Top 50 Bold Preseason Predictions:
A few days ago I predicted that WR Kevin White will fall well short of his WR32 ADP expectations. With recent word that he's out the first six weeks of the season--and possibly the whole year--I'm tossing out this prediction (since it's likely to come true before the season even starts) and replacing it with a new #33 . . .
(33) Jamaal Charles -- RB2 ADP
Prediction: Not a top 8 RB
Settle down. I've heard every phrase in the book. "You're nuts." "How can you look at yourself in the mirror?" "I just threw up in outrage." I'm down on Charles this season, so might as well make it official. He remains as elite a running back as anyone in the game. But the Chiefs' offense, which used to run him ragged, is likely to rest him a bit more, limiting his touches to 225-250. Knile Davis will be more involved. Jeremy Maclin and even Albert Wilson--not to mention a more seasoned Travis Kelce--means fewer red zone touches for Charles. It adds up to "controlled dominance"--great YPC, 1,200+ total yards, but not enough big-time games to warrant a first round pick.
And with that, let's return to where we left off yesterday, with prediction #41:
(41) Lorenzo Taliaferro -- RB58 ADP
Prediction: Top 35 RB
Baltimore will be a run-friendly team in 2015. But Justin Forsett won't be the only RB getting into the action. If I were gutsier, I'd predict Taliaferro will overtake the journeyman Forsett sometime this season. Not yet willing to go there. But Taliaferro's 4.3 YPC and four rushing touchdowns in 2014 can't be ignored. Whereas Forsett is going on 30, his likely backup is 23 and has proven to be capable in a lead-back role (see last season's weeks 3 and 4).
A few days ago I predicted that WR Kevin White will fall well short of his WR32 ADP expectations. With recent word that he's out the first six weeks of the season--and possibly the whole year--I'm tossing out this prediction (since it's likely to come true before the season even starts) and replacing it with a new #33 . . .
(33) Jamaal Charles -- RB2 ADP
Prediction: Not a top 8 RB
Settle down. I've heard every phrase in the book. "You're nuts." "How can you look at yourself in the mirror?" "I just threw up in outrage." I'm down on Charles this season, so might as well make it official. He remains as elite a running back as anyone in the game. But the Chiefs' offense, which used to run him ragged, is likely to rest him a bit more, limiting his touches to 225-250. Knile Davis will be more involved. Jeremy Maclin and even Albert Wilson--not to mention a more seasoned Travis Kelce--means fewer red zone touches for Charles. It adds up to "controlled dominance"--great YPC, 1,200+ total yards, but not enough big-time games to warrant a first round pick.
And with that, let's return to where we left off yesterday, with prediction #41:
(41) Lorenzo Taliaferro -- RB58 ADP
Prediction: Top 35 RB
Baltimore will be a run-friendly team in 2015. But Justin Forsett won't be the only RB getting into the action. If I were gutsier, I'd predict Taliaferro will overtake the journeyman Forsett sometime this season. Not yet willing to go there. But Taliaferro's 4.3 YPC and four rushing touchdowns in 2014 can't be ignored. Whereas Forsett is going on 30, his likely backup is 23 and has proven to be capable in a lead-back role (see last season's weeks 3 and 4).