The Dynasty Aftermath: Week One

Ken Kelly Posted On September 13, 2016

Welcome to DLF’s Dynasty Aftermath. This staple article 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.

I usually pick a theme each week and after heavy deliberation and moderate drinking, I chose to go with Nicolas Cage movie references for three reasons:

1.) Fantasy football really is a National Treasure.

2.) I always think of Gone in Sixty Seconds when someone like Keenan Allen goes down with a season ending injury in week one. If you’re in a re-draft league, your season may be over before it started. In a dynasty league, you make your next move. That’s reason alone to make the switch to the dynasty format.

3.) I read the other day that Nicolas Cage is going to battle sharks in his next movie – that alone is enough to pique my interest and stick in my mind for a while. My money is on Cage. Anyone who can save Alcatraz from a rogue ex-Military extremist, become a motorcycle demon, survive an airline crash with convicts into Las Vegas and trade faces with John Travolta effectively should have little to trouble against sharks. Who cares if you can act!?!

So, as we roll around the league, expect some Nicolas Cage references.

The Rock: Week One’s Fantasy MVP

As usual, there are a whole host of players who could qualify for this award, including AJ Green, Brandin Cooks, Spencer Ware, Willie Snead, CJ Anderson, Andrew Luck, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, DeAngelo Williams, Antonio Brown and others. However, I’m going to give the award this week to a player who had just four catches, 34 receiving yards and one measly touchdown.

Say what!?!

It’s been 700 days since Victor Cruz had played in a game and seeing him salsa once again was great to see, regardless of if you’re a Giants fan or not. I still remember fondly when we first mentioned Cruz in a preseason game rundown and put him on the dynasty radar six years ago. He certainly outlasted a host of other hot players there like Adrian Arrington, Ryan Torain, Troy Williamson and Sammie Stroughter.

Welcome back, Victor. We missed you.

Drive Angry: Week One’s Fantasy LVP

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I’ve written this column every week for the better part of the last decade and I can’t recall ever having Adrian Peterson listed as the LVP. However, his modest 31 rushing yards combined with no catches leaves me little choice. His performance simply crushed lineups during the opening week.

Lineup Fun

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week
“Celebrate with a Honeymoon in Vegas.”

QB Andrew Luck IND = 385 passing yards, 21 rushing yards, four touchdowns, one 2PT conversion
RB Spencer Ware KC = 70 rushing yards, seven catches, 129 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB CJ Anderson DEN = 92 rushing yards, four catches, 47 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB DeAngelo Williams PIT = 143 rushing yards, six catches, 28 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR AJ Green CIN = 12 catches, 180 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Brandin Cooks NO = 11 rushing yards, six catches, 143 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Antonio Brown PIT = Eight catches, 126 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Julius Thomas JAX = Five catches, 64 receiving yards, one touchdown

The Underdog Lineup of the Week
“You are the Lord of War.”

QB Jameis Winston TB = 281 passing yards, four touchdowns, one interception
RB Jalen Richard OAK = 84 rushing yards, two catches, 11 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Charles Sims TB = Nine rushing yards, three catches, 32 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Travaris Cadet NO = One rushing yards, three catches, 14 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Will Fuller HOU = Five catches, 107 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Mohamed Sanu ATL = Five catches, 80 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Quincy Enunwa NYJ = Seven catches, 54 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Jack Doyle IND = Three catches, 35 receiving yards, two touchdowns

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week
“A lineup that would find you Leaving Las Vegas.”

QB Robert Griffin III CLE = 190 passing yards, 37 rushing yards, one interception and another injury he could have avoided
RB Adrian Peterson MIN = 31 rushing yards
RB Todd Gurley LA = 47 rushing yards, one catch, (-5) receiving yards
RB Devonta Freeman ATL = 20 rushing yards, four catches, 20 receiving yards
WR Devin Funchess CAR = One catch, nine receiving yards
WR John Brown ARI = One catch, eight receiving yards
WR Dez Bryant DAL = One catch, eight receiving yards
TE Coby Fleener NO = One catch, six receiving yards

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I owned a Chinese food buffet anywhere close to Green Bay. I thought Eddie Lacy was “trimmed down,” but I know the difference between a one ton and a wonton. He’s not in shape.

I’d be worried if I owned RGIII. Actually, I wouldn’t. I’d cut bait and call this a day. A roster spot is more important, especially if your league doesn’t have an IR designation.

I’d be worried if I was expecting Devontae Booker to really eat into CJ Anderson’s workload any time soon.

I’d be worried if I didn’t expect Dez Bryant to really start pouting if Dak Prescott turns into “Dump Off Dak.”

I’d be worried if I thought Drew Brees couldn’t still sling it like he was in his prime.

I’d be worried if I thought I had the Seattle backfield figured out.

I’d be worried if I look at the lines of Melvin Gordon and Jeremy Langford and relax.

I’d be worried if I started downgraded Cleveland players because Josh McCown is starting. In fact, it’s probably the opposite.

