The Dynasty Aftermath: Death in the Streets
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.
Whew. This has been one crazy season. This has been the first little stretch with more than a day or two within games, so I thought it was a great place to stop and review both of the past two weeks all in one, rather than squeeze one in with one day between games last week. Let’s go super sized!
For those who follow this column, you know I live in the Pacific Northwest. Well, it snowed here this week and our week was filled with massive overreactions. This was not exactly a Nor’Wester, but we still had people either driving four miles an hour or literally driving off bridges into lakes. In addition, businesses were closed, life stopped and it people were acting as if it was the apocolypse. I posted that picture of our now melting snowfall with a Kylo Ren Pez dispenser for scaling purposes. As you can see, it wasn’t that tragic.
Still, it got me thinking. There are overreactions all the time in fantasy football, so let’s focus on some of those, specifically with our rookies. Are we overreacting to things? Here are my opinions in this double-sized edition of the Aftermath.
Let’s get to it.
1.) Ja’Marr Chase is the future WR1
You can see the talent oozing from this young man and he’s only going to get better. Yes, there will always be a number of players who vie for the top spot in the rankings, but Chase is as good a bet as anyone.
Answer: Not an overreaction
2.) Najee Harris should be the 1.01 next year
There are still lingering questions about his offensive line and the future of the quarterback position with the Steelers. That, combined with the dominance of Jonathan Taylor are enough to give me pause.
Answer: Overreaction
3.) Jaylen Waddle is a future WR1
At this point, Waddle is the WR13 in terms of average points per game. Since week nine, he’s the WR6. He’s not a future WR1, he’s one now.
Answer: Underreaction, he’s already there.
4.) DeVonta Smith is a future WR1
We’ve seen some flashes of the former Heisman Trophy winner’s talent, but the uncertainty at quarterback leaves him as a potential WR2 at the moment. I just don’t see him vaulting higher without more clarity (and improvement) in regards to Hurts.
Answer: Overreaction
5.) Kyle Pitts is the current TE1
In terms of QBR, this has been Matt Ryan’s worst season. Even with that being said, he hasn’t been terrible. With the dominant season from Mark Andrews, Pitts is just not there, at least in my eyes. He just hasn’t been a difference maker quite yet.
Answer: Overreaction
6.) Javonte Williams is a future RB1
Anyone who has watched Williams this year knows all he needs is Melvin Gordon to move on. There’s really no denying the talent here and he’s set to make a monster Sophomore leap.
Answer: Not an overreaction
7.) Elijah Moore and Kadarius Toney are future WR1s
Based on the flashes of talent we’ve seen, it’s hard not to like both of these youngsters. Still, we need to see more consistency and they need to remain healthy in order to give us such confidence. I like them both, but I’m not sold quite yet.
Answer: Overreaction
8.) Michael Carter is the long-term answer in New York
Carter has been serviceable this season, but certainly hasn’t been a game changer. I think he’ll get one more season to prove he’s the guy, but I’m not sold as of yet.
Answer: Overreaction
9.) Trevor Lawrence is a bust
There’s no doubt this season has been an unmitigated disaster for Lawrence. However, it’s way too early to call him a bust. The Jaguars just need to surround him with better coaching and better players. It’s easier said than done, but Lawrence can still find his way.
Answer: Overreaction
10.) Trey Sermon is a bust
Talk about a lost year. Sermon was in and out of the doghouse and medical tent all season while Elijah Mitchell took over. With the volatility of the 49ers running game, it’s hard to see him ever reaching his preseason ADP again. He looks like a wasted rookie pick.
Answer: Not an overreaction
11.) Rashod Bateman and Rondale Moore are future WR1s
Much like Toney and Elijah Moore, we just need to see more from these two. However, there are questions about the offense in Baltimore and the deep depth chart in Arizona. It’s just too early to tell.
Answer: Overreaction
12.) Justin Fields is a bust
See Lawrence, Trevor. Fields needs a new coach and supporting cast.
Answer: Overreaction
Week 15 Fantasy MVP
Prior to being placed on the COVID-19 list, Travis Kelce reminded everyone just how good he is by dropping a 10/191/2 line on the Chargers. This was a career game for Kelce, who trails only Mark Andrews (who is having an unbelievable season) in scoring at the position. Because of his age, Kelce is being challenged by a few players for the top spot at the tight end perch, but this game was an indication his dominance isn’t quite done yet.
Week 16 Fantasy MVP
If you had the week 16 stack of Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins, congratulations on throwing down a 90-burger. Burrow threw for 525 yards and four touchdowns, while Higgins had 12 catches for 194 yards and two of those scores. This was a throwback Carson Palmer / Chad Johnson performance if there ever was one and likely better than even that legendary duo ever put up in Cincinnati. While Ja’Marr Chase gets a lot of the headlines, it’s been Higgins who has really stepped up over the past five weeks. And what can you say about Burrow other than he’s certainly back.
