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With the NFL Season set to kick off tomorrow night, that means that it is also the official start of the 2013 fantasy football season. With that being said, I figured I would get in the fantasy spirit and provide three bold predictions for this upcoming fantasy season.
My first prediction is that Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears will be a top-10 fantasy quarterback. Cutler is going to have a huge season this year as not only is it a contract year, but he is also entering a new system that is very quarterback friendly. It is no secret that Cutler and the Chicago offense struggled greatly at times last season, but with new coach Marc Trestman and a healthy receiving corps, I expect this to change.
Two NFL quarterbacks that Trestman has worked with in the past were Jack Plummer and Rich Gannon, who both had career years under his tutelage, including an MVP for Gannon. I am not saying that Cutler will win an MVP this season, but if Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery all can stay healthy, expect big things from Cutler playing in a new system and for a new contract.
My second bold prediction is that David Wilson of the New York Giants will finish as a top-five fantasy running back this year. Wilson is entering his second season in the NFL, and I expect it to be a breakout year for him. With the departure of Ahmad Bradshaw, Wilson will take on the role of starting running back for the Giants.
In the beginning of the preseason, there was some question as to how much of the workload Wilson would take on as he would likely lose goal line carries to fellow back Andre Brown. However, after Brown suffered a devastating preseason injury resulting in a broken leg, Wilson will now become the feature back in New York and will have more than enough opportunities to score fantasy points.
With speed like his, Wilson has big play capability written all over him, and he proved this with an impressive average of five yards per carry last season. Wilson can also score in more than one way as not only does he have good hands, but also was the no. 1 return man for the Giants last season, which was highlighted by a 97- yard kick return touchdown.
My final bold prediction is that Chris Givens of the St. Louis Rams will finish in the top 20 amongst all fantasy wide receivers. The Rams lost their no. 1 wide receiver Danny Amendola to the New England Patriots this offseason, and I expect Givens to step up in his absence.
Givens, who will lineup alongside rookie Tavon Austin, is one of the biggest “home run” threats at the WR position. In just his rookie season last year, Givens hauled in seven catches over 30 yards, including a stretch of five consecutive games with a reception of 50 yards or longer.
Another reason why I like Givens is that it could also be a breakout year for his quarterback Sam Bradford, who for the first time in four years will not have to adapt to a new offensive system. Therefore, I expect Givens to surprise people and have a big season this year in St. Louis.
Jon Keller is a writer for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on twitter @jkell2005
