Just before the 2024 fantasy football season kicked off, I made 2024 fantasy football bold predictions, one for each NFL team. Almost exactly four months later, it’s time to look back on the 2024 fantasy football season and those predictions. I’ll be giving each bold prediction a grade and simple, corresponding values:
A = 5 points, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, F = 0
Then, I’ll take the total score, divide it by 32 (the number of teams and predictions), and give myself a grade for the season. The goal of this exercise back in September was to open the mind to the wide range of possibilities, good or bad, for specific players. Leaning into a few of these 2024 fantasy football bold predictions hopefully helped along the way and maybe even won you your league. Now, it’s time to roast me or toast me after the 2024 fantasy football season has come to a close.
Grading Each Bold Prediction from the 2024 Fantasy Football Preseason
Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray Finishes as the Overall QB1 on a Fantasy Point-Per-Game Basis
GRADE: D
Kyler Murray finishes the 2024 fantasy football season as the QB12 on a points-per-game basis. It’s obviously much lower than my 2024 bold prediction for him. We now know Marvin Harrison Jr.’s rookie campaign was an underwhelming one and it took until Week 17 for Trey McBride to score a receiving touchdown.
Above all else, this bold prediction suffers as a result of Murray’s rushing production. His 75 attempts in 16 games is an average of 4.68 attempts per game. That’s below his 6.53 attempts per game in 65 starts across his first five seasons.
Unfortunately for fantasy football managers, Murray logged five games of 12.0 or fewer fantasy points this season. He averaged just 16.3 points per game in six games after the Cardinals’ Week 11 bye. That includes just two games above 18.0 points. Murray likely won’t draw a ton of interest in 2025 drafts with plenty of other appealing players at the position.
Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts Finishes as the Overall TE1 on a Fantasy Point-Per-Game Basis
GRADE: F
I was grading this 2024 fantasy football bold prediction as Pitts hauled in a Week 17 touchdown on Sunday Night Football. His 14.4 PPR points score is just one of six games with double-digit fantasy points. Unfortunately, Pitts logged two games with 0.0 points and ultimately finished as the TE18 with 8.0 points per game. This is one of the bigger misses. Fortunately, the tight end position as a whole was a bit of a mess. So, like many others, you hopefully pivoted and found a better weekly starter. Pitts still won’t even be 25 years old until October 2025. However, it’s time to stop holding out hope he can be a dependable, weekly starter.
Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry Scores 20 Rushing Touchdowns
GRADE: C
We can’t necessarily predict touchdowns. However, we can look at data and make educated guesses as to how often a player may be in a position to score. In the case of Derrick Henry, he ranks sixth in red zone rush attempts and fourth in attempts inside the 10-yard line after 17 weeks. Henry’s rushed more in these areas than Gus Edwards did for the Ravens last season. Edwards scored 13 rushing touchdowns for Baltimore in 2023. Even if you thought Henry may have lost a step, investing in his role on the Ravens, specifically in scoring position, always had upside. Henry scored 13 rushing touchdowns in the first 11 weeks then completely cooled off. He scored just one more in his final five games, thankfully in the fantasy football finals.
Buffalo Bills
Ray Davis Scores the Most Rushing Touchdowns on the Bills
GRADE: F
Josh Allen led the Bills in 2023 rushing touchdowns with 15. The rest of the team scored seven, led by Latavius Murray’s four. Heading into this season, I anticipated Ray Davis to be a red-zone bruiser for Buffalo. Instead, James Cook scored a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns, 11 of which were in the red zone. Cook scored 10 of his touchdowns from inside the 10-yard line, as well. Davis is still a solid handcuff for the Bills moving forward. He did have five top-25 finishes, but this is James Cooks’ backfield. He is one of the best values at running back from the 2024 season.
