The Dynasty Aftermath: Rookies I’m Buying Low on This Off-Season

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.

With the fantasy playoffs in full swing and with many of us already looking to the off-season, I figured I’d do something very off-season related today. With a new class of rookies making their way into the league here shortly, the rookie class of 2022 will start to lose a little of its luster. However, this opens up one of my favorite secret windows of time – buying low on last year’s rookie class. With that in mind, here are ten rookies (in random order) who I’ll be targeting to get at below market value this off-season because I believe their value next off-season will be much higher:

1.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ
The torn ACL doesn’t scare me a bit. If the dynasty manager in your league is scared off by it, I’d jump all over it.

2.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB
Christian Watson has stolen most of the headlines, but I still believe Doubs has a solid future.

3.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS
He started out a little slow, but the past couple of weeks have been pretty impressive.

4.) Rachaad White, RB TB
I hate trading for running backs this time of year, but I can’t imagine Fournette is back next season.

5.) Wan’Dale Robinson, WR NYG
Injuries cloud what was looking like a very impressive rookie season.

6.) Greg Dulcich, TE DEN
The fact he was productive in the league’s most inept offensive tells me a lot.

7.) Jelani Woods, TE IND
He’s working his way into more and more snaps. The size and speed combo is impresssive.

8.) Jameson Williams, WR DET
The counting stats aren’t going to be much this season, but he’s primed for a 2023 breakout.

9.) Ty Chandler, RB MIN
I don’t expect Mattison to be back.

10.) Calvin Austin III, WR PIT
Lost season, but the Steelers know how to pick receivers.

Let’s get to it!

Fantasy MVP of the Week

Those crazy tight ends!  As teams looked and looked for streamers for the fantasy semi-finals, two tight ends nearly single-handedly brought wins with monster performances. TJ Hockenson (13/109/2) and Tyler Higbee (9/94/2) have each had their ups and downs this year, but this week brought us monster performances at just the right time. Who says you need to have Travis Kelce or George Kittle to win!

Fantasy LVP of the Week

Where have you gone, Stefon Diggs? Over the past three weeks, Diggs has failed to catch more than five passes, post more than 60 yards or score a touchdown in a single game. This week’s 2/26/0 line sunk a whole host of dynasty teams. The cold spell for Diggs has become a problem and it needs to be solved this week.

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week

QB Dak Prescott DAL = 347 passing yards, 41 rushing yards, three total touchdowns
RB Cam Akers LAR =
118 rushing yards, two catches, 29 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Saquon Barkley NYG =
84 rushing yards, eight catches, 49 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Leonard Fournette TB =
72 rushing yards, nine catches, 90 receiving yards
WR CeeDee Lamb DAL =
Ten catches, 120 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Justin Jefferson MIN =
12 catches, 133 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR DeVonta Smith PHI =
Eight catches, 113 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE TJ Hockenson MIN =
13 catches, 109 receiving yards, two touchdowns

2022 members of the list:

(8) = Justin Jefferson

(6) = Austin Ekeler


(5) = Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams


(4) = Christian McCaffrey, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry


(3) = Leonard Fournette, Ja’Marr Chase, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow, Mark Andrews, Jalen Hurts, Miles Sanders

(2) = Justin Fields, Stefon Diggs, Aaron Jones, Jonathan Taylor,  Kenneth Walker, Cooper Kupp, Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Dalvin Cook, CeeDee Lamb, TJ Hockenson, George Kittle, AJ Brown, Tony Pollard

(1) = Tua Tagovailoa, Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, Rhamondre Stevenson,  Marquise Brown, Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle, Mike Evans, Gabriel Davis, Taysom Hill,  Tyler Boyd, Mecole Hardman , Alvin Kamara , DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Conklin,  Joe Mixon, Travis Etienne, Dallas Goedert,  Christian Kirk, Jamaal Williams, Amari Cooper, Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, Dalton Schultz, Samaje Perine, Cade Otton, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Trevor Lawrence,  Jerry Jeudy, Evan Engram,  Jerick McKinnon, Zay Jones, Dak Prescott, Cam Akers, Lamar Jackson, D’Andre Swift, Nick Chubb, Devin Singletary, Cordarrelle Patterson

The Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Gardner Minshew PHI = 345 passing yards, three total touchdowns
RB D’Onta Foreman CAR =
165 rushing yards, one touchdown
RB Devin Singletary BUF =
106 rushing yards, two catches, 19 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB James Cook BUF =
99 rushing yards, one catch, nine receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Kendrick Bourne NE =
Six catches, 100 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Isaiah Hodgins NYG =
Eight catches, 89 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Greg Dortch ARI =
Ten catches, 98 receiving yards, 25 rushing yards
TE Tyler Higbee LAR =
Nine catches, 94 receiving yards, two touchdowns

2022 members of the list:

(3) = Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Garrett Wilson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, D’Onta Foreman

