Fantasy: 7 bold predictions for 2017
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
theScore's football editors deliver their bold predictions for the upcoming fantasy season.
Crowell will lead the league in rushing yards
With Ezekiel Elliott suspended for up to the first six games of the season, the NFL will have a new rushing leader. Isaiah Crowell received 198 carries to Duke Johnson's 73 last season, eliminating concerns about a timeshare taking away his upside. Unlike Le'Veon Bell and David Johnson, he doesn't see much usage in the passing game, receiving just 52 targets last season.
The Browns vastly improved their offensive line and their starters boast high Pro Football Focus grades. Center JC Tretter ranked ninth at his position last year, tackle Joe Thomas sixth, and guard Kevin Zeitler seventh. Guard Joel Bitonio would have ranked 13th with enough playing time. Only tackle Shon Coleman would have been outside the top 15 at his position, slotting in at 47th, but he improved to 32nd in run blocking. - Esten McLaren
Ross produces 1,000-yard rookie season
Bengals speedster John Ross will prove to be the appropriate flank to A.J. Green and go off for 1,000 yards in his first season. With Green drawing multiple defenders and Joe Mixon a receiving threat out of the backfield, Ross will carve out his niche as a home-run hitter and give Andy Dalton a place to safely chuck it when his protection breaks down. - Michael McClymont
Henry will take a healthy Murray's job
The Titans' monstrous second-year tailback will provide a monstrous return on his mid-round ADP by taking over the starting job in Tennessee - and Derrick Henry won't require an injury to DeMarco Murray to do it. Henry is simply bigger, faster, and better than Murray. The Titans have seen this in training camp and they will see it early in the season. Henry won't leave his coaches any choice but to accelerate their backfield succession plan. Unleashed behind one of the best offensive lines in football, Henry will feast. - David P. Woods
Doctson emerges as Redskins' best fantasy WR
Josh Doctson has gotten off to a slow start in his NFL career. The 2016 first-round pick's rookie season was almost entirely wiped out by an Achilles injury, but in his few moments of game action, Doctson was thrown to often - seeing seven targets on just 31 snaps. In offseason practices, the sophomore wideout has reminded everyone of his elite talent, showing an ability to blow by defenders or make contested catches.
Most of the headlines have gone to Terrelle Pryor, Jamison Crowder, and tight end Jordan Reed, but the only thing holding Doctson back has been health. Now that he's back on the field, we're going to see him emerge as an impact player in Washington's pass-happy offense. - Justin Boone
Winston leads the NFL in touchdown passes
Jameis Winston is entering year two under the tutelage of Dirk Koetter and he possesses the ability to make a big leap in 2017. The additions of DeSean Jackson out wide and O.J. Howard at tight end give Winston even more weapons to utilize and create better matchups for Mike Evans to exploit. Jackson gives Winston a big-play threat on either side of the field, and Howard is a tremendous athlete that very few opposing defenders will be able to cover. Winston increased his touchdown total from 22 as a rookie to 28 in 2016. Don't be surprised if he pushes 40 this season. - Michael Amato
Olsen will outscore all but 5 WRs
Greg Olsen has been the hallmark of consistency in an explosive, if sometimes inconsistent, Panthers passing game. A nightmare in the red zone as well as in the open field, the three-time Pro Bowler is due for some positive touchdown regression after scoring just three times in 2016. Olsen will reinvigorate Cam Newton's confidence and star as his favorite target en route to an 1,100-yard, 10-touchdown season that will dwarf all but five receivers in total fantasy points. - Arun Srinivasan
Kamara finishes as Saints' top fantasy RB
With all eyes on the battle between Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram, third-round rookie Alvin Kamara isn't getting the attention he deserves as a running back with an ideal skill set for the Saints' system. Sean Payton loves to ride the hot hand, so he won't shy away from favoring a rookie if either veteran struggles or picks up an injury - which could easily happen. Kamara's speed and receiving ability make him a big-play candidate that Drew Brees can use similarly to past teammates Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush. - Mitch Sanderson