The Dynasty Aftermath: The Year was 1979

Ken Kelly

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 the past sixteen years and I love it. I enjoy combing through the stats of the week on Monday night, putting together ridiculous lineups, picking MVPs/LVPs and discussing things to worry about.

That’s not all. I also really love sharing observations, little bits of entertainment or some stories with the community of DLF and picking a theme for this column each week. You really never know what you’re going to get.

The year was 1979.  The following happened:

  1. Three Mile island Nuclear Accident occurred
  2. China instituted the one child per family rule
  3. The General Knowledge Quiz Game Trivial Pursuit Launched
  4. Pink Floyd released “The Wall”
  5. The USSR Invaded Afghanistan
  6. Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime minister in the UK
  7. Sony released the Walkman
  8. The country encountered a fuel crisis
  9. Lord Mountbatten and three others were assassinated
  10. 63 Americans were taken hostage in the American Embassy in Tehran

The financial picture was as follows:

  1. Yearly Inflation Rate in the USA: 11.2%
  2. Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average: 838
  3. Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve: 15.25%
  4. Average Cost of new house: $58,100
  5. Average Income per year: $17,500
  6. Average Monthly Rent: $280
  7. Cost of a gallon of Gas: 86 cents

The year was so cool that The Smashing Pumpkins made a song about it:

This year was also the last time a player lost four fumbles in a game when Buffalo running back Curtis Brown achieved that distinction, according to ESPN Stats & Info. That all changed on Sunday when Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence lost four fumbles on the day as the Eagles defensive line just ate him up.

This was a huge lost opportunity for Lawrence, who had started out 2022 strong and looked to be on the cusp of greatness. It’s just one game, but it did show Lawrence still has a long way to go in terms of pocket presence and awareness. Instead of being the day he truly emerged as a player we could count on in dynasty leagues, Lawrence took a pretty significant step back. While still a solid quarterback prospect, it’s hard to label him as “can’t miss” at this point. Regardless, he’ll have a chance to prove what he really is starting again this week.

Let’s get to it!

Fantasy MVP of the Week

The tight end position continues to be the “haves” and “have nots” and the premier tight ends seem to always be at the top of the weekly lists. Well, TJ Hockenson tried to change all that this week as he posted a career game with eight catches, 179 receiving yards and two scores. We’ve seen flashes from Hockenson in the past and can only hope this blow-up is a sign of things to come. Unfortunately, he won’t play the Seattle defense every week, but we really need another premier option at the position to emerge. Maybe Hockenson becomes that player.

Fantasy LVP of the Week

It would be easy to put the struggling Jonathan Taylor on here, but I’m going to focus on Kenneth Walker. Speaking of Seattle, this is so, well, “Seattle-like.” The Seahawks are notorious for taking players, having competitions, and playing whoever they want, regardless of the draft capital used on them. Walker had eight carries for 29 yards, “adding” one catch for -5 yards this week. Meanwhile, Rashaad Penny erupted for 151 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, Penny now has 53 touches and Walker has just 21. To make things even worse, Penny is averaging six yards per carry and Walker is under four. While his long-term future is still bright and we have no real idea of what Penny’s future (and health) hold, Walker isn’t close to fantasy lineups and that wasn’t what dynasty managers hoped for when they took him highly in the first round of rookie drafts this Spring.

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week

QB Jared Goff DET = 378 passing yards, four touchdowns, one interception
RB Austin Ekeler LAC =
60 rushing yards, six catches, 49 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Josh Jacobs LV =
144 rushing yards, five catches, 31 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Miles Sanders PHI =
134 rushing yards, two catches, 22 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Justin Jefferson MIN =
Ten catches, 147 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Mike Evans TB =
Eight catches, 103 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Tyreek Hill MIA =
Ten catches, 160 receiving yards
TE TJ Hockenson DET =
Eight catches, 179 receiving yards, two touchdowns

2022 members of the list: Justin Jefferson (2), Austin Ekeler (2), Mark Andrews (2), Tyreek Hill (2), Tua Tagovailoa (1), Patrick Mahomes (1), Jared Goff (1), Lamar Jackson (1), Saquon Barkley (1), Jonathan Taylor (1), D’Andre Swift (1) Aaron Jones (1), Nick Chubb (1), Josh Jacobs (1), Miles Sanders (1), Derrick Henry (1), Devin Singletary (1), Cordarrelle Patterson (1), DeVonta Smith (1), Marquise Brown (1), Chris Olave (1), Cooper Kupp (1), Davante Adams (1), Stefon Diggs (1),  Jaylen Waddle (1), Mike Evans (1), Travis Kelce (1), TJ Hockenson (1)

The Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Geno Smith SEA = 320 passing yards, 49 rushing yards, three touchdowns
RB Jamaal Williams DET =
108 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC =
92 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB JK Dobbins BAL =
41 rushing yards, four catches, 22 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Jamal Agnew JAX =
Four catches, 50 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Josh Reynolds DET =
Seven catches, 81 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Corey Davis NYJ =
Five catches, 74 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Mo Alie-Cox IND =
Six catches, 85 receiving yards, two touchdowns

2022 members of the list: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (3), Jamaal Williams (2), Trevor Lawrence (1), Jared Goff (1), Geno Smith (1), Carson Wentz (1), Dontrell Hilliard (1), James Robinson (1), Tony Pollard (1), Damien Harris (1), Khalil Herbert (1),  Rhamondre Stevenson (1), JK Dobbins (1), Mack Hollins (1), Zay Jones (1), Russell Gage (1), David Njoku (1), Devin Duvernay (1), Robbie Anderson (1), Jahan Dotson (1), OJ Howard (1), Garrett Wilson (1), Friggin’ Mike Williams (1), Amari Cooper (1), Jamal Agnew (1), Josh Reynolds (1), Corey Davis (1), Irv Smith Jr (1), Mo Alie-Cox (1)

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Trevor Lawrence JAX = 174 passing yards, two touchdowns, five turnovers
RB Cam Akers LAR =
13 rushing yards
RB Tony Pollard DAL =
Six rushing yards, one catch, two receiving yards
RB Jonathan Taylor IND =
42 rushing yards, one catch, one receiving yard
WR Chase Claypool PIT =
No catches
WR Julio Jones TB =
One catch, seven receiving yards
WR Amari Cooper CLE =
One catch, nine receiving yards, one reinforcement
TE Dalton Schultz DAL =
No catches

2022 members of the list: Cam Akers (2), Darnell Mooney (2), Trevor Lawrence (1), Carson Wentz (1), Matt Ryan (1), Aaron Rodgers (1), , Damien Williams (1), Elijah Mitchell (1), Rashaad Penny (1), Tyler Allgeier (1), Kenneth Walker (1), Tony Pollard (1), Jonathan Taylor (1), David Montgomery (1), Darrell Henderson (1), Raheem Mostert (1), DeVonta Smith (1), Chase Claypool (1), Julio Jones (1), Amari Cooper (1) Alec Pierce (1), DeVante Parker (1),Skyy Moore (1), Mecole Hardman (1), Robbie Anderson (1), DJ Moore (1), Dawson Knox (1), OJ Howard (1), Dalton Schultz (1)

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I was needed big numbers from Alvin Kamara.

I’d be worried if I hadn’t already moved Antonio Gibson.

I’d be worried if I needed a cart to make it to the bathroom

I’d be worried if I needed consistency from Rashod Bateman.

I’d be worried if I needed touchdowns from James Conner.

I’d be worried if I needed anything from Julio Jones.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t looking to acquire KJ Osborn on the cheap.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the consistency of Zach Ertz.

I’d be worried if I was starting DJ Moore.

I’d be worried if I worked at Three Mile Island.

I’d be worried if I was still holding on to Ronald Jones.

I’d be worried if I had D’Andre Swift as my RB1.

I’d be worried if I thought I could rent a place for $280.

I’d be worried if I was starting Margaret Thatcher as my QB1.

I’d be worried if I still had hope for Baker Mayfield.

I’d be worried if I felt good about starting Darnell Mooney now.

I’d be worried if I thought gas was ever going to get back down to 86 cents.

I’d be worried if I thought Mike Williams was safe in my lineup.  Just wait.

I’d be worried if I was expecting elite performances from Darren Waller.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think interest rates could get back to 15%.

I’d be worried if I had Cordarelle Patterson.

I’d be worried if I took Jalen Tolbert in the second round of my rookie draft.

I’d be worried if I needed consistency from DeVonta Smith.

I’d be worried if I needed RB1 numbers from Najee Harris.

I’d be worried if I was holding on to Mitch Trubisky.

I’d be worried if I thought Cooper Rush was going to keep this job.

I’d be worried if I didn’t know what a Walkman was. They cost $200 in 1979!

I’d be worried if I invested too much in Javonte Williams.

I’d be worried if I was still doubting Saquon Barkley.

I’d be worried if I thought that was going to be the norm for Miles Sanders.

I’d be worried if I needed RB1 numbers from Dalvin Cook right now.

I’d be worried if I was relying on any Buffalo running back.

