Brian Drake's 7 Fantasy Football predictions for 2024 feat. one RB who could break the system and one trade that could break the league

The fantasy football draft season is behind us, and the real live games that matter begin this week. While we’ve spent all summer giving draft takes, it’s time to focus on what really matters: BOLD PREDICTIONS.

That’s right. I am putting months of research to the test with my foolproof picks that will surely all hit and could never ever go wrong. Sit back and take notes. You might want to lay down some bets on these because we’re going to the moon with these winners.

Bold Fantasy Football predictions for 2024

1] Khalil Shakir catches 80 passes and leads all Buffalo Bills wide receivers in catches and yards. He won’t have as many targets as tight end Dalton Kincaid, but Shakir will be a useful WR 3 in fantasy every week.

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins - Source: Imagn

2] Don’t sleep on Uncle Rico! My love for Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle grows by the day. Listen, he’s not a special talent, but at his fantasy draft cost, he doesn’t have to be. Dowdle’s competition for touches includes Ezekiel Elliott, who the Cowboys discharged two years ago, and Dalvin Cook, who looks more washed than your favorite pair of jeans. Dowdle gets 15 touches per week and is a league-winning flex play.

3] Jayden Daniels outproduces Anthony Richardson. While A-Rich was the draft day darling of so many, serious questions surround his ability to throw the football. Those don’t exist with Daniels, who, per PFF, led all college quarterbacks in adjusted completion rate of passes of 20 or more yards at 69%. Shoutout to Graham Barfield for that nugget. Plus, the pace at which the Commanders will run should elevate Daniels into more situations to make plays. If this Kliff Kingsbury offense clicks, Daniels is helping fantasy owners cash a lot of big checks.

4] DeVonta Smith outproduces A.J. Brown as the Philadelphia Eagles lead WR. With Smith moving into the slot more, he’s going to be freed up to win over the middle with his incredible route-running ability. New Eagles OC Kellen Moore has produced league-smashing WRs over the last two years from the slot in Keenan Allen last season and CeeDee Lamb in 2022. Smith is poised for 100 receptions and ten touchdowns in Philly’s high-flying offense.

5] Davante Adams grows tired of losing and is traded to the Jets midseason. Last year, Adams was hit or miss (mostly miss) in a terrible Raiders offense. This year won’t be any better as the QB play will be shaky at best behind Gardner Minshew. Adams will grow tired of the nonsense in Sin City and requests a trade to reunite with his old friend Aaron Rodgers in New York. What makes this even more reasonable is the fact that Adams' cap number for next season is $44 million dollars. There is no chance he’s playing on that number. His days in the desert are numbered.

6] Devon Achane explodes and breaks fantasy football in 2024. While his metrics from last season seemed too good to be true, he bests them this year and finishes as the overall RB 1 in fantasy. Miami uses him more as a receiver this year and he scores 20 total touchdowns.

7] Patrick Mahomes returns to form as an elite fantasy QB. Last season while winning another Super Bowl, Mahomes finished as the fantasy QB 8. That’s not exactly what his drafters expected. With additions of Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy we see Mahomes get back to pushing the ball down the field. His TD numbers spike to 40 and he wins the MVP award.