The Dynasty Aftermath: Things I would have had in the Toy Story Game

Ken Kelly Posted On October 3, 2023

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 seventeen 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. This year, I’m doing a “Five in Five” article that could give a sneak preview of the Aftermath theme each week. Let’s recap the storylines from last Friday before we get into it.

Lights. Kamara, Action.

The yardage totals weren’t much to write home about this week (51 rushing yards and 33 receiving yards) but the 13 catches from Alvin Kamara are pretty promising. This was a big week for him and shows even in a tough week for the New Orleans offense, Kamara is going to still be able to likely carve out a pretty high floor each week now that he’s returned.

Ridley’s Believe it or Not

The return of Calvin Ridley this season is still one of the biggest stories of the early season and one more week has passed with us still not really knowing what kind of value he really has. He had two catches for 38 yards and a touchdown this week and while the score was good, the target share is still leaving a little to be desired.

Chicken of the AF-SEA?

The Dolphins and Bills met in a clash of the Titans and we learned two things – Stefon Diggs (three touchdowns) is pretty good and De’Von Achane (101 yards and two scores on eight carries) is a weekly staple for fantasy lineups.

Earning his Stripes

The Bengals are a mess and there is something clearly wrong with this offense. After throwing for just 165 yards against the Titans and now having just two (!) touchdown passes on the season, Joe Burrow is unplayable in fantasy leagues until further notice. It could be his calf injury, some kind of personnel issue or who knows what but this team is a disaster.

All Charged Up

The target share and playing time between Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston was a big story going into the week. In the end, it was Palmer who led the Chargers in snaps on the day. After just one catch on three targets, Johnston looks nowhere close to being fantasy relevant.

And now the theme of the week and it just has to be my “Toy Story Sunday Funday” analysis. On one hand, I thought the technology to pull this off was amazing. On the other, ESPN+ should be sued by all parents who had their kids wake them up at 6:00 AM Pacific Time to watch it. With that being said, these are the things I wish they would have added or changed:

1.) I think they should have just made Booger McFarland’s head into the Mr Potato Head. It was like an orange on a toothpick!
2.) I think Buzz Lightyear should have played against the “Bud Boys’ on that playing field in a weird “Buzz vs. Bud” Bud Bowl.
3.) I think Woody should have come back into the room and cashed out the money from the piggy bank and got what he deserved. He wasn’t treated well at the end.
4.) I think Duke Caboom (voice of Keannu Reeves) should have turned into NEO at halftime and told all the kids watching they were in the Matrix – that would have been payback for the early morning.
5.) They should have had the giant crane take Booger McFarland’s head off instead of moving the football.

Now, let’s get to it!

Fantasy MVP of the Week

Let’s simply not forget Christian McCaffrey is the undisputed MVP of fantasy leagues when he’s healthy. Like LaDainian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk and so many others before him, he’s the single best weapon each and every week. This week’s four touchdown performance reminded us all of just how explosive he can be,

Fantasy LVP of the Week

Chris Olave has been one of the most consistent performers but the whole Saints offense (outside of dump-offs to Alvin Kamara) was a total mess this week and Olave caught just one pass for four yards in one of the worst performances he’s had in his career.

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week

QB Josh Allen BUF = 320 passing yards, 17 rushing yards, five touchdowns
RB Christian McCaffrey SF = 106 rushing yards, seven catches, 71 receiving yards, four touchdowns
RB David Montgomery DET = 121 rushing yards, two catches, 20 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Josh Jacobs LV = 58 rushing yards, eight catches, 81 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR AJ Brown PHI = Nine catches, 175 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Stefon Diggs BUF = Six catches, 120 receiving yards, three touchdowns
WR Nico Collins HOU = Seven catches, 168 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Cole Kmet CHI = Seven catches, 85 receiving yards, two touchdowns

The Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Anthony Richardson IND = 200 passing yards, 56 rushing yards, three touchdowns
RB Khalil Herbert CHI = 103 rushing yards, four catches, 19 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Jaleel McLaughlin DEN = 72 rushing yards, three catches, 32 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Matt Breida NYG = 30 rushing yards, five catches, 48 receiving yards
WR Michael Wilson ARI = Seven catches, 76 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Terry McLaurin WAS = Eight catches, 86 receiving yards
WR Braxton Berrios MIA = Six catches, 43 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Jonnu Smith ATL = Six catches, 95 receiving yards

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Derek Carr NO = 127 passing yards
RB Kareem Hunt CLE = 12 rushing yards
RB Aaron Jones GB = 18 rushing yards, one catch, four receiving yards
RB Roschon Johnson CHI = 13 rushing yards, one catch, -2 receiving yards
WR Jordan Addison MIN = No catches
WR Deebo Samuel SF = Three catches, Six receiving yards, one fumble
WR Chris Olave NO = One catch, four receiving yards
TE Luke Musgrave GB = One catch, -1 receiving yards

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I didn’t send a first round rookie pick for Puka Nacua when I had the chance.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying attention when elite receivers like AJ Brown or Stefon Diggs ask for the ball more.

I’d be worried if I thought the trio of CJ Stroud, Nico Collins and Tank Dell wasn’t legit.

I’d be worried if I didn’t protect an investment in Jahmyr Gibbs with David Montgomery.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying attention to Russell Wilson‘s numbers.

I’d be worried if I thought Josh Jacobs was out of the woods.

I’d be worried if I missed out De’Von Achane.

I’d be worried if I forgot about Michael Wilson.

I’d be worried if I thought CEH was even a thing any longer.

I’d be worried if I thought Khalil Herbert was just going to go away.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the potential of Jaleel McLaughlin.

I’d be worried if I was 100% convinced we know what Zach Wilson really is quite yet.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the play of Adam Thielen.

I’d be worried if I thought Bryce Young was going to make it through the year.

I’d be worried if I was starting any Falcons player other than Bijan Robinson.

I’d be worried if I was needing elite numbers from DeAndre Hopkins.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t really interested in Jayden Reed.

I’d be worried if I starting Brandin Cooks. This just doesn’t seem to be working.

The Top Rookie Scoring Averages

1.) De’Von Achane RB MIA = 26.73
2.) Anthony Richardson, QB IND = 25.35
3.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR = 23.88
4.) CJ Stroud, QB HOU = 22.68
5.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL = 17.55
6.) Tank Dell, WR HOU = 14.00
7.) Bryce Young, QB CAR = 13.08
8.) Sam LaPorta, TE DET = 13.05
9.) Zay Flowers, WR BAL = 12.53
10.) Michael Wilson, WR ARI = 12.43
11.) Marvin Mims, WR DEN = 11.63
12.) Jayden Reed, WR GB = 11.58
13.) Jordan Addison, WR MIN = 14.50
14.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET = 9.73
15.) Roschon Johnson, RB CHI = 8.28

Just missed: Josh Downs, Rashee Rice, Dalton Kincaid, Luke Musgrave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jaleel McLaughlin

The Rookie Top 10

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

1.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL
Still holding strong.

2.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR
Feel free to argue it but I’m not sure how any of us can at this point.

3.) Jordan Addison, WR MIN
He’s been better than expected despite a rough week.

4.) Zay Flowers, WR BAL
Best receivier on the Ravens by far.

5.) De’Von Achane, RB MIA
Coming on even stronger,

6.) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR SEA
Still MIA.

7.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET
David Montgomery is just killing his value at the moment.

8.) Anthony Richardson, QB IND
Rough week in the passing game.

9.) Quentin Johnston, WR LAC
As I thought, Palmer is still way ahead of him.

10.) Tank Dell, WR HOU
His ascension stops for at least one week after a quiet game.

See you on Saturday for the “Five in Five!” and next week for the Dynasty Aftermath.

Author
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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK