When writing a fantasy football bold predictions column, a writer needs to walk the fine line between making predictions that are plausible and those that are outlandish and absurd.
It is easy to say that Patrick Mahomes will rebound in 2026 — that isn’t bold enough.
Saying that he will finish as a top-10 option at the position after missing that mark each of the last two seasons? Getting warmer.
That he will throw for more than 4,000 yards and pass for more than 30 touchdowns? Starting to get there.
How about 4,400 yards, 32 touchdown passes and finishing inside the top seven? Now we’re talking.
Is it possible? Sure. Probable? Perhaps not.
But that is what makes these claims bold.
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Fantasy Football Bold Predictions
Take all these predictions with a grain of salt. I’m not selecting scenarios that are for the weak-stomached. To borrow a term from the Fantasy Footballers’ Mike Wright (give him a follow on X @FFHitman), these are some “iron underpants” claims. At times, perhaps even diamond- or titanium-level. Buckle up.
De’Zhaun Stribling Wins Offensive Rookie of the Year
The dynamic duo of Notre Dame running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are the odds-on favorites to win the award, but I’m going to pivot in another direction entirely. Love remains mired in a committee situation with Tyler Allgeier and James Conner when he eventually returns.
Price is expected to be contested by George Holani on third downs, short-yardage and goal-line situations, and by the eventual return of Zach Charbonnet. Though each back is incredibly talented, I can’t envision either getting enough work to have a truly magical season — especially with Price already nursing an injury.
De’Zhaun Stribling’s average draft position (ADP) has skyrocketed since being selected with the 33rd overall pick in April, due to the role that he is immediately inheriting in this Kyle Shanahan offense. Ricky Pearsall is out of the mix with a season-ending PCL issue, Mike Evans is nursing multiple soft-tissue injuries in training camp and George Kittle is still getting back in shape from a torn Achilles at the end of last year. No one has as much juice as Stribling.
A precision route runner who has moves to make defenders miss in open space, Stribling has electric 4.36 speed and solid hands to boot. He fits perfectly with how this offense likes to run, and I can see him eclipsing 1,000 yards in his rookie season if he stays healthy. Stribling has been a priority add for me in drafts whenever possible.
Chris Godwin Jr. Leads Buccaneers WRs in Fantasy Points
I’m confident in a major rebound season for Chris Godwin Jr., despite the fact that he’s entering the season on the wrong side of 30.
Finally healthy and fully recovered from a dislocated ankle that he suffered late in 2024, Godwin is back to running at full speed following multiple corrective surgeries. Mike Evans is gone, leaving Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan as his main competition for targets from quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Physically, Egbuka is the most imposing player with the best all-around skill set. Currently being selected around WR20, per ADP, Egbuka should be the clear-cut favorite in this race, but a turf toe injury that he sustained several weeks ago has me incredibly leery.
Toe issues are right up there with plantar fasciitis, as I don’t want to see my players suffer because they tend to linger, and playing through the pain typically leads to setbacks.
McMillan is a third-year player who impressed during his rookie season (37/461/8 split over 13 starts), but played just four games last season while recovering from a neck injury. Talented, yet oft-injured, McMillan is more of a fringe FLEX option with occasional relevance rather than a consistent contributor.
Godwin’s ADP is currently floating around WR36, and he is typically selected several rounds behind Egbuka. A quick glance at his career statistics shows that Godwin has had a difficult time fending off the injury bug as well — he’s played just one full season since 2018.
Still, I’m confident that as a PPR gem with steady target volume, Godwin will surprise managers with a major return to relevance, celebrating his first 1,000-yard season since 2023.
Cam Skattebo Finishes as a Top-10 Fantasy RB
Is this a homer pick? Sure. But I’m feeling spicy, so here we are.
Fantasy managers caught a brief glimpse of what Cam Skattebo could be during his rookie season, when he blossomed into a league-wide sensation after Week 3 against Kansas City. Skattebo finished as an RB2 or better in seven of the eight games he played, including three RB1 results.
Despite being known for his compact, violent running style, Skattebo is a surprisingly adept receiver who is a viable threat on screen passes and checkdowns from quarterback Jaxson Dart.
New York made it a point to get much more physical after hiring John Harbaugh as head coach, bringing in the walking tank Patrick Ricard at fullback, spending a top-10 draft pick on Francis Mauigoa and having their All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas return healthy. During the preseason, this line bullied its opponents into submission, creating gaping running lanes for its backs.
Some will shy away from Skattebo after the Giants opted to sign Najee Harris, but I don’t see him as serious competition for early-down or goal-line work.
Betting on Skattebo to stay healthy all season long is a risk, considering how he constantly fights for yardage after contact each down. However, if by some miracle the battering ram stays healthy, I’m confident that he can blow past his current RB20 ranking.
DJ Moore Returns to WR1 Territory
It feels like the market has finally begun to catch on to DJ Moore’s upside as the alpha wideout in Buffalo, following two disappointing seasons in Chicago. Phased out of the Bears’ offense by youngsters Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Rome Odunze, it seems that Ben Johnson forgot that Moore existed at times, sending just 85 targets his way across 17 games.
Moore had some of the worst body language I’ve ever seen from an NFL player in 2025, pouting and looking completely dejected on the sidelines, knowing he was being intentionally worked out of this offense.
Fast forward to today.
Every report I’ve read stemming from Buffalo’s camp has raved about the connection that Moore has with Josh Allen since arriving, describing it as a “mind meld” where they perpetually appear to be on the same page, even when plays fall apart.
Moore’s tendency to roam the field to find soft spots in defenses is the perfect mindset to have, especially with Allen able to perpetually extend plays with his legs. Moore isn’t the fastest receiver in the league, but he is incredibly savvy and understands how to read and react to coverages.
For those doubting his upside, Moore surpassed 1,150 receiving yards four times in a five-year stretch from 2019-2023, and he has the versatility to work as a downfield threat or possession receiver. He’s been remarkably healthy and durable, playing every game since 2020, and is the most talented pass-catcher that Allen has had at his disposal since Stefon Diggs was in his prime.
Tucker Kraft Finishes as the Fantasy TE1
Given his current cost, Tucker Kraft is my favorite tight end to target this season, compared to the options ahead of him. Will Brock Bowers and Trey McBride continue to excel? Sure. But we are being bold, aren’t we?
Prior to tearing his ACL in Week 9 last season, Kraft was already the TE1 in fantasy points per game. Keep in mind that was on an offense that often refused to pass the ball, competing against a very deep receiver room.
Following the news that Josh Jacobs is on the Commissioner’s Exempt List for an undetermined amount of time after his domestic abuse legal issues, coupled with the departures of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks in the offseason, the future has begun to clear for Kraft.
Still just 25 years old, Kraft reminds me of a young George Kittle, and I’m hardly alone in that comparison. His uncanny knack for piling up yards after contact and forcing missed tackles for a player of his size is exceptional — as is his rapport with quarterback Jordan Love.
Green Bay finished with the sixth-fewest passing attempts in the league last season. If they can bump that number up even moderately, Kraft will be the primary beneficiary. I’ve been following his rehab closely, and he’s impressed me with his ability to be ahead of the curve at every step. I’m incredibly high on Kraft’s outlook this year.
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