Each week, Footballguys staff members will share the big movers in their respective Dynasty Rankings. Since the contributors will rotate, please check in weekly. The focus of this article will be on the "why" more than the movement itself. Dynasty Rankings are fluid and we hope that sharing the rationale will help you in your quest to create dynasties with all your teams. The diversity of rankings will result in a variety of opinions weekly.
Quarterback
Tefertiller
Daniel Jones – Jones tumbles further down the rankings. I expected more from Jones this year with his receivers back healthy, but it has never materialized. While most are enamored with his rushing touchdown, the passing part of Jones’ game was lacking, even in victory. The Giants will likely address the position next offseason.
Aaron Rodgers – While he is not getting any younger – just like the rest of us – Rodgers’ play has gotten better this year. He has made the most of the situation as his organization refused to add weapons at the receiver position. We also need to credit the coaching staff for putting the offense in great situations with matchup advantages on every play.
McNamara
Patrick Mahomes II - Patrick Mahomes II should have been the clear 1.01 in dynasty Superflex drafts in the offseason. He is the best quarterback in football, locked into a long-term contract at 25 years old, with elite weapons and an elite coach. Yet, Mahomes was in a tier with Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, and Saquon Barkley in the top four picks of 2020 Superflex startup drafts, with plenty of drafts seeing Mahomes as the fourth pick in that tier. Jackson has predictably regressed while McCaffrey and Barkley, playing higher risk and shorter longevity positions, have suffered injuries. Those injuries take a year out of their primes where both would need to produce massive numbers to justify the selection over Mahomes. Meanwhile, Mahomes has a 25 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio. Outside of a catastrophic injury or a Chuck Knoblauch type throwing hitch developing out of nowhere, Mahomes should be the QB1 and 1.01 in Superflex drafts for the next five years.
Grant
Lamar Jackson – Lamar Jackson is a special player who you can build your fantasy team around. That being said, he’s looked very average at times this season and he’s going to significantly underperform his ADP this season in redraft leagues. From a Dynasty perspective, I’d still have him as my starter (and do in the staff league) – but he’s not a guy I’d feel comfortable taking in the first round or two of a dynasty draft anymore. In fact, I’m moving him down to the end of the 3rd round and may move him down further, depending on how he does the rest of the season.
Tua Tagovailoa - In case you haven’t been paying attention, the Dolphins have won their last five games, including big wins against the Rams, Cardinals, and Chargers with Tagovailoa under center. He’s still a rookie quarterback and he’s got some growing up to do – but it’s hard to argue with five touchdown passes and no interceptions in his last three games. The Dolphins still need a lot of talent around him, and they still play in a tough division – but Tagovailoa is for real and has looked good in limited action so far. By the end of the season, you might be surprised just how effective this rookie quarterback will be.
Running Back
Grant
Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas is in free-fall and Elliott has a giant statistical anchor around his neck. The defense gives up points like a broken pinball machine and that makes Dallas a one-dimensional offense. Elliott has all the talent – but until Dallas can do something – anything really to stop opposing offenses – Elliott is going to have a cap on his performances. This is not a next-year problem anymore – and Elliott gets a downgrade because of it.
Aaron Jones – Jones has been banged up for the last four games – but he’s trending up again and the Packers definitely need him down the stretch. Green Bay is a different team when Jones isn’t in the backfield, and despite guys like A.J. Dillon and Jamaal Williams there – Jones is still the guy to watch on this team. As long as Green Bay continues to win – Jones is a guy they are going to turn to.
Ronald Jones II – Anyone who felt like Jones was in danger of losing his job or might not be the long-term guy in Tampa should watch the replay of his 98-yard run. It’s just that simple – Jones is the back in Tampa, and he has a gear that will keep him in the lineup for several years. Leonard Fournette and KeShawn Vaughn are just playing for scraps now.
Salvon Ahmed and Jordan Howard – Despite injuries to Myles Gaskin and Matt Breida, Ahmed got the bulk of the carries and Howard was inactive. Howard was then waived on Monday, and he’ll be a bit player with any team who picks him up the rest of the season. Ahmed had a great game, and probably should be on your waiver wire this week – but don’t assume he’s the starter going forward yet. He’s still in the wait-and-see category right now. Howard, however, is dead roster space.
McNamara
Joshua Kelley - Joshua Kelley was a high-value player just a few weeks ago. Off Austin Ekeler’s injury, Kelley could return a first-round rookie pick. Since then, Kelley has failed to consolidate a role in the offense and been behind Justin Jackson, Troymaine Pope, and Kalen Ballage in priority of touches. A Day 3 rookie, less than 25% Kelley’s prior comps produce a top-24 seasonal finish in their career, and his market value now more accurately reflects his base rate.
Damien Harris - Damien Harris is seeing a solid role in the Patriots offense with Sony Michel on the Reserve/Injured list. The offense has been very run-heavy with Harris topping 100 yards in three of his six games, with double-digit carries in all but one. The upside may be capped as Harris has only been targeted twice, but he had a strong receiving profile entering the NFL, and both Rex Burkhead and James White are free agents in the offseason. Harris will face questions about his role when Michel returns, but Harris has already shown better than Michel has at any point in his career and should maintain a strong role in the offense.
Tefertiller
Jonathan Taylor – As painful as Thursday night was for fantasy managers, it was just another data point that Taylor may not live up to fantasy expectations. The offensive line did not open any holes and Taylor was hit in the backfield on a couple of carries. But, the impressive play of Nyheim Hines will also mean fewer touches. I raised Hines in the rankings as a result.
