Dynasty Top 250 Fantasy Football Rankings: Movers and Shakers
Welcome to Movers and Shakers, an in-season series from DLF. Each week we choose a different ranking category; top 250 (one quarterback and superflex), devy, and IDP. We then review players from that group who may have risen or fallen substantially from the past month’s ranks and alert you to any relevant changes. Let’s get right to it.
Quarterback
We will avoid the no-brainer changes each week. Instead, we will focus on the more subtle shiftings in the ranks.
Kyler Murray, QB ARI (Current QB7)
It has been a rather tumultuous season for Murray and the Arizona Cardinals. Despite missing two games, Murray does rank as the QB12. The trend is concerning, and if it continues would mark the second consecutive finish outside the top ten.
Data Courtesy of DLF Player Gamelog App.
The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner has benefited from a favorable schedule and only faced two top-ten defenses this season. It was encouraging to see him do well in both of those contests. The return of DeAndre Hopkins and a healthy Marquise Brown should go a long way in righting the ship for the beleaguered signal-caller.
Data Courtesy of DLF Player Gamelog App.
Our biggest concern with Murray is the relationship with head coach Kliff Kingsbury. It is rumored to be rocky at best, and with Patrick Peterson calling out Murray, we have to wonder how much his teammates like him. You don’t have to like your teammates to be successful, but at the most critical position in sports, it helps to have good chemistry.
Data Courtesy of DLF Player Gamelog App.
Murray relies on his legs for nearly 30% of his points. He also turns 26 before next season kicks off. There must be some concern that he will begin to slow down. Under contract until the end of 2028, the Cardinals are pot committed. Let’s hope the next coach can keep Murray off Call of Duty and focused on football.
Should Fall Behind:
I have no problem moving Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Fields in front of the Cardinals quarterback at this point. With Trevor Lawrence showing significant signs of development under new coach Doug Pederson, I may even consider his upside higher moving forward. While not a tangible stat, the eye test reads better with these three than with Murray.
Running Back
Injuries and age will make running back the most volatile of all the positions, and I won’t be dropping the obvious fallers due to injury. Instead, I will focus more on opportunities and performances.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB NE (Current RB21)
Don’t look now, but Stevenson is the RB8 in PPR formats. The second-year back has been the beneficiary of Damien Harris missing some time due to injury in 2022 but still has looked the part regardless of who is playing.
Data Courtesy of DLF Player Scoring History App.
Stevenson is averaging 16.48 points per game, nearly double the 9.73 points he scored last year per contest. Harris is also a free agent at the end of the 2022 season, leaving the backfield open for Stevenson to dominate for the next couple of years. Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong were drafted in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively, in 2022, but neither has posed a serious threat.
Data Courtesy of Snap Count App.
The snap count chart shows us that the 24-year-old has played 60% or more of the snaps in all but two games in 2022 and 98.1% in week 13 while Harris nursed an injury. Stevenson has also been a model of consistency and has not finished worse than an RB2 since week two.
Data Courtesy of DLF Player Gamelog App.
At a time when backfields tend to be committees, the Patriots are setting up to be a one-person show, and Stevenson is running it. The schedule sets up well for New England down the stretch, so barring injury, the Vegas native should finish the season as a top-ten running back.
Should Move Ahead Of:
We can quickly provide arguments for Rhamondre Stevenson to move ahead of JK Dobbins and an aging Aaron Jones. The scenario perfectly sets up for a Corey Dillon, LeGarrette Blount, or James White-type backfield season in 2023.
Wide Receiver
The cream stayed at the top, as expected. Justin Jefferson, Cooper Kupp, and Ja’Marr Chase all did their thing and will continue to do so, hence the positioning up at the top. We will focus on another pair.
Jerry Jeudy/Courtland Sutton, WR DEN (Current WR31/35)
We have a two-for-one special here with Jeudy and Sutton. Until Russell Wilson returns to culinary school, the value of everyone not named Greg Dulcich will decline in Denver. Both players have been long on talent and hype since entering the league, and Wilson was supposed to be the key that unlocked it all.
Data Courtesy of DLF Yearly Data App.
That has been anything but the case thus far, as the Broncos offense has been downright abysmal. Denver ranks last in points per game (13.8) and passing touchdowns (8). That is not an indicator of fantasy success. We want to roster players from high-powered offenses, not cap guns.
The good news is that Jeudy and Sutton are 23 and 27 years old, respectively. The bad news is that Wilson is under contract with no way out until 2028. Perhaps a change at the top is what is needed. Nathaniel Hackett has, at times, appeared overmatched. That is being polite. Sean Payton could re-enter the coaching circle in 2023 and would be an instant upgrade. That is all speculation. We have to deal with the here and now.
Data Courtesy of QB History App.
The here and now is that Wilson is on pace to have his worst wideout production since 2014, when Doug Baldwin finished as the WR34. That was on a run-first team that threw very little throughout the season. Jeudy has the best shot at redemption, as he is a free agent after 2023. Sutton is under contract through 2025. Yikes.
Should Fall Behind:
Two names instantly jump off the page that should move ahead of the Denver duo: Jahan Dotson and Christian Watson. Both rookies have shown tons of upside early on in their careers and have much better outlooks from a dynasty perspective.
Tight End
The tight end position will be right behind the running backs regarding their rank volatility. With the scarcity of the position, we are always on the lookout for the next big thing. Perhaps a chip off the block is the answer for 2022.
Cade Otton, TE TB (Current TE32)
It’s not often that rookie tight ends get an opportunity to contribute right away, but Otton has had some things go his way early on that have propelled him to the current TE23 in PPR formats. That may not seem particularly significant, but we must look deep in a position devoid of depth.
Data Courtesy of DLF Yearly Data App.
It looks like Otton only lacks more looks. He sits with TJ Hockenson and Mark Andrews regarding points per opportunity. The rookie is well ahead of Kyle Pitts in that category for 2022. Those chances may come sooner rather than later. The targets currently get spread amongst the star wideouts in Tampa Bay, and rightfully so. But Mike Evans is 29, Chris Godwin will be 27 soon and is often injured, and Julio Jones is on his last legs. The cupboard will be bare soon for the Bucs, leaving the lion’s share available for the youngster.
Data Courtesy of DLF Player Gamelog App.
The upside is there, as evidenced by the four TE1 finishes posted in his young career, including a TE1 finish in Week 13. Granted, it was with only 14.8 points, but they don’t ask how; they ask how many. We mentioned that Otton had things fall his way to get playing time. Those things were the retirement of Rob Gronkowski, Kyle Rudolph being a shell of his former self, and Cameron Brate being injured most of the season. Rudolph will be gone next season, and Brate is 31 with no guarantees left on his contracts. The position is Otton’s for the foreseeable future.
Data Courtesy of DLF Player Gamelog App.
It’s encouraging that the 106th overall pick in last season’s draft is getting work done against some of the top defenses against the position. The arrow is pointing straight up for the rookie tight end, and it is happening quietly.
Should Move Ahead Of:
Otton currently sits as the TE32 at DLF. I have no qualms about putting him inside the top 20 at this point and certainly have him higher than the likes of Tyler Conklin, Brevin Jordan, Jonnu Smith, and Hunter Henry.
Wrapping It Up
We aim to tip you off as to who the movers and shakers are weekly across our different ranking platforms. During the season, they will fluctuate on the regular. The best way to stay abreast of how a particular player you are tracking is performing is to head directly to our rankings pages. Thank you for following along—best of luck in your fantasy endeavors.
He graduated from SUNY Alfred State in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in Technology Management. When he is not writing or playing video games, Jeff spends time with his wife Naomi and their Bichon Poo, Daisy.
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