In lower than every week, we can have NFL video games that rely and, due to this fact, fantasy soccer outcomes to trace. Hope springs everlasting and everybody has an opinion on which gamers will do that and which groups will try 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 stunned.
Do not be stunned if …
Adonai Mitchell finishes as a top-35 fantasy WR
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Presently being drafted as WR61, the Indianapolis Colts rookie has the dimensions and velocity (his 4.34 40-yard sprint was third quickest amongst huge receivers at this 12 months’s mix) to render him a deep menace on this offense. And with Josh Downs presently sidelined due to a excessive ankle sprain, Mitchell has had the chance to construct rapport with QB Anthony Richardson in camp. Mitchell flew underneath the radar at Georgia however emerged at Texas to supply a glimpse of what he might turn out to be — and the Colts appreciated what they noticed, drafting him 52nd total. If Downs has a protracted absence and/or Mitchell makes a robust case for enjoying time, he might 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 provide within the move recreation, as Etienne caught 58 of 73 targets in 2023. Even when he has a slight decline in whole touches this season, his deployment results in constant weekly quantity as each a runner and receiver whereas additionally creating scoring alternatives within the low pink zone. There’s actual upside right here for Etienne in a Jacksonville Jaguars offense that has the items — and the scheme underneath head coach Doug Pederson — to provide 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 stories that he’ll return punts for the Rams.
Williams’ inventory is dipping after latest “information” that he’ll be the Los Angeles Rams’ major punt returner. Notice that Williams dealt with that position throughout Weeks 1-3 final season (he was answerable for all three of the Rams’ punt returns) whereas additionally taking part in 86% of the group’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 group’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 operating 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 seems 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 properly positioned for one more strong RB1 marketing campaign. — Mike Clay
The Denver Broncos’ passing recreation delivers excellent fantasy numbers
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Particularly, 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 a lot snug 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 just a few weeks in the past. Sutton, who’s going because the No. 42 huge receiver on common, and Mims, going exterior the positional high 75, have ceilings that attain into the place’s high 20. In the meantime, Nix ought to have matchups attraction 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, wherein he turned 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 abilities and is run by a reliable QB in Kirk Cousins. Right now subsequent 12 months, we’ll have a look at Pitts as a Spherical 2-3 fantasy choose. — 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 supplies 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
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It is a query of when, not if. Odunze can be Williams’ second-favorite goal behind DJ Moore earlier than season’s finish. Odunze has exuded Alpha vitality all through his faculty profession (10 video games of no less than 100 receiving yards in 2023 and a Biletnikoff Award finalist) and from the bounce since being drafted ninth total by the Chicago Bears. He and Williams have demonstrated instantaneous chemistry. The 2 notably connected on an out-of-structure play that resulted in a beautiful 45-yard connection in the course of the group’s third preseason outing towards 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 could be a bit increase or bust to start, however he is an superior upside choose within the tenth spherical (an astonishing three rounds after Allen is being chosen). — Liz Loza
Travis Kelce finishes exterior the highest 5 TEs
Kelce remains 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. Take into account 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 Metropolis 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 stunned 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 Subject Yates is ‘all-in’ on Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams in fantasy
Subject Yates explains why he is excited for the rookie QB class to excel in fantasy soccer.
The Bears are the one group that has by no means had a quarterback move for 4,000 yards in a season. Surrounded by a formidable supporting solid, Williams is well-positioned to finish that drought. The No. 1 choose would be the first rookie quarterback chosen within the high 5 to throw to a number of gamers who had no less than 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 last faculty 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 loads of components 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 can 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. — Subject Yates
