The Dynasty Aftermath: Week Nine
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.
It’s election day! By the time this posts, we’ll be on our way to having a new President of the United States and a whole host of newly elected officials all across our great land. In honor of this special day, we’re going with an election theme for the Aftermath. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, other or neither, we can all agree it’s great we can vote. If I was to cast my ballot for some different awards here at the mid-point, this is where they’d go. Feel free to cast yours in the comments section.
President (Fantasy MVP)
Right now, David Johnson of the Cardinals has my vote. He’s been extraordinarily consistent this year as he’s scored in double figures in every game and has at least 15 points in every contest (common PPR scoring leagues). Johnson runs, catches and scores. Right now, he’s the clear RB1 in fantasy leagues. Four more years! Four more years!
Vice President (Almost Fantasy MVP)
You’re probably going to think I’m smoking a certain substance that could be legalized now in your State, but I’d give it to Greg Olsen. He’s been a tremendous force at tight end and is giving any team with him a statistical advantage each and every week. At 31 years old, he’s a great buy candidate for contenders.
Governor (Rookie of the Year)
Picking Ezekiel Elliott is certainly the sure thing. However, I’m going to go with Michael Thomas of the Saints. He’s a bona fide WR1 right now and you got him in the middle of the first round in a rookie draft. In other words, you didn’t have to pay off a politician to get all the way up to 1.01 to get a player who looks like you can build a team around.
Upset Loser (Non-Rookie of the Year)
Nine games into the season, I’m concerned about Laquon Treadwell. With rookie receivers like Corey Coleman, Michael Thomas, Sterling Shepard and Will Fuller showing early promise, an eyebrow is raised even after he caught his first pass this week. Receivers can take a long time to develop, but you’d think we’d have seen something by now from him, especially with the lack of talent on the Vikings.
Let’s spin around the league!
Week Nine Fantasy MVP
Simply put, Melvin Gordon was labeled a bi-partisan bust after his rookie year featured just 641 rushing yards, no touchdowns and a pretty serious knee surgery. His year started a little slowly this year and his numbers were inflated with some touchdowns (probably evening out what should have happened last year), but his last two games have been spectacular. Over the past two weeks (against Denver and Tennessee), he has 55 carries for 307 yards, eight catches for 109 more yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he has his yards per carry average all the way up to 4.0 on the season.
The touchdowns are hard to really guess, but he’s on pace for a 1,365 yard rushing line, to go along with 50 catches, 504 receiving yards and a grand total of 20 touchdowns. I expect the scores to fall short, but Gordon is quickly becoming a player many folks are much more confident not just in having, but building around.
Week Nine Fantasy LVP
Remember that week three game in which Marvin Jones exploded for six catches, 205 yards and two scores, giving him 38.5 fantasy points in most standard PPR leagues? Well, he’s scored a grand total of 88.9 points in his other eight contests combined this year. It seems Golden Tate is back in the good graces of the coaching staff and as a result, Jones’ numbers are suffering, as indicated by this week’s clunker line of 1/5/0. This followed last week’s three catch, 33-yard effort.
It’s not time to impeach Marvin Jones, but it’s also becoming concerning that his best game over the past month in a half was a four catch, 37-yard effort that featured a touchdown to boost his point total.
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Lineup Fun
The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week
QB Matt Ryan ATL = 344 passing yards, four touchdowns
RB Melvin Gordon SD = 196 rushing yards, four receptions, 65 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Ezekiel Elliott DAL = 92 rushing yards, one reception, five receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Jay Ajayi MIA = 111 rushing yards, three receptions, 19 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Mike Evans TB = 11 catches, 150 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WRÂ Julio Jones ATLÂ =Â Eight catches, 111 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Michael Thomas NOÂ =Â Five catches, 73 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Jason Witten DALÂ =Â Eight catches, 134 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Underdog Lineup of the Week
QB Dak Prescott DAL = 247 passing yards, 20 rushing yards, three touchdowns
RB Latavius Murray OAK = 114 rushing yards, one reception, 13 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Mark Ingram NO = 158 rushing yards, two receptions, 13 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB DuJuan Harris SF = 59 rushing yards, five receptions, 83 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Golden Tate DETÂ =Â 11 receptions, 79Â receiving yards, one touchdown
WRÂ Rishard Matthews TENÂ = Six catches, 63Â receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Quinton Patton SFÂ = Six catches, 106Â receiving yards
TE Antonio Gates SDÂ =Â Five catches, 75 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Disappointing Lineup of the Week
QB Derek Carr OAKÂ =Â 184 passing yards in a game they dominated. Gotta love fantasy football!
