Every year we give our premium content members a team-by-team, player-by-player look at the NFL season that was. The coverage will be in-depth, but because the Dynasty Capsule series begins immediately after the season, we won’t use it to discuss free agency or the draft. Come see us in early May once Mr. Irrelevant is off the board for another 32-article series giving you the same detailed discussion you’ll see below.
Buckle up dynasty fans, because you’re about to be reminded why our motto is, “There is no off-season.”
Quarterback
Joe Flacco
The veteran-heavy Ravens were led to a 9-7 record by their ten-year starter Joe Flacco. Attempting 75 fewer passes this season compared to a year ago, he still managed over 3,000 passing yards for the eighth time in his career. He threw for 18 touchdowns and added one on the ground, making him the QB21 for the 2017 season.
Flacco finished this season with a career-worst 46.0 QBR, forcing the Ravens to lean heavily on the run game. Due to roller coaster inconsistencies in his passing, the Ravens are likely to draft a young quarterback to develop the next few seasons.
In September, Flacco held a 212.67 ADP ranking. As the 25th-ranked quarterback, his age and interception rate has played a factor in support of this data. Heading into the 2018 season, he now has fallen to a 234.67 (19th-round) ranking.
The numbers say it all for Flacco. His time as a starter in Baltimore could be limited to just one or two more seasons before being replaced. He still holds value as a veteran quarterback in super-flex leagues, but you would be smart to invest in younger talent at this point.
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Ryan Mallett
Due to be a free agent this off-season, Mallet could be re-signed for stability on the depth chart. Assuming the Ravens aim to develop a quarterback in the draft such as Josh Allen or Luke Falk, Mallet will merely assist in this process. He is best left on waivers as he holds no fantasy value.
Running Back
Alex Collins
Collins began the season as the fourth running back on the Ravens’ depth chart but quickly ascended to a starting role after breaking out in his second season. He rushed for 973 yards on 212 attempts, finding the end zone six times. In addition, Collins was targeted 36 times in the passing game. Despite not recording a receiving touchdown, he shows promise to thrive in the Ravens offense in a variety of ways.
He displayed tremendous speed and tackle-breaking ability this season and has great upside heading into the future. He began the season flying under the radar of most dynasty owners, holding a 239.33 (20th-round) ADP ranking, as many expected him to be lost within a crowded backfield.
After a slew of injuries to the Baltimore running backs, Collins quickly saw his opportunities rise and made the most of them. He finished within the top 15 of fantasy running backs, and has now jumped in ADP rankings to 86.50 (seventh round).
I suspect his ADP will rise when the Ravens sign him to a multi-year deal this off-season. The opportunity is still there to “buy low” on him, and I would do so now with his upside in a Baltimore run-heavy offense.
Danny Woodhead
Woodhead disappointed owners in his first season with the Ravens. After suffering a season-ending injury in 2016, the high hopes of a new year fell quite short as Woodhead again went down with a severe injury. In the eight games he saw action, Woodhead only carried the ball 14 times, with just 200 yards receiving to go along with the effort.
Baltimore could choose to cut the veteran back this off-season, who’s $1.8 million in cap space would allow the Ravens to shore up a few other positions on the team. I suspect the Ravens will keep Woodhead, despite his inability to stay healthy.
Woodhead has been out of the backfield in PPR formats and began the 2017 season with a 120.67 ADP (tenth round). Since tearing his hamstring in week one, he has plummeted down the rankings to where he now sits in January at 229.67 (19th round).
Assuming Woodhead returns to the Ravens in 2018, I would expect him to catch upwards of 50 passes this coming season if he can stay healthy. You can acquire him for next to nothing right now, and might be a valuable veteran option at a low price.
Javorius Allen
Allen played an excellent 2017 season in a reserve role out of the Ravens backfield. When Woodhead went down in week one, Allen stepped in as the primary third-down back and thrived in that position. He finished the season with a career-high 46 receptions, to go with 591 rushing yards.
Heading into his contract year in the upcoming season, Allen should fill in as the second string running back behind Alex Collins. He will have plenty of opportunities in both rushing and receiving, making the 26-year-old a valuable asset going forward.
Allen began this season with a 229.00 ADP, beginning the season as the third-string back. He scored six touchdowns and jumped Woodhead and Terrance West in the depth chart, finishing the season with a 201.00 ADP (17th round).
With an excellent chance to put up similar numbers next season, I would buy stock in Allen who could find a starting role in free agency after his contract expires.
Terrance West
The opportunities for Terrance West in Baltimore have run out and dynasty owners should not expect a return to fantasy relevance for him. In September, West claimed the starting role out of the Ravens backfield while holding a 162.17 ADP. Expectations were high, but injuries and production cut his season short and only allowed him to play in five games.
Set to be a free agent in the coming off-season, West will likely sign a veteran deal with a team in need of depth at the position. He has since dropped to a 238.83 ADP and unless big improvements are made to his game over the summer, expect to see West on the waivers in a majority of your leagues.
Wide Receiver
Mike Wallace
Wallace will be heading into his tenth NFL season in 2018. The veteran receiver may have lost a step from his younger days, but rest assured he still has the top end speed offensive coordinators are looking for.
He was ranked as the 62nd receiver with a 132.00 ADP rating at the beginning of the season. After having caught 52 passes for nearly 800 yards, Wallace has since dropped to a 216.67 ADP with his age and contract remaining in question.
