It’s time to make my bold predictions for the year! Don’t worry they’ll still be rooted in this reality. What’s the point of “fantasy” football if we can’t have some fun and have some bold taeks every once in a while? These predictions will be bold, but I have good rationale behind them.
Justin Jefferson will go over 2,000 receiving yards
Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings new HC, just so happened to be a part of the LA Rams Super Bowl success. He might not have been the play-caller, but he was just as integral to Matthew Stafford and namely Cooper Kupp’s ascension to the top WR last year. Vikings and Kirk Cousins were already top 10 in pass attempts last year. Cousins is more than capable of supporting a top 12 WR on several occasions. Justin Jefferson has made his presence felt from the get-go as a rookie and set then, NFL rookie WR record for receiving yards (1,400) in 2020 only for his LSU teammate to break it (1,455 yards) only a year later. All Jefferson did in his sophomore season (1,616 yards) was shatter his rookie receiving numbers by over 200+ yards. In just 2 years, we have more than enough evidence Jefferson is capable of greatness and should already have a bust waiting for him in Canton. What’s even more impressive is he’s done this while playing in an offense that doesn’t necessarily cater to his skill-set. With the new coach Kevin O’Connell coming over from the Rams, he’ll make life easier for Jefferson by putting him in favorable situations and creating mismatches. This new creative offense will only help Jefferson go where no WR has ever gone before. Cooper Kupp, who previously never had even topped 1,200 yards in his 4 years prior to 2021, exploded for 1,947 yards. All Jefferson has done since coming into the league is shatter expectations, yet some still have reservations whether he’s the #1 WR in all of dynasty. Now that I think about it, this might not be bold enough, but anytime a player is expected to break a record, it should be considered bold.
Braelon Allen will be the next Wisconsin RB to rush for 2,000+ yards
Wisconsin has had multiple RBs go over 2,000 yards in a single season. Melvin Gordon holds the school record (2,587 yards). Now I won’t go as far as to say he can break his record, but I have great confidence that he will put up well over 2,000 rushing yards in 2022. Allen put up 1,268 yards as a true freshman at the age of 17 years old. That is an impressive feat in and of itself. This kid already looks like a grown man playing against players older than him, and to think he’s still maturing into his own body. Allen has all the traits of being an elite player; he’s got an excellent work ethic, he’s a physical freak, he’s got a good head on his shoulders, and after having a productive year under his belt, he has proven he can more than hang. I have no doubt he’s capable of ascending to the level of former Wisconsin greats like Gordon, Taylor, and Ron Dayne. In doing so, he’ll rush for over 2,000 yards this season.
D’Andre Swift will put up 1,000 yards rushing + 1,000 yards receiving
There have only been 3 RBs to ever accomplish this feat. Roger Craig (1985), Marshall Faulk (1999), Christian McCaffrey (2019).
In order for Swift to join this exclusive club, he’ll need to get at least 233 carries at his career average 4.3 yards/attempt, and he can reach 1,000 yards rushing. If he can improve even a little bit in his rushing efficiencies, he’ll easily get to 1,000 yards on the ground. In order to get 1,000 yards receiving, he’ll need to have an even bigger role in the passing game and try to capture 90+ receptions and improve slightly on his career average of 7.5 yards/reception. It might seem like a stretch to project Swift to be just the fourth such RB to post 1000/1000 given what he’s done so far. Keep in mind, up until now Swift has only started 4 games each of his first 2 seasons. The Lions fully intend to give him a full-time role going forward. All off-season, the coaching staff has talked about expanding Swift’s role more and how he’ll be the focal point of their offense. The addition of Deuce Staley will only help Swift to achieve this. Recently, Swift himself let us all know he’s got his sights on a 1000/1000 season. Who are we to doubt him?
Bonus Bold Predictions:
- DJ Uiagalelei will have a breakout season and lead the Clemson Tigers back to the playoffs
- Trey Lance will become just the third QB to rush for 1,000+ yards
- TreVeyon Henderson will be a Top 5 Heisman finalist
- Saquon Barkley will once again be a Top 3 RB
- Rakim Jarrett will surpass Stefon Diggs’ college career receiving yards (2,227) to become Maryland’s #2 all-time in that category
- Allen Robinson will have a better finish ppg than Cooper Kupp.