(2) = Zay Jones, Ezekiel Elliott, Cole Kmet, Parris Campbell, DJ Moore, Geno Smith,  Tony Pollard,  Jamaal Williams, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jeff Wilson Jr.,  Russell Gage, AJ Dillon, Kenyan Drake, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, Friggin’ Mike Williams, Greg Dortch,  JK Dobbins

(1) = Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, Dontrell Hilliard, Deon Jackson,  James Robinson,  Damien Harris, Khalil Herbert, Tevin Coleman,  Raheem Mostert, Mack Hollins, David Njoku, Devin Duvernay, Robbie Anderson,  Jahan Dotson, OJ Howard, Dyami Brown, Khalil Shakir, Marvin Jones, Amari Cooper, Brandon Aiyuk, Chase Claypool, Jamal Agnew, Josh Reynolds, Corey Davis, Irv Smith Jr, Mo Alie-Cox, Hayden Hurst, Mike Gesicki, Andy Dalton, Gus Edwards, Marquise Goodwin,  Juwan Johnson, Justin Fields,  Antonio Gibson, Rondale Moore, Damiere Byrd, Kyle Pitts, Baker Mayfield, Raheem Blackshear,  Christian Kirk, Mecole Hardman, James Conner, Alec Ingold, Christian Watson, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Jimmy Garoppolo, Samaje Perine, Najee Harris, David Montgomery, Josh Palmer, Demarcus Robinson, Austin Hooper, Mike White, Brian Robinson, JaMycal Hasty, Rachaad White, Isaiah McKenzie, Jelani Woods,  Isiah Pacheco, D’Andre Swift,  Alec Pierce, Michael Gallup, Greg Dulcich, Russell Wilson, Jerick McKinnon, Chuba Hubbard, Chris Moore, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Kirk Cousins, Tyler Allgeier, Latavius Murray, KJ Osborn, Noah Brown, CJ Uzomah, Gardner Minshew, Devin Singletary, James Cook, Isaiah Hodgins, Tyler Higbee

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Justin Herbert LAC = 235 passing yards, one interception
RB Zonovan Knight NYJ =
-2 rushing yards, one catch, 15 receiving yards
RB Rhamondre Stevenson NE =
30 rushing yards, two catches, three receiving yards, one fumble
RB Jamaal Williams DET =
11 rushing yards, two catches, three receiving yards
WR Marquise Goodwin SEA =
No catches
WR DeAndre Hopkins ARI =
One catch, four receiving yards
WR Adam Thielen MIN =
One catch, six receiving yards
TE Juwan Johnson NO =
One catch, nine receiving yards

2022 members of the list:

(4) = Cam Akers

(3) = Robbie Anderson, Chase Claypool, Justin Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, Jonathan Taylor

(2) =  Elijah Mitchell, James Robinson, Darrell Henderson, Curtis Samuel, Travis Etienne, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco, Chase Edmonds, Carson Wentz,  DeVante Parker, Darnell Mooney, Elijah Moore, Taysom Hill, Tee Higgins, Rhamondre Stevenson, DJ Moore

(1) = Trevor Lawrence, Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff, Damien Williams,  Rashaad Penny, Tyler Allgeier, Kenneth Walker, Tony Pollard, David Montgomery, Raheem Mostert, Damien Harris,  DeVonta Smith,  Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Alec Pierce,  Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman, Christian Kirk, Dawson Knox, OJ Howard, Dalton Schultz, Gerald Everett, Kareem Hunt, JK Dobbins, Garrett Wilson, Tyler Higbee, Lamar Jackson, Kenyan Drake, AJ Dillon, Amon-Ra St. Brown, DK Metcalf, Keenan Allen, Kyle Pitts, Derek Carr, Brian Robinson, Davante Adams, Hunter Henry. PJ Walker,  Robert Woods, Devin Duvernay, Nyheim Hines, Cooper Kupp, AJ Brown, Kirk Cousins, Friggin’ Mike Williams, Jahan Dotson, Kylen Granson, Russell Wilson,  Alvin Kamara, Demarcus Robinson, Drake London, Mike Gesicki, Kyler Murray, Jeff Wilson Jr., Jaylen Waddle, Mark Andrews,  Miles Sanders, Michael Gallup, Allen Lazard, DJ Chark, Pat Freiermuth, Zonovan Knight, Jamaal Williams, Marquise Goodwin, DeAndre Hopkins, Adam Thielen, Juwan Johnson

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I thought Nick Foles could recapture that magic. Yuck.

I’d be worried if I thought a coaching change was going to magically fix Russell Wilson.

I’d be worried if I needed elite numbers from Aaron Rodgers.

I’d be worried if I was banking on touchdowns from Nick Chubb at the moment.

I’d be worried if I thought I knew what to expect from D’Onta Foreman each week.

I’d be worried if I was banking on Justin Herbert this week.

I’d be worried if I needed DeAndre Hopkins the rest of the way.

