The Dynasty Aftermath: Week Two

Ken Kelly Posted On September 16, 2014

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Welcome to DLF’s Dynasty Aftermath. This Tuesday staple is our longest running signature piece as we have a little fun after a tough week at the Dynasty League Football office. You’ll find this article will review the week’s happenings in a variety of ways and help set you up for the coming weeks as we spin around the league in the way we know best. We again have a lot to talk about as injuries dominated week two.

Let’s take a look back at the week that was!

Week Two Fantasy MVP

It certainly looks like the demise of Antonio Gates has been severely overstated. Instead of being found playing checkers in a retirement community, it seems as if he’s still a big part of the San Diego offense. With dynasty owners continuing to salivate over the potential of Ladarius Green, Gates reminded everyone he’s one of the best tight ends in league history as he posted his best game in nine years with seven catches for 97 yards and three touchdowns in an upset win over Seattle. It’s clear Gates has lost a step, but remember he was really one step ahead of just about everyone else for the better part of the last decade. While this will undoubtedly be his best game of the year, he served notice in both reality and fantasy that he’s not quite ready for that checkerboard.

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Week Two Fantasy LVP

This was one of the craziest weeks in recent memory as numerous players went down with injury. However, it’s hard to fault players like AJ Green, Knowshon Moreno or Robert Griffin III for a lack of production since injuries can never be forecasted (other than Jonathan Stewart’s imminent future injury). Instead, I’m going to go with a player who posted five catches for 48 yards and three touchdowns as my choice for LVP.

Say what!?!

Yes, I’m looking at you Brandon Marshall. In reality, we should blame the schedule makers because few expected Marshall to play on Sunday night and undoubtedly went with “safer” options only to see Marshall blow up on their bench. Few leagues reward for bench scoring, so Marshall, while completely dominant this week, was actally the LVP in fantasy.

Yes, fantasy football is infuriating.

Lineup Fun

The unbeatable lineup of the week…

QB Aaron Rodgers GB = 346 passing yards, three touchdowns, 28 rushing yards
RB Giovani Bernard CIN = 90 rushing yards, five catches, 79 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Darren Sproles PHI = 26 rushing yards, seven catches, 152 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Ahmad Bradshaw IND = 70 rushing yards, five catches, 26 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Jordy Nelson GB = Nine catches, 209 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Dez Bryant DAL = Ten catches, 103 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Sammy Watkins BUF = Eight catches, 117 receiving yards, one touchdown, many happy owners
TE Antonio Gates SD = Seven catches, 96 receiving yards, three touchdowns

The dominant underdog lineup of the week…

QB Kirk Cousins WAS = 250 passing yards, two touchdowns
RB Knile Davis KC = 79 rushing yards, six catches, 26 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Bobby Rainey TB = 144 rushing yards, three catches, 30 receiving yards
RB Matt Asiata MIN = 36 rushing yards, five catches, 48 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR James Jones OAK = Nine catches, 112 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Jason Avant CAR = Five catches, 54 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Allen Robinson JAX = Four catches, 75 receiving yards
TE Niles Paul WAS = Eight catches, 99 receiving yards, one touchdown

The unexpectedly horrible lineup of the week…

QB Robert Griffin III WAS = 38 passing yards, 22 rushing yards, one dislocated ankle and possibly a lost job
RB Knowshon Moreno MIA = Four rushing yards and one dislocated ellbow
RB Chris Johnson NYJ = 21 rushing yards and no injury excuse
RB Jamaal Charles KC = Four rushing yards, one catch, eight receiving yards, one high ankle sprain
WR AJ Green CIN = No catches and one aggravated foot injury
WR Marques Colston NO = No catches
WR Torrey Smith BAL = One catch, ten receiving yards
TE Dennis Pitta BAL = Three catches, 30 receiving yards

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I owned RGIII. Sad. Unfortunate. Heartbreaking. Feel free to use whatever word you’d like, but his career path just took a turn for the worse with this latest injury. While not as bad as his torn ACL, there are no guarantees he gets the starting job back in Washington when he’s healthy again. Kirk Cousins has played very well whenever called upon and now has a chance to be the new face of the franchise.

