Detroit Lions
DraftKings win total: 10.5 (over -135)
Brinson projected record: 11-6
Do the Lions have the best top-to-bottom roster in the NFL now? Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have done an incredible job building out this Lions team to the point it would be shocking if the Lions didn’t make the postseason this year. Jared Goff and this offense play three games all year long outdoors – yes, three total games outdoors. This could be fireworks, especially if Jameson Williams makes the strides Campbell indicates he could. Jahmyr Gibbs is lining up in the slot a bunch during camp, meaning we could get he and David Montgomery on the field together a ton. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta are studs. The biggest concern for the offensive output here would be the defense taking a big step forward, especially on the back end. Detroit’s front seven looks strong, but the secondary gave up a ton of pass yards last year, causing Detroit to invest. That may be bad for fantasy but won’t matter one lick for the Lions being a really great football team.
Los Angeles Rams
DraftKings win total: 8.5 (over -155)
Brinson projected record: 12-5
Would you say I’m bullish on the Rams this year??? I think Matthew Stafford is set to have an incredible year, maybe more efficient than volume-based, thanks to the offseason upgrades Los Angeles made on offense. L.A. beefed up the run game on the interior by adding Jonah Jackson and Kevin Dotson. Colby Parkinson is one of the sneakiest additions in free agency and gives the team some fun athleticism at tight end with Tyler Higbee coming back from injury. Puka Nacua’s preseason injury is a concern, but Cooper Kupp should be completely healthy to start the year and DeMarcus Robinson sets up as a really underrated third receiver in 11 personnel. Blake Corum is a perfect compliment to Kyren Williams. I have massive expectations for this offense --especially when it’ll need to score more points to make up for a slightly worse defense after losing Aaron Donald and Raheem Morris. I do love adding Jared Verse and Braden Fiske as a combo to replace the former.
San Francisco 49ers
DraftKings win total: 11.5 (under -125)
Brinson projected record: 11-6
The Niners have one of the most complete rosters in all of football. They’re coming off three straight years advancing to the NFC title game including a brutal overtime Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs last year. They are rightfully one of the top Super Bowl favorites. But there’s some cause for concern with the recent offseason developments. Christian McCaffrey suffered a calf injury that shouldn’t be a big deal but definitely has my antenna up. Brandon Aiyuk still might get traded or he might not! Trent Williams remains unhappy with his contract. There’s just a lot swirling around the Niners, and this is a massive number for any team. Note the Vegas juice here, with the expectation the 49ers end up coming in under 12 wins. The schedule isn’t particularly brutal, but there are enough pitfalls where I think 11-6 is firmly on the table, especially if the NFC West ends up being as good as we think it could be.