Dynasty Player News

Pickens had a horrific junior season as he tore his ACL in March and then contracted Covid, missing nearly the entirety of the regular season before joining the team in late November for the finale and post-season. At 6'3/200 lbs., Pickens profiles well for the NFL and should be a day-two selection as long as no medical red flags remain. He finishes his Bulldogs career with 990 receptions, 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's found as DLF's rookie WR8 and will be an intriguing upside selection in dynasty rookie drafts.

Charbonnet enjoyed a breakout junior season by producing 1,137 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021 and will attempt to build upon his success in 2022. At 6'1" and 220 lbs., he'll be a back to monitor for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Like teammate John Metchie, Williams suffered a late-season ACL injury (National Championship Game) and could miss the start of the 2022 NFL season. He was the Tide's leading receiver in 2021, producing 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns on 79 receptions while showcasing elite speed and athleticism. A one-year standout for the Crimson Tide, Williams transferred from Ohio State following two lackluster seasons. He projects well to the NFL though his ACL injury will lower his draft value in dynasty rookie drafts. He's still expected to be a first-round selection in the NFL Draft. Williams is found as DLF's rookie WR4 and was seen as the top rookie receiver on some boards.

The Tide are losing all their top receivers to the NFL Draft. Metchie produced 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns on 96 receptions, all career highs, before suffering a torn ACL in the SEC Championship game. With adequate size (6'/195), he's likely a day-two prospect and while his value may take a hit due to the injury, ACL injuries aren't viewed as they once were and timetables for return are now more aggressive. He'll still likely miss all off-season activities and could miss the start of the 2022 regular season. He's found as DLF's rookie WR10.

Mariota appears as PFF's 61st ranked free agent and it's an indictment of quarterbacks currently available in the NFL. With an uninspiring incoming class of rookie quarterbacks, it's possible Mariota's value is heightened as a veteran option. As the second-overall selection by Tennessee in 2015 out of Oregon, Mariota was never able to find consistency as a mobile threat and eventually lost his job to Ryan Tannehill. Signed by the Raiders in 2020, his role has been reduced to, primarily, a wildcat option behind starter David Carr and he only attempted two passes in 2021. Carr, himself, may be on the way out without a deep run in the 2021 playoffs and it's possible Mariota is tabbed as a low-value option for the team though it's hard to project a starting role. Mariota is certain to find a role in 2022, but remains an uninspiring option at the position for dynasty coaches as evidenced by his unranked status on DLF's quarterback rankings.

Patterson appears as PFF's 59th-ranked free agent. It's a worthy discussion if Patterson qualifies more as a running back than wide receiver but he's also found as DLF's RB36. His 153 attempts places him 27th on running back rankings while his 52 receptions places him in a tie for 67th overall in receiver rankings. In any case, the late-blooming producer did most of his damage in the first half of 2021 before fading miserably at the worst possible time for fantasy coaches. Patterson is lobbying hard to remain in Atlanta and the team seems interested. Elite when healthy, the Falcons will likely seek to retain Patterson's services though, now on the wrong side of 30, he's arguably at his peak in productivity and is a risk-on acquisition ahead of his free agency process playing out.

Appearing as PFF's 21st ranked free agent, Gesicki finished 2022 as the TE8 (PPR) after failing to miss even a single game in 2021. While he produced career high marks in both receptions (73) and yards (780), his two touchdowns were his lowest market since his rookie season (2018). His 112 targets could be difficult to replace and at age 26 and with little behind him on the depth chart, the team may seek to retain his services to help speed Tua Tagovailoa's development. Gesicki, DLF's TE10, remains a productive but uninspiring name a the position and should retain his value until his free agency status plays out.

It stands to reason and we most certainly agree. Adams recently turned 29 and finished 2021 as the WR2 (PPR) in fantasy after finishing as the WR1 in 2020. The Packers could still slap the franchise tag on Adams at a cost near $20M but the team faces significant cap issues for 2022. Beyond the money aspect, the elephant in the room is in the form of Aaron Rodgers and whether he'll decide to return to the team for another year or seek greener pastures as seemed to be his intent before kickoff of 2021. Rodgers has since softened his stance and appears far less certain to depart this off-season. In any case, should the top quarterback move on, Adams' value will be impacted by the quality of the incoming quarterback or his new situation should he move on in free agency. Found as DLF's WR7, Davante Adams still has multiple years of high productivity ahead of him despite closing in on age 30.

Njoku clearly wants to remain in Cleveland and extension talks are continuing but the numbers will pose a significant problem. Austin Hooper ties up $13M in cap space and would be a $10M dead cap hit if cut. Additionally, Jadeveon Clowney is also scheduled to be a free agent and will require a large sum if the team wishes to retain his services, especially after his fine season. With other roster needs more pressing and without Njoku producing in a big way, tight end depth doesn't appear to be a primary need at this time. Dynasty players would love to see the upside tight end, now 25 and in the prime of his career, move on to greener pastures for a starting role. Should he remain in Cleveland for 2022, expect a fall from his current DLF ranking of TE25 which factors in a starter's role.

It's conjecture at this point but it appears the team will exercise Brown's fifth-year option at a cost of near $13M in 2023 but may not seek an extension. As pointed out in the linked article, the first-round selection has been productive but has fallen short of expectations including 16 dropped balls in three season. 2021 was Brown's first 1,000-yard (1,008) campaign though his touchdown total (6) was a career low. Brown will turn 25 in June, is healthy and will look to have a career year with Lamar Jackson fully healthy as well. He's listed as DLF's WR23.

