The Dynasty Aftermath: Week 17 Slingshot Plays

Ken Kelly Posted On January 3, 2021

Editor’s Note: I decided to do something different this week. With all the COVID news and inactive players, I decided to hold off until Saturday this week to give you some “slingshot” plays for the week. I figured this would be more useful than hearing the story about my co-worker who once brought a human leg to work. Enjoy!

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. Expect it each and every week.

I’ve written this column for over fifteen years and I really do enjoy it. I love combing through the stats of the week, putting together ridiculous lineups, picking MVPs/LVPs and discussing things to worry about.

That’s not all.

I also really love sharing little bits of my life with the community of DLF and picking a theme for this column each week. You really never know what you’re going to get. In fact, I’ll reserve the right to change my theme ideas if something cool happens like my friend peeing their pants at the Goodwill. If you missed one this year, click below:

Week One: The time I ordered The Peloton
Week Two: The time I went Vegan
Week Three: The time I went snowboarding without a Sherpa
Week Four: The time I found my Lack of Mystical Kung-Fu Powers
Week Five: The time my Mom thought she was going to prison for Bootlegging
Week Six: The time my Cousin’s friend turned into Lee Harvey Oswald
Week Seven: The Time I turned into Ben Matlock in Juvenile Court
Week Eight: Election Day
Week Nine: A Tribute to Alex Trebek
Week Ten: The time my Cousin got his Head stuck at the Bowling Alley
Week Eleven: A Thanksgiving Tribute
Week Twelve: The Time an F-150 Tried to Play Centerfield
Week Thirteen: The Beer Mile
Weeks Fourteen and Fifteen: The Time we Hid our Friend in Trunk at the Drive-In

Week Seventeen Slingshot Plays

If you play in a two-week final or have championship game in week 17 (yuck), this is always the most interesting week of the year. With players like Ben Roethlisberger, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, Keenan Allen, Julio Jones, Cooper Kupp, Joe Mixon, Hunter Henry, Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Miles Sanders, Dallas Goedert, Eric Ebron and a whole host of other players out or likely to play limited snaps, this week is a total mess. Here are some “slingshot” plays for the week. I classify these as players who would be available in most leagues and could pop up on the “Underdog Lineup of the Week” section of this column next week. While these are serious longshots, you are going to likely have to make some tough decisions this week and look at the wire for some possible replacements. While most of these players will bust, they’re worth really considering if you’re in a pinch with your lineup. And for the record, Alexander Mattison is not on this list because I can’t imagine he’s available.

Ty Montgomery, RB NO

The entire New Orleans running back room is out because of COVID, so it’s going to be Montgomery, Taysom Hill and UDFA Tony Jones in the backfield for the Saints. While Hill might cap Montgomery’s touchdown potential, there’s no way the Saints will use Hill as an every down back..

Ty Johnson, RB NYJ

Johnson has been one of my favorite deep sleepers the past couple of seasons. When Frank Gore was hurt in week 13, Johnson popped off 104 rushing yards against the Raiders. He also caught six passes and scored against the Rams in week 15. With no Gore and no La’Mical Perine, Johnson should most of the work with Josh Adams mixing in. Yes, the Jets are terrible. However, the Patriots aren’t much better and you may have the ability to find a player with the potential (you never know with Adam Gase) to have 20 touches.

Dare Ogunbowale, RB JAX

He had 71 rushing yards last week against Chicago and even chipped in three catches. The Colts have a lot to play for and will be jazzed up to stop the Jags, but James Robinson will be out and Ogunbowale could fall into the end zone.

Darwin Thompson, RB KC

Hear me out here. Le’Veon Bell is banged up and also terrible. Darrel Williams may be rested in case Bell and CEH are both unable to play next week. If that happens, Thompson would have some serious boom or bust appeal.

John Wolford, QB LAR

Yes, I know you’d have to be desperate. However, he’s a capable player and I trust that coaching staff to have him ready.

Rodney Smith, RB CAR

With no Christian McCaffrey and no Mike Davis, the position will be led by Smith and possibly Trenton Cannon. You’d have to be in a deep league or in real trouble to start him, but he’s a viable option.

Byron Pringle, WR KC

Pringle is my favorite of the deep sleeper receivers for the week. With the Chiefs resting most everyone, he should at least get some targets from the 90-year old Chad Henne.

