Predictions For 2023
Are you ready for some football? On the eve of the season opener between the REIGNING, DEFENDING, and UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONS Kansas City Chiefs take the field against the rising Detriot Lions, Matt Miles (@DirtyAirFC) and I (@smooth1074) have decided to take a look into our crystal balls and make some predictions for the 2023/2024 Season. We will try to predict who will be taking home some hardware this season and who may be an asset to fantasy managers this year. So tighten those gloves and button up your chin straps, because it's time to make some NFL Predictions!
Who will be the NFL Offensive MVP this year?
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts (+1200 Fan Duel as of 8/31/23) is just plain disrespectful. Hurts made a quantum leap in his performance, effectively leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl berth last season. The weakness in his game is that he will still at times try to shoulder the offense a touch too much, and Hurts did miss some games with a shoulder injury. The Tush Push is still legal, and Philadelphia added fresh running backs to help in some of the short-yardage situations. Let's add a healthy Dallas Goedert, and Jalen Hurts has one of the cleanest roads to winning the NFL MVP in 2023. - Matt Miles @DirtyAirFC
Lamar Jackson
After years of just having Mark Andrews as basically his only option, Lamar Jackson will have the best weapons surrounding him in his career. Not only does Andrews return, but so does a healthy Rashad Bateman, free agent Odell Beckham Jr., and talented rookie Zay Flowers. New offensive coordinator Todd Monken will implement a scheme to maximize Jackson’s arm and skillset, and he can always run at will. I believe this is the year that Jackson puts it all together for a season to remember and bring home MVP honors. - Leo Grandio @smooth1074
Who will be the NFL Defensive MVP this year?
Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner
Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner is my sneaky favorite to land the Defensive MVP this year. The Jets offense should be light-years ahead of where they were last year, and despite the heavy competition within the division from the Bills and Dolphins, Sauce is going to have a chance to cook. Last year's DPROY already has a nearly unanimous AP vote on who they think the best Corner in the NFL is for 2023. Gardner led the league in lowest passer rating in primary coverage with 59.7, while forcing the highest percentage of incomplete passes among defenders with 70 or more targets last year at 27%. Gardner will continue to be a menace in the AFC East in 2023. - Matt Miles 
Roquan Smith
During last season Roquan Smith was traded to Baltimore and promptly enjoyed the best season of his career in tackles (169) and interceptions (three) to go along with 4.5 sacks. Now that he has an entire offseason to gel with the defense, the sky is the limit for Smith this Fall. Could this be the third time in NFL history that the offensive MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year come from the same team? Only time will tell. - Leo Grandio
Which rookie will win the Offensive Rookie of the Year?
Dalton Kincaid
Everything we wanted from Kyle Pitts in 2021 we could easily see from Dalton Kincaid in 2023. Josh Allen and the Bills have always been the target of talks on how a pass-catching running back and a second viable Bills receiver is happening this year. The Rolodex of names over the past 3 years is certainly extensive. Despite the chatter, we can't keep whistling past the carcasses of burnt fantasy rosters on the shoulders of Narrative Street. What if I told you there's a better chance that Dalton Kincaid is that second option about to emerge in this Bills offense? Bills head coach Sean McDermott is a direct disciple of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and there's no mistake in the similarities between their offenses. Kincaid has the talent, and quite possibly the opportunity to be the next Travis Kelce. - Matt Miles
Bijan Robinson
I have one question for you. Are you ready for Bijan Robinson? I’m not sure if any of us are. There probably hasn’t been this much hype in an incoming rookie running back since Saquon Barkley. In three seasons with the Longhorns, Robinson was involved in 599 plays from scrimmage and he racked up a total of 4,210 yards and 42 touchdowns. The Falcons drafted him eighth overall and he will be the centerpiece of the offense going forward. I believe that Robinson could end up in the 1,250 to 1,500 total yards and at 10 touchdowns which should be enough to bring home ROY honors. - Leo Grandio
Which rookie will win the Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Will Anderson Jr.
Could the Houston Texans finally take a step out of the basement this year? The Texans took the first rung by drafting Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama with the Third overall pick this spring. Touted by NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, Anderson is described as "one of the most polished pass rushers to come out of the 2023 draft." Anderson boasted a 4.6 second 40-yard time and a 1.61 10-yard split, making him one of the fastest edge rushers in the draft. The Texans aren't ready to hoist the Lombardi trophy just yet, but Anderson's prospects might keep them in the Wild Card conversation for the 2023/2024 season. - Matt Miles
Will Anderson Jr.
Will Anderson Jr. will be the anchor of the Houston Texans’ defensive line for years to come. One thing was evident after three seasons with the Crimson Tide, Anderson can put an extreme amount of pressure on opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks. The defensive end had 204 total tackles, 58.5 of tackles were for loss, and provided 34.5 sacks. Anderson will be a starter from day one and should cause havoc on opposing offensive linemen all season long. - Leo Grandio
Who will be the Comeback Player of the Year?
