Dynasty Stock Market – More Destination Players

Ryan McDowell

greenOver the past month, the theme of the Dynasty Stock Market has been a new term for some of our favorite players- Destination Players. If you missed either of the prior articles on this topic, I began by explaining the new label here and followed that up the next week with some tips on how to identify and acquire these highly desired players. This week, as I conclude the destination player series, I will share my personal list of players that you can’t pry from my hands, even when you think you’re overpaying.

As I scan the rosters across my fifteen dynasty leagues, I can quickly assess the current status of my team. In some, I am a strong contender, thanks to the acquisition of as many as ten destination players on a single roster. In others, I am obviously a building team looking towards the future. As I mentioned earlier in the series, the current standing of my team plays a large role in the identification of my destination players. With that in mind, I will list my general list of destination players for any of my teams.

Quarterback:

Thanks to the depth at the quarterback position and the relative ease in which you can acquire a serviceable starting fantasy quarterback, this position is devalued across the board. Although we saw that change a season ago thanks to the infusion of young elite quarterbacks around the league, the overall value of the position has fallen back to earth this year. Because of this, I only have two quarterbacks on my list.

Aaron Rodgers, QB GB

Although I only have Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers as my third ranked dynasty quarterback, I will acknowledge he is the ultimate “win now” quarterback, even for those owners with an eye on the future. He’s not yet thirty years old and for the past five seasons, he’s finished as either the first or second ranked fantasy quarterback. With a stable of receiving options and now a solid running game with the addition of rookie Eddie Lacy, there’s no reason to see the Packers’ offense slowing down anytime soon. The only concern for Rodgers is injury, specifically a history of concussions that are becoming more and more serious, considering the potential long-term affects. With improved offensive line play this year, Rodgers is not taking nearly the number of hits as he has in the past, so hopefully, this is not something we have to see play out with the Packers’ star.

If you own Rodgers, there is little reason to trade him. Even if you are out of the playoff hunt this season, he is still young enough to be useful even after adding necessary pieces at other positions. The only time I would consider moving Rodgers is if I am in a complete rebuild, which could take as much as three years. In that case, I’d look to move him for…

Andrew Luck, QB IND

The Colts’ second year quarterback, Andrew Luck, is my top ranked quarterback and a destination player for me no matter the situation.

When I see Luck play, I see the next Peyton Manning, which is an easy connection to make considering he was handed the keys to the team once Manning was released two years ago. As a rookie, Luck struggled with interceptions, throwing eighteen of them to go along with twenty-three touchdowns. That number is down this year, admittedly due in part due to a surprisingly more conservative offense.

Although the team wants to run more with the addition of Trent Richardson, it is inexplicable that they are not putting themselves on the back of Luck and his solid receiving corps. Even with injuries to veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dwayne Allen, the Colts have players who can make big plays. I continue to be a believer in Luck and Richardson for what it’s worth. With a core of young players like the aforementioned Luck and Richardson alone with Allen, tight end Coby Fleener and receiver TY Hilton, the Colts offense should a source of huge fantasy production for the next several years.

Running Back:

The running back position has become very tough to value this year. We’ve seen young prospects that we all had high hopes for epically disappoint while veteran backups have become serviceable fantasy starters.

The top tier of dynasty running backs has shrunk to almost nothing. My general theory of dynasty team building over the past few seasons has been to build around the wide receiver position, acquiring quarterbacks and tight ends that I see a potential future studs, while treating the running back position as if I were in a redraft league. This year has cemented this theory for me. Like the quarterback position, I only have two running backs that make my list of destination players.

You may remember this article series began with my detailing of a trade in which I sent Jamaal Charles and more for Trent Richardson. I have also mentioned over the past three articles that the destination player tag is a fluid one. As of now, I do not consider Richardson a destination player, though he is one that I would still be looking to acquire. On to the players I do currently consider as must haves.

Giovani Bernard, RB CIN

Bengals’ rookie running back Giovani Bernard is doing what we all hoped and planned for second year running backs like David Wilson and Lamar Miller. Though he is still playing a backup role to BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bernard is making the most of his touches. His PPR value is really off the charts considering he has nearly as many receiving yards as rushing yards. He’s also found the end zone four times this year. When you watch Green-Ellis play, it’s easy to see that he is a solid NFL player, but not a special talent. Bernard on the other hand oozes upside and at only twenty-one years of age, his dynasty value is climbing. Bernard is already ranked as the RB10 by DLF rankers, but I value him as RB3, making it obvious that I place a higher value on him than most others.

Even though this is true and I am willing to pay a high price for the former Tar Heel, he is a difficult player to acquire. After all, his owner likely spent a top three pick on him just months ago and he has done nothing to make anyone think that was a poor decision. It would take a massive overpay to acquire Bernard, but I might just be willing.

LeSean McCoy, RB PHI

It was about a year ago that LeSean McCoy got hurt, his backup Bryce Brown had a couple of nice games and dynasty owners began to question if McCoy was still a valuable fantasy asset. Typing that, it’s hard to believe it happened, but it did. We’re a fickle bunch.

