The AFC West went pretty much as everyone expected in 2023. The Chiefs won at will and there was nothing anyone could do about it. It’s been that way for years and it seems like the other three teams are going in the wrong direction in terms of trying to dethrone the Chiefs.
The Chargers didn’t do Justin Herbert any favors, disassembling the receiving room. The Raiders are the exact opposite, consistently adding weapons with no reliable quarterback to distribute the ball. And the Broncos’ offense is just a disaster all around.
With the holes these teams have, it’s difficult to predict them, let alone be bold with it. But here I am, sharing my bold AFC West fantasy predictions.
Make sure to check out our other Fantasy Football Bold Predictions.
Rashee Rice improves from last season and is a top-25 receiver
Last season, Rice emerged as a pleasant surprise while the entire receiver room crumbled around him. However, with the Chiefs’ recent additions, expectations have dwindled and his ADP has dropped. Nevertheless, I’m not worried about Hollywood Brown or Xavier Worthy. They both serve as slot deep threats, the polar opposite of Rice. Rice had a 4.8 ADOT (average depth of target), ranking 99th. He’s a sure-handed safety net that’ll continue to thrive with two speed demons opening up the short game for him. In his final six games, he even outplayed Travis Kelce, averaging 18.1 fantasy points per game and 9.3 targets.
Extra eyes on these 4 WRs with Hollywood Brown’s injury…
Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy will have more on their plate for any games he will miss
Nikko Remigio and Justyn Ross should have more chances to get First Team Preseason Reps to turn their Camp Flashes into a Roster Spot pic.twitter.com/MCS4w4DVU1
— Kingdom Kast (@KingdomKast) August 14, 2024
Xavier Worthy won’t finish as a top-50 receiver
Worthy’s stock skyrocketed after he landed in a perfect situation with the Chiefs, but we’ve seen this story before: a flashy and explosive deep threat failing to serve as a primary option for Patrick Mahomes. We just did this last season with Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney; both failed miserably. Now, I’m not saying Worthy is as bad as them, but people are jumping the gun. During the pre-draft process, I thought Worthy was a raw prospect who could benefit from a developmental year and I still stand by that. Kansas City brought in Hollywood Brown who can essentially play the same role on a one-year deal. When Brown expires, Worthy emerges. For now, I don’t see Worthy being more than a gadget fifth option on offense.
Zamir White is a top-15 running back
White has always been in the shadows of Josh Jacobs. Now that Jacobs is gone, White gets to shine. We got a glimpse of what could be late in the season when Jacobs was out. In those games, White averaged 15.2 fantasy points per game and 23.3 touches. Additionally, the Raiders hired Luke Getsy to be their new offensive coordinator. Getsy was the Bears’ offensive coordinator for two years, and the Bears ranked second in rushing attempts in both of those years. With scarce competition, White is bound to have a giant workload.
Zamir White
The workhorse season is off to a good start.
White played 79 percent of the snaps compared to Mattison’s 21 percent.
He also ran 6 routes.
Ended the day with 6 carries for 23 yards & 1 TD. pic.twitter.com/X56PXRLeWB
— . (@NextLvl_Fantasy) August 12, 2024
Joshua Palmer finishes as a top-35 wide receiver
The Chargers completely ripped apart their receiving corps but decided to keep one scrap: Palmer. Now that Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are gone, Palmer will have a chance at that WR1 title. In the three games Palmer played without Allen and Williams, he averaged 14 fantasy points and 7.3 targets. Plus, all of those games were without Justin Herbert. Now that the Chargers’ primary signal-caller is back, Palmer will benefit. Even if rookie Ladd McConkey manages to usurp the WR1 title, Palmer will still get plenty of looks.
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