X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Pierre Camus' Bold Predictions - 2020 Fantasy Football

Pierre Camus provides his bold fantasy football predictions for the 2020 NFL season. Which QB, RB, WR, and TE will break out or bust?

This marks the fifth installment of my bold predictions for RotoBaller. Boy, how things have changed since my first bold predictions column. We were happily oblivious to Coronavirus. My preseason prediction about Colin Kaepernick was purely football related, just weeks before he became known for something other than his passer rating. RGIII was getting set to revive his career and the Cleveland Browns franchise simultaneously. Yeah, that was just five years ago.

Looking back just a year ago, I fared pretty well except for the whole O.J. Howard outscoring George Kittle thing (remember: BOLD predictions). Oh, and the Josh Rosen one was more of a joke. No, really.

This year, we have a new set of issues and a new crop of players hoping to turn their teams, and our fantasy franchises, into champions. Going out on a limb might make more sense than ever seeing as how we don't know what to expect from anything in 2020! That said, here's my best shot.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Cam Akers is a Top-10 Running Back

If you've read anything I've written or watched/heard any podcast this offseason where Akers' name was mentioned, you know my take here. I really want to say he'll be top-five but that could affect my end-of-year accuracy score...

As someone who does way too many drafts, I try to diversify when possible and not oversaturate my rosters with the same players. Akers is my exception this year because I feel he truly has "league-winner" written all over him. Rather than explaining why a former five-star recruit and second-round draft pick could be a viable NFL running back, I'll speak to the point - he is grossly undervalued.


While everyone is drafting Clyde Edwards-Helaire at his absolute ceiling (he's now a top-five pick in some drafts for God's sake), Akers is going in the fifth or sixth round in most 12-team leagues around the RB30 range. If the rationale for keeping him that low is that he'll have to beat out Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown, then I assume many people didn't follow the Rams last year. Here's how they fared, which is what prompted the team to take Akers:

It wasn't a lingering injury or an anemic offense to blame for Henderson's poor rookie showing. He just isn't cut out to be a primary ballcarrier. Blame the offensive line but Akers is used to running behind far worse throughout his college career as Florida State regularly ranked among the worst O-lines in the NCAA. Akers has the speed to shake defenders and doesn't go down on first contact.


There is zero chance the likes of D'Andre Swift or Raheem Mostert outproduces him and 99.995% chance he brings back positive return on investment. The fact Darrell Henderson tweaked his hamstring the other day just solidifies that Akers should be scooped up as soon as possible.

 

Zack Moss Outscores Devin Singletary

I've never been on the Singletary hype train and I'm not starting now. He's a fine committee back but that's about it and it's clear that's what he'll be again this year. Don't believe me, take Buffalo GM Brandon Beane's word for it.

"I think more of the goal line and things like that as we did with Frank last year, you'll see Zack do. I think Devin will do a similar role that he had."

This works in Moss' favor more than you might think. Dispute Frank Gore's greatness all you want, but he was a reliable chain mover and held onto the primary ballcarrier role even at age 36.

So pencil Singletary in for just under 200 carries and 30 receptions. If he manages to maintain his 5.1 yards per carry average from last year that still puts him under 1,000 rushing yards along with 250 receiving yards.

If Moss takes over Gore's workload and runs for a league-average 4.4 yards per carry, we're looking at approximately 750 rushing yards with something closer to 200 receiving yards since Gore's receiving numbers dropped precipitously the past two seasons and Moss should see more targets.

Now, the key - touchdowns. Singletary lagged behind Gore in the red zone and we've already heard the team's plans for Moss to resume that role.

It's tough to project scores but it's safe to say I expect Moss to get more chances. All we need is for Singletary to decline in his rushing average, much like Alvin Kamara did in his second year, and Moss to perform as we expected before the NFL combine fiasco. Remember, pro production is not about 40 time, it's about opportunity.

 

Jerick McKinnon Finishes with 150+ Points in PPR

Tarik Cohen, Duke Johnson, Sony Michel. All players who disappointed in 2019. All of them reached the 150-point threshold in full-PPR leagues.

The reason they were considered busts had to do with expectations. Michel should have continued his playoff success from the previous year and taken over the primary RB role in New England (ha ha, as if that's a thing). Duke Johnson finally had his chance to be the guy in Houston! Then they brought in Carlos Hyde and gave him all the carries. Tarik Cohen, well, he was on the Bears.

All that's to say that a top-30 RB isn't a league-winner and could be disappointing if drafted to be a weekly RB2/Flex. If you can get such a player in the last round of your draft or for free off waivers, you should absolutely jump at the chance. McKinnon, health willing, could be that player.

The Niners will deploy a RBBC as usual. With Matt Breida gone, Jet simply steps into that role.

That's not even his main appeal. At last count, the number of healthy receivers in San Francisco was -4. McKinnon is a natural pass-catcher and probably has the best hands of the skill players who will take the field in San Fran. He will get his share of receptions from the backfield and, if Kyle Shanahan listens to my sage advice, could work out of the slot. He's bigger and faster than Hunter Renfrow and Cole Beasley, so why not?

All told, McKinnon has tremendous upside with no risk at his non-existent draft price. And he happens to be an athletic freak too. 'member?

 

Mike Gesicki and Chris Herndon are Top-10 TEs

My breakout tight end pick, Mike Gesicki of the soon-to-be 2020 AFC Champion Miami Dolphins, has seen his ADP creep closer to the top-10 range, currently ranked TE14 by industry consensus. Surely I'm not the only one that suspects a big season could be in store. For that reason, I'm doubling down with Herndon as well. Yes, two AFC East tight ends will be fantasy relevant and neither one is named Gronk.

Speaking of, I believe these two athletic studs will outproduce Rob Gronkowski as well as Jared Cook, Austin Hooper, and Hayden Hurst, all of whom are being drafted earlier. All the ingredients are there. Not only are these two of the fastest tight ends on NFL rosters, they are primed for third-year breakouts on offenses that have precious few options at wide receiver.

The Dolphins saw their WR3 and WR4, Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns, opt out of the season while Preston Williams is recovering from ACL surgery. That leaves DeVante Parker and a bunch of question marks. Regardless of who is QB for the Phins, Gesicki should be peppered with targets all year long and get the chance to turn his truly elite athleticism into production.

The Jets are counting on a possible breakout from Breshad Perriman and early contributions from rookie Denzel Mims, who unexpectedly fell down draft boards, to complement Jamison Crowder. That's not a stable corps of wideouts and both Perriman and Mims are nursing injuries during camp. If Herndon simply stays healthy, he should be a featured receiver. Adam Gase has said, "He's a unicorn type of player, you don't see a lot of these players that can do all three phases of the game." Jets beat writer Tyler Calvaruso recently declared that the Jets need to emphasize the tight end more. Hell, the Jets worked out Donte Moncrief the other day, if that doesn't tell you about their WR situation.

I won't go so far as to call either guy a league-winner unless you're in a TE Premium league but if you wait on tight end, target these two. Or both.

 

Allen Lazard Outscores Stefon Diggs

A little sleeper/bust combo action here. I'm not way down on Diggs but have reservations at his current ADP of 59 overall (WR28).

Stefon Diggs got his wish to leave Minnesota but doesn't necessarily arrive in a fantasy-friendlier environment. Free-agent wide receivers switching teams grab headlines but rarely produce better in new situations. Even bona fide WR1 types like Odell Beckham Jr. can have trouble adjusting to a new environment. It wasn't a big problem for John Brown, but that's the other issue - he's already the WR1 there. On a run-first team that had the fifth-fewest pass attempts in the NFL and averaged 204.8 passing yards per game, sixth-lowest in the NFL, there's only so much he can be expected to do.

Lazard is also the WR2 for his team but instead of Josh Allen throwing him the ball, he's got Aaron Rodgers. Allen has surpassed Rodgers on the fantasy totem pole but that's due to his rushing ability. Rodgers didn't have his best year throwing the ball, completing 62% of his passes. That's still better than Allen, whose 58.8% Comp% ranked 32nd.

