Dynasty Blueprint: 5 Takeaways From Week 16
Editor’s Note: Ryan debuted the Dynasty Blueprint term all the way back in 2014, focusing on his personal dynasty strategy and philosophy. He introduced ideas like punting running backs and the now-common productive struggle. This series expands on the original, providing an in-depth look inside his dynasty mind.Â
This article and all of the content on DLF is for you, the reader. The goal is to make you a better dynasty player and bring home some titles. Hopefully, this will help you reach that goal.
Dynasty Five
Here are the five dynasty-related stories that have my attention coming off another week of NFL action.
ROY-Clinching Performance
In a season full of remarkable performances from the rookie class, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has stood above the rest. If there was any doubt the former LSU star would be taking home the Rookie of the Year Award following the conclusion of this season, he made that clear, leading his team to a comeback win over the rival Eagles. Daniels passed for five scores including a nine-yard bullet to veteran Jamison Crowder with just nine seconds remaining in the game. Daniels scored over 36 fantasy points, finishing as the QB1 for the week.
That was Daniels eleventh QB1 performances of the season and his second overall QB1 game. Daniels is now the QB4 on the season, behind only Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. Daniels will be among the top picks, perhaps the top overall pick, in off-season superflex startup drafts. In our brand new superflex dynasty ADP, Daniels ranks as the fourth overall player, behind Allen, Jackson and Jalen Hurts.
JT Runs for Two Bills
It has been a massively frustrating season for Jonathan Taylor and his dynasty managers. Entering Week Sixteen, Taylor had just two RB1 games all season and none since Week Eight. Facing a reeling Titans team searching for answers after benching young starter Will Levis, Taylor enjoyed a career-day. Taylor was cruising through the first three quarters as his Colts built a 31-point cushion. Taylor used touchdown dashes or 65 and 70 yards to pad his rushing total and added a one-yard score after quarterback Anthony Richardson’s failed rushing score attempt. Taylor finished the day with 218 rushing yards and three scores, earning him overall RB1 status for the week.
Using the ADP Over Time App we can see how Taylor’s dynasty value has tumbled in recent months. His current ADP of 39 overall represent a new low-point. This massive performance late in the season could be enough to help Taylor regain some of that dynasty value, though concerns about Richardson’s impact on the running game will linger into next season.
Dell Down
When he entered the NFL two years ago, one of the reasons big-play wide receiver Tank Dell was often available in the third-round of dynasty rookie drafts was due to his diminutive size and how that might impact his availability and long-term outlook in the league. For much of his rookie season in 2023, it looked as if the doubters had been wrong. Dell produced six games as a top-24 fantasy scorer and was the WR14 after twelve weeks. Unfortunately, in Week Twelve last season, Dell suffered a broken leg while serving as a blocker, ending his promising rookie season.
Dynasty managers essentially ignored both Dell’s injury and the added competition Houston brought in during the off-season as the receiver’s value was largely unchanged following his dramatic spike. Dell has been among the biggest disappointments of the 2024 campaign, posting just two top-24 games and two touchdowns, entering Week Sixteen. The good news is Dell hauled in his third score of the season, but unfortunately, suffered a significant leg injury. Dell tore his ACL while also dislocating his kneecap.
Our injury expert Jeff Mueller weighed in on Twitter, and it’s not good.
Had a feeling the Tank Dell dislocated patella was just the beginning of info.
Decent chance from the knee dislocation he tore his:
ACL, MCL, meniscus, MPFL, and capsule.
2025 is likely to be rough for him. pic.twitter.com/b64xGMrNrw— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 23, 2024
We’ll learn more about Dell’s recovery timeline, but he has now suffered two major injuries in his two seasons. His dynasty value was already sliding due to poor performance this season and that is just the beginning.
Penix Starts, Cousins Cut (Soon)
The quarterback moves made by the Falcons last off-season was one of the biggest stories of last off-season. Not only did the spend up for veteran free agent Kirk Cousins, but just weeks later, they used their first-round pick on former Washington quarterback Michael Penix. The football world was shocked and most, myself included, looked at the Penix selection as a terrible move.
Fast forward to Week Sixteen and the Falcons finally made the switch, naming Penix the team’s starter and benching Cousins and all of his guaranteed money. Cousins has endured a terrible season, his worst as a pro and has barely been an upgrade from previous starter Desmond Ridder. Even after a Week Fifteen win over the Raiders, enough was enough and the team was ready to give Penix a shot.
The Falcons cruised to an easy win over the Giants and Penix played well enough in his starting debut. Penix passes for just over 200 yards but did not find the end zone as Bijan Robinson carried the offense. We didn’t learn much about what Penix can do for our dynasty teams in Week Sixteen, but given the investment the team made and the move away from Cousins, the rookie is clearly here to stay.
A Sunday report also made the assumed a near fact as reports suggested the Falcons could release Cousins prior to his next guaranteed money comes due in mid-March. Despite how poorly Cousins played this season, he will almost certainly still have suitors given how many teams have a quarterback need and how thin the rookie crop is expected to be this coming spring.
McMillanaire
The Buccaneers have been hurting at the receiver position for several weeks, since veteran Chris Godwin went down with a season-ending injury in Week Seven. Over the past three weeks, promising rookie Jalen McMillan has stepped up and produced for Tampa Bay and his dynasty managers.
In Week Fourteen, McMillan finished as the WR9, posting a 4/59/2 line. He followed up the next week with five grabs for 75 yards and another score, finishing as the WR18. Finally, McMillan made it three weeks in a row as a touchdown scorer, finding the end zone as one of his five receptions for 57 yards. Over the past three weeks, McMillan is the WR11, averaging 19 fantasy points per game.
Godwin is set to enter free agency following the season and will be 29 years old by the start of the 2025 season. Evans has shown no signs of slowing down but nearing age 32, it’s only a matter of time. If the Buccaneers can hold onto offensive coordinator Liam Coen for next season, McMillan should have a huge opportunity to be a prime contributor.
- Dynasty Blueprint: 5 Takeaways From Week 16 - December 24, 2024
- Weekly Matchups: Four Playoff Must Starts - December 18, 2024
- Dynasty Blueprint: 5 Takeaways From Week 15 - December 17, 2024