I’d be worried if I owned Adrian Peterson. Look, it’s not our place to be judge and jury in this highly publicized case, so we won’t speculate. However, it’s obvious he’s getting convicted in the court of public opinion and the league has already made one glaring mistake with the handling of the Ray Rice saga. I don’t want to compare the two, nor do I want to make this about my own personal opinions about what happened – it’s our job to report and evaluate the news and how it impacts dynasty fantasy football. On that note, these are serious allegations that could derail his career.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t looking to trade James Jones this week. Yes, he’s performed well so far, but that offense is a dumpster fire and the chances of him posting consistent WR2 numbers are slim.

I’d be worried if I owned Doug Martin. Frankly, this is the second straight year where his injuries have opened the door for other backs like Bobby Rainey. It’s also the second straight year where Rainey has simply looked like a better football player.

I’d be worried if I owned Jordan Reed. Some are calling him the “Jonathan Stewart of tight ends” at this point and that seems to match both his potential and mounting injuries. He has great ability, but Niles Paul showed he’s more than a capable replacement.

I’d be worried if I thought Larry Donnell was a flash in the pan. I freely admit when I’m wrong and I failed on this one last week. I really felt the New York offense wasn’t good enough to support Donnell while in fact it may be bad enough to support just Donnell. Hopefully you listened to us in early August.

I’d be worried if I owned Ryan Mathews. Unfortunately, he’s kind of like the new “Jonathan Stewart” of running backs. His inability to stay healthy is really starting to be troubling and Donald Brown will undoubtedly eat into his carries even when he returns.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t trying to sell high on Jonathan Stewart and Darren McFadden this week. We’ve seen this movie, the sequel and the horrible remake. Remember, Stewart is the original Jonathan Stewart of Jonathan Stewarts.

I’d be worried if I owned Jamaal Charles and hadn’t handcuffed him with Knile Davis. There are players who emerge every season and Knile Davis is primed to have a serious run here starting this week with Charles nursing an ankle injury.

I’d be worried if I was wanting Blake Bortles to play right now. The Jaguars have given up ten sacks in two games. Does anyone remember what happened to David Carr?

I’d be worried if I own Allen Hurns. Yes, he’s a waiver wire wonder, but his injury could open the door for Allen Robinson, who looked good this week. Marqise Lee has also been pretty disappointing so far and you wonder just how much he really has regressed from his glory days at USC.

I’d be worried if I have Mark Ingram. Just when he FINALLY started to get going, he’s out with a hand injury and opens the door for Khiry Robinson.

I’d be worried if I was relying on Matt Asiata. Don’t let the fantasy points fool you, he’s really not very good.

I’d be worried if I owned Marques Colston. He’s had some slow starts before, but this week was really bad.

I’d be worried if I was thinking Chris Johnson was going to have a career renaissance. His career is reminding me a ton of those from Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander. He was great for a short burst, but when it’s over, it looks over.

I’d be worried if I owned Kenny Britt. This was supposed to be his comeback year. He’s becoming the Jonathan Stewart of Kenny Britts. Wait. What?

I’d be worried if I hadn’t dropped Ray Rice yet. I firmly believe Ray Rice in his prime would get a second chance. I also firmly believe Ray Rice is way past his prime.

I’d be worried if I had Tavon Austin. He’s proving to be not much more than a fragile gadget player the Rams don’t know how to use.

I’d be worried if I was counting on Richard Rodgers. The Packers are just not interested in throwing to their tight ends.

I’d be worried if I owned Jarrett Boykin. “Hi Jarrett, my name is Davante Adams.“

I’d be worried if I thought Lance Dunbar was going to put up Joique Bell-esque numbers this season. DeMarco Murray is on fire and Dunbar has been fairly pedestrian so far.

