A new season of football means a new season of bold predictions. Each week, we’ll be making calls for players you should have in your fantasy lineups that you may be on the fence about. Whether it’s for redraft, daily fantasy, or even to place a few wagers, let these bold predictions sway you the right way.
2023 NFL Week 1 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Jahan Dotson, WR, Washington Commanders
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 100 yards, 2 touchdowns
28.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT
Colin’s Breakdown: I’m going with an extra spicy stat line to start this season-long weekly bold prediction series. Jahan Dotson needs to be in Week 1 lineups. It’s bold enough to think he logs 100 yards. He has just one such game in his 12 as a rookie. The touchdowns, though, I’m less worried about as he caught seven last season, the most of any rookie at any position. He even scored two touchdowns in Week 1 last season.
It sounds like his teammate Terry McLaurin is going to play in Week 1 after working back from a preseason toe injury. From Weeks 13 through 18 last year, Dotson drew 35 targets, one more than McLaurin’s 34 during that stretch.
The Commanders are hosting the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. Joshua Dobbs is going to start at quarterback for the Cards after joining the team 17 days prior via trade. I don’t expect their offense to stay on the field long which should make for a tired Arizona defense.
I’m expecting second-year quarterback Sam Howell to shine in his first game as the clear-cut starter for the Commanders. With McLaurin at less than 100%, Dotson should be the biggest beneficiary in the passing game on Sunday.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans
Bold Prediction: 7 receptions, 100 yards, 1 touchdown
23.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Bradlee Kilgore, @SirBradleeK
Bradlee’s Breakdown: The undersized, but speedy, tight end out of the University of Maryland is entering his second season as the unquestioned TE1 in Tennessee. On top of that, the only other person challenging Okonkwo for targets is newly acquired wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Ryan Tannehill is a dependable quarterback who knows how to put the ball in the right spots. He won’t hesitate to hit the open players and Okonkwo is a matchup nightmare. Going up against a New Orleans team that is likely much improved should have a positive game script for the Titans’ passing game. Expect Okonkwo to be on far more rosters after Week 1 especially if he puts up a stat line that reflects my bold prediction.
Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
Bold Prediction: 15 carries, 92 yards, 2 touchdowns
21.2 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Ray Kuhn, @ray_kuhn_28
Ray’s Breakdown: This is a great time to get Raheem Mostert in your lineup as he never will be healthier than he is ahead of Week 1. Production, talent, size, and speed have never been an issue for Mostert. However, consistency, health, and his role have been. That is what has limited him throughout his career and is one of the reasons why the Dolphins were in the market for Indianapolis Colts running back, Jonathan Taylor.
While Taylor remains on the Colts, Mostert is the Dolphins’ healthiest lead back. Jeff Wilson is sidelined for the first four games of the season with an abdominal injury. So, Mostert should have a strong workload early on. Rookie back, De’Von Achane, will be active, but he doesn’t figure to be a threat to Mostert on the ground. While he did catch a career-high 31 passes last year, that is not a large part of Mostert’s game. Achane will likely be used in a supplemental role. As far as additional depth goes behind Mostert, we are just looking at Salvon Ahmed. He’s not a legitimate threat to Mostert.
Last season, Mostert did break the 100-yard mark twice. He is in a good spot to flirt with that again on Sunday. The Dolphins will likely look to be cautious with quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, on the ground. Therefore, Raheem Mostert can help to establish the run game. Facing the Chargers provides a soft landing spot for Mostert to begin the season, as well. On at least one of my teams, I will be starting Mostert this week over running backs drafted ahead of him.