DLF’s 2016 Predictions: Best Dynasty Buy

By Ryan Finley

Posted on September 6, 2016

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Most rookie drafts are in the rearview mirror, and the NFL Preseason is winding down. We’re all busy combing the news sites trying to keep abreast of all the important developments as we prepare for the best time of the year, the NFL season.  That can only mean one thing – it’s time for us to put a bow on those reams of offseason content with DLF’s 2016 Fantasy Predictions. As we did last year, we have eight different prediction articles for you in the following categories:

• Fantasy MVP
• Fantasy Rookie of the Year
• Most Overvalued Dynasty Player
• Most Undervalued Dynasty Player
• Fantasy Sleeper
• Best Dynasty Buy
• Best Dynasty Sell
• Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year

Today we have our staff picks for this year’s Best Dynasty Buy, and we’ll drop a new article each day leading up to the first day of the season. Let’s get to it.

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Mark Ingram, RB NOS

Ingram had a superb season a year ago. In PPR formats, he was an RB1 (top-12 back) in nine of the 12 weeks in which he played. Ingram can produce as a rusher and a receiver, he’s still only 26 and he is locked into a great offense. Running back is so weak that it seems crazy he’s just the 43rd overall player, per our August ADP data.  – Austan Kas

DeMarco Murray, RB TEN

Murray has outstanding skills for a running back and is set up for a monster year in Tennessee, with or without the development of Derrick Henry.  He isn’t going to be a long term asset for you, but he will net you a massive positive return on investment at his current price.  – Trevor Bucher

Stefon Diggs, WR MIN

Rookie receivers typically don’t make an impact. Those who do, usually see their value skyrocket. In the case of Diggs, that hasn’t happened. With an ADP hovering in the late sixth or early seventh round, this is a player to target now. Laquon Treadwell has potential, but Diggs can truly establish himself as a WR1 in that offense and a solid WR2 in fantasy this season. – Ken Kelly

Rishard Matthews, WR TEN

Matthews was quietly very good for the Dolphins last year before his rib injury and now looks to be on target for the WR1 role in Tennessee.  I expect Marcus Mariota to improve this year and Matthews should go along for the ride and could produce WR3 value. – Jarrett Behar

Tajae Sharpe, WR TEN

With the recent trade of Dorial Green-Beckham to the Eagles, Sharpe is in for a major role with the young team. Sure they will run a ton (or so we think,) but Sharpe will be leaned on heavily for those conversions on third down and has some serious upside for years to come in PPR. – Adam Tzikas

T.J. Yeldon, RB JAX

People are scared off by the addition of Chris Ivory and while he may steal more work than he deserves in 2016, Yeldon is still the guy to own long term. His price has dropped low enough to where he now represents a value. Honorable mention: Tyler Eifert – Eric Olinger

Phillip Dorsett, WR IND

While TY Hilton and Donte Moncrief receive all the love in dynasty, Dorsett seems to be getting overlooked in this pass happy offense led by Andrew Luck. With Coby Fleener leaving, the Colts could be shifting to a three-wideout offense, which would make Dorsett a starter. A starter in an offense that could surpass 600 pass attempts is a valuable one.  Dorsett provides the most bang for the buck if you’re looking to buy a piece of Indy’s offense. Plus, if Moncrief or Hilton were to get injured and miss a chunk of time, Dorsett’s value will instantly skyrocket. Buy now while the price is still low. – Andrew Lightner

Chris Thompson, RB WAS

Thompson is a cheap buy in PPR leagues because he’s the pass-catching specialist for the Redskins and he’s not going to experience much competition for targets. Last year he caught 35 receptions for 240 yards, expect that to increase due to him having a larger role within the offense. – Bruce Matson

Jay Ajayi, RB MIA

Ajayi’s dynasty value has taken a hit since the signing of Arian Foster. Use this dip in value to your advantage. Acquire the promising second-year back while his value is depressed and before Foster’s inevitable injuries start to pile up. – Matt Price

Devin Funchess, WR CAR

I am in the camp which prefers Funchess over Benjamin, both short-term and long-term.  He has his warts, but he’s also the type of receiver who can make plays happen out of nowhere.  I’ll take my chances on buying him before the price tag soars. –Rob Leath

Ameer Abdullah, RB DET

With an ADP similar to Breshad Perriman and Coby Fleener, Ameer Abdullah is a great value right now. Oozing with talent, and playing in an offense that really seemed to find it’s legs under Jim Bob Cooter, Abdullah has plenty of upside considering his modest price tag. – Dan Sainio

