The April edition of crazy predictions featured one per division, while the May edition featured one per team and June had award predictions. This edition will feature statistical leader predictions.
Passing Yards: Matt Ryan (5,019)
Ryan has recorded two 4,900-yard seasons in three years, and there is a reason to believe that he can break the 5,000-yard plateau in 2019. If Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Calvin Ridley are healthy, Ryan should have no problem posting over 300 yards per game.
Passing Touchdowns: Jared Goff (37)
The potential drop-off of Todd Gurley might mean that Goff is asked to throw the ball more than 600 times during the 2019 campaign. Natural improvement from Goff could mean the former Cal product could win the passing touchdown title.
Rushing Yards: Ezekiel Elliott (1,399)
Elliott has two rushing crowns in three seasons, and he led the NFL in yards per game in the season he only played ten games in. While this prediction gets bolder by the day due to a potential holdout, Elliott is a shoo-in to be the best rusher in the NFL.
Rushing Touchdowns: Aaron Jones (16)
If given the opportunity, Jones will pop in 2019. Despite only having 244 carries over 24 career games, Jones has a nose for the end zone and the eye for the big play. If the Packers lean on Jones in goal-line scenarios, he will lead the NFL in touchdowns.
Receptions: JuJu Smith-Schuster (129)
Smith-Schuster will end up with nearly 200 targets this season. As the clear-cut No. 1 option in Pittsburgh, Smith-Schuster will be relied upon to move the chains. While other threats to the receptions crown have more established careers, Smith-Schuster is in an offense that throws the ball more than just about anyone.
Receiving Yards: Julio Jones (2,066)
Jones has led the NFL in receiving yards twice (2015 and 2018) while posting the highest yards per game three times. Jones also holds the NFL record for most yards per game. It is not crazy for Jones to lead the NFL again, but a 2,000-yard season would set the NFL record for most receiving yards in a season. Jones reportedly wants to try for 3,000 yards, so he may blow past 2,000 yards.
Receiving Touchdowns: George Kittle (17)
Kittle tripling his touchdowns in this prediction stems from a better set of weapons around him. If the likes of Jerick McKinnon, Tevin Coleman, and Deebo Samuel can move the ball between the 20s, Kittle will be poised to have an elite campaign in the red zone.
Sacks: Yannick Ngakoue (19.5)
Despite a potential holdout, Ngakoue has been a high-level pass rusher through three seasons in the NFL. If Ngakoue plays 16 games at a consistent level, he will be in contention for the sack leader in the NFL.
Interceptions: Malik Hooker (8)
Predicting the interception leader is truly a crapshoot. Hooker seems like a fair candidate based on his presence in a team that should be winning often. If he faces enough passes, then he will eventually intercept passes. Hooker would more than double his career total, but he should have an opportunity to lead the NFL.
DISCLAIMER: Approximately none of these predictions will come true. This is truly an exercise in spewing hot takes. Please check back come January and February to add these to the worst predictions in the history of sports.