I’d be worried if I was relying on Bills players. Rex Ryan sure does put his stamp on a team, eh?

I’d be worried if I didn’t still think Mike Wallace was a one trick pony.

I’d be worried if I owned Latavius Murray. He’s feeling heat from a couple of players now.

I’d be worried if I didn’t Derek Carr was a realistic option at quarterback for a championship fantasy team.

I’d be worried if I owned CJ Spiller. Wow.

I’d be worried if I thought Marqise Lee was going to do anything to affect the Allens in Jacksonville.

I’d be worried if I thought Larry Fitzgerald was washed up.

Same with Adrian Peterson. Get off the ledge.

I’d be worried if I had already accepted this whole Devin Funchess is better than Kelvin Benjamin thing.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think Marvin Jones was going to have a really nice year.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t really paying attention to the maturation of Jameis Winston.

I’d be worried if I owned Sammy Watkins. That foot injury may linger for quite some time.

I’d be worried if I was dismissing Jeremy Maclin as a really solid option.

I’d be worried if I owned Devonta Freeman. Even after last year, I’m still not a big believer.

I’d be worried if I sold Ameer Abdullah on the cheap in the off-season.

I’d be worried if I didn’t pay attention to Will Fuller’s performance.

I’d be worried if I thought it was going to be that easy every week for Carson Wentz.

I’d be worried if I owned Jamaal Charles. Spencer Ware has earned himself some work.

I’d be worried if I owned Martavis Bryant. Those young receivers for Pittsburgh are pretty good.

I’d be worried if I was jumping ship on Keenan Allen. He’s still very young. Patience is the hardest thing to have in a dynasty league but it’s required to be successful long-term.

I’d be worried if I owned Coby Fleener. That was, uhh, not expected.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think Donte Moncrief was on the cusp of being really, really valuable.

I’d be worried if I was expecting Jimmy Graham to be “Superstar” Jimmy Graham any time soon.

I’d be worried if I was thinking a change in scenery would help Andre Johnson.

I’d be worried if I was thinking the Willie Snead season last year was a fluke.

I’d be worried if I thought DeMarco Murray was back. His line was saved by a couple of scores.

I’d be worried if I thought Tajae Sharpe is going away.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying attention to Tevin Coleman.

I’d be worried if I was counting on anyone from the Rams other than Todd Gurley. Yes, he didn’t do well this week, either. However, there’s just no way he stays down for long. However, that team was dreadful this week.

I’d be worried if I still owned the ghost of Vernon Davis.

I’d be worried if I missed Kevin Harlan’s unbelievable call of a streaker on the field.

…and most importantly

I’d be worried if I overreacted to anything from the opening week. Anything can happen in one week and it’s simply magnified because it’s the first one. Stars will play better, obscure players will go back to obscurity and now is not the time to make moves based on knee-jerk reactions. You can’t win a league after week one but you can lose one by overreacting.

A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Waiver Wire

Remember, we focus on the lesser names here. There’s really no need to be telling people of your skill level to pick up players you undoubtedly have like Spencer Ware, Chris Hogan, Mohamed Sanu or Tyrell Williams. Pay close attention because we tend to be ahead of the curve.

1.) Jalen Richard, RB OAK

Richard’s name is pronounced as if it’s French and that’s cool. Besides that, he’s already pushing to be the backup behind Latavius Murray.

2.) Quincy Enunwa, WR NYJ

Enunwa was solid with seven catches, 54 receiving yards and a score this week. He’s always been a fringe roster player in most leagues, but that should change.

3.) Cole Beasley, WR DAL

With Dak Prescott throwing as much as he did, Beasley is going to have nice PPR value here for a while.

4.) Tyreek Hill, WR KC

The Chiefs really like this kid and he’s really been flying under the radar.

5.) Dwayne Washington, RB DET

Lost in the excitement of Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick playing well was the fact Washington has seemingly beaten out Zach Zenner for backup duties.

6.) Jeremy Kerley, WR SF

Kerley is not an elite athlete, but he sure does seem to fit the offense in San Francisco. In a PPR league, he could actually prove to be valuable.

Players I’m staying away from: Jack Doyle, Mercedes Lewis and Andy Janovich.

Fun with Numbers

1.) Drew Brees is on pace for 6,768 passing yards and 64 touchdowns this season.
2.) Dak Prescott is on pace for no touchdown passes for eternity.
3.) Alex Smith is on pace to throw 768 passes this year.
4.) Spencer Ware is on pace for 2,064 receiving yards.
5.) AJ Green is on pace for 2,880 receiving yards on 192 catches.
6.) Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead are on pace to combine for 5,040 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns.
7.) Andy Janovich of the Broncos is on pace to rush for 448 yards and score 16 touchdowns on just 16 carries, good for an average yards per carry of 28. I think he’ll fall short there.
8.) Jack Doyle is on pace for 32 receiving touchdowns. Watch out Randy Moss!
9.) The Rams are on pace to never score again.

See you next week!

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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