Richie James, WR SF

With Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk both out, the 49ers will likely chuck the ball to James when they look deep and can’t find George Kittle open. Remember earlier this season when James lit up the Packers for 13/184/1? The Seahawks have been better defensively as of late, but they can still be exploited.

Donald Parham, TE LAC

Parham is my favorite tight end sleeper this week, With no Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates in a retirement home, the Chargers will turn to Parham this week. Again, this is a longshot, but it’s calcuated.

Week Sixteen MVP

It’s pretty rare you could have three wide receivers each go for over 40 fantasy points and you really have no argument for any of them be the week’s MVP. However, it’s clear the MVP of championship week was Alvin Kamara, who tied the NFL record with six rushing touchdowns and posting the greatest performance by a running back in week 16 in the history of the NFL (and fantasy football).

Week Sixteen LVP

When Le’Veon Bell took that year off to get his big contract, he seemingly aged about ten years. With the injury to CEH. it really looked like Bell had his chance to shine in the Chiefs offense last week. Unfortunately, he posted just 30 rushing yards and caught one pass for nine yards, playing behind Darrel Williams. If you couldn’t tell before, Bell is done being a fantasy factor and looks like a roster clogger at this point.

The Unbeatable Lineup of Week 16

QB Josh Allen BUF = 320 passing yards, 35 rushing yards, four touchdowns
RB Alvin Kamara NO = 155 rushing yards, three catches, 17 receiving yards, six touchdowns
RB Myles Gaskin MIA = 87 rushing yards, five catches, 82 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Jonathan Taylor IND = 75 rushing yards, two touchdowns
WR Davante Adams GB = 11 catches, 142 receiving yards, three touchdowns
WR Stefon Diggs BUF = Nine catches, 145 receiving yards, three touchdowns
WR Mike Evans TB = Ten catches, 181 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Irv Smith MIN = Six catches, 52 receiving yards, two touchdowns

The Underdog Lineup of Week 16

QB Tom Brady TB = 348 passing yards, four touchdowns
RB Samaje Perine CIN = 95 rushing yards, four catches, 41 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB AJ Dillon GB = 124 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB David Johnson HOU = 128 rushing yards, three catches, 11 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Michael Gallup DAL = Six catches, 121 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Sterling Shepard NYG = Nine catches, 77 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Zach Pascal IND = Three catches, 64 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Hayden Hurst ATL = Five catches, 47 receiving yards, one touchdown

The Disappointing Lineup of Week 16

QB Drew Brees NO = 311 passing yards, two interceptions
RB Benny Snell PIT = 0 rushing yards on six carries
RB Salvon Ahmed MIA = Six rushing yards
RB Tony Pollard DAL = 12 rushing yards
WR KJ Hamler DEN = One catch, three receiving yards
WR Henry Ruggs LV = One catch, seven receiving yards
WR Marvin Jones DET = One catch, 19 receiving yards
TE Robert Tonyan GB = One catch, 17 receiving yards

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying some really close attention to the inactives tomorrow.

I’d be worried if I was still thinking Ezekiel Elliott is a top five dynasty asset.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the recent play of Logan Thomas.

I’d be worried if I thought Adam Thielen was still the WR1 for the Vikings.

I’d be worried if I owned Joe Mixon. He’ll be tough to rank next season.

I’d be worried if I thought Kyle Rudolph was ever going to have value in Minnesota again.

I’d be worried if I thought Aaron Jones was going to be back in Green Bay.

I’d be worried if I drafted Henry Ruggs over some of these other rookie receivers.

I’d be worried if I owned Julio Jones. Hard to say what his future looks like.

Ditto with AJ Green.

I’d be worried if I thought James Conner was going to be the starter for the Steelers next season.

I’d be worried if I thought Myles Gaskin was a one hit wonder.

I’d be worried if I didn’t look to cash out on David Johnson soon.

I’d be worried if I owned any Ravens running back other than JK Dobbins.

I’d be worried if I owned DJ Chark. What a bummer this year.

I’d be worried if I owned Christian McCaffrey. He’s the best in the game, but you have to wonder if this is the start of some injury woes.

I’d be worried if I had given up on David Montgomery.

