Fantasy Football: 5 bold predictions for Week 1

After eight long months without fantasy football, it is finally back with an exciting NFL season ahead. There was lots of movement around the league, and that is going to lead to some interesting results in Week 1.

At least 12 teams are starting new quarterbacks (assuming Deshaun Watson isn’t starting for the Texans). That doesn’t include names like Julio Jones, Will Fuller, and James Conner changing teams. Offenses are changing, and we’re all trying to find the late-round players that will give us an advantage.

Who will make a statement in the first week of fantasy football?

There is a lot to learn in Week 1. Fantasy football is already a little strange this season since there were only three preseason games to learn about rosters. Then, there’s this 10 day window between the last preseason game and the first regular-season game. That gives players plenty of time to get into their drafts and find the perfect players.

What is it they say about the best laid plans?

So, let’s get bold in Week 1. There are fantasy drafts that are coming up, and it’s time to get a leg up on the competition from the beginning.

1. Sam Darnold will be a top-10 QB

Let’s start with the most important position in fantasy. The quarterback position. More and more leagues are moving to a superflex format. That makes the quarterback much more important. It also puts an emphasis on having a second quarterback, since teams can play two at a time. It also has teams going for a third QB. Some teams might take nonstarters like Justin Fields (if he doesn’t beat out Andy Dalton) just for the hope he eventually turns into a quality starter later in the season.

Sam Darnold probably won’t have a high percentage of starts in Week 1. He’s only being drafted in 15% of leagues on Yahoo and just 5% of leagues. There just aren’t a lot of teams with Darnold on the roster, but that will change after Week 1.

Darnold has every reason to put together one of the best weeks of his career this week. It’s his first game with the Carolina Panthers. He’s facing his former team in the New York Jets. The Jets are starting Zach Wilson in his first ever game. The Panthers should be able to take advantage of the Jets secondary.

Darnold is throwing to a receiving core of D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and Terrace Marshall. He also has Christian McCaffrey catching balls out of the backfield. Darnold loves having a checkdown option, and McCaffrey is the best in the world.

This all leads to Darnold breaking into the top ten in points among quarterbacks in Week 1. Everything falls into place for him this week. Who knows if he can keep it going past this week, but Darnold will surprise everyone in Week 1.