Optimisery: The Case For and Against DJ Moore in Chicago

In this series, Jeremy Schwob and John Di Bari present the optimistic and pessimistic sides to significant changes in the dynasty landscape. Consider both sides, as the goal is to find somewhere in between.

The old adage that there are two sides to every coin could never be more true than when circumstances change for a player. That is especially true when surprising information is thrust upon us. Psychological difficulty and distress can be encountered when individuals hold rigid views that are strictly one-sided (i.e., split) or alternate drastically from one to the other.

A therapeutic concept called integration is a healthier structure for holding both sides together and tolerating the benefits and flaws simultaneously. Relationally, this could involve being frustrated or angry with them while at the same time being able to maintain that you care about them. Such emotional difficulties can parallel our view of players on dynasty rosters amidst changing circumstances.

The goal of this series is not to have you pick a side or a winner of the argument. Rather, it is to consider both sides and not select one entirely in the absence of the other.

As the first wide receiver selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, expectations were sky-high for DJ Moore entering the NFL. In rookie drafts that year, he was also the clear WR1 and the only receiver in the top nine players in ADP. Needless to say, the expectations of dynasty owners were through the roof.

But now, with five seasons under his belt, the dynasty community isn't sure what to make of Moore or his career thus far. Granted, during his career, he was catching passes from the likes of Cam Newton, Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield, but we've seen great receivers flourish with sub-par quarterback play. Now, with a change of scenery, can Moore finally become the fantasy receiver who dynasty owners have been waiting for, or will we continue to see more of the same fringe WR2 production we've become accustomed to?

OPTIMISM