Since then, Brown fumbled away his opportunity, for the time being at least, McCoy came back strong and Chip Kelly was hired as the head coach of the Eagles. All of those worked out as well as possible for McCoy and he’s back among the top of the dynasty ranks of many experts. He’s on pace for over 2,000 total yards and as the key player in the Eagles up-tempo offense, he will likely keep it up. Like Rodgers among the quarterbacks, McCoy is perfect for competitive teams, yet he’s young enough to have great value to building teams as well.

Wide Receiver:

If you follow me on Twitter, have viewed my rankings or take a look at any of my rosters, you know I love the wide receiver position. Like many, I fondly remember the days not so long ago when running backs ruled and you could wait until the fifth or sixth round to grab your first wide receiver. Those days are long gone and for many, the stability and longevity offered by the top wide receivers are enticing enough to build a team around.

Because of that, there are many more wide receivers that I consider to be destination players than the other positions. So many, in fact, that I will group them rather than discuss all individually.

The first group of receivers are those that form the near consensus top five in dynasty rankings. Of course, I’m referring to Calvin Johnson, AJ Green, Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant. These players don’t really require much explanation when it comes to how they made the list. Each of them can single handedly carry a fantasy team any given week and these five make up my top five overall dynasty players. If I have a competitive team, there’s a good chance I have at least two of these five and there is no chance I’m giving them up. If you are a building team, starting with a twenty-four or twenty-five year old is a very safe bet. If I am in the middle of a total rebuild, that’s the prime time I consider trading Johnson, but only if I can get one of the other four names on this list.

The next set of receivers are ones that I feel make up an elite, or soon to be elite group. These are players that I seem to value above most other owners and all seem to be gaining value this season. The group is led by Browns wideout Josh Gordon. I’ve considered Gordon a top ten dynasty wide receiver for nearly a year now and he is being commonly ranked and valued that way by the masses following a stellar end to his rookie season and, following his two game suspension, a nice start to his sophomore campaign.

Next is a player often talked about in comparison to Gordon, thanks to their similarities, namely their youth and off the field troubles, Jaguar Justin Blackmon. Blackmon, who was also suspended for the beginning of the season, came back with a very strong two games and then posted back-to-back duds. Regardless, he’s a player I value greatly and look forward to seeing him play with a new quarterback in 2014. Finally, Texans rookie DeAndre Hopkins is a player I am greatly invested in across my leagues. He got off to a great start and has cooled somewhat since. At only twenty-one years old, it’s easy to envision him taking over when Andre Johnson calls it a career. A lot of Hopkins’ development depends on the next quarterback for the Texans. It’s clear that Matt Schaub’s time with the team is drawing to an end.

Each of these three are players I’d like to have on every dynasty team and if I already own them, I highly doubt any other owner in my league is willing to pay my asking price.

Tight End:

Earlier, when discussing the quarterbacks, I mentioned how the infusion of youth a year ago led to a brief period of increased value across the quarterback position. This year, we are seeing the same thing with tight ends. For years, we’ve seen players like Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez and Vernon Davis among the top tight ends, but this year those players are falling down the ranks, thanks to some inconsistent play and the breakout seasons from players like Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron. While those players have greatly increased their value in the past two months, they have yet to make my list of destination players. Here’s who did.

Rob Gronkowski, TE NE and Jimmy Graham, TE NO

Like the wide receiver position, the top of this position is clear. Both Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowksi have been dominant forces for nearly their entire careers. Both are still young and have separated themselves from the rest, even with Gronkowski’s injury history. Both players have elite value and could be drafted as high as the first round of a startup draft. As we’ve seen with so many of the top players at each position, there is no reason to trade these players, even if your team is not contending.

Jordan Reed, TE WAS

The Redskins’ rookie tight end Jordan Reed was a pre-draft favorite of mine and when he landed in Washington, I thought it was an ideal spot, with veteran Fred Davis entering a contract year. Never did I imagine the success that Reed would enjoy so early. Through six games, Reed has thirty-four receptions and 388 yards, putting him on pace for seventy-eight grabs and nearly 900 yards. Even more impressive is Reed’s consistency. In PPR leagues, Reed has posted double digit points in all six of his games so far this season. As he forms a bond with quarterback Robert Griffin III, expect that strong play to continue and Reed’s dynasty value to grow.

Ladarius Green, TE SD

Finally, and likely the most surprising player that will be found on my list of destination players, is Chargers backup tight end Ladarius Green. Future Hall of Fame starter Antonio Gates has blocked Green’s opportunity for a role early in his career. Just as almost everyone was writing Gates off, he’s had a very solid season, again limiting Green to just five receptions through seven games. Green’s measurable are unreal and his potential is sky high. I envision him as next year’s version of Julius Thomas or Jordan Cameron and if I can acquire him at a fraction of their current cost, I will attempt to do that in every league.

There you have it, a list of my current destination players. As I said, this list is a living breathing document and always seems to be changing. Who are some of the players that make up your list? Feel free to share them below in the comments section.

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