I’d be worried if I thought this was a fluke from Evan Engram.

I’d be worried if I needed touchdowns from Mike Evans.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring how good Trevor Lawrence has been of late.

I’d be worried if I thought Gardner Minshew was going to tank the Philly offense.

I’d be worried if I thought Keenan Allen was washed up.

I’d be worried if I needed big numbers from Michael Pittman or any Colts receiver.

I’d be worried if I thought I knew the future for Cam Akers. What an enigma.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the play of Jerry Jeudy.

I’d be worried if I needed pre-2021 numbers from Adam Thielen.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the late season surge from Dawson Knox.

I’d be worried if I thought Clyde Edwards-Helaire still had a lot of value.

I’d be worried if I needed Tua Tagovailoa this week.

I’d be worried if I thought Tee Higgins was just a WR2.

I’d be worried if I needed consistency from JK Dobbins or Miles Sanders.

I’d be worried if I still thought Mark Andrews was bulletproof without Lamar Jackson.

I’d be worried if I thought DeVonta Smith should stay on my bench.

I’d be worried if I thought Geno Smith was the surefire starter in Seattle next year.

I’d be worried if I needed big numbers from Travis Etienne.

….and most importantly,

I’d be worried if I didn’t build enough depth to survive the playoffs.

The Top Rookie Scoring Averages

1.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ = 16.73
2.) Bailey Zappe, QB NE = 14.39
3.) Kenny Pickett, QB PIT = 14.22
4.) Chris Olave, WR NO = 13.62
5.) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA = 13.43
6.) Dameon Pierce, RB HOU = 13.11
7.) Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ = 13.02
8.) Christian Watson, WR GB = 12.14
9.) Brock Purdy QB SF = 11.70
10.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS = 11.47
11.) Drake London, WR ATL = 10.46
12.) Desmond Ridder, QB ATL = 10.18
13.) Zonovan Knight RB NYJ = 10.12
14.) George Pickens, WR PIT = 9.69
15.) Brian Robinson, RB WAS = 9.51
16.) Tyler Allgeier, RB ATL = 9.39
17.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB = 8.96
18.) Rachaad White, RB TB = 8.92
19.) Wan’Dale Robinson, WR NYG = 8.68
20.) Greg Dulcich, TE DEN = 8.61

Notable players not in the top 20 of rookie scorers: Treylon Burks,Alec Pierce,Cade Otton, Tyquan Thornton, Samori Toure, Keaontay Ingram, Khalil Shakir, Rachaad White,  James Cook, Isiah Pacheco, Jelani Woods, Kyle Philips, Isaiah Likely, Tyrion Davis-Price, Hassan Haskins, Skyy Moore, Jaylen Warren, Malik Willis, David Bell, Zamir White, Jerome Ford, Danny Gray, Jordan Mason, Trey McBride, Pierre Strong, Rashid Shaheed, Teagan Quitoriano, Skylar Thompson

The Rookie Top 20

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

1.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ 
At this point, this spot is secure in my mind.

2.) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA
Still wanted to see more.

3.) Chris Olave, WR NO
I still like him the best out of the receivers.

4.) Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ 
Again, I’d have him over Olave if I was convinced the Jets have solved their quarterback problem.

5.) Drake London, WR ATL
Am I the only one kind of disappointed here?

6.) Jameson Williams, WR DET
Should still finish strong.

7.) Christian Watson, WR GB
Emerging at the end here.

8.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS
Still like him a lot.

9.) Dameon Pierce, RB HOU
Tough injury ends his rookie year.

10.) Treylon Burks, WR TEN
I know I’m not the only one disappointed here.

11.) Rachaad White, RB TB
Still can’t overtake Fournette.

12.) George Pickens, WR PIT
Splash plays, but not too much in between too often.

13.) Brian Robinson, RB WAS
I’m just not sold on him being the 2023 starter.

14.) James Cook, RB BUF
Starting to get more run.

15.) Greg Dulcich, TE DEN
He’s been impressive despite the terrible offense.

16.) Wan’Dale Robinson, WR NYG 
Out for the season.

17.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB
Invisible until late this week.

18.) Tyler Allgeier, RB ATL
Picking up some late steam.

19.) Isiah Pacheco, RB KC 
Jerick McKinnon overshadowing him now.

20.)  Jelani Woods,TE IND
Love what I’ve seen from him lately.

Still knocking on the door: Brock Purdy

Notable players not in my current top 20 rookie rankings: Jaylen Warren, Alec Pierce, Jelani Woods, Malik Willis, Isaiah Likely, Skyy Moore, Kenny Pickett, Calvin Austin, Ronnie Rivers, John Metchie, Zamir White, Isaiah Spiller, Trey McBride,  Tyrion Davis-Price, Jalen Tolbert, David Bell

See you next week!

 

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ken kelly
The Dynasty Aftermath: Rookies I’m Buying Low on This Off-Season