30 Fantasy Football Bold Predictions for the 2017 Season

Eric Ebron Will Finish as a Top-5 Tight End

Why This Is Bold: Ebron is currently a 12th-round selection in standard drafts, so finishing at least fifth at his position would be a big jump.

Why This Will Happen: Despite scoring just one touchdown last year through the air, Ebron still finished with more top-12 performances in PPR formats than all but seven tight ends. Yes, it was a rough season for the position, but it goes to show that he has a low-end TE1 or high-end TE2 floor without any real improvement.

The main reason he could become more than that this year, though, is the departure of Anquan Boldin. Last year, Boldin finished second in red zone targets in all of football, and he was third in targets from within the opponents' 10-yard line. (Insert white guy blinking dot gif.) Boldin was also seventh in slot snap percentage among wideouts with 50 or more targets last year. That matters a whole lot, as Ebron will be lined up in that area of the field.

It's easier said than done, I get it, but all Ebron needs to do is find the end zone more than he has throughout his career. With a conscious effort on the Lions' part and the departure of Boldin, it's very possible that this is the year he puts it all together.