I’d be worried if I was relying on Antonio Brown for next season.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t getting just a little concerned about the workload on Derrick Henry.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t looking forward to this rookie class of wide receivers coming up.

I’d be worried if I didn’t have Travis Kelce or Darren Waller on my dynasty team.

I’d be worried if I was expecting consistency from Marvin Jones.

I’d be worried if I owned Kenny Golladay. He’s going to be another really tough player to rank.

I’d be worried if I owned DJ Moore. He was supposed to be much better this year and it just didn’t happen as he was so inconsistent.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring what Nelson Agholor has done this season.

The top scoring rookies through week sixteen

The scoring averages are now just changing by a fraction of a point each week. I’m not including them because they’re not that relevant at this point.

1.) Jalen Hurts QB PHI = 30.05 (only counting his three starts)
2,) Justin Herbert QB LAC = 25.17
3.) Tua Tagovailoa QB MIA = 20.31 (again, only counting starts)
4.) Joe Burrow QB CIN = 21.37
5.) James Robinson RB JAX = 18.03
6.) Justin Jefferson WR MIN = 16.79
7.) Jonathan Taylor RB IND = 15.46
8.) Brandon Aiyuk WR SF = 15.44
9.) Antonio Gibson RB WAS = 15.19
10.) D’Andre Swift RB DET = 14.82
11.) CeeDee Lamb WR DAL = 14.00
12.) Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB KC = 13.54
13.) Jake Luton QB JAX = 13.50
14.) Salvon Ahmed RB MIA = 13.48
15.) Chase Claypool WR PIT = 13.13
16.) Tee Higgins WR CIN = 13.11
17.) Salvon Ahmed RB MIA = 11.04
18.) Laviska ShenaultWR JAX = 10.20
19.) JK Dobbins RB BAL = 10.04
20.) Darnell Mooney WR CHI = 8.81

Notable players not in the top 20 of rookie scorers: Jerry Jeudy (8.70), Jalen Reagor (8.57), Zack Moss (8.23), Gabriel Davis (7.88), Michael Pittman (7.83), Cam Akers (7.61), Denzel Mims (7.28), Henry Ruggs (6.79).

The Rookie Top 20

Always check our latest rankings to see the updates through the week. I take these from the rankers who input their information the quickest after the end of the week.

1.) Jonathan Taylor, RB IND (Previous Ranking: 1)
It was a tough road to the top, but his owners made it.

2.) Justin Jefferson, WR MIN (2)
I wouldn’t blame you if you had Jefferson at #1.

3.) D’Andre Swift, RB DET (3)
Has to stay healthy and get a coach who believes in him.

4.) CeeDee Lamb, WR DAL (4)
We saw enough.

5.) JK Dobbins, RB BAL (5)
We’re finally seeing what we thought we would early in the year.

6.) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC (6)
Not the season most hoped for.

7.) Cam Akers, RB LAR (7)
Much like Taylor, finally came on late.

8.) Tee Higgins, WR CIN (8)
He’ll be the alpha starting next season.

9) James Robinson, RB JAX (9)
I personally think this is too low for Robinson.

10.) Brandon Aiyuk, WR SF (10)
Will be a staple for many years to come.

11.) Jerry Jeudy, WR DEN (11)
Drew Lock hasn’t been great, but neither has Jeudy, really.

12.) Antonio Gibson, RB WAS (12)
He could be a top 15 running back next season.

13.) Chase Claypool WR PIT (13)
Says his reps have been limited so he didn’t hit the rookie wall. Hmm.

14.) Jalen Reagor, WR PHI (14)
Is Hurts the answer to unlock his ceiling?

15.) Henry Ruggs, WR LV (15)
I just leave this season unimpressed.

16.) Justin Herbert, QB LAC (16)
Should be a QB1 for the next decade.

17.) Laviska Shenault, WR JAX (17)
Welcome, Trevor Lawrence.

18.) Joe Burrow, QB CIN (18)
The Bengals still need to address that offensive line.

19.) Michael Pittman, WR IND (19)
Had a solid middle of the season, then faded a bit again.

20.) Denzel Mims WR NYJ (20)
Who knows what to expect with the Jets, but Mims has looked fine.

Author
Recent Posts

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