It seems all but ordained that Jimmy G will be taking his final snaps for the team regardless of their playoff success. In fact, as mentioned in the article, should the 49ers win the Super Bowl, it doesn't lessen the chance Garoppolo is moved as his return value would be even greater. By all accounts, Garoppolo has been effective but not stellar in 2021, throwing for 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. The run-first team lacks little passing-game prowess and Garoppolo is no threat as a runner. With Trey Lance developing while waiting in the wings, all signs point to this being the last rodeo in San Francisco for Jimmy Garoppolo. He's listed as DLF's QB28.

The article reads as guesswork but it stands to reason as Mims was largely forgotten in the receiver rotation for a team needing playmakers at the position. He will be entering his third year with the team and likely wouldn't carry enough return value or interest to suggest a trade is on the horizon. Thus far as a bust selected during the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Mims' best opportunity for production may, in fact, come with a new team. He's now found as DLF's WR79 and is in danger of falling from the dynasty radar altogether.

Carson will be in the last year of his deal and is recovering from a neck injury which sidelined him for the remainder of the season, ultimately paving the way for Rashaad Penny to produce well to end the season. Carson will turn 28 soon after kick-off of the 2022 NFL season and appeared in only four games for Seattle, producing 232 yards and three touchdowns on 54 carries. While he has averaged a healthy 4.6 ypc. over his career, he's never played a full 16 (now 17) game season, his high point coming in 2019 when he appeared in 15 games. With Penny's explosion of production late in the season, and also a free agent in 2022, expect the team to add competition and depth to the running back room. Carson is listed as DLF's RB39

It's a brutal blow for Williams who was expected to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft and was the top receiver on some boards. It serves as an example as to why some NFL-bound players opt out of their bowl games so as not to risk injury. Possessing legitimate 4.3 speed, good size and an NFL skill-set, Williams may still declare but would miss the NFL Combine, Pro-Day and likely all of the pre-season leading up to kick-off of 2022. While a full recovery is expected, the news is likely to impact his NFL and dynasty draft ranking. He's listed as DLF's rookie WR4 and the R7 (overall rookie ranking).

The loss can't be pinned on Mills, who took positive steps over his past six games toward being the team's starter in 2022. As a mostly-overwhelmed and unprepared rookie, Mills finishes his part-time campaign with 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns to 10 interceptions but with a 9:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio over his final six games. With upgrades needed on both sides of the ball, Mills will be in the mix to start in 2022 though the team could look to bring in a veteran presence to compete for the starting role. In any case, Mills, DLF's QB35, should remain an upside developmental QB3 for 2022.

Mond, a 2021 third-round selection, was brought in to develop behind starter Kirk Cousins, who is a free agent in 2023. With Cousins out due to Covid in week 17, head coach Mike Zimmer stubbornly refused to give Mond the start, instead turning to lackluster veteran Sean Mannion. Once again, with nothing on the line in week 18, Mond wasn't given a chance to play in favor of a healthy Kirk Cousins, leaving many to consider Zimmer's actions a clear sign of disrespect. It doesn't appear Mond, a raw but athletic prospect, will be in the mix to start in 2022 but another off-season of development and fresh eyes from the coaching staff could provide an opportunity in 2023 depending on who is under center for the team next season. Kellen Mond is not ranked on DLF's dynasty quarterback rankings.

It's widely believed Cousins has played his last down for the Vikings as the team seeks a new identity going forward. Cousins has one year remaining on his massive contract and could be moved to one of the competitive teams needing a change at the position. Somewhat under-appreciated, the 33-year-old Cousins would have finished close to the QB8 in fantasy, adjusted for his missed game due to Covid in week 17. Found as DLF's QB23, Cousins' next landing spot will determine his dynasty value going forward and it's not completely out of the question that the new coaching staff seeks to retain him for his final year.

Ultimately the team played it safe as they were never in contention and, again, have the first selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. How Etienne fits in the offense in 2022 is anyone's guess and more change is in the cards as a new coaching staff is on the horizon once again. Top back James Robinson is signed through 2022 and becomes a Restricted Free Agent in 2023. Etienne, a receiving specialist, also possesses between-the-tackles upside and will be a role-based producer in 2022 as long as he suffers no further setbacks. Both backs will be risk-on assets in dynasty until we see how touches are distributed. Travis Etienne is listed as DLF's RB22.

The lack of touchdowns is likely going to overshadow what was otherwise a sparkling rookie season that saw Pitts become the first tight end with 1,000 yards in a season since Mike Ditka did it in 1961. While the lack of touchdowns stunted his overall fantasy scoring, it's clear there are brighter days ahead for the Falcons young star. There is now a debate between Kyle Pitts, Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews as to who should be the TE1. Any could make the case and each would be no-brainer starts for the foreseeable future.

Kupp had always been a solid contributor in PPR leagues, but this was nothing short of epic. To put this into perspective, Kupp had 53 more catches, 973 more receiving yards and 13 more touchdowns compared to last season. Wow. It's inevitable Kupp is going to take a step back next season from those numbers, but it's also clear the 28-year old is a premier dynasty asset. If not for his age (28), he'd be the overall WR1. However, with so many young and promising pass catchers, Kupp slides in at the WR9 at this point in time.