Carolina Panthers
Xavier Legette is a Top-Five Rookie Wide Receiver in Fantasy Points Per Game
GRADE: D
Xavier Legette finishes the fantasy football season ninth in fantasy points per game amongst rookie wide receivers. However, he dealt with injuries throughout his rookie campaign. That includes shoulder, wrist, hip, and groin injuries. Despite the injuries, Legette missed just one game. He had just four games of double-digit fantasy points in 15 played during the fantasy football season. Legette’s season-high score score is just 19.6 points in Week 4.
I still think Legette can take a big step forward in his second season. He’s going to have to! His biggest competition for targets, Adam Thielen, will be 35 years old in August. Since Week 12, Thielen accounted for 34.6% of Young’s passing yard production and 50% of his passing touchdowns. The Panthers would save roughly $10 million designated Thielen as a post-June 1st release. That said, I like Legette as a buy-low in dynasty leagues this off-season. Carolina could look to add Tee Higgins or other free-agent wide receivers, but Legette, the 32nd pick in last year’s draft, could breakout next season.
Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams Sets New Record For Most Passing Touchdowns by a Rookie Quarterback
GRADE: F
Caleb Williams can still set a new record for passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback! He just needs to throw 13 touchdowns in Week 18! Williams’ rookie season has been a massive disappointment. It’s not entirely his fault, however. The Bears fired their offensive coordinator and then head coach 17 days apart in November. After 17 weeks, Williams also leads the league with 67 sacks taken, 15 more than the next closest player, C.J. Stroud. He’s just nine sacks away from tying the record for most ever in a season.
Williams had an up-and-down season. He didn’t throw his first touchdown pass until Week 3. Williams then threw four touchdown passes in Week 6 against the Jaguars in London. Coming out of the Bears’ Week 7 bye, Williams then failed to throw a single touchdown over the next four games. He then threw 10 total in five games after.
The jury is still very much out on Williams. He did log five top-10 quarterback weekly finishes including three inside the top-five. Just as C.J. Stroud took a step back in 2024, and Bryce Young took a step forward, Williams has the weapons and skillset to improve vastly next season. The emphasis put on rebuilding the offensive line and who the Bears hire as their next head coach are the two biggest factors that will impact Williams’ 2025 fantasy value.
Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown Finishes as a Top-20 Running Back on a Fantasy Points Per Game Basis
GRADE: A
This is one of the best 2024 bold predictions and calls I made heading into this season. As a rookie, Brown flashed in limited opportunities but was buried behind Joe Mixon on the depth chart. The Bengals only brought in Zack Moss in the off-season indicating a probable increase in role for Chase Brown. He ultimately finished as the RB14 on a points-per-game basis in PPR formats. Brown really took off from Week 10 onward following an injury to Zack Moss. Brown’s 20.6 points per game from Week 10 through 17 ranks third during this span behind only Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson.
As far as his value moving forward, the Bengals’ backfield is one to watch this off-season. The 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented running backs. Cincinnati using significant draft capital on one could mean bad news for Brown’s 2025 value. At the very least, Chase Brown is a good lesson in using later-round picks in drafts on high-upside players, specifically running backs. For some, Brown is the 2024 waiver wire add of the year.
Cleveland Browns
Jerome Ford Ranks Top-10 in All-Purpose Yards Amongst Running Backs
GRADE: D
Jerome Ford ranks 23rd in all-purpose yards amongst running backs after 17 weeks. It certainly isn’t close to my 2024 bold prediction for him, but he did manage 13.0 points per game (RB24) from Weeks 1 through 4, which was the minimum amount of time expected to command the backfield before Nick Chubb returned. Unfortunately for Ford, he suffered a hamstring injury early in Week 6. That caused him to miss Weeks 7 and 8, and then play in a very limited role in Week 9 before the Browns’ Week 10 bye. From there, Chubb handled the majority of carries until breaking his foot in Week 14. Ford then scored 18.4 and 24.1 points in Weeks 15 and 16 before exiting Week 17 with a high-ankle sprain. All things considered, when to start Ford this season was at least clearer than most other running backs. The Browns are incredibly cap-strapped for the 2025 season. Ford is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Unless they add a big name in the draft, Ford could be a low-risk, high-reward pick at the position next season.
