Dynasty Player News

In short, the Eagles don't see Scott's late-season productivity as an anomaly and believe he's competing for an even greater role on offense. While there's no reason to downgrade sophomore runner Miles Sanders on the news, there's plenty of reasons to upgrade Scott's. While his rushing numbers did stand out over that four game stretch, Scott's true value came as a receiver when he secured 23-of-25 receptions over those same four games. He didn't find the end zone as a receiver but his dynamic wasn't missed. As DLF's RB61 and currently sporting an ADP of 175, there's plenty of upside ceiling sleeper status here. Scott is only 25 years old.

So this appears to be the new bar for performance during the COVID crisis, how a player performs in meetings. The truth of the matter is Njoku has vastly under-performed to expectation in his years in Cleveland and the addition of Austin Hooper as a free agent speaks volumes about the organization's confidence in the player. Not a free agent until 2020, Njoku, DLF's TE21, is no better than a high-upside developmental WR3 until he proves otherwise. His dynasty upside alone provides some level of premium but near-term production potential is questionable at best. At still only 23 years of age, he could be considered a risk-on acquisition target for dynasty coaches with patience and a long-term time horizon.

Should this hold true, that means the base offense will feature one running back and two tight ends. Recently acquired Rob Gronkowski is certain to hold one of the starting positions with either O.J. Howard or Cameron Brate holding the other, without any clear indication as to which would factor more prominently. It's just another indication of a committee approach which could limit fantasy production though it's hard not forecasting Gronkowski as Tom Brady's favored option of the group. One of the tight ends could still be traded ahead of the season and we'll have to wait for kick-off of the 2020 campaign to learn more about how targets in the passing game will be distributed. O.J. Howard is found as DLF's TE18 and represents a high-ceiling value play at 31 years of age.

It's not a huge surprise as Johnson played often in 2019 and finished with 31 receptions, 294 yards and three touchdowns. But at this point it's only a projection. The Vikings added Tajae Sharpe during the off-season who could present significant competition and then selected rookie Justin Jefferson (LSU) in the first round of the NFL Draft. With Stefon Diggs now in Buffalo, it remains an area of interest just what the Vikings would do at the slot position as Thielen is now a certainty to see a career-high in snaps on the outside as he completes his transition from the slot. Jefferson played almost exclusively in the slot and would seem to project there for the Vikings as well on day-one. For Johnson, unranked on DLF's dynasty wide receiver rankings, it's a battle which will play out in camp and there's sleeper status for whichever receiver locks down the role.

Davis wasn't a slouch before but he's a rocked up 248 lbs. now and he dropped his body fat by an impressive 5%, and it shows. Davis was having a solid season until an ankle injury ended his campaign in week 14. He didn't play in the first two weeks as well, missing a total of five games overall. His 2019 ended with 63 total tackles, two sacks and three forced fumbles. The middle linebacker was labeled as a cornerstone player in March but the team declined his fifth-year option, making him a free agent in 2021. Regardless of his 2021 status, Davis appears highly motivated to put together a career-best year and should have every opportunity to do just that in a defense needing leadership at the position. He's is found as DLF's LB25 and may be a free agent in IDP leagues.

Gibson, DLF's RB33, has been a fast-riser in dynasty drafts after being a third round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He possesses an intriguing blend of speed, power and size and it was unclear as to whether the Swiss army knife player would be listed as a receiver or running back. It appears as though the question has been answered and he'll slot-in with Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice and Bryce Love at running back though will likely see time at multiple positions. Peterson has recently turned 35, Guice can't remain on the field and Love may never be the runner he once was following a devastating collegiate knee injury. Gibson has the profile of a player who could seize the opportunity and be too valuable to be taken off the field. He's been a popular late-second round selection in dynasty rookie drafts.

The full quote was: "He has shown a skillset where he can sit in a pocket, step up, make things happen outside the pocket. He’s accurate, he’s tough and obviously he’s a great leader so he’s got the intangibles you want in a quarterback." Minshew, DLF's QB27, saw action in 14 games and sparked the Jaguars early following Nick Foles' injury early in 2019. He went on to post a noteworthy 3,271 yards with a 21:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 60.6 completion percentage, all solid stats for a sixth round rookie selection in 2019. With little behind him in the way of competition, it looks as if the Jags will ride the second-year quarterback for 2020 and determine longer term status following the season. He represents a solid developmental QB2 prospect with upside.