Week 15 Fantasy LVP
This one stings. A year after posting one of the greatest playoff performances (actually, one of the greatest performances in general) in fantasy football history, Alvin Kamara recorded 18 rushing yards, two catches, and 13 receiving yards in a loss against Tampa Bay. His 5.1 fantasy points just killed fantasy owners, myself included. The Saints really need a true QB1 for Kamara to again regain his form as a fantasy force.
Week 16 Fantasy LVP
This one stings, too. Saquon Barkley has just not been Saquon Barkley this year and that culminated in a terrible performance against the Eagles where he posted 32 rushing yards, one catch, and -4 receiving yards. Yes, he had little chance with Jake Fromm State Farm at the helm, but still. We expected at least something from him and just didn’t get it.
The Unbeatable Lineup of Week 15
QB Patrick Mahomes KC = 410 passing yards, 32 rushing yards, three total touchdowns
RB Jonathan Taylor IND = 170 rushing yards, one touchdown
RB Austin Ekeler LAC = 59 rushing yards, four catches, 23 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB James Robinson JAX = 75 rushing yards, three catches, 13 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Cooper Kupp LAR = Nine catches, 136 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Tyreek Hill KC = 12 catches, 148 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Brandin Cooks HOU = Seven catches, 102 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Travis Kelce KC = Ten catches, 191 receiving yards, two touchdowns
The Underdog Lineup of Week 15
QB Tyler Huntley BAL = 215 passing yards, 73 rushing yards, four total touchdowns
RB Duke Johnson MIA = 107 rushing yards, one catch, 20 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Jeff Wilson SF = 110 rushing yards, two catches, nine receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Antonio Gibson WAS = 26 rushing yards, six catches, 39 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Gabriel Davis BUF = Five catches, 85 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Christian Kirk ARI = Nine catches, 94 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown DET = Eight catches, 90 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Foster Moreau LV = Seven catches, 65 receiving yards
The Disappointing Lineup of Week 15
QB Tom Brady TB = 214 passing yards, one interception
RB Michael Carter NYJ = 18 rushing yards, one catch, two receiving yards
RB Najee Harris PIT = 18 rushing yards, two catches, eight receiving yards
RB Alvin Kamara NO = 18 rushing yards, two catches, 13 receiving yards
WR Odell Beckham LAR = One catch, seven receiving yards
WR Ja’Marr Chase CIN = One catch, three receiving yards
WR Rashod Bateman BAL = One catch, five receiving yards
TE Rob Gronkowski TB = Two catches, 29 receiving yards
The Unbeatable Lineup of Week 16
QB Joe Burrow CIN = 525 passing yards, 11 rushing yards, four touchdowns
RB Joe Mixon CIN = 65 rushing yards, six catches, 70 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Damien Harris NE = 103 rushing yards, three touchdowns
RB Nick Chubb CLE =126 rushing yards, three catches, 58 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Tee Higgins CIN = 12 catches, 194 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Davante Adams GB = Ten catches, 114 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR AJ Brown TEN = 11 catches, 145 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Mark Andrews BAL = Eight catches, 125 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Underdog Lineup of Week 16
QB Zach Wilson NYJ = 102 passing yards, 91 rushing yards, two total touchdowns
RB Justin Jackson LAC = 64 rushing yards, eight catches, 98 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Rex Burkhead HOU = 149 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB Chase Edmonds ARI = 56 rushing yards, eight catches, 71 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Isaiah McKenzie BUF = 11 catches, 125 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown DET = Nine catches, 91 receiving yards, 19 rushing yards, one touchdown
WR Byron Pringle KC = Six catches, 75 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Gerald Everett SEA = Four catches, 68 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Disappointing Lineup of Week 16
QB Matthew Stafford LAR = 197 passing yards, one touchdown, three interceptions
RB James Robinson JAXÂ = Ten rushing yards, one torn achilles
RB Melvin Gordon DEN = -4 rushing yards, one catch, four receiving yards
RB Saquon Barkley NYG = 32 rushing yards, one catch, -4 receiving yards
WR Julio Jones TEN = One catch, seven receiving yards
WR Van Jefferson LAR = One catch, six receiving yards
WR Tyreek Hill KC = Two catches, 19 receiving yards
TE Ricky Seals-Jones WAS = One catch, -4 receiving yards
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I was ever needing anything else from Julio Jones.
I’d be worried if I didn’t have depth on my roster. This season has tested it all.
I’d be worried if I thought Jalen Hurts was locked in as the Philly starter for next year.
I’d be worried if I had DK Metcalf.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t jealous of my Kylo Ren PEZ dispenser.
I’d be worried if I was a non-contender and didn’t move players like Cordarelle Patterson when I could have.
I’d be worried if I had Jonnu Smith. Why even sign him?
I’d be worried if I was underestimating Hunter Renfrow.