Dallas Cowboys
No Cowboys Running Back Rushes for 900+ Yards
GRADE: C
It took 16 weeks for Rico Dowdle to eclipse 900 rushing yards. He currently has 1,007 yards after his fourth game of 100+ rushing yards over his last five games. In Dowdle’s first 10 games, he averaged just over 11 carries for just under 50 rushing yards per game. He did not break out until Week 12. From that point on, Dowdle averaged 20.2 carries and 103.8 rush yards per game. That being said, I feel this 2024 bold prediction gets a higher grade than some may believe considering he was pacing for under 900 yards after 10 games. It’s hard to believe Dowdle has just one rushing touchdown on the season. Like many other backs around the league, Dowdle faces a strong 2025 NFL Draft class and a list of free agents that are a threat to his value next season.
Denver Broncos
Javonte Williams Ranks Inside the Top-Five in Running Back Receptions
GRADE: B
Williams has 49 receptions heading into Week 18. That ranks seventh amongst running backs this season behind De’Von Achane, Alvin Kamara, Bijan Robinson, Breece Hall, Chase Brown, and Rachaad White. It’s a career-high for Williams and this 2024 bold prediction was made with at least 50 in mind for him. I expected an increased role in the passing game to boost Williams’ 2024 value. Unfortunately, he finishes the fantasy football season with just 9.2 PPR points per game as the RB37. That’s a result of Denver’s committee approach to their backfield. Williams accounts for just 43% of the Broncos’ running back rush share after 16 games. That’s not even considering 108 carries from other positions, including 85 from rookie quarterback, Bo Nix. Williams is set to be a free agent. His 2025 value will depend heavily on his landing spot. As for the Broncos’ backfield, Audric Estime could be a breakout candidate next season.
Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta Finishes Outside the Top-Five Tight Ends
GRADE: B
Sam LaPorta is the TE8 following the 2024 fantasy football season. After a slow start to the season, LaPorta has finished strong in his final five games. His 15.4 PPR points per game from Weeks 13 through 17 rank him as the TE5 amongst the position during that span. It’s worth noting LaPorta scored four of his seven touchdowns over his final five games. This 2024 bold prediction was to caution fantasy football managers about drafting LaPorta as the first or second tight end off of the board. LaPorta’s nine touchdowns during last year’s fantasy football season accounted for nearly one-third of his points. That, as well as the expectation of Jameson Williams having a large impact on the offense and a strong running game, were all red flags around LaPorta’s 2024 Average Draft Position.
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs Wins the 2024 Rushing Title
GRADE: B
Jacobs signed a four-year/$48 million free agency deal with the Packers last off-season. However, just $12.5 million was guaranteed. Essentially, the three years left on the deal are all team options. This 2024 bold prediction was with this in mind. Green Bay had the ability to lean heavily on Jacobs in the run game. They certainly did with 295 carries over 17 weeks. That ranks fourth amongst all players behind Saquon Barkley, Kyren Williams, and Derrick Henry. It’s no coincidence Jacobs ranks behind these three players in rushing yards, as well. After 17 weeks, he ranks fifth, though just one yard behind Bijan Robinson. Jacobs’ 295 carries account for 70.5% of the Packers’ running back rush share. He scored 30.6% of the team’s touchdowns, as well, through 17 weeks. As a result, Jacobs finished as the RB7 on a fantasy points per game basis.
Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud Finishes Outside the Top-12 Quarterbacks on a Fantasy Points Per Game Basis
GRADE: A
I’m not excited about this 2024 bold prediction grade, but justified in fading Stroud in every league I drafted in this season. The core concept behind the prediction was the lack of rushing Stroud brings to the table. Half of fantasy football’s top-12 quarterbacks this season rank inside the top-eight in rush attempts amongst the position. Stroud ranks 16th in rush attempts (52) and 27th in fantasy points per game. In order for Stroud to finish as a QB1, he needed to maintain a high level of passing as he did in his rookie season. After 17 weeks, Stroud is pacing for three fewer passing touchdowns and has already thrown seven more interceptions this season. He was without Nico Collins (hamstring) for five games, lost Stefon Diggs (ACL) after eight games, and Tank Dell later in the year, as well. However, Stroud himself and the offensive play calling were much worse this season regardless of the injuries to receivers.