Yet another deep RBBC. Hill has seen his dynasty ADP (193) plummet to a career low following the Ravens selection of J.K. Dobbins during the 2020 NFL Draft. In 2019, he was a popular sleeper selection as a rookie and he went on to produce 225 yards and two touchdowns on 58 attempts, also chipping in eight receptions for 70 yards. His value came more at the hands of the aging Mark Ingram and inside-grinder Gus Edwards not carrying the same dynamic as Hill but the addition of Dobbins would seem to lock him in to another year of sub-par touches. There's little doubt Hill possesses an intriguing blend of power and speed to push for material touches in the right situation, but Baltimore may not be it without significant injury occurring above him on the depth chart. Justice HIll is found as DLF's RB55.

The Patriots' offense is in complete disarray, at least to those not named Bill Belichick. It could be the, arguably, NFL's greatest mastermind knows exactly what he's doing. To the rest of us, it looks like disarray, or at least mystery. The Patriots selected both tight ends, Asiasi and Dalton Keene, during the 2020 NFL Draft leaving dynasty coaches trying to guess what the actual state of the position is heading into 2020. If this projection, from a local Patriot blog site, holds true, it's best to avoid the position altogether until we learn more. As pointed out in the article, Asiasi may be a fine player in years to come but there's too much uncertainty to risk anything other than a late-round selection on the young player. He's found as DLF's TE31.

Should it prove to be true, it's statistically relevant. That said, there are many variables in the equation, most notably O.J. Howard currently remaining in Tampa Bay. Should Howard remains a Buc following kick-off of the 2020 season, Gronkowski's production should be impacted but as pointed out in the article, Brady's familiarity with his former tight end can't be discounted. In the end, there are too many moving parts to accurately predict what Gronkowski's production ultimately will amount to, but a 60/600/6 seems about right. Rob Gronkowski is found as DLF's TE20.

There's little surprise in that forecast. The topic remains popular after the Bears acquired Nick Foles this off-season, immediately fueling discussion that Trubisky would be headed to the bench. Following a regression from his promising 2018 performance, Trubisky fails to inspire confidence and, unless something dramatic changes over the next few years, he'll always be known as the quarterback selected ahead of Patrick Mahomes. As a first-round selection in 2017, the Bears do hold a fifth-year option but it's hard to envision them using it on the flagging passer, making him a potential free-agent in 2021. At only 25 years of age, Trubisky has had his moments and is certain to get another opportunity under-center, likely in 2020 as Foles is anything but durable. Regardless, DLF's QB34 near-term upside is as a back-end QB2 and that's only if the stars-align over the next two seasons. He's best added as a developmental QB3 in dynasty.

There's little surprise in that forecast. The topic remains popular after the Bears acquired Nick Foles this off-season, immediately fueling discussion that Trubisky would be headed to the bench. Following a regression from his promising 2018 performance, Trubisky fails to inspire confidence and, unless something dramatic changes over the next few years, he'll always be known as the quarterback selected ahead of Patrick Mahomes. The 31 year old Foles has never finished a full 16-game season and has appeared in only 19 games over his past four years, including a 'cup-of-coffee' in Jacksonville in 2019. Now with the Bears, DLF's QB37 will have a chance to resurrect his career on a team with a low bar of expectation. There's room for upside given Foles' current ranking but dynasty players remain unintrigued.

Hyde was signed soon after it appeared the team would be inking Devonta Freeman. In the end, Freeman asked for too much money and Hyde represents exactly what the Hawks need, a hard-nosed inside-running presence with some three-down capability if needed. Hyde only has 20 total receptions over his past three years but did tally 59 in 2017. Rashad Penny continues to rehab from a torn ACL and early indication is that he'll start the season on the PUP list, paving the way for Hyde. The team also drafted DeeJay Dallas in the fourth round of the 2020 rookie draft, showing the team has legitimate concern about their depth at the position, and for good reason. When healthy, Carson, now 25, is an under-appreciated runner who has eclipsed 1,000 yards in each of his last two years, totaling 16 touchdowns on the ground. He's also chipped in with 57 receptions over that same span with another two touchdowns. Consider those numbers when also noting he's missed three complete games over his past two campaigns and left early on multiple other occasions. Hyde looks to be an easy RB2 in the offense with Carson continuing to operate as the lead back for as long as his health allows but don't expect Carson to see another 278 carries in 2020. Hyde is too good of a back to not cut into his workload, but that may not be a bad thing. Chris Carson is found as DLF's RB25 and represents significant upside value considering his age and production if his health holds.

The story reads more as a "what could be" as opposed to an actual forecast of what is to come though they end the story with a prediction of his return on a new contract. Questioning his focus on the game, ability to ascend to a true WR1 in the absence of Antonio Brown and injury status, the site makes a case why the Steelers may elect to move on from the young receiver. A free agent in 2021, dynasty leaguers are well aware of Smith-Schuster's 2019 woes following a statistically material 2018 (111/1,426/7). Antonio Brown departed, Ben Roethlisberger was injured and multiple injuries sidelined him for four games and reduced his production, ending with a disappointing 42/552/3 line. 2020 is a new year and Smith-Schuster is healthy while Roethlisberger is set to return. There are enough arrows pointing up on DLF's WR7 to suggest a much better campaign this year than last, but it won't be surprising if the Steelers elect to allow Smith-Schuster to land a big payday elsewhere in 2021.

