Preseason Bold Predictions Revisited - AFC West
The NFL season is at its halfway point and it seems just like yesterday we were making our bold preseason predictions for this year. As the season continues at a relentless pace we wanted to revisit our preseason predictions. Find out in this 8-part series what we got wrong, what we got right, as well as a new bold prediction for the second half of the season. Today we will focus on the AFC West. In the preseason this looked like the best division in football, but apparently, only Kansas City got the memo. There is still plenty of time for the Chargers and Broncos to turn it around, while the Raiders may be looking ahead to next year's draft.
Denver Broncos
broncoswire.com
Original Prediction: Cortland Sutton finishes as a Top 10 WR
Currently- Sutton currently sits at WR 33 on the season and the Broncos have not been anywhere close to as effective as their preseason hype would have led you to believe. Sutton started the year off promising enough but over his last three games has seen an average of 2 receptions for less than 17 yards. He’s still talented enough to get there, but this one is looking like a real long shot.
New Prediction - Greg Dulcich finishes as a top 5 TE. Dulcich got a late start to the season but has been as productive as any tight end over the past few weeks. On a PPG basis he currently is only being outpaced by Kelce, Hill, Andrews, and Hockenson. Taysom Hill is the ultimate boom or bust play and Dulcich could continue to get more work as he further solidifies his trust from the Broncos Qbs.
Los Angeles Chargers
chargerswire.com
Original Prediction - Austin Ekeler finishes outside of the top 10 RBs
Currently - Austin Ekeler is currently first in PPR points at the RB position and is outpacing everyone else by nearly 5 points per game. While TD regression seemed imminent, he is currently dead even with his TD mark through 7 games last season. This one is already over and Ekeler is locked in the rest of the way.
New Prediction - Austin Ekeler will break the single-season receptions record at the running back position. Christian McCaffrey currently holds the record at 116. Ekeler is currently on pace to finish with 128. That would not only smash CMC’s previous record but would be the 7th best reception season posted by any player ever.
Las Vegas Raiders
oregonlive.com
Original Prediction - Derek Carr finishes with 5000 yards and 30 TDs.
Currently - Carr and the Raiders have been abysmal. Carr is currently on pace to throw for 3936 yards and only 21 TDs.
New Prediction - Davante Adams finishes outside of the top 15 WRs in PPR formats. Adams is currently sitting at WR 9. The Raiders' offense has seemingly gotten worse outside of Josh Jacobs. Adams will have some splash weeks but his duds will end up landing him outside of the WR1 range.
Kansas City Chiefs -
ky3.com
Original Prediction - Clyde Edwards Helaire finishes as a top 12 PPR Back
Currently: The season started out promising enough for Clyde Edwards Helaire but he has seemingly been replaced as the bell cow and is now in a committee with Jerick McKinnon and Isaiah Pacheco. He is RB22 on the season and trending in the wrong direction.
New Prediction - None of the WRs or RBs on Kansas City will crack the top 30 at their positions. Juju is currently 28th and leading the pack for the WRs, but with the addition of Kadarius Toney the targets in this offense will be further spread out. CEH is trending down and neither Pacheco nor McKinnon will do enough to crack the top 30.
That’s it for the AFC West. Come back later as we dive into the NFC North! Make sure to leave your comments below, we would love to know what you love, what you hate, and what you think we’re completely out in left field on.