Indianapolis Colts
Michael Pittman Jr. Sets New Career-Highs in Every Receiving Stat
GRADE: F
In one of the worst bold predictions of the season, Pittman looks like he is going to have career-lows in every receiving stat since his rookie season. Only three wide receivers caught more passes than Pittman in 2023. His 17-game pace, from a limited sample size with Anthony Richardson last season, was 93.5 receptions for 932 yards and five touchdowns. Even if Richardson was unable to stay healthy in 2024, which proved to be true, Joe Flacco should have been able to sustain Pittman’s value. He still led the Colts in targets (101) throughout the fantasy football season. Even as the team’s top target, it’s hard to gauge Pittman’s value moving forward with so much uncertainty at the quarterback position.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr. Leads All Rookie Wide Receivers In Receiving Yards
GRADE: A
Brian Thomas Jr. ranks fifth amongst ALL PLAYERS in receiving yards (1,179) after Week 17. That’s only behind Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Obviously, that means this 2024 bold prediction is a massive hit. The next closest rookie wide receiver in total yards is Malik Nabers who ranks eighth amongst all players with 1,140 yards. After that, it’s Ladd McConkey who ranks 14th with 1,054 yards. More impressive than anything else is that Thomas Jr. averaged 98 receiving yards per game from December 1st onward with Mac Jones primarily playing quarterback for the Jaguars. Thomas Jr.’s 24.0 fantasy points per game during this span ranks him as the WR3 from Week 13 onward. He is a 2024 league winner who will draw high draft capital in 2025 fantasy football drafts.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes Throws a Career-High Passing Touchdowns
GRADE: F
After making this 2024 bold prediction, if you told me the Chiefs are going to be 15-1 and locked into the AFC’s top seed heading into Week 18, I would have expected it to hit easily. Instead, the Chiefs are 15-1 and Mahomes will finish the 2024 regular season with just 26 passing touchdowns. That’s tied for a career-low the Chiefs’ starter set in 2019, though in just 14 games. Kansas City won 11 games by eight points or less. That ties an NFL record for the most one possession games in a season. Mahomes is always a better bet than most to invest in for fantasy football. Especially with Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and DeAndre Hopkins as his top weapons this season, it’s pretty unbelievable he only tossed 26 touchdowns. He still managed 18.3 fantasy points per game as the QB11. He could be a value in 2025 drafts as a result with plenty of others, especially those who run, expected to come off the board before him.
Las Vegas Raiders
Davante Adams Logs a Majority of His Targets for a Different Team
GRADE: A
Not much needed to be said here. The rumors that Davante Adams could end up on the New York Jets, or some other team, proved to be true. Drafting Adams in 2024 had to be done with this concept in mind. Adams ends up with just 27 targets in three games for the Raiders and 122 targets in 10 games with the Jets. He finishes as the WR11 on a fantasy points-per-game basis on the season and WR10 from Week 7 onward with the Jets. Adams’ 2025 value depends on a few things. Aaron Rodgers’ future is up in the air as far as retirement or, if not, playing for the Jets. There are also rumors that Garrett Wilson could request a trade if Rodgers does return next season. Adams just turned 32 years old and I do think he’s capable of another strong season especially if he’s the top target on another Rodgers-led Jets offense.
