Hot takes are less about accuracy and more about staking your reputation on a particular player you feel is primed to exceed expectations far. Many of the following takes from our featured experts won’t materialize, but they all have a realistic chance of coming to fruition. However, the bigger component that we fantasy managers must take away from this is that all the players suggested by today’s pundits were chosen because they have a high chance of breaking out, regardless of whether they’re able to meet the author’s lofty goals for their season.
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Scorching Hot Fantasy Football Takes
What is one fantasy football hot take (player related) you have for the upcoming season, and why could it happen?
“Jared Goff will finish as a Top 10 fantasy QB, maybe Top 5. In 2022 he threw for over 4400 yards with 29 TDs. Is 5,000 yards and 35 TDs out of reach? I do not think it is. He will not give you anything on the ground which could keep him just outside of the top 5, but the addition of Montgomery, Gibbs, and LaPorta, and, hopefully, 10-plus games from Jameson Williams and a better defense will lead to more scoring opportunities.”
– Ken Zalis (FantasyPros)
“Lamar Jackson will be fantasy QB1 in 2023, and QB2 won’t even be particularly close. We’ve seen Lamar break fantasy scoring once before, in 2019, when he had the best weapons and offensive line of his career. Well, in 2023, he has even better skill position players surrounding him, and his offensive line finally looks like a top 5-10 unit again. More importantly, moving from Greg Roman to Todd Monken is the single biggest improvement any offense made this offseason, and Lamar is well-positioned to reap the benefits in another record-setting year. Injuries are a threat, as they are to every team and player in football, but there are no other marks against this offense heading into the season. If they stay healthy, expect a juggernaut that gets close to the historic highs of 2019 once more, with Lamar Jackson becoming a cheat code for whichever lucky fantasy managers draft him.”
– Ryan Wormeli (FantasyPros)
“Kenny Pickett is a top-8 QB. Pickett finished last season by throwing for 607 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions over his last three games. I expect him to take another step forward this season behind a sneaky-good offensive line and some underrated weapons on offense. Diontae Johnson and George Pickens pack a nice 1-2 punch at receiver, and Pat Freiermuth continues to improve in the passing game at tight end, giving Pickett plenty to work with. If he continues to evolve as a passer and adds in 15-20 yards rushing per game, he will blow past his current QB23 ADP. If everything clicks, he could finish as a top-8 fantasy quarterback.”
– Jason Kamlowsky (FantasyPros)
“Trey Lance will be viewed as a must-start fantasy quarterback by midseason. Obviously, he has to earn a starting job first. I think Lance will eventually displace Brock Purdy, who played well for the 49ers late last season but also benefitted from a soft schedule. (Purdy didn’t face a defense that ranked better than 13th in DVOA against the pass until the playoff game against the Cowboys, who shut him down.) I also think that in light of the immense draft capital the 49ers gave up in order to draft Lance, they’ll give him another shot before breaking the seal on Sam Darnold. Lance has difference-making running ability, and he has enough arm talent to leverage the abilities of a sensational supporting cast. It’s still too early to give up on the No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
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