Dynasty Trending Observations: Stefon Diggs, Brock Purdy and Baker Mayfield
As we inch closer to the Super Bowl, more teams’ off-seasons have just begun. For dynasty leagues, it’s already been a busy off-season with coaching changes, mock drafts, and more. Below are a few more developments to monitor for your dynasty team.
Will Diggs fly?
Stefon Diggs last 10 games of 2023-24:
3-21-0
7-52-0
7-87-0
4-26-0
5-29-0
4-48-0
4-24-0
6-74-1
4-27-0
3-34-0— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 22, 2024
It was a brutal end to the season for the Bills. Not only did you have the Chiefs on the ropes but a dropped ball by receiver Stefon Diggs just rubs salt in the wound. Of course, Diggs fantasy managers have gotten used to being disappointed over the last couple of months. As the post enumerates above, Diggs’ production has been middling and nowhere near what Diggs dynasty managers are accustomed to – no 100-yard receiving games, just two games over 50 yards and one touchdown.
It’s an alarming development for Diggs dynasty managers and the Bills alike especially considering Diggs started the season looking like a WR1. Now, the 30-year-old and the Bills enter a critical off-season that could see major changes.
Dynasty Impact: It’s rare to see a player’s dynasty value fall off a cliff so drastically mid-season. But between his age and lack of production, it was probably warranted. 
For fantasy purposes, Diggs was the third-highest-scoring fantasy receiver up until week nine. From week ten on, he was 43rd. The silver lining for his dynasty managers, if there is one, is that the decline appeared mid-season where it was readily apparent rather than in the off-season where it would catch the fantasy community by surprise.
So what do you do with him? For current Diggs managers, it’s wait-and-see mode. All options are on the table with him including sticking with Buffalo but the Bills bringing in someone else. Or Diggs could move on to another team where it’s anyone’s guess how he produces. Either way, the Stefon Diggs saga looks like it’s just getting started.
Between Brock and a Hard Place
That was the perfect Purdy game for the discourse. Dropped picks and misses galore, then one nails drive. Absolute chef’s kiss.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 21, 2024
As the post explains, the Brock Purdy experience is never boring. From looking like the last pick of the NFL Draft that he was to lead his team on a game-winning drive in the playoffs, Purdy does it all. He’s a human Rorschach test where football and fantasy analysis alike see what they want to see. Of course, that type of player can be frustrating for dynasty leaguers. Entering the season, he was a low-end QB2 when it came to dynasty value.
But thanks to an MVP-level season, his value is up to a fringe QB1 with room to grow. He threw for over 4,000 yards and over 30 touchdowns and finished as a top-five fantasy quarterback. He’ll be entering just his third season next year and has one of the best offensive minds, Kyle Shanahan, as his head coach. So where is the downside?
Dynasty Impact: For all of the good that has come out of this season for Purdy, his dynasty managers, and the 49ers, there is some cause for concern.
As the post above mentioned, there are times when Purdy looks downright pedestrian. Missing receivers, taking sacks – all the things you’re not supposed to do if you want to be a successful quarterback.
But there’s another concern looming out there. The team around Purdy is getting old – Christian McCaffrey will enter next season at 28 years old; George Kittle is already 30 and Deebo Samuel will be 29. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams will be 36 next year (if he doesn’t retire) while Brandon Aiyuk will be 26 (that is if he isn’t traded before a big extension). If Purdy is not able to perform without a Pro Bowler at every skill position, his value will see a big decline and drop him down to QB2 value. It’s something to keep an eye on this off-season whether the 49ers win it all or not.
King Baker
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield on the possibly of returning next year. “I would love that. Who knows how it’s going to play out? But I can’t say enough about this organization and the opportunity it gave me this year. Just thankful.” pic.twitter.com/aiy4NOIyuZ
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) January 22, 2024
It wasn’t that long ago that Baker Mayfield was competing against Kyle Trask for the Buccaneers starting quarterback job. Signed in the off-season to fill a Tom Brady-less quarterback room, Mayfield landed on his fourth team in the last three seasons to give Tampa Bay options. Whatever Baker did leading up to the season worked as he was named the starter just before the 2023 campaign started where he proceeded to have the best statistical season of his career. Starting all 17 games, he threw for over 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns and was a top-ten fantasy quarterback for the first time.
The great season has now led to an interesting decision for both Mayfield and the Bucs. Can he cash in somewhere else? Do the Bucs have any other options after their success took them out of the running for a long-term replacement in the draft?
Dynasty Impact: The story of Baker Mayfield is a hopeful one for any player who looked like they were at the end. It’s also a lesson in not giving up too early on a player in dynasty leagues if they have flashes of talent and draft capital behind them. After entering the top ten when it came to dynasty quarterbacks, he faded outside the top 25 and wasn’t considered an option even in superflex leagues. But his bounceback in Tampa Bay has put him back in the (dynasty) starting lineup conversation.
Now the question is where will Mayfield continue his feel-good story? He was too good this year to be relegated to a backup job and has earned starting quarterback money. Tampa Bay is the logical choice where he’d be able to continue his fantasy success. Some teams need a quarterback but weren’t bad enough to pick one early in the draft; teams like the Falcons or Raiders come to mind.
Out of those three teams, there is plenty of star power surrounding the quarterback which would make it likely Mayfield can repeat his success. He may not be good enough to start in your 1QB league but is a fine option in the second QB spot of your superflex team.
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- Dynasty Trending Observations: Stefon Diggs Moves on - April 14, 2024
- Dynasty Trending Observations: What Next for Brandon Aiyuk? - March 31, 2024
