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 of your teams. The diversity of rankings will result in a variety of opinions weekly.
Quarterback
Parsons
Ryan Fitzpatrick - I have been very impressed with Fitzpatrick this season as he maximizes his two premiere targets in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. He also adds rushing production a la Alex Smith to the fantasy equation. Quincy Enunwa or Devin Smith developing as a quality No.3 - or adding a tight end of relevance to the passing pecking order - would only fuel Fitzpatrick's stock. Resigning in New York is key for Fitzpatrick and seeing his success I cannot see how a new contract is not a priority in the offseason. Fitzpatrick will be a quality late-round startup selection if he returns to the Jets.
Blake Bortles - His big game this past week was against the historically bad Saints, but more than a singular performance, I love the progression of the Jaguars passing game overall. Bortles is stocked with quality weapons (Robinson, Hurns, Lee, Thomas) at their respective roles on the depth chart and Bortles is light-years ahead of his 2014 rookie campaign. I view Jacksonville with an added piece or two in the offseason as one of the rising offenses for 2016.
Harstad
Jameis Winston / Marcus Mariota - Both rookie quarterbacks showed plenty of promise in 2015, but were too inconsistent to be consistent fantasy starters. Despite belief in a slow learning curve, however, history tells us that quarterbacks who eventually become long-term fantasy stars are typically quality starting options by their second season.
Tom Brady / Aaron Rodgers / Drew Brees - I did some research on player aging in the offseason and found that older players have a habit of suddenly and unexpectedly declining, much like Peyton Manning did this season. Brady, Rodgers, and Brees were all quality fantasy starters in 2015, but 2015 is now behind us, and they should be moved down slightly in the rankings to account for the heightened age risk.
Tefertiller
Brock Osweiler – In his short stint as a starter, Osweiler has gone from a great fantasy stash with upside to low-end QB2, even with the talented weapons at his disposal in Denver. Yes, some of the disappointment stems from the conservative Gary Kubiak offense. But, Osweiler has been exposed. After a couple of quality outings, opposing defenses know to bring the pressure and it will rattle the young passer.
Blake Bortles – Bortles has the weapons to be a top 10 dynasty quarterback. He still has bursts of inconsistency, but the future looks bright for the youngster if he continues to progress. Having a great corps of young receivers, led by Allen Robinson and Julius Thomas, never hurts. He had a monster game against the sieve of the New Orleans Saints pass defense.
Running Back
Harstad
LeVeon Bell - The most talented young back in the NFL and an absolute monster in PPR, Bell's injury might have cost his owners in 2015, but as we turn the page, he should still be a slam-dunk top-12 overall dynasty asset in all formats.
Javorius Allen - With injuries to Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro, Allen had the perfect opportunity to distinguish himself and earn the starting job long-term, much like Arian Foster did in the final games of 2009. While Allen didn't play poorly, he certainly didn't play well enough to get much of a head start in any offseason competition at the position.
Ameer Abdullah - Much was expected of the young Detroit rookie after an electric preseason, but he failed to deliver. Still, the talent and pedigree is there, and many backs simply didn't have enough trust from the coaching staff as rookies. Regardless of his season-ending statistics, Abdullah's arrow is pointing up.
C.J. Anderson - He disappointed a ton of owners who invested highly in him this year. He also consistently demonstrated after he got healthy that he was the best running back on Denver's roster. Many owners might be leery about giving him a second chance, in which case it would probably be worth kicking some tires and seeing if you could get him on the cheap. Perhaps he disappoints again, but his price is so low and his play has been so good that he's worth the gamble.
Tefertiller
David Johnson – Johnson has emerged to become the anchor of the Cardinals running game. He deserves to be considered a dynasty RB1. His ability as a receiver could help him become a poor man's Matt Forte. Johnson has the talent to catch 50 passes a year, making him a strong PPR play. The one concern is how Andre Ellington and Chris Johnson will be used when healthy during the playoffs. Each impressed earlier this season. Arizona has done a great job loading up at the running back position. Keep in mind, though, that Chris Johnson is a free agent this offseason.
Jamaal Charles – Since the season is almost over, Charles should begin to move back up the dynasty rankings. While West and Ware have played ok, the veteran incumbent would be on a record pace if not for the injury. He should be ready by training camp and a steal for dynasty buyers.
Parsons
David Johnson - Can Johnson just be a perpetual riser? He played a shade over two quarters against the Packers and was still a top-10 PPR back for the week at more than 20 points. Johnson has been dubbed Beastmode Jr. by some for running over defenders with regularity and having the 'man amongst boys' look with physically prowess. My go-to line is Johnson looks like a baby deer in the sense he does not even have great feel for what he CAN do in the NFL, yet is producing at a high level while figuring it out.
