The Dynasty Aftermath: Meet Your Second Wife

Ken Kelly Posted On November 15, 2022

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.

As dynasty managers, we tend to get “married” to some players. In my 20 or so years of playing dynasty fantasy football, those players tend to be quarterbacks. When you have a great running back, the shelf life just tends to be short. With receivers, you always have a lot of them, so they’re rarely “your guy.” For me, I tend to find a quarterback, then hold on to them for many, many years. This goes back to players like Carson Palmer, and Brett Favre. Most recently, many of my dynasty teams have had Russell Wilson, or Aaron Rodgers.

However, everything comes to an end.

With fantasy quarterback mainstays like Rodgers, Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Cam Newton, and Drew Brees either retired or close to it, it’s time for the next generation of quarterbacks to take the stage and push us into the new decade – I believe two of those are now Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields.

Hurts and Fields both entered the season with major question marks and both have really answered the bell. Hurts has been amazing all season, building off a solid campaign last year. His year-long average trails only Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in most leagues as he currently sits comfortably as the QB3 on the year. More importantly, the Eagles are winning and when they don’t (like last night), it’s clearly not because of him. As for Fields, the metamorphosis has been amazing. After week six, he was the QB30. Over the last four games? Yep, the QB2, just a smidge under Patrick Mahomes. It’s been a stunning turnaround, made even more impressive when you consider the lack of a supporting cast and the fact his offensive line has been terrible. I didn’t believe he could throw the ball well enough in Chicago to be dominant, but I personally underestimated his running ability. Consider me sold.

And just like that, it’s like we’ve met our second wife for the next stage of our dynasty rosters.

On to week ten. Let’s do it!

Fantasy MVP of the Week

I rarely give out “Co-MVPs,” but there’s no rule that says I can’t, so I’m going with Cole Kmet and Christian Watson both this week. With Justin Fields taking such enormous steps, Kmet has become a plug and play tight end option after being an afterthought throughout much of his career. With four catches, 74 receiving yards, and two touchdowns this week, he’s now posted back-to-back monster weeks. With players like Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz now on the shelf, his dynasty value is going to skyrocket. Speaking of increasing value, Christian Watson was awesome this week with four catches, 107 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. While that’s not going to be the norm and there are questions about his health, this is the Watson we’ve wanted to see since April.

Fantasy LVP of the Week

I was going to go with Cooper Kupp until the Monday Night Football disaster with AJ Brown happened. The Commanders bottled him up for one catch and just seven receiving yards, leaving dynasty managers who needed anything more than around two points with a loss. That’s brutal, especially when you consider the timing of the game.

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week

QB Justin Fields CHI = 167 passing yards, 147 rushing yards, four touchdowns
RB Dalvin Cook MIN* = 119 rushing yards, three catches, 27 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Jonathan Taylor IND* = 147 rushing yards, two catches, 16 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Aaron Jones GB* = 138 rushing yards, two catches, 18 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR CeeDee Lamb DAL = 11 catches, 150 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Justin Jefferson MIN = Ten catches, 193 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Christian Kirk JAX = Nine catches, 105 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Travis Kelce KC = Six catches, 81 receiving yards, one touchdown

* = It’s about time with these three running backs.

2022 members of the list: Tyreek Hill (5), Justin Jefferson (4), Austin Ekeler (4), Josh Jacobs (3), Davante Adams (3), Mark Andrews (3), Justin Fields (2), Christian McCaffrey (2), Stefon Diggs (2), Leonard Fournette (2), Derrick Henry (2), Ja’Marr Chase (2), Travis Kelce (2), Aaron Jones (2), Jonathan Taylor (2), Kenneth Walker (2), Joe Burrow (2), Cooper Kupp (2), Tua Tagovailoa (1), Patrick Mahomes (1), Jared Goff (1), Josh Allen (1), Lamar Jackson (1), Saquon Barkley (1), D’Andre Swift (1) Nick Chubb (1), Miles Sanders (1), Devin Singletary (1), Cordarrelle Patterson (1), Rhamondre Stevenson (1), , DeVonta Smith (1), Marquise Brown (1), Chris Olave (1), Jaylen Waddle (1), Mike Evans (1), Gabriel Davis (1), TJ Hockenson (1), Taysom Hill (1), Tyler Boyd (1), Mecole Hardman (1), George Kittle (1), Jalen Hurts (1), Alvin Kamara (1), AJ Brown (1), DeAndre Hopkins (1), Tyler Conklin (1), Joe Mixon (1), Travis Etienne (1), Dallas Goedert (1), Dalvin Cook (1), CeeDee Lamb (1), Christian Kirk (1).

The Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Trevor Lawrence JAX = 259 passing yards, 26 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB James Conner ARI = 69 rushing yards, three catches, 17 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Jeff Wilson Jr. MIA = 119 rushing yards, two catches, 24 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Alec Ingold MIA = Four catches, 45 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Christian Watson GB = Four catches, 107 receiving yards, three touchdowns
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine TEN = Five catches, 119 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Parris Campbell IND = Seven catches, 76 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Cole Kmet CHI = Four catches, 74 receiving yards, two touchdowns

2022 members of the list:

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (3), Ezekiel Elliott (2), Cole Kmet (2), Parris Campbell (2), DJ Moore (2), Geno Smith (2), Tony Pollard (2), JuJu Smith-Schuster (2), Jamaal Williams (2), Rhamondre Stevenson (2), Jeff Wilson Jr. (2), D’Onta Foreman (2), Kenyan Drake (2), Trevor Lawrence (2), Jared Goff (1), Matt Ryan (1), Carson Wentz (1), Dontrell Hilliard (1), Deon Jackson (1), James Robinson (1), Damien Harris (1), Khalil Herbert (1), Tevin Coleman (1), JK Dobbins (1), Raheem Mostert (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), Dyami Brown (1), Khalil Shakir (1), Marvin Jones (1), Amari Cooper (1), Brandon Aiyuk (1), Chase Claypool (1), Jamal Agnew (1), Josh Reynolds (1), Corey Davis (1), Irv Smith Jr (1), Mo Alie-Cox (1), Hayden Hurst (1), Mike Gesicki (1), Andy Dalton (1), Gus Edwards (1), Marquise Goodwin (1), Juwan Johnson (1), Justin Fields (1), Antonio Gibson (1), Rondale Moore (1), Damiere Byrd (1), Kyle Pitts (1), Baker Mayfield (1), Raheem Blackshear (1), Christian Kirk (1), Mecole Hardman (1), James Conner (1), Alec Ingold (1), Christian Watson (1), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (1)

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Justin Herbert LAC = 196 passing yards, 22 rushing yards, one touchdown, one interception
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC = No rushing yards, one benching
RB Chase Edmonds DEN* = Two catches, nine receiving yards
RB Nyheim Hines BUF* = One catch, nine receiving yards
WR Chase Claypool CHI* = One catch, eight receiving yards
WR Cooper Kupp LAR = Three catches, -1 receiving yards
WR AJ Brown PHI = One catch, seven receiving yards
TE Taysom Hill NO = One rushing yard

*=Why trade for players if you’re not going to use them?