Los Angeles Chargers
Kimani Vidal Leads the Chargers in Rushing Yards
GRADE: F
Justin Herbert’s 264 rushing yards and more than Kimani Vidal’s. The rookie running back’s 155 rush yards ranks fourth on the team and third in the L.A. backfield behind J.K Dobbins (842) and Gus Edwards (365). This bold prediction was made with both Dobbins and Edwards’ injury history in mind. Dobbins did spend four games on Injured Reserve late in the season, but led the backfield with a career-high 177 carries in 12 games this season. Dobbins was guaranteed just $50,000 this season. Fifty thousand dollars. This backfield could see a complete overhaul in 2025. They will likely bring Dobbins back on a short term deal but I expect them to invest in one of the many talented players in the 2025 NFL Draft. As for Vidal, he is likely a deep-bench dynasty stash that won’t really have value unless he’s on another team or those ahead of him succumb to injuries.
Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp Outscores Puka Nacua in Fantasy Points Per Game
GRADE: D
Kupp and his 14.6 fantasy points per game rank 32nd among wide receivers. Puka Nacua ranks as the WR5 with 18.8 points per game. However, I’m not going to consider this 2024 bold prediction a complete failure. Nacua and Kupp both missed at least four games each due to injury from Weeks 2 through 7. They both returned to the field in Week 8. From Week 8 onward, through the end of the fantasy football regular season in Week 14, Puka Nacua averaged 20.6 points per game as the WR3 while Kupp averaged 18.0 points per game as the WR7. It wasn’t until the fantasy football playoffs, Weeks 15 through 17, that Nacua pulled away from Kupp. He averaged 18.1 points per game as WR17 while Kupp averaged a horrific 3.1 points per game as the WR103. The point of this bold prediction was to invest in Kupp two or so rounds later than Nacua. It looked good until it mattered most. Unfortunately, Kupp likely lost you your league, specifically in Week 15 when he laid an egg with 0.0 points.
Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Wright Scores the Most Total Fantasy Points Amongst Dolphins Running Backs
GRADE: F
Jaylen Wright ends up 88th in total points. Raheem Mostert finishes with the 55th most total points while De’Von Achane is near the top with the 5th most total points at the position. The reason this bold prediction is focused on total points is a result of concerns with De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert’s injury histories. Achane played in all 16 games while Mostert managed to suit up for 12. While this bold prediction didn’t hit, Wright is still worth stashing on dynasty rosters. The Dolphins traded their 2025 third-round pick to draft Wright in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Raheem Mostert will be 33 in April, as well. The Dolphins save $3 million toward the cap taking on just $1 million in dead money if he’s released. Achane will be a top target in 2025 fantasy drafts, but I expect Wright to be his clear-cut handcuff.
Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson Finishes Outside the Top-15 Wide Receivers on a Fantasy Points Per Game Basis
GRADE: F
This bold prediction wasn’t a declaration to fade Justin Jefferson. However, I did intend to deter fantasy football managers, including myself, from using a top-five pick on Jefferson. He finished the 2024 fantasy football season as the WR2 and the fourth-best non-quarterback on a points-per-game basis. The fear with Jefferson was the return on investment in fantasy football with Sam Darnold as his quarterback. Darnold ranks top-five in yards (4,153) and passing touchdowns (35) on just the 12th most attempts (504) after 17 weeks. He has the Vikings in contention for the top seed in the NFC. I fully expect Darnold to sign an extension with the Vikings and sustain Jefferson’s value in 2025.
New England Patriots
Ja’Lynn Polk Leads Rookie Wide Receivers in Receptions
GRADE: F
Nope. Not even close. Polk not only did make due on this 2024 bold prediction, but he’s eighth in receptions on the Patriots roster. Ja’Lynn Polk only caught 12 of 33 targets in 15 games for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Luckily, if you invested in this bold prediction or Polk in general, it probably only cost your last pick in the draft. It’s hard to imagine a path to relevancy, too, for Polk as the Patriots are expected to have the most cap space and could add more help at wide receiver. He’s still worth stashing on dynasty rosters, of course, but likely won’t be on the 2025 redraft radar as of now.