RB Terrance West BALÂ =Â 21 rushing yards, one reception, six receiving yards
RB Devontae Booker DEN = 22 rushing yards, one reception, eight receiving yards  Â
RB Jonathan Stewart CARÂ =Â 42 rushing yards
WRÂ Marvin Jones DETÂ =Â One catch, five receiving yards
WR Travis Benjamin SD = One catch, five receiving yards
WR DeVante Parker MIA = Two catches, eight receiving yards
TE Julius Thomas JAXÂ =Â Two catches, 21 receiving yards
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I was playing against Marcus Mariota. I know he gets points in garbage time, but Blake Bortles did that last year and beat many a fantasy team.
I’d be worried if I owned Dez Bryant. The offense is clicking, so any complaining he does will fall on deaf ears.
I’d be worried if I owned Jarvis Landry. The magic just isn’t there right now.
I’d be worried if I was relying on any back for the Chiefs right now.
I’d be worried if I was still not sold on Terrelle Pryor.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think players like Mike Wallace, Jonathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, Delanie Walker, Philip Rivers, Cole Beasley, Matt Forte and a host of other veterans weren’t wonderful trade targets for contending teams.
I’d be worried if I had any Broncos receiver. They’re just way too conservative on offense right now.
I’d be worried if I was playing against Mike Evans. I could count on one hand the number of players I’d rather have.
I’d be worried if I had Carson Wentz. The inevitable regression is here. Key word there is inevitable and not permanent.
I’d be worried if I had Mark Ingram. Chances are you hate him because you played him last week and got burned…then sat him this week and got burned again.
I’d be worried if I owned Ryan Mathews. It’s been a long time since he was the 1.01 in just about every rookie draft when he came out with the Chargers.
I’d be worried if I was counting on Doug Martin this year. It’s just not getting better.
I’d be worried if I had given up on Golden Tate.
I’d be worried if I owned Julius Thomas. Wow.
I’d be worried if I didn’t listen last week when we said DuJuan Harris could be a good pickup. We’re not right all the time there, but that one felt pretty good. Of course, we also suggested Bishop Sankey and he was a healthy scratch. Win some. Lose some. Be accountable for both.
I’d be worried if I had Tony Romo. He’ll start again soon….in 2017 with Cleveland.
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. We’re also not going to list obvious names you likely have rostered like Wendell Smallwood. We also assume you have Charcandrick West and we suggested Antone Smith two weeks ago. Pay close attention because we tend to be ahead of the curve.
1.) Ronnie Hillman, RB MIN
It looks like the Vikings want to take a longer look at Hillman and used him quite a bit this week. His numbers weren’t great, but his usage was encouraging.
2.) Taylor Gabriel, WR ATL
Mark my words, Taylor Gabriel is the best receiver the Falcons have! OK, that might be a little political nonsense. Still, that’s two good games in a row and he’s making an impact in a high octane offense. You could do worse.
3.) Jalin Marshall, WR NYJ
It’s pretty early here, but we offer deep dives and this merits one.
4.) Roger Lewis, WR NYG
The Giants have more mouths to feed than a Presidential candidate at a soup kitchen, but he’s progressing nicely.
5.) Bryce Treggs, WR PHI
A quick pickup by many right before game time and a favority of the Philly media, Treggs produced with two catches for 69 yards this week. With the only receiver doing things consistently well for the Eagles being Jordan Matthews, he’s worth a look.
Previous suggestions: Jalen Richard, Quincy Enunwa, Cole Beasley, Tyreek Hill, Dwayne Washington, Jeremy Kerley, Jacoby Brissett, Cody Kessler, Fozzy Whittaker, Colt McCoy, Kenny Britt, Kenneth Farrow, Trey Burton, Colin Kaepernick, Orleans Darkwa, Raheem Mostert, Trevone Boykin, Cameron Brate, Zach Zenner, Terron Ward, Eddie Royal, Brice Butler, Xavier Grimble, Chester Rogers, Cameron Meredith, Jacquizz Rodgers, Andrew Hawkins, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Peyton Barber, Rob Kelley, Antone Davis, Mike Davis, Bryce Petty, Geno Smith, DeJuan Harris, Percy Harvin, Tre McBride, Bishop Sankey, Terron Ward, Damien Williams, Kapri Bibbs.
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