Wallace will turn 32 this coming season and is set to be a free agent. He remains the Ravens’ top deep threat and should be re-signed by Baltimore who are desperate at the position. Buy low on him this off-season. The Ravens are likely to go out and get a receiver, opening up the field for Wallace to get free.
Jeremy Maclin
Maclin posted career lows this season amidst a Baltimore offense that relied heavily on the run game. His 440 receiving yards were an embarrassing mark for a former first-round pick who has averaged nearly 900 yards per season throughout his career.
With a year remaining on his contract, things have not worked out for the declining receiver in his first season with Baltimore. He currently holds an ADP of 179.50 (15th round) and I foresee him falling to third on the depth chart when the Ravens solidify their receiving corps.
Maclin turns 30 this off-season, and now is the time to sell while you still can. Find an owner with hopes of a resurgence in Maclin, and pull the trade trigger.
Chris Moore
Moore was a big-play receiver in college at Cincinnati, one of the main reasons the Ravens were so high on him in the 2016 draft. While his rookie season was unimpressive, Moore bounced back this season, showing drastic improvement in his strength and quickness. The changes allowed Moore to get off the ball quicker, creating separation and leading to three touchdowns in his second season.
He went unnoticed in our ADP rankings at the beginning of the season, and although he only caught 18 passes this season, he showed tremendous ability in special teams returns and is a bright spot on this roster going forward.
Ready to breakout in 2018, Moore is ranked 231.83 in our ADP rankings and should continue to rise over the off-season as the Ravens core of receivers will see some overhaul. I cannot expect him to put up big numbers throughout his career, so sell him in the preseason when the hype is there.
Michael Campanaro
With only 31 total receptions in four seasons, Campanaro is set to be a free agent this summer and will have to fight for a future roster spot. He is best left on waivers.
Breshad Perriman
The breakout season that the fantasy world has been waiting for will have to hold on for another year. Perriman was coming off a solid 2016 season, where he had nearly 500 yards receiver to go with three touchdowns. This season, he hauled in only ten passes and cost the Ravens mightily in his struggle with dropped passes.
Perriman was a solid 12th-round pick in September in most start-up drafts with an ADP of 144.33. However, after dealing with injuries once again, he has since declined to a 216.00 rating. The change is significant but tells more of the expectation owners still have in Perriman in the upcoming season.
Buy him low while you can. His rookie contract is up after the 2018 season and he will be playing for his career this season.
Tight End
Benjamin Watson
Watson was arguably biggest reason for the Ravens success this season. At 37 years-old, Watson found the fountain of youth, posting his third best season in receptions over the course of his career. He caught an incredible 77% of his targets and complemented that number with four touchdowns.
Despite being the 16th in tight end fantasy scoring, his age severely hinders his dynasty value. Reports have swirled around Baltimore of his retirement, but I think he re-signs this off-season and plays one final season before calling it quits.
While he is not a valuable asset in dynasty formats, he may be available to stream off your waivers in 2018 if he does return.
Nick Boyle
Boyle started 11 of the 15 games he saw action in this season. He secured over 75% of his targets, totaling over 200 yards through the air in his best season yet.
He has great size at the tight end position but was primarily used as a blocker this season with Watson receiving most of the targets. Boyle has run into plenty of trouble within the NFL, being suspended twice for PEDs which limits is value immensely.
If Boyle can find a role in the passing game when Watson retires, he could see his value increase, but it is rare for repeat PED offenders to sustain longevity in a league that strictly enforces its rules.
Maxx Williams
Similar to Boyle, Maxx Williams was rarely used in the passing game this season. Lacking speed and explosiveness, Williams has sure hands but struggles to get open down the field.
This season, we saw Williams catch only 15 passes for 87 yards and one touchdown. It would seem likely for the Ravens to either draft or sign a reliable receiving target at this position, which could further limit Williams opportunities. I would stay away from Baltimore tight ends for the time being.
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Nothing on Kenneth Dixon?
What about Dixon?
WE WANT DIXON!!
DIX-ON!!! DIX-ON!!! DIX-ON!!!!
No Dixon? He was slated to be the starting RB at the beginning of the season before suffering a meniscus tear. He will have a full year to recover. Dixon looked very good as a rookie. He showed power and the ability to catch out of the back field. Collins is good but he’s not a stud. Buck Allen is a backup and always will be. Woodhead can’t stay healthy which prob has something to do with him being 35. Can’t believe Dixon got snubbed
I’m pretty sure Dixon was able to serve his suspension while on IR in 2017 and won’t have to miss games in 2018. Can anyone confirm this?
Translation to all of this: Stay away from the Baltimore offense. Even if you can get any of these players for pennies on the dollar, they will likely be unreliable roster cloggers for most of the season.
Yesssss! Way to lay down the Dixon!
What about Dixon 😉
I picked him up two years ago in my start-up draft, pick 6.9 That year he go injured (sprained knee I believe) before the season and missed the first 4 games. He finally started getting more touches in week 9 and looked pretty good in flashes the rest of the season. I was excited to see what he could do in 2017 but he blew out his knee before the season started. I decided two knee problems in his first two years was enough for me, I tried to trade him for a 2nd or 3rd round pick but couldn’t find any takers. Instead of letting him use a valuable roster spot I decided to cut him outright, he was picked up on waivers the next week and that owner stashed him the rest of the season. Hope that decision doesn’t come back to bite me.