New Orleans Saints
Taysom Hill finishes as a Top-8 Tight End
GRADE: C
In just eight games played, Taysom Hill ranks as the TE5 on a points-per-game basis. He finished as a top-five tight end three times with an overall TE1 performance in Week 11. The basis of this bold prediction was Hill’s role in lining up all over the field for the Saints. In 20 preseason snaps, he lined up as a tight end just eight times and in the backfield nine times. It was a good indication that Hill would rack up fantasy points in a variety of ways this season. After a long streak of failed 2024 bold predictions, I’m willing to give this one an average score. Unfortunately, Hill will be 35 years old in August. His season ended in Week 13 when he tore his ACL. Hill will remain a weekly, high-upside streaming option if and when he retakes the field.
New York Giants
Malik Nabers Surpasses All of Odell Beckham Jr.’s Rookie Stats with the Giants
GRADE: C
Odell Beckham Jr. caught 91 of 130 targets for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns as a rookie. In just 14 games over 17 weeks, Nabers caught 104 of 162 targets for 1,140 yards and six touchdowns. That’s a full-season pace of nearly 200 targets if Nabers played in all 17 games. The elephant in the room here is the state of the quarterback position in New York. Nabers caught passes from Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito in his first season. The volume is already there for Nabers. An upgrade of any kind at quarterback could propel Nabers into the overall WR1 conversation for fantasy football.
New York Jets
Garrett Wilson Finishes as the Overall WR1 on a Fantasy Points Per Game Basis
GRADE: F
Garrett Wilson is this season’s WR18 on a points-per-game basis. However, after the Jets traded for Davante Adams, Wilson ranked as the WR23 on a points-per-game basis from Weeks 7 through 17. There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding Wilson for the 2025 season. If Aaron Rodgers returns, it’s possible Wilson requests a trade elsewhere. That could get Wilson back on track to yielding WR1 numbers. If Rodgers returns and Wilson sticks around, we should probably treat him as a WR2 in fantasy football. It’s hard to imagine Adams taking a backseat, especially in the red zone, with such a historically strong connection with Aaron Rodgers.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles Score 550 Total Points
GRADE: D
Investing in one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFL will undoubtedly yield high-value players in fantasy football. The Eagles did not end up scoring 550 points. That’s only been done six times in NFL history (in 16 games) and no team did so this season. The Eagles did score 443 points in 16 games, however. As a result, Saquon Barkley (RB1), A.J. Brown (WR12), and DeVonta Smith (WR17) finished as top-20 players at their position. Excluding his early exit due to a concussion in Week 16, Jalen Hurts finished as the QB3 on a fantasy points-per-game basis, as well.
The Detroit Lions lead the league in points with 533 in 16 games this season. Jared Goff (QB7), Jahmyr Gibbs (RB2), David Montgomery (RB16), Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR3), Jameson Williams (WR24), and Sam LaPorta (TE8) were all players worth starting, when available, on a weekly basis this season. Predicting which teams will be among the highest-scoring can, at the very least, help decide tiebreakers when between which players to draft. The Lions will all have value in 2025, but if they can keep offensive coordinator Ben Johnson from taking a head coaching job elsewhere, their draft stock will be extremely high.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pat Freiermuth Finishes Inside the Top-Five Tight Ends on a Fantasy Points Per Game Basis
GRADE: F
Freiermuth is second on the Steelers in targets (67) after 17 weeks behind only George Pickens (97). However, the Steelers spread the ball around far more than expected in 2024. Rather than their seemingly limited options in the passing game forcing more targets to Pickens and Freiermuth, players such as Calvin Austin as well as both running backs, Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, remained involved in the passing game. Russell Wilson doesn’t have a notable history of targeting tight ends. If the Steelers re-sign Wilson and, more importantly, they add a significant WR2 into the mix, it’s hard to imagine Freiermuth as anything more than a streamer in 2025 specifically.
San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Mason Quadruples His 2023 Rushing Production in 2024
GRADE: B
Jordan Mason did not quadruple his 2023 rushing production in 2024. However, it’s not because of his role, but due to a late-season high ankle sprain. Mason dealt with a shoulder injury that limited him in games earlier in the season, as well. In 12 games played, Mason rushed 153 times for 789 yards and three touchdowns. That’s seven carries and 35 yards shy of his 2023 production with the same amount of touchdowns. This bold prediction was a result of caution surrounding Christian McCaffrey’s injury history, specifically after high-volume seasons in the past. In 2023, McCaffrey logged a career-high 417 touches playing into mid-February in the Super Bowl. Mason was added by plenty of fantasy managers after McCaffrey was surprisingly ruled out before Week 1. This bold prediction’s purpose was to suggest drafting him and getting ahead of such a scenario. Mission accomplished.
Seattle Seahawks
DK Metcalf Finishes as a Top-Five Wide Receiver on a Fantasy Points Per Game Basis
GRADE: F
Metcalf now adds WR35 to his career of respective WR48, WR6, WR24, WR23, and WR20 finishes in fantasy football. The 2024 season is the worst of his career, excluding his rookie season, on a fantasy points-per-game basis. Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished as the WR15. It’s going to be hard to rank Metcalf moving forward. It’s clear the talent is there, but Geno Smith is hot and cold at quarterback, especially behind one of the worst offensive lines in football. Smith is entering the final year of his contract. We might see the Seahawks draft the quarterback of their future this Spring. I doubt they would move off of Smith, but trading or releasing him would save Seattle $25 million against the cap while taking on $13.5 million in dead money. Assuming Smith sticks around, Metcalf should be considered a WR2 at best next season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans Logs 1,400 Receiving Yards
GRADE: C
In Week 18, Mike Evans has a chance to log his 11th-straight season of 1,000 receiving yards. He is just 85 yards away. Mike Evans has played in just 13 games this season, exiting one early. He’s averaging 70.3 receiving yards per game which would pace for 1,196 yards in 17 games. Chris Godwin was lost to injury this season and is set to be a free agent this off-season. I see no reason why Evans cannot continue his success in 2025 with Baker Mayfield as his quarterback. Evans turns 32 in August so if others want to predict his downfall due to age, let them. He will have a chance to log his 12th-straight season with 1,000 receiving yards in 2025 breaking a record that would be shared by he and Jerry Rice if Evans can reach the mark this weekend.
Tennessee Titans
Both Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins Finish Inside the Top-24 Wide Receivers
GRADE: F
Calvin Ridley is this season’s WR41 and DeAndre Hopkins, the WR56, on a fantasy points-per-game basis. I expected the Tennessee Titans to be pass-heavy in head coach Brian Callahan’s first season. They rank 22nd in attempts after 17 weeks. I expected Will Levis to succeed in his first full season as a starter in this pass-heavy game script. We know how that went. Even Hopkins getting traded to the Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes didn’t help. Both receivers were matchup-based starts this season.
Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Logs More Receptions Than Austin Ekeler
GRADE: F
The Washington Commanders running backs logged a collective 16% target share this season. Neither Austin Ekeler or Brian Robinson rank inside the top 25 running backs in receptions this season. That’s a disappointing number considering the team ranks fifth in total points scored. Robinson does, however, rank 25th in rushing yards in just 13 games played. Just 21.8% of Robinson’s fantasy points scored, on his way to an RB24 finish, are from his receiving production. As far as this bold prediction is concerned, Austin Ekeler caught 14 more passes in two fewer games played this fantasy football season. A lack of receiving work, plus rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ own rushing upside, limit Robinson’s upside. That, unfortunately, should continue into next season.
Final Thoughts
OVERALL GRADE: D
Some of these 2024 bold predictions are huge hits, but giving 14 of them an F really brings this average down. While claiming Kyler Murray, Garrett Wilson, and Kyle Pitts would finish at the top of their position are huge swings and misses, most of the failed bold predictions didn’t hurt too much with consideration to draft capital on the players discussed. As far as the hits go, if you invested in any of these bold predictions, hopefully players like Brian Thomas Jr., Chase Brown, or Jordan Mason helped you on the road to your league’s championship. If you’re checking in on these bold predictions for the first time, maybe they’ll get you thinking about who to invest in next season!