Full disclosure: I have not always embraced the concept of bold predictions.
I have spent over a decade crafting player rankings, both draft and weekly in-season, using probability and the “Most likely outcomes” as the foundation of those rankings. Rankings seek to combine potential player floors and ceilings, avoiding “hot takes” and prioritizing consistency.
Bold predictions are different. Bold predictions target outlier, best-case scenario outcomes. They chase upside. They look to identify league winners. Bold predictions have value; they are not just fun, or made for engagement’s sake.
And I am learning that both “safe” rankings and “bold predictions” can coexist.
That said, what follows are my top “bold predictions” for each team. Some are bolder than others. Some predictions may not match up exactly with how I have them ranked. As previously stated, my rankings are based upon how I see their most likely outcomes, in relation to other players at the position. The bold predictions listed below are ceiling outcomes that ignore risk in order to help identify players with league winning upside.
Don’t agree with my predictions, or want to make your own, feel free to comment below.
AFC East
BUFFALO
DJ Moore scores double-digit touchdowns for the first time in his career, finishing as a high-end WR2.
MIAMI
De’Von Achane finishes as a volume-fueled, top five running back, despite the limitations of the Dolphins offense.
NEW ENGLAND
A.J. Brown leads the league in targets, finishing as a top three wide receiver.
NEW YORK JETS
Garrett Wilson is the clear focal point of the Jets offense, setting career highs in every receiving category and finishing as a top-15 wide receiver, after Breece Hall struggles with his health and the New York rookie receivers fail to produce early.
AFC North
BALTIMORE
Derrick Henry once again plays every game and scores 20 touchdowns for the first time in his career.
CINCINNATI
Chase Brown is one of fantasy’s most consistent players, reaching double-digit PPR points in every game, finishing as a top three running back and becomes a first-round mainstay in 2027 drafts.
CLEVELAND
KC Concepcion finishes with 80+ receptions for more than 850 yards, outscoring every other rookie receiver.
PITTSBURGH
Rico Dowdle turns in his third straight 1,000+ yard season as the clear lead rusher in a run-centric Steelers offense, finishing as a top 15 running back.
AFC South
HOUSTON
Nico Collins is top five in the NFL in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns as the focal point of a Texans passing attack that struggles to find a second receiving option all season.
INDIANAPOLIS
Tyler Warren joins Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and Colston Loveland in the elite tight end tier after posting a 90+ reception, 1,200 yard, 7+ touchdown season.
JACKSONVILLE
Trevor Lawrence builds on his breakout 2025 season with an MVP-caliber season, finishing as a top three fantasy quarterback. There is much debate about which Jaguars receiver to target, but the primary answer is invest in Lawrence.
NO PLAYER IMAGE
TENNESSEE
The backfield will be an unproductive committee and the passing game struggles all season, making the Titans the most unfriendly fantasy offense in the game. Not exactly a bold take—but I am not confident enough to promote any player in the offense as a potential ceiling play.
AFC West
DENVER
Jonah Coleman may begin the year on the Broncos bench, but will be a fantasy league winner after earning the lead-back job midway through the season. Coleman will be an every-week, high-end RB2 from November on as someone earning weekly double-digit touches, including goal line work, in an ascending Denver offense.
KANSAS CITY
Travis Kelce turns in one last top-five fantasy season after securing 90+ receptions and scoring double-digit touchdowns for the first time since 2022, as Patrick Mahomes relies heavily on short passes as he recovers from injury, feeding his trusted veteran tight end.
LAS VEGAS
Trey Tucker establishes himself as the clear #1 wide receiver for the Raiders, setting career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, finishing as a low-end WR3.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Ladd McConkey breaks out in his third year in a big way, securing 100+ receptions for over 1,300 yards as one of fantasy’s top floor/ceiling receivers.
NFC East
DALLAS
CeeDee Lamb plays in every game for the first time since 2023 when he put up a 135/1749/12 season. While his 2026 numbers may not be that gaudy, a 110/1450/10 bounce back season is in play.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Cam Skattebo struggles through injuries, lower than expected volume, and the overall poor state of the Giants offense to finish as a low-end RB3.
PHILADELPHIA
DeVonta Smith is able to prove the doubters wrong that a 170-pound receiver cannot profile as a true WR1, by turning in a top ten fantasy season, breaking 100 receptions for over 1,300 yards.
WASHINGTON
Jayden Daniels has a healthy 2026 season where he is asked to contribute heavily as a rusher to make up for Washington’s inability to establish a running game. Daniels turns in a top-3 fantasy season on the strength of his rushing for nearly 800 yards with 6+ rushing touchdowns.
NFC North
CHICAGO
D’Andre Swift assumes a high-volume role in one of the top offenses in the NFL, finishing as a high-end RB2 after hauling in 50+ receptions with double-digit scores.
DETROIT
Isiah Pacheco leads a committee of change-of-pace backs that contribute enough on the ground and through the air to frustrate those who spent the #1 overall pick on Jahmyr Gibbs, hoping for true bell-cow usage.
GREEN BAY
Jordan Love returns to his 2023 form where he passed for 4,159 yards and 36 total touchdowns as Green Bay’s young receivers and tight ends continue to develop and the Packers struggle to establish a consistent running game.
MINNESOTA
Justin Jefferson returns to elite status, cresting 110 receptions for over 1450 yards and double-digit scores.
NFC South
ATLANTA
Drake London finishes amongst the league leaders in targets, setting career highs in every receiving category as a top-five fantasy receiver.
CAROLINA
Bryce Young is this season’s breakout, late-round quarterback, climbing from 15 touchdowns in 2024, to 23 last season, to a crest of 30 passing touchdowns in 2026.
NEW ORLEANS
Chris Olave posts double-digit PPR points in every game, turning massive volume into elite consistency as a high floor/ceiling, WR1.
TAMPA BAY
Emeka Egbuka reminds everyone why he was fantasy’s WR3 after his first five games as he receives elite usage to go with his first-round talent, propelling him to a mid-range WR1 finish.
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