2022 members of the list: Cam Akers (4), Robbie Anderson (3), Chase Claypool (2), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (2), Isiah Pacheco (2), Chase Edmonds (2), Carson Wentz (2), Jonathan Taylor (2), DeVante Parker (2), Darnell Mooney (2), Elijah Moore (2), Taysom Hill (2), Trevor Lawrence (1), Matt Ryan (1), Aaron Rodgers (1), Jared Goff (1), Damien Williams (1), Elijah Mitchell (1), Rashaad Penny (1), Tyler Allgeier (1), Kenneth Walker (1), Tony Pollard (1), David Montgomery (1), Darrell Henderson (1), Raheem Mostert (1), Damien Harris (1), Tee Higgins (1), DeVonta Smith (1), Julio Jones (1), Amari Cooper (1) Alec Pierce (1), Skyy Moore (1), Mecole Hardman (1), DJ Moore (1), Christian Kirk (1), Dawson Knox (1), OJ Howard (1), Dalton Schultz (1), Gerald Everett (1), Kareem Hunt (1), JK Dobbins (1), Garrett Wilson (1), Curtis Samuel (1), Tyler Higbee (1), Lamar Jackson (1), Kenyan Drake (1), AJ Dillon (1), Amon-Ra St. Brown (1), DK Metcalf (1), Keenan Allen (1), Kyle Pitts (1), Derek Carr (1), James Robinson (1), Brian Robinson (1), Davante Adams (1), Hunter Henry (1). PJ Walker (1), D’Onta Foreman (1), Robert Woods (1), Devin Duvernay (1), Justin Herbert (1), Nyheim Hines (1), Cooper Kupp (1), AJ Brown (1).

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I didn’t think Tyler Higbee was going to be a key to the season now.

I’d be worried if I needed Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, or Cooper Kupp in the stretch run.

I’d be worried if I was still holding out hope for Cam Akers this season.

I’d be worried if I had Leonard Fournette.

I’d be worried if I was still starting Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

I’d be worried if I thought that “Meet Your Second Wife” clip was OK to watch and laugh at around your first wife.

I’d be worried if I had Alvin Kamara. Jameis Winston would be bad news for him.

I’d be worried if I thought D’Onta Foreman was going to slow down.

I’d be worried if I thought James Conner would end the season healthy.

I’d be worried if I needed anything from a Denver running back.

I’d be worried if I thought Najee Harris was going to be just fine.

I’d be worried if I didn’t have a second option at tight end. They’re falling fast.

I’d be worried if I thought that was a mirage from Jonathan Taylor. He’s going to get his carries as long as Jeff Saturday is around.

I’d be worried if I had started to fade Amon-Ra St. Brown

I’d be worried if I had D’Andre Swift. He’s just not a fantasy RB1.

I’d be worried if I thought Raheem Mostert was still the starter in Miami.

I’d be worried if I had given up on Elijah Mitchell. The carry distribution with CMC was shocking and it looks like that’s how Shanny wants it, mostly because he hates us.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the play of Darius Slayton.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t starting Cole Kmet from here on out.

I’d be worried if I needed big weeks from Miles Sanders.

I’d be worried if I still thought Kyle Pitts was a top-10 dynasty asset. Sorry, guys.

I’d be worried if I was starting Chase Claypool. New team. Same results so far.

I’d be worried if I thought Ezekiel Elliott was better than Tony Pollard.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring a pretty good season from Brandon Aiyuk.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think Jamaal Williams had stand-alone value.

I’d be worried if my QB1 was Justin Herbert. He’s just been hamstrung by receiver injuries.

The Top Rookie Scoring Averages

1.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ = 16.73
2.) Kenny Pickett, QB PIT = 15.16
3.) Dameon Pierce, RB HOU = 15.09
4.) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA = 14.39
5.) Bailey Zappe, QB NE = 14.39
6.) Chris Olave, WR NO = 13.98
7.) Jalen Virgil, WR DEN = 13.60
8.) Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ = 11.87
9.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS = 11.12
10.) Drake London, WR ATL = 9.87
11.) Greg Dulcich, TE DEN = 9.56
12.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB = 9.06
13.) George Pickens, WR PIT = 8.93
14.) Christian Watson,WR GB = 8.53 (up from unranked)
15.) Tyler Allgeier, RB ATL = 8.31
16.) Brian Robinson, RB WAS = 7.97
17.) Alec Pierce, WR IND = 7.84
18.) Daniel Bellinger, TE NYG = 7.06
19.) Cade Otton, TE TB = 6.68
20.) Wan’Dale Robinson, WR NYG = 6.54