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.
Quarterbacks
Parsons
Jared Goff - This is not meant to be a 'hot take', but Jared Goff, the bus driver for the Rams prolific offense, is overrated from a fantasy perspective. First, the quarterback position is loaded and second, in a start-1QB format Goff is far from an auto-start each week. MFL start data has Goff with a single week over 75% start rate this season (meaning he fits in the QBBC conversation more start-and-forget-it status), plus his True Impact score and WORP (fantasy wins over replacement player) in fantasy terms are both outside the top-12 of the position after finishing at QB16 in True Impact last season. *True Impact looks at a combination of start rate and points scored compared to the position each week to evaluate a player's usability in fantasy terms*
Jameis Winston - The sporadic poor decisions to get himself into trouble withstanding, Winston is a fantasy beast. Tampa Bay is lighting up the scoreboard through the air and Winston, while slow in timed speed, has a way to extend plays and add rushing production surpassed by a select few other quarterbacks. Winston is bold throwing down the field and has arguably the best set of wide receiver and tight end weapons in the NFL outside of maybe Kansas City. In two games Winston has already logged a higher True Impact score than Matthew Stafford and Andy Dalton for the entire season and more WORP than Russell Wilson.
Tefertiller
Ryan Tannehill – The cards are lining up for Tannehill to not be welcomed back to Miami after the season. The Dolphins can save $13 million by letting him walk. He could get a chance to start somewhere next year, but the quarterbacks in similar situations this year (Sam Bradford, Teddy Bridgewater, Tyrod Taylor, etc.) did not fare well.
Tyrod Taylor – With Baker Mayfield cemented into the starting lineup, Taylor makes a great buy opportunity for superflex and two-quarterback leagues. He is likely to start somewhere next season and the lackluster incoming rookie quarterback class will pump up Taylor’s value.
Running Back
Tefertiller
Sony Michel – Michel looked fantastic before re-injuring his knee Sunday. He is a great player to acquire for the stretch run. The offense looked sluggish after the injury as James White is a pass-catching back and Kenjon Barner is tentative as a runner.
Kerryon Johnson – While Blount continues to get short-yardage carries, Johnson is asserting himself into a larger role … even if it is not evident in the box score. With the rookie tailbacks dropping like flies, Johnson has a chance to be in the top-two rookie leading rushers. He has shown a knack for running between the tackles and the Lions will need to run the ball more to win down the stretch.
Parsons
James White - It is difficult to overvalue White at this point. He was a top-15 running back before Sony Michel's latest setback. White sees elite optimization in his touches on a top offense in the league. New England may bring in another back via trade or signing, but White is an integral part of the offense, specifically in the red zone. White is an auto-start who has provided more WORP than Ezekiel Elliott or Christian McCaffrey through seven weeks.
Alex Collins - Collins is a tough watch most weeks from a fantasy sense. While the starting running back on a solid team and offense, Collins is commonly yanked in the red zone for Javorius Allen as well as in hurry-up situations. Collins' snaps and touches reside in the empty part of the field (between the 20s) and the earlier parts of either half. As a result, Collins has two games of more than 12 PPR points on the season and typically a flex-level lineup decision, and an uninspiring one at that.
Wide Receiver
Tefertiller
Adam Thielen – After the ado for Stefon Diggs this offseason, it has been Thielen who has stepped up and is leading the league in several categories. He has put up huge points almost every week and has the trust of Kirk Cousins, especially down the field.
Michael Gallup – Gallup takes a step back after the trade for Amari Cooper. While an adequate deep threat/WR2, Gallup will struggle for targets with Cooper and Cole Beasley in the lineup. Cooper is under contract through 2019 so Gallup will be difficult to hold for almost two more years.
Parsons
Tyreek Hill - This week against Cincinnati was especially impressive for Hill as he was a WR1 (20.6 PPR points) and yet had a very muted game. Kansas City had strong performances elsewhere and Hill saw a bevy of short touches with little potential. Even still, Hill put up an impactful fantasy line and is WR2 overall on the season in True Impact with over 1.0 WORP (second to only Adam Thielen).
Kenny Golladay - While Week 7 was Golladay's worst game of the season with 5.7 PPR points, beyond the box score Golladay drew a defensive pass interference penalty and had an extending touchdown called back by penalty. Golladay remains in the top-30 of True Impact at the wide receiver position on the season and has four games of 16+ PPR points. Golladay is seeing high-level snaps and a Detroit offense finally finding balance with the run game.
Tight End
Parsons
George Kittle - Like James White, it is difficult to overvalue George Kittle's impact this season. Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce are the gold standard in True Impact scores at tight end with Rob Gronkowski in the next tier more than challenging the top-2. Kittle is surging as Jared Cook and Eric Ebron sag down some in recent weeks. Kittle is up to TE5 with auto-start status and this is with C.J. Beathard at quarterback.
Kyle Rudolph - While the Vikings passing offense excels, Rudolph is lost in the shuffle of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs having high-level seasons. Rudolph has not topped 11 PPR points since Week 3 and has a season-high of 15.8 points. The last huge week for Rudolph was 22 points back in Week 12 of 2017. At a high-variance position where a few splash performances make or break a fantasy season, Rudolph has more name value than his impact in 2018.
Tefertiller
Tyler Kroft – Even with C.J. Uzomah playing passably, Kroft is expected back in the lineup in the next few weeks. He could be a nice find off waivers in tight end-premium leagues.
David Njoku – Njoku has dropped a few passes this season but his play-making upside is worth the hassle. After the trade of Josh Gordon, the Browns needed a down-the-field threat and Njoku has filled the void. Playing in Cleveland, he does not get the publicity his on-field play deserves.