The time has come, the 2016 NFL season is finally here. By now you have drafted your fantasy teams, tinkered with your starting lineup and even made a few waiver claims. The time for talking is over and the time to produce is now. Every year in the NFL we see plenty of surprises. It’s time to look at some BOLD fantasy predictions for the 2016 season.
Five BOLD Fantasy Predictions for the 2016 NFL Season
Jameis Winston Will Throw 35 Touchdown Passes
Jameis Winston had a very productive rookie season. Winston threw for over 4,000 yards and 22 touchdown passes. The Tampa Bay quarterback put up these impressive numbers despite getting five touchdown receptions from Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson combined. Evans had 148 targets last season which according to playerprofiler.com was good for 10th best in the league. Jackson missed six games due to injury, but when healthy is as dynamic a number two wide receiver as anyone in the league. Tampa Bay boasts a solid run game with veteran Doug Martin (1,402 rushing yards in 2015) and Charles Sims (501 rushing yards and 51 receptions in 2015) as a change of pace back. Look for Winston to take advantage of the weapons around him and stamp his name as a top 10 quarterback in 2016.
Derrick Henry Will Score 10 Touchdowns
Rookie Derrick Henry could not have been more impressive in the preseason. The former Alabama Crimson Tide standout rushed for 216 yards averaging 6.4 yards per carry with 3 touchdowns. Current number one running back DeMarco Murray is coming off a forgettable year in Philadelphia with the Eagles. While Murray will be out to prove he is still an elite running back, however the explosive second round pick will certainly get his touches. The Tennessee Titans are going to want to establish the run, watch for Henry to be utilized as a goal line back earning significant red zone touches.
Lamar Miller Finishes As The Top Fantasy Running Back in 2016
After being severely under-utilized for four years in Miami, Lamar Miller will emerge as the top fantasy running back of 2016. Miller has averaged 4.6 yards per carry along with 7.6 yards per catch to start his career. The Houston Texans brought Miller in to become the workhorse of the offense. Under head coach Bill O’Brien the Texans have finished first and fifth in rushing attempts. According to the Houston Chronicle, Miller is expected to play a diverse role in the Texans offense. Look for Miller to average over 20 touches a game putting him in prime position to finish at the top of the running back rankings.
Devin Funchess Will Be The Number One Wide Receiver for Carolina
Devin Funchess, listed number three on the Carolina Panthers depth chart looked great in the preseason. Many people are under the impression that the returning Kelvin Benjamin will step right in as the Panthers top wide-out. Funchess scored five touchdowns as a rookie and finished the season with seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown week 17 of 2015. The second year receiver out of Michigan showed big play ability averaging 15.3 yards per catch. Cam Newton showed trust in Funchess targeting him 63 times as a rookie, including 21 in the final four games of the season.
Antonio Brown Becomes the All-Time Single Season Leader in Receiving Yards
The legend of Antonio Brown just keeps growing. The Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver has seen his receptions and yards rise the past three seasons. Coming off a season in which he recorded 136 catches on 193 targets and 1,834 yards, Brown has solidified himself as the number one receiver in the game today. The Steelers offense has a chance to be epic in 2016, even with the year-long suspension to troubled receiver Martavis Bryant and three game suspension to Le’Veon Bell. Brown had five games last season with double-digit receptions, look for that number to grow in 2016.
