At Footballguys, we are thankful for football's role in our lives. We are all fans of the game and care about the opportunity it provides to bring people together. As part of that, we allowed your staff to express their gratitude.
Question: Who is a player you are thankful for in Dynasty?
Veteran Running Backs
Andy Hicks: Any older running back starring for their team. Youth is the second most important commodity in Dynasty, but it consistently should rank behind production. With Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Alvin Kamara ranking as the top three running backs, all veterans, don't be afraid to look for the right situation to take advantage of youth-obsessed league mates.
James Conner, Aaron Jones, Najee Harris, and Nick Chubb will all be older than 27 entering next season, but they could all be fantasy starters in the right offense.
Corey Spala: I am thankful for the running backs on my teams who are staying healthy and producing points - Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, and David Montgomery, to name a few. It is a bonus when the aging running backs are cast away due to the perceived age cliff. Running backs can be the backbone of Dynasty teams and help propel you to win championships. Luck is involved in having health throughout the season, but skill is involved when you capitalize on a perceived aging asset (Henry) or an ambiguous situation (James Conner).
TE Cade Otton, Tampa Bay
Matt Montgomery: I am thankful for Cade Otton this season. The beginning of the year showed us that the tight-end position can disappear anytime. The elites seemed less than impressive, and the "new blood" came from nowhere, but they weren't performing as Andrews, Kelce, and Kittles did years ago. That is until my boy Cade Otton threw his hat in the ring! Otton has been more than just a starter at the position; he has won me matchups. I was fortunate to get him off Dynasty waivers after two weeks of less-than-ideal performance (one catch for five yards on four total targets).
While this past week was a little bit of a "reality check" for Otton after an unreal stretch of games from Weeks 6-10, I do believe that the 25-year-old tight end showed not only his coaches but his quarterback that he can handle an increased workload and can be a threat at any given time against any team in the league. If you throw out the first two weeks, he averages just under nine targets a game! That is creeping into wide receiver territory, and I am here for it. I want Otton to continue this down the stretch and into the playoffs…
QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay
Ryan Weisse: I am thankful for Baker Mayfield. Almost every dynasty I play in is SuperFlex, and I bought Mayfield everywhere over the last two seasons to shore up my QB2 spot. Instead, Mayfield's been a top-5 quarterback this season and has every one of my team's in playoff contention. Because the fantasy community was distrustful of Mayfield, I was able to get him for far cheaper than any other 29-year-old starting quarterback would typically cost. I believed in Mayfield's potential, and it has paid dividends. Thank you, Baker Mayfield!
QB Josh Allen, Buffalo
Jeff Bell: The format or situation does not matter; I am thankful for Allen. I am grateful the Bills started my fandom with the Jim Kelly era before a nearly two-decades-long drought. That period amplifies my appreciation of Allen as a Bills fan. Oh, and he is one of my favorite Dynasty moves. My home league migrated to a Dynasty league in the summer of 2020. During our start-up draft, I moved to trade a future 1st to get back into the third round, where I selected Allen. That offseason, he took off, becoming the fantasy force we have come to love. Not only did I get to spend the last five (plus) seasons cheering for Allen, but I also experienced the joy his fantasy excellence brought. It taught me a valuable lesson: when you have a guy, get him.