I’d be worried if I was underestimating the value of Mike Evans.

I’d be worried if the Dow Jones closed at 838 today.

I’d be worried if I didn’t accept the fact Courtland Sutton was Denver’s WR1.

I’d be worried if I was needing RB1 numbers from Christian McCaffrey. What is going on here?

I’d be worried if I thought David Montgomery was going to make Khalil Herbert useless when he returns.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring quiet production from Damien Harris.

I’d be worried if I needed big numbers from Kyle Pitts each week.

I’d be worried if I thought Melvin Gordon was a RB1 again.

I’d be worried if I was still holding on to Kenyan Drake.

The Top Rookie Scoring Averages

1.) Kenny Pickett, QB PIT = 16.50 (up from UR)
2.) Chris Olave, WR NO = 15.63 (-1 spot)
3.) Dameon Pierce, RB HOU = 14.40 (+4 spots)
4.) Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ = 14.38 (-3 spots)
5.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ = 14.03 (-1 spot)
6.) Drake London, WR ATL = 13.78 (-4 spots)
7.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS = 13.30 (-2 spots)
8.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB = 12.62 (-2 spots)
9.) Bailey Zappe, QB NE = 8.95 (up from UR)
10.) Alec Pierce, WR IND = 7.03 (+ 7 spots)
11.) George Pickens, WR PIT = 6.93 (+8 spots)
12.) Christian Watson, WR GB = 6.43 (+1 spots)
13.) Tyler Allgeier, RB ATL = 6.13 (+4 spots)
14.) Treylon Burks, WR TEN = 6.03 (-5 spots)
15.) Daniel Bellinger, TE NYG = 5.45 (-5 spots)
16.) Rachaad White, RB TB = 5.20 (up from UR)
17.) Isiah Pacheco, RB KC = 5.00 (-1 spots)
18.) Jelani Woods, TE IND = 4.90 (-6 spots)
19.) Kyle Philips, WR TEN = 4.70 (-8 spots)
20.) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA = 4.57 (-5 spots)

Notable players not in the top 20 of rookie scorers: James Cook, Isaiah Likely, Tyrion Davis-Price, Hassan Haskins, Skyy Moore, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jaylen Warren, Malik Willis, David Bell, Zamir White, Jerome Ford, Danny Gray, Jordan Mason, Trey McBride, Pierre Strong

The Rookie Top 20

Always check our latest rankings to see the updates through the week. These rankings are simply my own.

1.) Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ (last week: 1)
He’s still at the top for me, but Hall is gaining.

2.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ (last week: 2)
He’s starting to take over the “1A” spot from Michael Carter.

3.) Drake London, WR ATL (last week: 3)
He had a quiet game, but producing with Mariota is impressive.

4.) Chris Olave, WR NO (last week: 4)
Love his progress.

5.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS (last week: 5)
Bummer to see him out for a couple of weeks.

6.) Jameson Williams, WR DET (last week: 6)
Can’t wait.

7.) Treylon Burks, WR TEN (last week: 8)
Injury added to disappointment.

8.) Brian Robinson, RB WAS (last week: 9)
Could rise even more quickly now.

9.) Dameon Pierce, RB HOU (last week: 11)
If he can catch continue to catch passes, he’ll rise even more.

10.) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA (last week: 7)
I’ll get heat for dropping him this far, but I’m not impressed.

11.) Rachaad White, RB TB (last week: 10)
He quietly got a lot of run this week.

12.) George Pickens, WR PIT (last week: 13)
That’s more like it.

13.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB (last week: 16)
People are focusing too much on the drop and fumble.

14.) James Cook, RB BUF (last week: 14)
Where are you right now?

15.) Skyy Moore, WR KC (last week: 12)
Maybe you’re chillin’ with Cook? Haven’t seen you, either.

16.) Christian Watson, WR GB (last week: 15)
Needs more targets.

17.) Alec Pierce, WR IND (last week: 17)
I expected more.

18.) Jelani Woods, TE IND (last week: UR)
Back to reality a bit, but I love his potential.

19.) Malik Willis, QB TEN (last week: 19)
The future has been pushed back with the Titans winning again.

20.) Kenny Pickett QB PIT (last week: 20)
Here we go!

Notable players not in my current top 20 rookie rankings: Wan’Dale Robinson, Isaiah Likely, Isiah Pacheco, Calvin Austin, John Metchie, Zamir White, Jaylen Warren, Isaiah Spiller, Trey McBride, Tyler Allgeier, Tyrion Davis-Price, Jalen Tolbert, David Bell

See you next week!

ken kelly
The Dynasty Aftermath: The Year was 1979