The full quote was: “For me, we’re going to try to play whoever is going to help us in that particular play, that particular game, whatever it might be. If you’re out there for the very first play, or you get out there on the second play, I don’t really understand what the difference is in a starter in that case. But, certainly, we’re excited to be able to acquire Swift and get him on our team and seeing what he can do. Sometimes you put two or three running backs out there. We will see what happens.”

D'Andre Swift, DLF's RB13, saw his rookie value drop when the Lions selected him early in the second round. Detroit running backs have suffered greatly over the past two decades and indications were that Kerryon Johnson was the answer that had been sought for years. In the end, Johnson hasn't been able to stay on the field, the Lions have a new offensive coordinator and Swift now appears to be Detroit's best hope to break the running back curse. But as evidenced in Patricia's quote, don't expect the job to be handed to Swift. Game flow and play-calling are going to dictate the role of each back without a clear three-down role evident. Like most of the top rookie backs in 2020, the committee approach may dampen productivity until injury or greater role provides more opportunity.

The full quote was: “For me, we’re going to try to play whoever is going to help us in that particular play, that particular game, whatever it might be. If you’re out there for the very first play, or you get out there on the second play, I don’t really understand what the difference is in a starter in that case. But, certainly, we’re excited to be able to acquire Swift and get him on our team and seeing what he can do. Sometimes you put two or three running backs out there. We will see what happens.”

It's coach speak for running back by committee (RBBC), the bane of all fantasy football players. But for Johnson, who has only played 18 games across his two seasons, it's a best-case scenario after his ypc. average dropped from 5.4 in 2018 to a mere 3.6 in 2019. After a promising rookie season that was cut short, expectations were high again in 2019 and Johnson followed up with an even shorter and less productive campaign. D'Andre Swift is arguably the most complete back in the 2020 draft class and the offensive coordinator who drafted Johnson has departed putting the backs on less than even footing heading into camp. Signed through 2021, Johnson's day in the sun may have been brief. Unless he's able to stay healthy and hold off Swift for early-down work, Johnson, DLF's RB32, is primarily a hand-cuff acquisition to Swift until proven otherwise. Dynasty leaguers can acquire Johnson on the cheap mid-season with the hope he recaptures some of his value as he heads into his 2021 contract year.

Hyde will join his fifth team in four years after stops in San Francisco, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Houston and Kansas City. He was relatively productive last year in Houston as he posted his first 1,000 yard season. While not seemingly a threat to Chris Carson as the starter, Hyde provides some solid veteran insurance if Rashaad Penny can't return to form. His presence throws some cold water on the DeeJay Dallas short-term expectations, though it's possible Hyde doesn't make it on the roster after camp. Still, the Seahawks love competition at every position and Hyde makes for a good stash as a player whose value could go up or down in the coming months. Hyde is currently our RB81 and that should rise a smidge now that he's found a new home.

Flacco will slide in as Sam Darnold's backup as a capable, but aging signal caller. Flacco is far from his prime and looked washed up last year with the Broncos. Still, he provides a certain level of experience and should be an upgrade over the backups the Jets have had the past few seasons. All eyes are on Darnold this year as he needs to make a leap to give the Jets and his fantasy owners some confidence. Flacco is clearly off the dynasty radar.

He's ascending in the dynasty format as well. Lazard produced 477 yards and three touchdowns on 35 passes in 2019. But going deeper, Rodgers had greater than a 115 quarterback rating when targeting Lazard and he reeled in over 67% of those targets. Rodgers is well known for freezing out receivers who don't perform to his lofty expectations so his vocal support of Lazard is noteworthy heading into 2020. DLF's WR80, Lazard's ADP (194) peaked late in 2019 before falling early this off-season. With dynasty drafts getting underway, his ADP value is on the rise and should he lock down the WR2 role in Green Bay, he makes for an intriguing sleeper target well above that current value.

The article lists the source as being the NFL Analysis Network and it reads as merely conjecture. It would be a welcome move by Irv Smith owners who expected a much larger role for the young tight end before the Vikings re-upped Rudolph in 2019 for $36M, keeping him in Minnesota through 2023. Until there's more fire beneath this smoke, nothing appears imminent or actionable. Rudolph is found as DLF's TE32 and his value in dynasty continues to slip.