Jay Ajayi - I was not a huge fan of Ajayi coming out of Boise State and then he took a dive in the NFL Draft. The landing spot - and NFL tape since however - has moved me back towards being an advocate. I think Lamar Miller leaves for the top dollar in the offseason and Ajayi will have plenty of buzz as the next in line for Miami's lead job. Will he grab the job and succeed? I have no idea with Miami having plenty of moving pieces and question marks in the offseason, but Ajayi is moving up my board based on solid NFL tape on minimal touches and the optimism of having a shot at the role.
Wide Receiver
Tefertiller
Martavis Bryant – While there is still is risk regarding Bryant's ability to stay out of the commissioner's doghouse, there is no denying his talent. Yes, he disappointed fantasy owners Sunday, but the entire Steelers pass offense was out of sync. Bryant is a fantasy WR1 and the Pittsburgh offense has proven the ability to support two star receivers. As with the player below, we choose to bank on talent and the risk only reduces the price.
Josh Gordon – The news of Gordon doing well while suspended was great news for dynasty owners. When compared to Justin Blackmon, who was arrested AGAIN for DUI last week, we realize that Gordon doing well for almost a full year is awesome for him as a football player and as a person. There is hope for a quarterback upgrade in Cleveland this offseason. Plus, the emergence of other weapons in the Browns offense (Duke Johnson Jr, Isaiah Crowell, Gary Barnidge, and Travis Benjamin) should be viewed as a positive for Gordon … and his fantasy owners.
Parsons
DeAndre Smelter - During Smelter's expected rookie season injury redshirt two things have happened: Blaine Gabbert looks functional and the 49ers pass game weapons have eroded around him. Smelter has intoxicating physical traits and was productive in college. I bet he would have been a Day 2 selection without the injury on his profile. Smelter is one of my top names to rise in value once healthy and on the field in 2016.
Quincy Enunwa - Enunwa had size-speed appeal coming out of Nebraska, but was a prototypical 'one-hit wonder' in terms of college production. Enunwa has developed largely in the backdrop of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall, and Eric Decker forming a highly-productive trio in 2015. I see Enunwa like a better version of Harry Douglas a few years ago in Atlanta for 2016 - if Marshall or Decker go down, Enunwa is a strong start with upside. Even without an injury, Enunwa is developing enough to warrant stockpiling on the back-end of a dynasty bench.
Harstad
DeVante Parker / Nelson Agholor / Phillip Dorsett / Kevin White / Breshad Perriman / Devin Smith / Dorial Green-Beckham - It was a rough year for 1st and 2nd round WRs not named Amari Cooper, but 2014 inflated our expectations too high; plenty of rookies take time to develop. With the development period now a year in, their value should be creeping up a little as forward-looking owners look to get a jump on any potential 2nd-year breakout.
Davante Adams - He missed three games to injury and still has one more game to play, but still, if someone told you after Jordy Nelson's injury that Davante Adams would have fewer yards at this point in 2015 than he had during 2014, you'd view that as a huge negative sign. And it is.
Tight End
Parsons
Josh Hill - Remember when he was one of the hottest breakout candidates about nine months ago? He had been groomed behind Jimmy Graham and there was no competition. What if he was not quite ready? Ben Watson was the savvy veteran to seize the job and benefit in 2015. Now Watson is in his mid-30s and a free agent. Hill, at close to free, is a worthy stash in case the Saints pass on much competition at tight end for Hill again this season and Watson moves on.
Jace Amaro - The argument for Amaro is short and sweet - he is dirt cheap and a former second round pick with plenty of college production in his background. At the price of free (or near it), I love taking shots on high draft pedigree with stock beaten to a pulp.
Harstad
Maxx Williams / Clive Walford - The two best rookie tight ends in the draft this year, both Walford and Williams failed to reach 300 yards, but tight end more than any other position struggles to make an impact as a rookie. Both have shown very positive signs on the field, even if they aren't showing up in the stat sheet yet.
Tefertiller
Delanie Walker – Walker has been the lone constant for the Titans pass catchers. He is older than most expect (will be 32 years of age before next season), but shows no signs of slowing down. Walker is athletic and has quickly earned the trust of quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Will Tye – We added Tye into the rankings just due to his recent role in the Giants passing game. He is taking advantage of season-ending injuries to both Larry Donnell and Daniel Fells. It is still too early to know which of the three will emerge as the starter next season (even thought Fells is a UFA), or if New York will utilize a committee. The one thing we do know is the the Giants starter gets enough targets to produce low-end TE1 numbers most weeks.