I’d be worried if I was still holding on to Steven Jackson. It’s sad to see, but he just doesn’t have anything left in the tank.

I’d be worried if I thought Jermaine Gresham was going to suddenly become effective.

I’d be worried if I was still letting Ryan Grant hang on the waiver wire.

I’d be worried if I thought I could make any sense out of the New England running game. I expect Brandon Bolden to lead the team in carries next week, only to be waived the following Monday. Seriously, this is getting impossible.

I’d be worried if I was freaking out over anything this early in the season.

I’d be worried if I was having recent events in the NFL ruin fantasy football for me. Look, the NFL and some of their players have really looked bad lately, but we live in a society that tends to focus on the negative headlines more than the positive. There are plenty of players doing great things in their respective communities, but it just doesn’t make the headlines.

A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Week Three Waiver Wire

Players who you’d be lucky to have still on your waiver wire

1. Knile Davis, RB KC

If he’s finally solved his fumbling issues, he’s primed for a fantasy football coming out party.

2. Donald Brown, RB SD

With Ryan Mathews out, Brown has a chance to emerge from the depths of the waiver wire or fantasy benches to again become relevant.

3. Khiry Robinson, RB NO

With Mark Ingram on the shelf, Robinson will have a chance to make good on our thoughts from this Summer. A sneaky add for a team is Travaris Cadet as well.

4. Kirk Cousins, QB WAS

It’s time for Cousins to finally show if he has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

5. Jarvis Landry, WR MIA

Landry should certainly be on rosters by now, but if you have a shallow dynasty league, it’s time to add him as he’s starting to emerge in Miami.

6. Aaron Dobson, WR NE

Dobson didn’t do much this week, but he did replace Kenbrell Thompkins on the active game day roster and that’s a significant bit of news. Of course, this is New England so he could be waived or the WR1 by the end of the week.

Players who have some newly found value

1. Niles Paul, TE WAS

Paul was phenomenal in the absence of Jordan Reed this week. There are major health concerns for Reed and you can bet Paul and Cousins have spent some quality time getting to know each other on the practice field.

2. Damien Williams, RB MIA

Pardon me if I don’t run to the wire to add Daniel Thomas. Instead, another of our Summer Sleepers has a real chance to emerge now that Knowshon Moreno is out for a month. Keep a close eye on Orleans Darkwa as well.

3. Austin Davis, QB STL

I always feel like starting quarterbacks should be owned in virtually every league.

4. Zach Mettenberger, QB TEN

I always feel like future starting quarterbacks should be owned in virtually every league.

5. Joe Banyard, RB MIN

I wish I had a crystal ball to see what’s going to happen in Minnesota, but I can tell you Matt Asiata wouldn’t be the answer. Jerick McKinnon is undoubtedly owned in your league, but Banyard is intriguing enough to add.

6. Silas Redd, RB WAS

Roy Helu is day-to-day, but Redd is slowly showing us something. He’s not overly dynamic or special, but I have a feeling he’d have a big role if Alfred Morris were to get hurt.

Previous Suggestions: Justin Forsett, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Bobby Rainey, Anthony Dixon, Case Keenum, Alfred Blue.

Projection Fun

Paul Worrilow is on pace for 232 tackles this season.
JJ Watt has more receiving touchdown receptions than Andre Johnson.
Jay Cutler is on pace for 48 touchdown passes.
Matt Cassel and Eli Manning are on pace for 32 interceptions.
DeMarco Murray is on pace for 2,280 rushing yards.
Jordy Nelson is on pace for 2,336 receiving yards.
Arian Foster is on pace for 440 carries, while Giovani Bernard is on pace for 328. So much for time shares.

See you next week for the next edition of the Dynasty Aftermath. You can follow Ken on twitter @DLF_KenK.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK