With the NFL season kicking off tomorrow between the Baltimore Ravens and defending Superbowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, the We Know Fantasy crew has assembled their hot takes for this upcoming season. We’ll list all of their takes below and revisit them periodically throughout the season to see who’s hot take was correct and who missed. Let’s be honest, there will be more misses than not here.
Nate (@WKFNate)
Will Levis finishes as a top ten fantasy quarterback. With the improved offense around him via the additions of Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard and Tyler Boyd, Levis is looking to burst onto the scene this season. He showed some signs in limited playing time a season ago but with a full off-season under his belt as the starter in Tennessee, he’ll flourish. The offensive line is much improved in Tennessee and Brian Callahan takes over as the team’s new head coach.
Trey Benson takes over the backfield in Arizona and finishes as a top 20 fantasy runningback. Trey Benson has all of the tools to be a three-down back in the NFL. He has both the necessary size and speed to do so. With Kyler Murray back and full healthy, teams will be forced to monitor both his arms and legs which will open up rushing lanes for Benson. Conner is in the final year of his deal and has never played every game in a season in his seven year career.
Bradin Cooks thrives in Dallas and finishes as a top 20 WR. Cooks took a while to get going in Dallas a season ago but from Week 10 to the end of the season, he was a top 15 receiver in fantasy football. He had 37 receptions for 492 yards and six touchdowns to go along with 9.5 yards-per-target. He finished that stretch as the WR14. With defenses being forced to focus on CeeDee Lamb, this high powered Dallas offense is going to give Cooks all of the opportunities to shine this season.
Juwan Johnson finished as a top ten TE in fantasy. Johnson averaged 11.8 PPR points in three-of-his-last-four games to finish the 2023 season. He’ll be one of the top targets for Derek Carr this season. His stock is being hit right now as he was out for most of training camp but he’ll be ready for Week 1.
Cody (@WKFCody)
Rashee Rice (as long as he's not suspended mid-season) has a top-12 season despite being drafted outside the top 30.
Kirk Cousins struggles to bounce back from his Achilles tear and none of the Falcons offensive weapons (London, Pitts, Bijan) return on their draft value.
Nick Chubb doesn't have it anymore and is outscored by Jerome Ford on a PPG basis this season.
The Rams win the NFC and end up losing in the Super Bowl. Stafford and the offense have a great year and bail out the defense on multiple occasions
Steven (@CoachStevenP)
George Pickens ascends to WR1 level status and sees over 150 targets in the Steelers’ offense that lacks a true second option on the team.
Tyler Conklin has a sneaky top eight tight end finish being Aaron Rodgers favorite red zone target this season.
Puka Nacua comes back down to earth as Cooper Kupp comes finished with more yards, touchdowns and fantasy points as he finds his connection again with Matthew Stafford
Jonathan Brooks returns from the PUP and is a top three running back in fantasy during the second half of the season as he helps the Panthers end the season on a high note.
Mike (@Mike_Watkins92)
James Cooks finishes as a top six runningback
Malik Nabers finishes outside the top 20 of wide receivers.
Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb are way undervalued and will out perform their average draft position.
Garrett Wilson finishes as a top five fantasy wide receiver.
Both Jordan Love and C.J. Stroud regress from their 2023 seasons.
Leighton (@LTSchlamuels)
Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell all finish outside the top 20 of wide receivers, but they also all finish in the top 30.
Contrary to Mike - Malik Nabers finishes as a top five wide receiver due to very little competition for targets and the fact that the Giants will have a bottom five run game this season.
The Dolphins will support four top 40 overall position players (De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle,) but only Hill will be top ten. Tua will still somehow finish no better than QB8.
Javonte Williams finishes as a top ten runningback. He was quietly consistent last year with double digit fantasy points in eight-of-his-last-11 games, and he's even further removed from the ACL surgery.
Megh (@we_got_cows)
Jackson Smith-Njigba has a breakout season in Seattle.
Travis Etienne is not going to live up to the hype this season and does not meet his average draft position.
C.J. Stroud does well and the Houston Texans as a whole has a dominate season.
The Indianapolis Colts are a team that will make a deep playoff run.
Fantasy Football Philosopher (@FFPhilosopher6)
Taysom Hill finishes as a top six tight end. He will be used as a rusher and receiver, as well as wildcat QB in the redzone.
A.J. Brown leads the league in receiving yards. He will garner an elite target share with the downfield routes to maximize his skillset.
Aaron Jones will outscore consensus fantasy darlings Isaiah Pacheco, Travis Etienne, De'Von Achane, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. He will be the third target in the passing game, and is still extremely good as a receiver.
Jordan Love leads the league in passing, but does not produce a Top 36 wide receiver. Green Bay will run WR-by-committee and have team success, but not fantasy success for their pass catchers.
Schlanger (If You Know You Know)
Nico Collins finishes as a top eight WR due to him being CJ's favorite red zone target. A disgruntled Stefon Diggs ends up outside of the top 35 WR as Tank Dell outscores him despite having fewer targets on the season
The Giants won't be able to do anything right. Malik Nabers will be double covered with defenses not fearing the run game, and he'll have a worse rookie outing than the likes of Rome Odunze and Xavier Worthy
Tua will regress in his accuracy, leaving Tyreek Hill out of the top eight wide receivers this year. They'll lean heavily on Raheem Mostert near the goal line and he'll outscore De’Von Achane on the season
Despite being prototypically the third down back, Jaleel Mclaughlin outscores Javonte Williams on the season due to Denver playing from behind and being Bo Nix's favorite outlet when he can't find anyone downfield (which will happen frequently.)
Comments