#1 fantasy RB in 2013? One expert tells us why Richardson is poised for a monster season.

The preseason is finally over, and the real games are about to begin (sigh).  But that doesn’t mean we are done helping you prepare for your upcoming fantasy drafts.  We have asked a few of the most accurate experts in the industry to give us one bold prediction for this season. Each expert who participated finished in the top 25 (out of 100+) in our In-Season Accuracy competition last season. If you’re curious, you can learn more about how all of the experts fared in the competition by checking out our accuracy report.

Q:  What is your bold prediction for 2013 and why?

“Arian Foster goes down as the bust of the 2013 first round. A lot of mileage, declining efficiency, the line isn’t as good – I’m not taking him in the first 12 picks. Caveat emptor.” – Scott Pianowski (Yahoo Sports)

“Trent Richardson will lead all running backs in fantasy points this season. The biggest thing holding back Richardson in projections for this year has been injuries, but he has shed ten pounds and looks 100%, found better cohesion with his blockers (instead of just running full tilt into the line), has a top ten offensive line, has Norv Turner as his new head coach (take a peek at LaDainian Tomlinson’s usage in the passing game), and has looked great in preseason. He’ll have a tough time taking down Adrian Peterson, but his usage in the passing game could put him over the top.” – Chet Gresham (The Fake Football)

“Flying way below the radar all preseason, the Raiders now know what a lot of us suspected.  That Matt Flynn is not very good and has a weak arm.  You want the ultimate BUY-LOW gamble at QB?  Take a shot with Terrelle Pryor here.  The Raiders are going to be AWFUL…as in they might not win a single game this season bad.  But garbage stats count the same in fantasy football and Pryor is going to get lots of chances to put up stats as the team plays from behind often.  Add in his ability to run the ball and Pryor is flying way below the radar.  Grab him while you can for pennies on the dollar before the season starts.  He might end up being a top 12 QB if he stays healthy all season.” – David Dodds (FootballGuys)

“Despite being ranked #4 in consensus ratings and finishing #7 last season among running backs, C.J. Spiller will not finish in the Top 15 fantasy RBs in 2013. Spiller had one of the most efficient rushing seasons since 2000 last year based on each individual situation in which he carried the ball, but that type of production will frequently regress toward expectation. The only RBs so sustain such a performance in back-to-back years since 2000 are Priest Holmes, LaDanian Tomlinson, and Marshall Faulk — all consensus #1 picks in their time.” – Keith Goldner (Number Fire)

“He’s not at the top of Jason’s PPR rankings (No. 3), but there’s no doubt C.J. Spiller has No. 1 upside, and my brother would agree on that. I personally feel that he will finish the season as the No. 1 PPR running back.” – Justin Sablich (NY Times)

“Rueben Randle will end the season as a Top 25 wide receiver. Hakeem Nicks’ constant injury issues make it likely that Randle will get more opportunities than most No. 3 wideouts. Also, Google the offseason comments from the Giants’ coaches and executives. They gushed about Randle every chance they got, and Eli Manning sounds bullish about him as well. If there’s a draft-day WR4 ready to make a quick leap into every-week fantasy starter status, it’s this guy.” – John Halpin (Fox Sports)

“Kenbrell Thompkins will lead Patriots wide receivers in fantasy scoring in 2013 and finish in the top 20 at the position.” – Austin Lee (Pro Football Focus)

“Fred Davis will be a top 5 TE in TDs and Yards in 2013.” – Ken Zalis (Fans Fantasy)

“Montee Ball is going to be a BEAST in the Denver Broncos high scoring offense.  Ronnie Hillman is no longer a threat with his fumble issues, Knowshon Moreno is coming off of a knee surgery for the second straight season.  Montee Ball is going to be this years Alfred Morris and should easily clip the 1200 Yard/10+ TD mark.  Don’t Drop the Ball and let him slip on Draft Day!” – Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

“Montee Ball will finish the year inside the top 12 for all running backs. Prior to training camp we ranked Ball inside our top 12 due to his size, vision, and the fact he will be on one of the leagues most prolific offenses. Clearly, the committee talks have hurt his value since then but we just do not see how Denver will roll with Hillman once Ball gets into his groove with the pass blocking. We could realistically see 1,400 total yards and 14 touchdowns out of Ball this season.” – Brent Namejko (Fantasy Smack Talk)

