Bodog NFL Predictions

While the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball all suffered for Next Ones during the past 10 years, the NFL has always had superstars waiting in line. Considering the length of an NFL career remains about three years, the quantity of top-shelf talent that's always on the verge is even more impressive.

When John Elway retired in 1999, Brett Favre was ready to seize the spotlight that shines brightest on the quarterback considered the game's most compelling icon. Peyton Manning wasn't far behind in the competition for that role. No one in the national media had yet heard of Tom Brady. Years before he hung 'em up after the 2004 season, Emmitt Smith had been dethroned as the game's most dependable runner by the likes of Priest Holmes, Terrell Davis and Marshall Faulk. Even Jerry Rice, whose feats with the 49ers were considered so astounding some observers considered him the best player in history, has proven to be approachable by this generation of receivers, led by Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison and Randy Moss.

As some of the current elite players start to fade, their successors are already moving toward the top. With their 2006 Bodog NFL Predictions here's a look at five offensive candidates who are among the next wave of NFL stars:

Bodog NFL Predictions: 1. Larry Johnson (RB, Kansas City Chiefs) - He's already the best running back in the game in many people's eyes - especially if those eyes are in the sockets of a fantasy football player. Down the stretch last season, Johnson was the NFL's most dominant running back. He scored 21 times, had nine straight 100-yard games (including two 200-yard Sundays), racked up 1,750 rushing yards and a sick 5.2 yards-per-carry average. His numbers in his third pro season were on pace for 2,402 and 30 TDs, which would've shattered single-season records, and he could've reached them if he didn't spend the first half of the season behind Priest Holmes. With Holmes on the sidelines this season, Johnson will be unleashed from Week 1. He's talking about a 2,000-yard season and is a legitimate candidate to hit the mark. In fact, he's a 6/1 choice to win the NFL MVP award this year; only Peyton Manning (7/2) and the field (4/1) are heavier favorites in the Bodog Sportsbook.

Bodog NFL Predictions: 2. Roy Williams (WR, Detroit Lions) - Mike Martz wants to bring the Greatest Show on Turf to Detroit and Williams will be the key to the pass-happy coordinator's offense. The Lions were brutal last year and Williams suffered for it, putting up low reception and yardage numbers (45 catches for 687 yards in 13 games). He's an elite talent, who has said about the coming season: "This is the best shape I've been in and the most excited I've been about playing in an offense." Williams has scored eight touchdowns in each of his first two seasons. With Martz, the ex-Rams' coach running the Lions' offense, expect a significant boost in production from the 6-2 playmaker out of Texas. In the preseason, the passing game has focused on Williams, who will be counted on to do for the Lions what Torry Holt did for St. Louis.

Bodog NFL Predictions: 3. Cadillac Williams (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - Great players don't excel only from September to January. They strive year round, which is what the Bucs' runner did during the offseason following a campaign that won him NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Williams became the first running back to deliver three consecutive 100-yard games to open his career, but his production fell off because of a foot injury. He still led all first-year running backs with 1,178 yards, yet he wasn't used in most third-down situations and his conditioning was called into question. He improved his stamina and skills in the offseason, impressing the team so much that it's certain his workload will increase. Running backs coach Art Valero told the Tampa Tribune: "We worked on some moves that will enable Cadillac to shake free of defenders by using his hands better, and that's going to be invaluable to him."

Bodog NFL Predictions: 4. Eli Manning (QB, New York Giants) - The pedigree is there and so is the ability. Yes, Peyton's kid brother has to improve his accuracy, especially on short throws. He posted a mediocre 52.8 completion percentage in 2005. However, he had more touchdowns than interceptions (24 to 17) and threw for 3,762 yards. In his second season, Eli took a massive leap forward from his mistake-plagued rookie year and did what he was drafted first overall to do: get the Giants into the playoffs. Next step, win a playoff game or two. His preseason completion percentage is at 60.9 after the first three games, a sign that he's still improving. "I really have thought that he's thrown the ball down the field with good arm strength and good accuracy this camp," coach Tom Coughlin told reporters last week. "We keep track of all the quadrants the ball is thrown into, and his [completion] percentage is up in those particular areas."

Bodog NFL Predictions: 5. Ben Watson (TE, New England Patriots) - A big, fast tight end, Watson aims to leap into the highest realm of his position, an area that's been reserved for Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez for years. Watson's rookie season was lost to a knee injury and last season he put up only 29 receptions and four touchdowns. The most memorable play of his career, thus far, has come on defense. During the playoffs last season, he ran down the Broncos' Champ Bailey after a turnover and knocked the football out of the Pro Bowl cornerback's hands. Bailey had picked off Tom Brady in the Broncos' end zone and sprinted down the sideline, and it was Watson - a 6-3, 255-pounder out of Georgia - who caught up to the Denver star after 100 yards, preventing a touchdown. It was an eyeopening play that showed why the Patriots have big plans for Watson. Those plans are coming together nicely in the preseason. In Saturday's game against the talented Washington Redskins, Watson caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in a 41-0 rout. Although Brady loves to spread the ball around, the Patriots have problems at receiver and Watson figures to see a lot of leather this season, especially in the red zone.

TOP PHOTO: Roy Williams is going up and the Lions' receiver seems a lock to surpass the eight touchdowns he's had in each of the past two years. (AI Wire photo)

Note: All NFL lines subject to change.

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