Fantasy Football Players & League Predictions: 5 Bold Projections For 2015 NFL Season
The NFL preseason is officially underway, and that means it's time for Fantasy Football owners everywhere to start thinking about drafts.
Every season brings huge shocking surprises that are so hard to predict. Based on previous seasons, trends, and roster changes, you have to be able to adapt. Here are five bold Fantasy Football projections for this season.
1. Drew Brees Throws as Many Interceptions as Touchdowns
This would really make Fantasy Football owners, who pick him, angry. Drew Brees is widely regarded as an elite quarterback, but things aren't looking too good right now. His touchdown production has decreased the last four consecutive seasons, and he has always been prone to throwing interceptions. Brees led the NFL in interceptions in 2012. On top of that, his favorite target, Jimmy Graham, is now with the Seattle Seahawks. Graham had 10 receiving touchdowns last season with the New Orleans Saints. Marques Colston isn't getting any younger, and the Saints don't have a very reliable running game.
2. Ben Roethlisberger Is Tops in Passing Yards, TDs and Rating
The triple crown of the NFL for quarterbacks. The Pittsburgh Steelers don't look like the elite defense that we've seen so many times in the past, and they're relying on their offense now more than ever. Last season Ben Roethlisberger led the NFL in passing yards, had 32 touchdowns and posted a 103.3 passer rating. Roethlisberger is now one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league, and the Steelers are counting on him immensely to get back to the Super Bowl. Don't count out Roethlisberger wining league MVP.
3. Brandon LaFell Catches 15 Touchdowns
This is a tough one because Tom Brady is currently suspended for four games. We still don't know how many games Brady will play for the New England Patriots just yet. If Brady does play the whole season, draft Brandon LaFell. LaFell had the best season of his career last year with the Patriots posting career highs in yards, touchdowns and catches. LaFell has increased his touchdown production every single season in the league. Rob Gronkowski will constantly be double teamed, and Julian Edelman doesn't score many touchdowns. LaFell knows this system now, and he's ready for a big year.
4. Andre Johnson Will Lead the League in Receiving TDs
Andre Johnson has led the NFL in receiving yards twice (2008, 2009), but he has never led the league in receiving touchdowns. Amazingly, the future Hall of Famer has never once recorded double digit touchdowns in a single season. That's about to end. Johnson is now a member of the Indianapolis Colts and he'll be catching passes from Andrew Luck, who led the NFL passing touchdowns with 40 last season. Defenses will be focusing so much on T.Y. Hilton, that Johnson will thrive as No. 2 option, but still as a No. 1 quality receiver. Get ready for a huge offensive season from the Colts, especially in the AFC South.
5. Joseph Randle Will Lead the NFC in Rushing Yards
Talk about a steal for Fantasy Football owners in the later rounds. DeMarco Murray had an incredible season last year en route to breaking Emmitt Smith's single season franchise rushing mark, but Joseph Randle will be leading the way this year. The Dallas Cowboys have the best offensive line in the NFL thanks to Tyron Smith. Randle will get plenty of touches this year considering the fact that Darren McFadden is injured so often. Adrian Peterson missed almost all of last season, Marshawn Lynch is getting older, LeSean McCoy is now in the AFC and Eddie Lacy plays on a pass first team. What's not to love?
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1