The Dynasty Aftermath: Puka Shells and Dynasty Hells

Ken Kelly Posted On September 19, 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. “5 in 5” 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.

Has the Bill been Paid?

Josh Allen needed a bounce-back performance and we got just that this week. While he still has a tendency to turn the ball over, this week was a step in right direction and keeps him in the top five of dynasty quarterback assets.

Zach to the Future

Zach Wilson needed a big day for us to feel better about the Jets and the Cowboys just ate him up. It’s not fair to judge him based on this one game but this wasn’t a great look.

Love is in the Air

Was Jordan Love a mirage? Well, after two weeks it certainly seems he’s for real and love really is in the air!

Don’t Miss the Bus

The Ravens running back room had to be re-created with the injury to JK Dobbins and the workload of Gus Edwards was a huge question last week. The 62 yards and a touchdown were great. The problem is he had ten carries and Justice Hill had 11, making this a potential backfield to avoid moving forward.

Fields of Gray?

Justin Fields needed a big day for us to feel better about him being a potential QB1 and that just didn’t happen. The Bears are 0-2 and their offense hasn’t looked good at all. Field completed just 16-of-29 passes for 211 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He had a rushing score as well but that was on just three total rushing yards. Things just haven’t clicked and they need to soon.

Now, let’s get to it!

Fantasy MVP of the Week

After a 15-catch, 147-yard performance, Puka Nacua has more fantasy points than the following rookies combined:

Michael Mayer (1.2)
De’Von Achane (1.90)
Quentin Johnston (4.60)
Sean Tucker (5.10)
Zach Charbonnet (6.10)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (12.70)
Jahmyr Gibbs (20.60)

Just soak that in for a moment.

If the Rams aren’t selling “Puka Shell” necklaces online right now, it’s the biggest marketing miss in the history of mankind. This also represents absolute dynasty hell. After all the research, statistical analysis, combine watching, NFL Draft analysis and nitpicking through every news nugget this off-season, Nakua was still a late round dynasty flier. At this point, dynasty managers need to accept the fact he was simply underdrafted in fantasy and reality. Will things change when Cooper Kupp returns? Sure. However, is he going to just go back to obscurity after setting NFL records the past two weeks? Uhh, no. If dynasty rookie drafts were to happen right now, I think he’s no worse than 6th off the board. Dynasty managers are stubborn but need to accept it. Yep, it’s dynasty hell and a reminder that rookie picks are total dice rolls.

Fantasy LVP of the Week

Just when we thought Breece Hall was back and ready to be a mainstay in our lineups, he puts up a nine-yard dud. Yuck. Better days are ahead for Hall but this Jets offense is going to be tricky to navigate.

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week

QB Daniel Jones NYG = 321 passing yards, 59 rushing yards, three touchdowns, one interception
RB Kyren Williams LAR = 52 rushing yards, six catches, 48 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Saquon Barkley NYG = 63 rushing yards, six catches, 29 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Brian Robinson WAS = 87 rushing yards, two catches, 42 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Keenan Allen LAC = Eight catches, 111 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Puka Nacua LAR = 15 catches, 147 receiving yards
WR Mike Evans TB = Six catches, 171 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE TJ Hockenson MIN = Seven catches, 66 receiving yards, two touchdowns

The Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Russell Wilson DEN = 308 passing yards, 56 rushing yards, three touchdowns, one interception
RB D’Andre Swift PHI = 175 rushing yards, three catches, six receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Raheem Mostert MIA = 121 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB Jerome Ford CLE = 106 rushing yards, three catches, 25 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Nico Collins HOU = Seven catches, 146 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Josh Reynolds DET = Five catches, 66 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Marvin Mims DEN = Two catches, 113 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Hunter Henry NE = Six catches, 52 receiving yards, one touchdown

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Derek Carr NO = 228 passing yards, one interception
RB Breece Hall NYJ = Nine rushing yards
RB Alexander Mattison MIN = 28 rushing yards, three catches, 11 receiving yards
RB Joshua Kelley LAC = 39 rushing yards
WR Quentin Johnston LAC = One catch, seven receiving yards
WR DJ Chark CAR = One catch, 15 rece3iving yards
WR Romeo Doubs GB = Two catches, 30 receiving yards
TE Michael Mayer LV = One catch, two receiving yards

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I was still starting Deshaun Watson. Cleveland may have “Brownsed” it with that trade.

I’d be worried if I was counting too much on Josh Jacobs.

I’d be worried if I thought D’Andre Swift was out of the woods.

I’d be worried if I was starting Jahan Dotson.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring Zack Moss.

I’d be worried if I passed on Jordan Addison.

I’d be worried if I waited too long to trade Nick Chubb.

I’d be worried if I was still thinking Najee Harris was elite.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring Tank Dell.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think TJ Hockenson could make a run at the overall TE1 this year.

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

I’d be worried if I thought the Bengals were fine.

I’d be worried if I thought AJ Dillon was the next man up in Green Bay.

I’d be worried if I didn’t prioritize Jerome Ford this week.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying attention to James Cook.

I’d be worried if I gave up on Jordan Love. You know, the QB1.

I’d be worried if I thought Mike Evans was washed up.

I’d be worried if I thought Russell Wilson wasn’t showing some signs of life.

I’d be worried if I thought Sam Howell was a waste of a roster spot.

I’d be worried if I thought Kyren Williams was a fluke.

I’d be worried if I was out to lunch on Nico Collins.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring Brian Robinson.

I’d be worried if I had Alexander Mattison.

I’d be worried if I had Isiah Pacheco.

The Top Rookie Scoring Averages

1.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR = 26.00
2.) Anthony Richardson, QB IND = 24.15
3.) CJ Stroud, QB HOU = 21.20
4.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL = 20.75
5.) Jordan Addison, WR MIN = 16.15
6.) Zay Flowers, WR BAL = 14.25
7.) Bryce Young, QB CAR = 14.03
8.) Tank Dell, WR HOU = 13.30
9.) Jayden Reed, WR GB = 13.25
10.) Roschon Johnson, RB CHI = 17.50
11.) Marvin Mims, WR DEN = 11.60
12.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET = 11.30
13.) Sam LaPorta, TE DET = 10.10
14.) Dalton Kincaid, TE BUF = 8.60
15.) Rashee Rice, WR KC = 7.95

The Rookie Top 20

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

1.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL
Tyler Allgeier isn’t going away but Robinson is still the 1.01.

2.) Jordan Addison, WR MIN
I’m fine moving him here at this point.

3.) Zay Flowers, WR BAL
Him, too.

4.) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR SEA
It was a quiet start but we can see the talent here.

5.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET
I would have liked to see more but it should be coming soon.

6.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR
And it honestly may be too low.

7.) Anthony Richardson, QB IND
The concussions raises a question about how much exposure he may really endure.

8.) Quentin Johnston, WR LAC
It’s now not too early to start dropping him out of the #4 spot of the “big four” receivers this year.

9.) De’Von Achane, RB MIA
We need to see more soon.

10.) Rashee Rice, WR KC
Targets are all over the place for the Chiefs but I was impressed this week.

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

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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