Tevin Coleman, RB ATL

To be a good buy, they need to have a good price tag and the potential to be special. I think Coleman has both of those. He has the talent to be a quality starter in the NFL, but I’m not completely sold on Devonta Freeman. For the price, I’m willing to buy Coleman and take a shot. – Jacob Feldman

Rashad Jennings, RB NYG/Chris Conley, WR KC

This is two players because one is a 2016 buy and the other is a long-term buy. Jennings got a full workload from weeks 14-17 and finished as the RB4 during that four week stretch. If you’re looking for a cheap one year filler, he’s your guy. Just pray he stays healthy. As for Conley, he’s a player I absolutely love at his price point and his upside is massive. His development has been spectacular and if Jeremy Maclin gets hurt, you hit a value jackpot. The downside is Alex Smith’s reluctance to take chances, but the value is still well in Conley’s favor. – Izzy Elkaffas

Coby Fleener, TE NO

There are a lot of mouths to feed in New Orleans.  The Saints miss using the tight end position like they had the privilege to do when Jimmy Graham was there.  He moved from the Colts to the Saints where he no longer has to share the position with Dwayne Allen.  He should have his best season as an NFL pro. – Carla Gruse

Melvin Gordon, RB SD

Just after the NFL Draft, Melvin Gordon had an ADP of 27-29 for three months until the season started. He consistently moved down lists as he struggled in San Diego. The offensive line was terrible and I thought Gordon looked good for what he had to work with in 2015. He didn’t forget how to play RB and his ADP is 64. Good running back talents shouldn’t be available at that point in drafts. – Nick Whalen

Drew Brees, QB NOS

I know quarterbacks are unfashionable, but Brees can give you a major positional advantage for a second-round rookie pick. In 1QB leagues, I don’t care much about QB longevity. Elite performance matters, and Brees is likely to give you just that. – Brian Malone

Eddie Lacy, RB GBP

What? Can’t have a bad season? Eddie Lacy was an overweight blob of a mess in 2015, but if you look at his two previous seasons he combined for 2317 yards on 53 attempts (4.37 yards per carry), and he scored 21 touchdowns. Lacy was also beneficial when it came to catching the ball as he snagged 77 passes for 686-yards and four touchdowns. These type of stats put him as a top five pick last season, and there is no reason why he can’t be that again in 2016. We saw last season that James Starks isn’t much of a threat at all. – Mike Valverde

Carlos Hyde, RB SF

Close second for me is Travis Benjamin due to his low ADP. After week one last year, Hyde’s value sky-rocketed after his elite showing against a tough Viking defense. He fought injuries before eventually being put on the shelf for the rest of the season. Looking the part of a true bell cow in a league that has few remaining, I’m a buyer at his current price tag. – Adam Bendzick

Carson Wentz, QB PHI

This is the spot where Dak Prescott should have been, instead of as my Fantasy R.O.Y…. An athletic quarterback with time to learn behind a veteran before getting thrown to the wolves. His ascension into the starting role has cleared space for Wentz, who shares the same path to fantasy relevance. His preseason was cut short by a cracked rib, but in the roughly two quarters of action we saw, Wentz showed all of the traits that will make him a fine NFL passer for years to come: escape ability, accuracy, the ability to throw on the run, the ability to cycle through his progressions and make the right throw. – Mo Brewington

Here’s how our votes for the Best Dynasty Buy came out:

• Ameer Abdullah
• Jay Ajayi
• Drew Brees
• Tevin Coleman
• Stefon Diggs
• Phillip Dorsett
• Coby Fleener
• Devin Funchess
• Melvin Gordon
• Carlos Hyde
• Mark Ingram
• Rashad Jennings
• Eddie Lacy
• Rishard Matthews
• DeMarco Murray
• Tajae Sharpe
• Chris Thompson
• Carson Wentz
• T.J. Yeldon

Notice there’s no vote totals? That’s because every author picked a different player here. So how about a slightly different breakdown:

• QB (2 votes)
• RB (11 votes)
• WR (5 votes)
• TE (1 vote)

I think that positional breakdown tells you something about this season. Universally, there are very few running backs people feel great about. So here we have quite a few options for guys our writers think could hit.

If I were picking, I’d go with Stefon Diggs (and I say this even AFTER the Teddy Bridgewater injury.) I think he may be a guy that this is the last time you have a shot to buy him at a reasonable price.

Who is your Best Dynasty Buy this year?

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DLF’s 2016 Predictions: Best Dynasty Buy