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Fantasy Football 2019: 5 Bold Predicitons – Running Back Edition

By Jake VanZuiden

Fantasy Football: IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams is seen on the sidelines during training camp on July 30, 2019 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
Fantasy Football: IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams is seen on the sidelines during training camp on July 30, 2019 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football: ALLEN PARK, MI – AUGUST 5: New England Patriots RB James White (28) during the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots joint training camp on August 5, 2019 at Detroit Lions Training Facilities in Allen Park, MI (Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

As we head into preseason action, it appears that we’ve got a loaded running-back crop for 2019 Fantasy Football, with multiple stars in new homes after a busy free agency period.

This write-up will be just the first of a “bold predictions” series with wide quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end to following in the coming weeks. Without further ado, let’s jump into some bold fantasy football predictions at the RB position!

Fantasy Football Bold Predictions: 1. James White will catch 100 passes

How this is bold:

White had a career-high 87 catches last season. Only 3 players at the running back position in NFL history have managed a 100-catch season (Christian McCaffrey: 2018, Matt Forte: 2014, LaDainian Tomlinson: 2003).

Why this will come true:

At 27 years old and in the prime of his career, Patriots’ RB James White comes into his sixth season on what now seems to be a less-crowded pass-catching corps in Foxborough. While White is listed on the depth chart as a running back, where he makes his money is in the passing-game.

New England features a deep group at running back with a now-healthy Rex Burkhead, Sony Michel, and third-round pick Damien Harris joining White in the backfield. However, White’s consistent receiving prowess will ensure him ample playing time once again in 2019.

White has a good shot to build off his career year this Fall with 155 vacant targets up for grabs following the departures of Chris Hogan (Titans), Cordarrelle Patterson (Bears), and Rob Gronkowski (retirement).

White proved capable of shouldering a bigger workload in 2018 As Gronkowski (injuries) and Julian Edelman (four-game suspension) each missed time. White was thrust into a larger role and thrived to a tune of 87 catches (3rd-best amongst all RBs), finishing as fantasy football’s overall RB7.

Questions surrounding Michel’s knee also bodes well for White’s outlook for the upcoming season, as White could see his 53.6 snap percentage climb even higher than a season ago.

While he’ll never be counted on to be the primary between-the-tackles runner for the Patriots, his rapport with QB Tom Brady may be counted on more-so than ever.

100 receptions will be tough to come by, but it’s undoubtedly in the realm of possibility for the sixth-year man out of the University of Wisconsin after drawing 123 targets through the air a season ago (most on the team). If he can improve his 71.3% catch rate (29th among RBs), he could wind-up being just the fourth RB in NFL history to reach the 100-catch mark.

You can currently grab White as the RB24 (4.12) in PPR drafts, according to Fantasy Football Calculator, which is far too low for promising scat-back. Draft him as your RB2 and sit back while you reap the rewards.

DISCLAIMER: These predictions are based off regular Point-per-Reception (PPR) scoring formats from FantasyPros.com

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