Each week, Footballguys staff members will share the big movers in their respective Dynasty Rankings. Since the contributors will rotate, please check in weekly. The focus of this article will be on the “why” more than the movement itself. Dynasty Rankings are fluid and we hope that sharing the rationale will help you in your quest to create dynasties with all your teams. The diversity of rankings will result in a variety of opinions weekly.
Quarterback
Simpkins
Matt Ryan - I’ve reserved judgment on Ryan until now because I wanted to see how things would go in Steve Sarkisian’s version of the offense. Quite frankly, the fit doesn’t appear to be great, but Matt Ryan’s decision-making with the football has also been abysmal. I’m downgrading Ryan a few spots in my personal rankings until I see evidence of improvement.
Eli Manning - He’s got his job back, but I’m not sure Manning is going to be anything more than a bridge to the next quarterback. Don’t fall into the temptation of getting excited about his easy schedule and his weapons in 2018 as seems to happen at the outset of every recent fantasy campaign. It’s time to accept that out of 32 starting quarterbacks, Manning is going to consistently rank near the bottom of the heap.
Tefertiller
Ryan Tannehill – Tannehill is a forgotten man in the quarterback rankings. With the success Jay Cutler has experienced in the Adam Gase offense, we are hopeful Tannehill will be able to become a high-end QB2 for fantasy owners.
Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford – There is a great likelihood that one or both passers will hit free agency this coming spring. Given the poor quarterback play (Blaine Gabbert/Blake Bortles, I am looking at you), these two quarterbacks can easily be fantasy-viable. Sure, each needs to prove healthy, but there is upside at a low price. Bridgewater looks safer given the knee saga Bradford endured earlier in the season.
Running Back
Tefertiller
Kenyan Drake – Drake has shown he should – at the very least – be in a committee with a rookie next season. If used in a Kamara-like role, Drake could easily be a weekly RB2 for fantasy owners. Gase has figured out how to get the speedy back into space with the ball in his hands. The main concern is health. Drake has battled injuries for most of his latter collegiate and professional careers.
Ameer Abdullah – The Lions have shown fantasy owners that they have no faith in Abdullah. When Theo Riddick – a solid passing-game option – starts getting redzone carries, it sends a message. Expect Detroit to draft a running back early in this coming draft.
Alex Collins – Collins is the running back of the future for the Ravens. Woodhead is not getting any younger and Collins has shown more ability than West or Dixon. Allen is not a fantasy option. While many still underrate Collins, he has shown over the past few weeks that he is a three-down back who can be the workhorse.
Simpkins
Peyton Barber - Barber is a long-time favorite of mine. Barber’s lateral agility, jump-cutting prowess, and nose for the goal line are all shining forth with increased opportunity. His stock is already up in my eyes, but it will go even higher if Doug Martin leaves in free agency.
Mike Davis - I know it’s generally a mistake to get too attached to Seattle running backs not named Marshawn Lynch, but Davis is currently making the most of his opportunity, both in the running game and the receiving game. As a result, I’m moving him up my rankings a spot or two. For non-contending teams, I like the idea of flipping Davis for a mid-to-high second-round pick, as there will be more competition and possibly even a drafted talent or two competing for the job next year.
Wide Receiver
Simpkins
Adam Thielen - Jeff Tefertiller told me in a recent podcast that he views Thielen as a top-tier dynasty asset. While I’m not nearly as high on Thielen, I acknowledge that he’s an underrated talent who has thrived under Case Keenum, a quarterback willing to take more risks throwing the football downfield. He’s risen on my board after two solid years of work.
Cooper Kupp - In a rookie receiver class that has largely been disappointing so far, Kupp has been a bright spot. He and Goff showed increasing rapport in their loss to the Eagles. It is a relationship that will become even more interesting if Sammy Watkins doesn’t end up sticking with the Rams after this one year prove-it period.
Tefertiller
Cooper Kupp – Wherever I insert Kupp into my rankings, it seems too low. He has a legitimate shot at a 1,000-yard season and will only get better. Sure, he is older than most rookies, but fantasy production knows no age.
Chris Godwin – Godwin has begun to garner more playing time of late and has produced solid numbers. It is only a matter of time before the Buccaneers are forced to keep him on the field.
Marquise Goodwin – Like Kupp, we still think he is ranked too low. Goodwin will be a starter for the 49ers next year, even if Pierre Garcon is back in the lineup. Goodwin has developed a rapport with Jimmy Garoppolo and looks good. It is difficult to believe the Bills could not find a use for him before letting Goodwin walk, then trading for Jordan Matthews and Kelvin Benjamin and drafting Zay Jones in the second round.
Tight End
Tefertiller
Trey Burton – The Eagles know how to spot tight ends as Burton will be a mid-career starter for another team, a la Delanie Walker. When Ertz comes back, and his owners drop Burton, he is a great player to stash over the offseason.
C.J. Fiedorowicz – Fiedorowicz is now on injured reserve for the second time this season with concussions. We do not advocate rostering him unless in a deeper league. Good thing the young tight end signed a contract extension earlier this year which included $10 million in guarantees.
Simpkins
Stephen Anderson - With C.J. Fiedorowicz unable to stay healthy, the door is open for one of Jared Goff’s favorite college targets, Stephen Anderson. While Savage isn’t a particularly exciting quarterback, he’s been functional in his starts and will look to Anderson, one of the few healthy pass-catchers left in the offense right now. It will be even more interesting to see if Anderson can do more when Watson returns from injury.
Adam Shaheen - It’s so refreshing when we see exciting young tight ends coming down the pipeline, especially when you consider that greats Antonio Gates and Jason Witten won’t be playing much longer. We have one such prospect in Adam Shaheen. We’re seeing the plan come together for “Mr. Chipotle.” He’s a big bully in the red zone, and linebackers and defensive backs that must match up with him there are out of luck. He moves a tick up my board as I see him being increasingly utilized.