Tony Pollard – I do not know what will happen in the Dallas backfield over the next few years, but I do know that Pollard looks explosive and able to pick up yards in situations Ezekiel Elliott cannot. The youngster is explosive and a solid receiver. He is a player to invest in before getting a chance to shine in a full-time role.
Mike Davis – No matter when I update the rankings, Davis feels too low. He has put up amazing numbers while filling in for the injured Christian McCaffrey. It is difficult to believe that his previous teams could not use his talents. The injured finger is not a deterrent as he will be back soon enough and McCaffrey might be out a couple more weeks.
Wide Receiver
McNamara
D.J. Moore - Some soured on D.J. Moore earlier in the season because of Robby Anderson’s emergence and Moore’s low touchdown numbers. Moore has regressed to the mean by scoring four touchdowns in his past six games. If there is a cautionary note, it may be his recent drop in aggregate targets (22 in the past four games), but all other stats, including yards per reception and yards per target, are on pace for career-high levels. Moore is on a high-density trajectory, as a current WR2 with a WR3 and WR2 finish on his resume in his first two seasons.
Stefon Diggs - Stefon Diggs leads the league in receptions and receiving yards through 10 weeks. Diggs is breaking the mold of wide receivers dropping in productivity after changing teams, while averaging more than 10 targets per game. Diggs has a good rapport with Josh Allen which should set up well for the future. Diggs has been highly productive in his career and will likely be a value in offseason startup drafts.
Tefertiller
Michael Pittman – With T.Y. Hilton fading into the sunset, the rookie has emerged to become the WR1 in Indianapolis. Still young and improving, Pittman has the look of a long-term fantasy WR2 with WR1 upside. Pairing his with Parris Campbell should give the Colts a solid one-two punch.
Will Fuller – The combination of Hopkins’ departure and remaining healthy for an extended stretch of games has given Fuller an opportunity to shine. The exit of coach O’Brien has also helped. Fuller should be considered an ascending player. He has teased for so long that many will refuse to give him his due.
Darius Slayton – Slayton’s touchdown regression has come this season, but the youngster has still shined. He is a player who will continue to improve as his surrounding cast improves, and that begins with the quarterback.
Jakobi Meyers – Meyers has produced even in a struggling pass offense. He has assumed the slot role vacated by Edelman’s injury, and may not relinquish it. He has the look of a long-term NFL starter who will have some big fantasy weeks.
Grant
Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham – Beckham is done for the season and Landry isn’t doing much to step in and take over. In fact, Landry hasn’t reached the end zone this season and has just 36 receptions this year despite being the most-targeted receiver on the team. Cleveland is a run-first team now, and both Landry and Beckham will not be reliable starters until something changes.
Deebo Samuel – Samuel was activated from the Reserve/Injured list this week but was inactive for the game due to his hamstring issues. The 49ers are struggling, and Samuel isn’t going to be rushed back at this point. It will be interesting to see what San Francisco does the rest of this season, but don’t expect Samuel to be a big factor.
Chase Claypool – JuJu Smith-Schuster is still the primary receiver on the team, but Chase Claypool is the big-play guy. With opposing defenses trying to contain Smith-Schuster, Claypool is able to exploit a lot of single coverage against weaker secondary players. Claypool has just one 100-yard receiving game this year, but he has seven touchdowns and some big fantasy games.
Robby Anderson – Despite a rough season for Carolina, Robby Anderson is on pace to have some of the best statistics as a player this season. He’s already set a career-high with 64 receptions in just 10 games and is just 170 yards receiving behind his career-best with six games to go. If Anderson had another couple of touchdowns, he’d be one of the top fantasy receivers in the league. He’s still a solid PPR receiver right now and should be for the next few seasons.
Tight End
Tefertiller
Jonnu Smith – Every time I watch Smith play, I become less convinced he is a dynasty player to acquire. While many will be distracted by the rushing touchdown from Thursday night, his inability to track the ball in flight makes him a candidate to be replaced. It could be Firkser or a free agent in the offseason.
Adam Trautman – Trautman shined last week against the Buccaneers and showed a glimpse of things to come. As Jared Cook ages and moves on from a cap-strapped Saints organization, it will be Trautman who will emerge. He is on the buy list as the potential was on display Sunday night.
Grant
Noah Fant– Fant isn’t putting up elite fantasy numbers this season, but his role in the offense isn’t in question. He’s has six or more targets in six of Denver’s nine games and has three or more receptions in eight of them. Given the struggles in Denver this year, Fant has potential star written all over him.
Harrison Bryant – There’s plenty of competition in Cleveland at tight end with David Njoku and Austin Hooper, but Harrison Bryant could finish the season as Cleveland’s top fantasy tight end. He is probably sitting on the waiver wire not, and if you have a roster spot, he’s worth an add to see what happens next season. Njoku isn’t a favorite of the coaching staff, and by this time next year, Bryant could be a legitimate fantasy tight end.
McNamara
Eric Ebron - The tight end position leaves a lot to be desired. Outside of the top tier of tight ends, the general rule of thumb is to take either depressed value high pedigree tight ends or aging tight ends with a history of strong production. Ebron certainly qualifies as a depressed value high pedigree player, and he has a top-six seasonal finish on his resume while still only 27 years old. Ebron resembles Jared Cook as a post-hype tight end who sustains a long career of fantasy viability.
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