Rodgers has shown he trusts Lazard, which means a lot. He started the final two games of the season, seeing nine and eight targets respectively. With Devin Funchess opting out and no new receivers drafted, the competition is scarce. Lazard doesn't have blazing speed but his 6'5" frame makes him an easy target, especially in the red zone. WR3 upside at a WR6 price? Yes, please. At an ADP of 179, I'm grabbing him everywhere. As far as Diggs, I'm simply waiting a round or two and taking John Brown instead.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Griffin Conine

To Have Shoulder Surgery On Tuesday
Luke Keaschall

Twins Prospect Luke Keaschall Suffers Broken Forearm
Logan Gilbert

Leaves Friday's Start With Forearm Tightness

Vikings Select Tai Felton To Finish Day 2

Seahawks Select Quarterback Jalen Milroe With The 92nd Pick Overall

Browns Select Dillon Gabriel 94th Overall

Packers Pick Savion Williams At No. 87 overall

Steelers Snag Kaleb Johnson In Round 3

Broncos Select Wide Receiver Pat Bryant With The 74th Overall Pick

Texans Select Jaylin Noel With 79th Pick

Lions Select Wide Receiver Isaac TeSlaa With The 70th Overall Pick
Jack Leiter

To Start On Sunday

Patriots Add Wide Receiver Kyle Williams In Round 3

Browns Draft Harold Fannin Jr. With 67th Pick
Garrett Mitchell

Makes Early Exit
Luke Keaschall

Removed Early On Friday
Blake Snell

Likely Avoids Major Injury
Cole Ragans

Dealing With Mild Groin Strain

Broncos Add RJ Harvey To Backfield With 60th Pick

Raiders Select Jack Bech With 58th Pick

Chargers Add Wide Receiver Tre Harris In Round 2
Detroit Lions

Lions Acquire 57th Pick From Broncos

Seahawks Draft Elijah Arroyo 50th Overall
Carolina Panthers

Panthers Acquire 51st Pick From Broncos
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Snag Will Johnson At No. 47

Jets Add A Pass-Catcher With Mason Taylor At No. 42

Rams Select Terrance Ferguson With 46th Pick
Houston Texans

Texans Acquire 48th Pick From Raiders, Draft Aireontae Ersery

Saints Snag Tyler Shough At No. 40
Brenton Doyle

Out For Personal Reasons On Friday
Brandin Podziemski

Not On Injury Report For Game 3
Jimmy Butler III

Warriors Optimistic About Jimmy Butler III Playing Saturday
Jae'Sean Tate

To Remain Out Saturday
Jock Landale

Unavailable For Game 3
Terry Rozier

Out On Saturday
Jrue Holiday

Ruled Out For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Orlando
Kevin Love

To Miss Saturday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Available For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Magic
Gary Payton II

Iffy For Saturday's Action
Jayson Tatum

Officially Available On Friday For Game 3 Against Magic
Will Smith

Back From Injury On Friday
Luke Kennard

Questionable For Game 4 On Saturday
Darius Garland

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Ja Morant

To Miss Game 4 On Saturday
Rui Hachimura

Available For Game 3 In Minnesota
Aaron Ekblad

Available To Return Saturday
Erik Swanson

Ryan Burr Progressing
Daulton Varsho

To Return On Tuesday At The Latest
Max Scherzer

Takes Positive Step On Friday
Aleksander Barkov

Questionable For Saturday
Gabriel Landeskog

Set For Larger Role In Game 4
Calvin Pickard

To Start Game 3 For Oilers
Randy Arozarena

Resting For First Time This Year
Jonas Siegenthaler

To Play Limited Minutes In Game 3
MLB

Red Sox-Guardians Game Postponed On Friday
Luke Hughes

Remains Out On Friday
MLB

Tigers-Orioles Postponed On Friday
Patrik Laine

A Game-Time Decision Friday
Yainer Diaz

Out On Friday Against Royals
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Hopes To Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Salvador Perez

Sitting Out For First Time This Season
Jaylen Brown

Questionable For Game 3 On Friday
Brendan Donovan

Back In Action On Friday
Jimmy Butler III

Could Miss Game 3 On Saturday
Coby Mayo

Getting On A Roll At Triple-A
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Cade Cunningham

Collects Double-Double In Loss
Jalen Brunson

Drops 30 Points In Game 3
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads All Scorers In Game 3 Victory
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown

A Favorite At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Set To Open Up UFC Kansas City Main Card
Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF