses, I will be tracking my wins/losses on these predictions by placing them into three distinct categories: nailed it, close but no cigar, and nope, nowhere close. Drop your own bold comments in the comments, and let me know if you think any of my predictions may be just a bit too bold. 

Mike Williams finishes as a top-5 WR

As the cool kids are calling him, BMW (is this actually a good nickname?) is primed to have a huge season for the prolific Chargers offense. In Week 1, he gets a draw against the Raiders who feature a starting CB core of Rock Ya-Sin, Nate Hobbs, Anthony Averett, and Amik Robertson. All of these corners are smaller, which gives the 6’4 Williams 4-5 inches on these guys and a good 30 pounds. Expect Williams to feast and get himself into the endzone a time or three. 

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Dameon Pierce is a dud and finishes outside the top 40 RBs

Maybe I am just a hater, but I am skeptical when it comes to Pierce. I was not overly impressed with his college tape, and am not sold on his outlook for 2022. What I do know is that the Colts’ front seven is stout and allowed the fewest fantasy points to RBs in 2021. I expect this trend to continue in 2022, and for all of those Pierce-truthers to be very disappointed after Week 1.

I will go even a step further with Dameon Pierce. Rex Burkhead outscores him in Week 1

I expect the Texans to play catch-up in this game, and if this is the case, I expect a heavy dose of Rex Burkhead. Burkhead is one of my favorite under-the-radar fantasy PPR late draft picks this season and should see passing down opportunity in this game and for the foreseeable future.

Tony Pollard outscores Ezekiel Elliott

I love Pollard’s talent, and this is the season where he finally overtakes Zeke. The Cowboys learn from their playoff woes last season and run the ball more consistently in Week 1, where Pollard shows his big-play ability. 

Rondale Moore is a top-24 WR

The Chiefs’ defense shows us in Week 1 that their secondary is still terrible by allowing big-play Moore to have himself a day. Murray and Moore showed a fantastic connection in 2021, and I believe this is on full display in Week 1 with a Cardinals core missing DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, and a banged-up Zach Ertz. 

Kirk Cousins is a top-5 QB

The Packers allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to QBs in 2021, and although I expect a healthy secondary to be improved, I think people are downplaying the Kevin O’Connell factor this year. O’Connell comes from a system that produced three top-twelve fantasy seasons from Jared Goff. Kirk Cousins shows us in Week 1 why I believe he could be an under the radar MVP candidate. 

Jalen Hurts finishes outside the top 12 QBs

I wanted to go even more bold with this one, but Hurts’ rushing upside, even during a bad week makes him a top 12 consideration. He is playing the Lions, who should have an improved pass rush this season, expect Dan Campbell’s crew to come out hungry and for Hurts to show he still has work to be done.

Pat Freirmuth is a top-5 TE

The Bengals struggled against opposing TEs in 2021, allowing the most points to the position. Trubisky finds his Week 1 security blanket in Freiermuth.

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Russell Wilson finishes as a top-3 QB

I have learned with these predictions to not be too over-the-top. In past years, I would’ve said QB #1, but even if he finishes as QB 2, I did not successfully predict his finish (although the thought is there). This is a revenge game, on primetime, yeah I am not going to go too far into the rationale for this one. 

Ka’Darius Toney finishes as a top-24 WR

The Titans’ secondary struggled against opposing WRs in 2021, and I am not overly optimistic this trend will change in 2022. Between him being the most talented WR on the Giants, and Kenny Golladay’s route running being described as “mannequin-like”, Toney could be in for a big season. Toney shows interest in playing football in Week 1 and shows everyone why he is the Giants’ WR 1 this season.

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