The first five bold predictions have been all about what guys *won't* do this season. It's time to throw some positivity into the mix as we leave the AFC East and head into the AFC North. Here are three guys who'll significantly outperform expectations. If I were limiting myself to only 10 bold predictions, at least two of the following would be on the list.
(6) Andy Dalton. #24 QB ADP. Prediction: Top 12 QB. A few weeks ago he was ranked 26th, so he's moving in the right direction. But he remains fantasy's most underrated QB. It’s absolutely bizarre that last year’s 18th best fantasy QB—who played without his #2 receiver, his rising #1 TE, and whose #1 receiver wasn’t at full strength for a chunk of the season—is getting zero fantasy love. He’s coming off his worst NFL season (career low TDs, tied for career low in passing yards), even though he earned a career high in completion percentage while throwing way too often to #3, #4, and #5 receivers. Dalton is primed for QB1 numbers, and fortunately, no one else in your drafts will understand that.
(7) Marvin Jones. #64 WR ADP. Prediction: Top 40 ADP. He racked up 712 yards and 10 TDs in 2013 on only 51 catches. Last year, foot and ankle injuries kept him off the field. The Bengals' #3 WR, Mohamed Sanu, presents a significant drop-off in talent. It’s time to choose sides on Jones. Most of the expert community don't think much of him, but he's a near lock for, at minimum, low-end WR3 numbers. He must be owned in all standard leagues.
(8) Tyler Eifert. #24 QB ADP. Prediction: Top 14 TE. In other words, Eifert's worth drafting in all 14-team leagues and in some 10-/12- team leagues. Sidelined starting in Week 1 last year with a dislocated elbow, the third-year tight end racked up 445 in his rookie 2013 season. Now he’s back at full strength and could become Dalton's #3 target in an offense that will surprise most of the fantasy community. At worst, Eifert's a useful streaming TE in small leagues. At best (and this is what I believe), he's a guy you can grab at the end of your draft who will keep you competitive vs. the guys who picked up Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, and Jason Witten much earlier.
(6) Andy Dalton. #24 QB ADP. Prediction: Top 12 QB. A few weeks ago he was ranked 26th, so he's moving in the right direction. But he remains fantasy's most underrated QB. It’s absolutely bizarre that last year’s 18th best fantasy QB—who played without his #2 receiver, his rising #1 TE, and whose #1 receiver wasn’t at full strength for a chunk of the season—is getting zero fantasy love. He’s coming off his worst NFL season (career low TDs, tied for career low in passing yards), even though he earned a career high in completion percentage while throwing way too often to #3, #4, and #5 receivers. Dalton is primed for QB1 numbers, and fortunately, no one else in your drafts will understand that.
(7) Marvin Jones. #64 WR ADP. Prediction: Top 40 ADP. He racked up 712 yards and 10 TDs in 2013 on only 51 catches. Last year, foot and ankle injuries kept him off the field. The Bengals' #3 WR, Mohamed Sanu, presents a significant drop-off in talent. It’s time to choose sides on Jones. Most of the expert community don't think much of him, but he's a near lock for, at minimum, low-end WR3 numbers. He must be owned in all standard leagues.
(8) Tyler Eifert. #24 QB ADP. Prediction: Top 14 TE. In other words, Eifert's worth drafting in all 14-team leagues and in some 10-/12- team leagues. Sidelined starting in Week 1 last year with a dislocated elbow, the third-year tight end racked up 445 in his rookie 2013 season. Now he’s back at full strength and could become Dalton's #3 target in an offense that will surprise most of the fantasy community. At worst, Eifert's a useful streaming TE in small leagues. At best (and this is what I believe), he's a guy you can grab at the end of your draft who will keep you competitive vs. the guys who picked up Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, and Jason Witten much earlier.