I’d be worried if I had Ezekiel Elliott as my RB1.
I’d be worried if I had James Robinson. Those injuries are not good.
I’d be worried if I thought my lineup was set for the rest of the year. Trust me, it’s not.
I’d be worried if I thought Deebo Samuel was a one-year wonder.
I’d be worried if I was ignoring the emergence of Amon-Ra St. Brown.
I’d be worried if I thought Cam Newton had anything left in the tank.
I’d be worried if you thought five inches of snow was going to kill you.
I’d be worried if I had Terry McLaurin. He needs a quarterback.
I’d be worried if I had Aaron Rodgers. Who knows what’s next.
I’d be worried if I was confident in Saquon Barkley.
I’d be worried if I took Kyle Pitts at the 1.01. He’s going to be great, but Harris, Chase and Waddle all look like stars.
I’d be worried if I had Darren Waller. It’s a lost season and he’s older than you may think.
I’d be worried if I hadn’t moved on from Mike Friggin’ Williams when I had the chance.
Rookie Scoring Leaders
The averages themselves aren’t changing up and down too much now, so I’ve been changing the ranking for anyone notable.
1.) Najee Harris RB PIT = 17.44
2.) Ja’Marr Chase WR CIN = 16.44
3.) Jaylen Waddle WR MIA = 16.17
4.) Mac Jones QB NE = 16.12
5.) Trevor Lawrence QB JAX = 15.30
6.) Zach Wilson QB NYJ = 14.72
7.) Davis Mills QB HOU = 14.00 (+4)
8.) Justin Fields QB CHI = 13.79
9.) Elijah Mitchell RB SF = 13.55
10.) Javonte Williams RB DEN = 12.98
11.) Elijah Moore WR NYJ = 12.59
12.) Michael Carter RB NYJ = 12.30
13.) DeVonta Smith WR PHI = 11.47
14.) Amon-Ra St. Brown WR DET = 11.05
15.) Kyle Pitts TE ATL = 10.99
16.) Trey Lance QB SF = 10.08
17.) Pat Freiermuth TE PIT = 9.66
18.) Rhamondre Stevenson RB NE = 8.96
19.) Rashod Bateman WR BAL = 8.65
20.) Kadarius Toney WR NYG = 8.30
Notable players not in the top 20: Rondale Moore, Brevin Jordan, Kenneth Gainwell, Chuba Hubbard, Trey Sermon, Terrace Marshall, Tommy Tremble,  Nico Collins, Dyami Brown, Anthony Schwartz, Khalil Herbert, Josh Palmer
The Rookie Top 20
Always check our latest rankings to see the updates through the week. These rankings are my own at this point.
TIER ONE
1.) Ja’Marr Chase WR CINÂ
Higgins has stolen some of the spotlight as of late, but Harris hasn’t quite done enough in my eyes to overtake him.
2.) Najee Harris RB PITÂ
When you consider his offensive line, this has been nothing but a spectacular debut.
3.) Jaylen Waddle WR MIA
Now just 0.27 points per game behind Chase for the rookie lead and poised to set the rookie record for receptions.
4.) Kyle Pitts TE ATLÂ
I’m tempted to move him down a tier, but his upside is still elite.
TIER TWO
5.) Javonte Williams RB DEN
To me, this is one of two rookies to buy this off-season.
6.) DeVonta Smith WR PHI
Hurts may not really unlock his potential and that’s a concern.
TIER THREE
7.) Travis Etienne RB JAX
The James Robinson injury really changes everything for him.
8.) Rashod Bateman WR BAL
Elite upside, but may really be stuck long-term in a run-first scheme.
9.) Rondale Moore WR ARI
We’ve seen flashes, but the best is yet to come.
10.) Kadarius Toney WR NYG
See Moore, Rondale.
11.) Elijah Moore WR NYJÂ
This is the second rookie I’d be trying hard to acquire. He looks special.
12.) Michael Carter RB NYJ
Still not sold on him.
13.) Elijah Mitchell, RB SF
Same here.
TIER FOUR
14.) Trevor Lawrence QB JAX
The “sure thing” has turned into a “probably thing” after a disastrous year.
15.) Trey Lance QB SF
Big opportunity for him this week if Jimmy G can’t go.
16.) Justin Fields QB CHI
Let’s hope his next Head Coach knows how to use him.
TIER FIVE
17.) Terrace Marshall WR CAR
There’s still hope.
18.) Mac Jones QB NE
Looks destined to be a solid QB2 on a dynasty team.
19.) Pat Freiermuth, TE PIT
When you consider the draft value, he’s been a better pick than Pitts.
20.) Rhamondre Stevenson RB NEÂ
I just don’t trust NE RBs.
Knocking on the door: Nico Collins, Dyami Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown,  Larry Rountree, Tylan Wallace, Amari Rodgers, Jaret Patterson and more.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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