“Sam Bradford will throw for over 4,000 yards with 27 touchdown passes this year. The offensive shift to a pass-heavy spread attack suits Bradford’s skill set well. The Rams have played it tight to the vest with players like Tavon Austin in the preseason. Watch out.” – Bryan Fontaine (Pro Football Focus)

“Mike Vick will finish as the top scoring quarterback in fantasy. He is the only quarterback, aside from Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, that has averaged 20 or more points a game at least half the time, over the past three years. New coach Chip Kelly’s offense is tailor-made for a player with Vick’s skill set, creating the perfect storm for a landmark season.” – Dorian Colbert (Roster Watch)

“Despite his second-round ADP, Matt Forte will finish as the top scorer among RBs in PPR formats. With Charlie Garner once catching 91 passes in a Marc Trestman offense, Forte, who averaged nearly 10 yards per carry this preseason, could end up leading all RBs in catches while setting career highs in both yards from scrimmage and receptions.” – Kevin Hanson (Eat Drink And Sleep Football)

“Despite not playing a single snap in the preseason, Ahmad Bradshaw will finish as a top 15 running back in fantasy. Andrew Luck will force teams to respect the passing game, leaving Bradshaw with room to work behind an improved Colts’ offensive line. The 27-year-old has battled through injuries, but he will start all 16 games this season on his way to over 1,400 yards from scrimmage.” – Justin Boone (The Score)

“Brent Celek will be a Top 12 fantasy producer at the tight end position. Consider that, prior to giving way to the backups during the team’s first three preseason games, Celek was in the game on a whopping 79 (or 95 percent) of 83 snaps with the Eagles’ starters. Additionally, his nine targets is second-most on the team. He’s going to play a ton and the target volume will be there for TE1 production.” – Mike Clay (Pro Football Focus)

“A concussion, a sprained knee, a fumble, a few drops — not exactly a banner preseason for Coby Fleener, eh? But that’s fine, because I’ll happily snatch up the undervalued tight end in every draft, wagering that he blossoms in his second pro season (thanks in part to a reunion with Pep Hamilton, who was Fleener’s offensive coordinator at Stanford). The prediction: Fleener finishes as a top-10 tight end and outperforms Tony Gonzalez.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (The Football Girl)

“Not only will Shane Vereen replace Danny Woodhead in third-down/two-minute situations, but he’ll also help to replace Aaron Hernandez in the passing game. As a result, he’ll finish in the top 20 in PPR formats.” – John Paulsen (4 for 4)

“I know the Vikings are a run-first team and Christian Ponder leaves a lot to be desired, but I think a lot of Cordarrelle Patterson‘s talent. Michael Floyd was randomly serviceable and Justin Blackmon was a decent WR3 a year ago, and Patterson has more pure talent than either of them. I love his value in drafts as he floats under the radar, and think by mid-season owners will be looking at a stash pick-turned rock solid WR3, if not better.” – Kevin Roberts (NFL Soup)

“My bold prediction for 2013 would be that David Wilson breaks out of the committee* ala Jamaal Charles in 2009 and will be considered a top 8 pick in 2014 drafts. And as a bonus, Dez Bryant will overtake Megatron as the #1 WR in fantasy football.” – Mike Tagliere (Tags Fantasy Football) *Note: Prediction were made prior to the injury suffered by Giants RB, Andre Brown

“If you were smart enough to nab David Wilson as your RB2 in the third round, you will be rewarded with a huge season. As long as Wilson can hold onto the ball and continue to improve as a blocker, he has shown the big-play ability to make a major fantasy impact. To the tune of 1300+ rushing yards and double digit touchdowns.” – Jody Smith (Gridiron Experts)

“I get the trepidation (brutal 2012, Blaine Gabbert), but I’m not letting it sway me when it comes to drafting the new contract seeking MJD. Maurice Jones-Drew finishes 2013 with at least 10 touchdowns and a per game average that ranks among the top-10 fantasy running backs. If not, it’s all Gabbert’s fault.” – Ben Standig (FF Toolbox)

“Miami’s offense takes the next step this year, which leads to Lamar Miller breaking out to be fantasy’s top running back.” – Eric Yeomans (Pro Football Focus)

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We’d like to thank all of the experts who shared their bold predictions with us.  If you like what the pundits have to say, please follow them on Twitter and check out their respective web sites.  If your fantasy draft is approaching, don’t forget to practice a few mock drafts with our free Mock Draft Simulator.  You can also get help during your real draft with our Draft Assistant.  Good luck!