Bold Predictions for the 2017 Fantasy Football Season

The first week of September is here, and http://www.officialpatriotsonline.com/shop-by-players-clay-harbor-jersey-c-2_48.html that means the first NFL Sunday of the season is right around the corner. We've spent all summer ranking players, highlighting breakouts and busts, and debating similarly priced players. We've drafted, drafted and drafted some more. All that's left to do is make bold predictions. SI's Michael Beller, and 4for4's Chris Raybon and T.J. Hernandez share their boldest calls for the 2017 season.
Michael Beller's bold predictions
DAVID JOHNSON AND LE’VEON BELL WILL TOP 2,500 YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE
Chris Johnson is the only player in NFL history to rack up 2,500 total yards in a season. Back in 2009, when Johnson ran for 2,006 yards, he also caught 50 passes for 503 yards. Even as offense has exploded since then, no one has matched Johnson’s 2,509 yards from scrimmage in that season. That will change this year.
Johnson and Bell are the two best offensive players in the league, the prototypical weapons for the modern NFL. They’re the two truly indispensable players in the fantasy game, giving their owners a significant leg up on everyone else. Last year, Johnson piled up 2,118 yards from scrimmage in 16 games, good for 132.4 yards per game. He’d need about 24 more per game to get up to 2,500 yards from scrimmage this season. Bell, meanwhile, doesn’t need to increase his per-game output. He totaled 1,884 yards from scrimmage in 12 games, a 16-game pace of 2,512 yards.
Johnson and Bell are the centerpieces of their offenses, the two best running backs in the league who could probably be elite receivers if they switched positions. They’ll triple the membership in the 2,500-yard club this season.
TY MONTGOMERY WILL BE A TOP-FIVE RUNNING BACK
Everything is lined up for Montgomery to break out this season. He has the unquestioned lead of the Green Bay backfield, with rookies Jamaal Williams http://www.ravensshopsofficial.com/shop-by-players-lawrence-guy-jersey-c-2_45.html and Aaron Jones behind him on the depth chart. He bulked up to 223 pounds this offseason, putting him in better condition to handle the workload of a starting running back. The Packers have finished outside the top 10 in scoring once and top 10 in yards twice in the nine years that Aaron Rodgers has been their starter.
Montgomery broke into the league as a receiver, which should suit him well in the Green Bay backfield. Rodgers will use his running backs in the passing game if they’re capable, as proved by Eddie Lacy and James Starks combining for 84 catches in 2014 and 63 catches in 2015. Montgomery is a superior receiver to both of them, and a more explosive runner, as well. He could easily approach 300 carries plus targets in what promises to be one of the best offenses in the league. If he does, he’ll be an easy RB1 who helps carry his fantasy owners to championships.
BEN ROETHLISBERGER WILL THROW FOR 40 TOUCHDOWNS
As great as Roethlisberger has been his entire career, he has never thrown for more than 32 touchdowns, and has reached the 30-mark just twice. He’ll obliterate that career high this season, reaching the 40-touchdown threshold with a collection of weapons that is the envy of the league.
Le’Veon Bell is, at worst, the second-best running back and non-quarterback offensive player in the league. Antonio Brown is the league’s best receiver. Since 2014, however, Roethlisberger has never had the pleasure of operating with a full deck. One of Bell or Martavis Bryant has been on the sidelines every game the last two years, thanks to suspensions and injuries. That won’t be the case this season.
In 19 games with Bryant in the lineup, Roethlisberger has 6,385 yards and 41 touchdowns. That comes out to a 16-game average of 5,376 yards and 34.5 touchdowns. Yes, Roethlisberger would have to increase his touchdown rate, but if Chuck Foreman Authentic Jersey he can really approach 5,300 yards, his touchdown rate won’t be able to do anything but increase. With Bell, Brown and Bryant finally at his disposal at the same time, Roethlisberger will have the best year of his career, marked by 40 passing touchdowns.