Calvin Ridley
After leaving the Falcons two seasons ago for personal reasons and being suspended for the entire season in 2022, Calvin Ridley is stepping into a position to prosper right from the start. Ridley was traded to the Jaguars last season while he was suspended and will be catching passes from Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence took the next step in his development after his horrendous rookie season with head coach Urban Meyer. Now Ridley will pair up with Christian Kirk to form a formidable duo against opposing defenses, which will lead him to 1,000 receiving yards and close to 10 touchdowns this season - Leo Grandio
Breece Hall
Breece Hall suffered a terrible knee injury just as he was getting going on the Jets last season. Hall was on pace for a 1,200-yard, 10-TD season when he tore his meniscus and ACL in Week 7. When camps opened up, Hall looked like he hadn't missed a beat all preseason. As a precaution, the Jets did sign Dalvin Cook to help shoulder some of the load, but barring any setbacks, Hall will slash defenses and earn the Comeback Player of the Year award this season. - Matt Miles
Which skilled-positioned fantasy football player scores the most PPR fantasy points this year?
Calvin Ridley
It's extremely hard to argue against Patrick Mahomes because he just continues to keep piling the points every year. However, looking past quarterbacks, I think we have another year of monster numbers at wide receiver and look for Calvin Ridley to lead the way. Trevor Lawrence takes a step forward this year, and 2020's WR4 plays a big role in his progression. A 105-1,600-10-like season is certainly in the range of outcomes for Ridley this year. - Matt Miles
Nick Chubb
Mr. Consistent Nick Chubb will have no Kareem Hunt in the way to share touches with this season. Here is Chubb’s career seasonal average through the last five seasons: 242 rushing attempts, 1,268 rushing yards, 24 receptions, 198 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns. Now with Hunt no longer in the picture, Chubb will prove once and for all that he should be mentioned in the same breath as Christian McCaffrey and Austin Ekeler as the best running backs in the league. - Leo Grandio
Which fantasy player that is currently being drafted after the 10th round will be a league-winner this season?
Jakobi Meyers
Jakobi Meyers always seems to be hanging around for me at the end of drafts. The names may have changed on his jersey, his quarterback, and his home address, but the role likely will remain the same, if not better. Even with Hunter Renfrow still on the team, Meyers not only will earn slot targets but can also line up outside opposite of Davante Adams and force defenses to single-cover both. I'll gladly take a proven steady WR30 at WR60 cost every time. - Matt Miles
Jaylen Warren
With an ADP of 162, Jaylen Warren is surprisingly low in my opinion. Najaee Harris is the RB1 for the Steelers but head coach Mike Tomlin has not been shy of how much or when to insert Warren into the line-up. When given the opportunity Warren has not disappointed fantasy managers and can break long runs at any time. Harris will be the starter but Warren will get his share of the touches and may push for a 60-to-40 split in touches this season, should Harris get injured then really look out. Another league-winner to add is Jameson Williams. Once he returns from his suspension after six games, it’s going to be game on! - Leo Grandio
What is your boldest prediction for the season?
I believe we will start to see a spread of the rushing wide receiver. The edge in the WR2/3 plateau is going to be wideouts that rush 25-50 yards per game consistently. Deebo Samuel, Devonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle are the comps often cited for this archetype of a player. Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Kadarius Toney are all wideouts with past rushing history. Look for this type of usage early in the season for an added floor to your WR2 and WR3 positions. - Matt Miles
Anthony Richardson has been given the keys to the franchise from the start. Many fantasy managers do not know what to do with Richardson. Should you believe in the hype and draft him or let someone else deal with him? Time will tell if he can be accurate as a passer but as a running quarterback, I’m all on board for that. I predict that Richardson will rush for 1,000 yards, and be at least a low-end QB1 for fantasy managers this season. - Leo Grandio
Who will win the Super Bowl this season?
Matt Miles and Brian Drake are not going to be happy with me but the Miami Dolphins will finally return to glory after 50 years and defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. They have the offense to hang with anyone and if Jalen Ramsey can return sooner rather than later, their defense should keep them in every game. This is probably more wishful thinking on my part than anything else, but hey a man can dream, can't he? - Leo Grandio
My homerism would show with the Philadelphia Eagles, but I try to be partial here. I think the San Diego Chargers can bring the Lombardi Trophy back to SoCal this season. Justin Herbert, despite not having all of his weapons and having some broken ribs still finished last season as a top-10 quarterback, better than Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson. By all accounts, the returning veterans are in good health, Austin Ekeler is a top-3 running back and the team added some solid youth at wide receiver. The San Diego Chargers are poised to rack up points in any matchup this season and are my pick to win the Super Bowl. - Matt Miles
What predictions do you have for this upcoming season? You can reach us on X @FCFantasySports.