Five in Five: Week Eight Dynasty Storylines
Over the years, we’ve done several different weekly preview articles and love to give new things a try. This is the time of year when it’s nearly information overload with every nook and cranny of the internet flooded with all kinds of fantasy football opinions and advice. Instead of following the herd and doing the same thing you’re used to, we’re going a little off the wall this year with our “Five in Five.” This is a weekly written preview of the five biggest storylines of the week encompassed in a five-section theme and in the way I love to do it – weird. It will also be a bit of a preview for my weekly Dynasty Aftermath – the longest running dynasty series in the business as we hit year #17 in 2023 as we bring you five possible storylines we could see on Monday Morning.
Kupp runneth over?
When Cooper Kupp returned from injury, many thought upstart rookie Puka Nacua would see a decrease in targets and production. Well, the results have been pretty surprising thus far. In the three games since returning, targets have looked as follows:
Kupp = Weekly targets of 12,9,7 for a total of 28 (17/295/1 game lines combined)
Nacua = Weekly targets of 11,7,12 for a total of 30 (19/251/1 game lines combined)
The question of if Nacua was going to fall off the map was answered quickly. Now, there are legitimate questions regarding his status on the Rams. Has Cooper Kupp’s run as a target hog truly come to an end? Has Nacua supplanted Kupp as the WR1 in this offense or at least created a true dynamic duo? This is a crazy turn of events for a player who was obviously under-drafted in fantasy and reality. This week’s game against Dallas will again tell us what the Rams are thinking with their surprising young rookie.
Add it up
With Jordan Addison posting a career high ten catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns in an upset win over San Francisco, things are looking very rosy for his dynasty future. Now with a whopping six touchdowns through seven games, Addison (much like Nacua) has a chance to truly establish himself as a primary option long-term across from Justin Jefferson, who remains out for at least the next few weeks. When Jefferson went down, there were questions as to who the go-to receiver would be. Many thought this was going to be KJ Osborn’s time to shine but it’s been Addison and tight end TJ Hockenson who look like they’re going to dominate the target share moving forward. A game against a vulnerable Green Bay team is up next. Another monster outing would solidify his status as a top three rookie in this year’s class.
I’ve got a Thielen
Speaking of targets opposite Jefferson, former Viking Adam Thielen looked like a relatively solid free agent veteran pickup for Carolina in the off-season. However, he’s looking like the addition of the off-season as he’s posted 49 catches for 509 yards and four touchdowns in just six games this year. Even better, 40 catches and 48 targets have come in the last four games. With Thielen being peppered by Bryce Young and playing on a team that’s constantly playing from behind, he’s established himself as the ultimate buy candidate in dynasty leagues. After all, it’s going to be very difficult to find a receiver with this kind of production available to contender at a reasonable price tag. At 33 years old, much of his dynasty value is gone but his in-season value this year looks to be that of a borderline WR1 – a perfect recipe for a contending team willing to give up some moderate draft capital to acquire him.
ETN-RB1
After three games this year, Travis Etienne looked like what most thought he would be – a sure-fire starter but not a player to necessarily build a team around. Well, the last three games have changed a lot of minds on that front as Etienne has posted two rushing touchdowns in each of those games. moving himself all the way up to the RB5 as a result. A road game against TJ Watt and the Steelers should pose another test for Etienne but his dynasty arrow is pointing up. Another solid game will slam the “buy low” window shut, likely for good.
Soaring Eagle
You have to wonder what the Titans are thinking at this point. After choosing not to pay AJ Brown and subsequently trading him to the Eagles for a pick used on a receiver (Treylon Burks) who simply hasn’t done much, they have to be scratching their heads. Meanwhile, Brown has tied the NFL record with five straight games with at least 125 receiving yards, giving him 809 on the season and putting him on pace for a year with 1,965 receiving yards on 126 catches. Brown and the Eagles seem to be hitting their stride a bit and he’ll try to keep it going against the Commanders. Will he break the record?
Make sure to get your lineup questions in! We’ll see you next week for the Dynasty Aftermath!
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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