In a fantasy world, this will come true

Look for Stafford to have career year; not so for Titans’ Henry

I’m afraid of spiders, I hate needles and I worry outside of time travel, the Terminator series is going to end up looking like a documentary.

I’m not afraid of predicting the outcome of sporting events.

Indeed, in this space last season, I wrote, “Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey won’t repeat as the highest scoring non-quarterback in fantasy this season. … Temper your expectations when you take the allaround stud first overall.”

Not everything I write is as prescient, but everything that follows is based on sound reason, not science fiction.

Here are my fearless fantasy predictions for the upcoming season:

Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts will break Mike Ditka’s 60-year-old record for receiving yards by a rookie tight end (1,076).

New Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will surpass his career highs in passing yards (5,038) and passing touchdowns (41) while outproducing Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes.

Jacksonville savior Trevor Lawrence won’t be the top-scoring rookie quarterback on a points-pergame basis. Both San Francisco’s Trey Lance and Chicago’s Justin Fields will surpass the top overall pick from the 2021 NFL draft.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams will surpass his career highs in receiving yards (1,001), receiving touchdowns (10) and receptions (49).

Only three players have won three straight rushing titles since 1932: Jim Brown, Earl Campbell and Emmitt Smith. Tennessee’s Derrick Henry won’t be the fourth.

Tennessee’s Julio Jones will play in at least 14 games, but fail to produce double-digit touchdowns for the ninth straight season.

Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts will pass for at least 3,500 yards and 20 touchdowns while running for another 1,000 yards and 10 scores.

Cincinnati’s Joe Mixon will finish as an RB6 or higher in most formats. His floor is 1,600 total yards, double-digit touchdowns and at least 50 receptions.

Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa will pass for at least 3,800 yards and 26 touchdowns while adding another six scores on the ground.

Kickers will continue to be a waste of our time.