Welcome to DLF’s Dynasty Aftermath. This staple article is our longest running signature piece as we have a little fun after a tough week at the Dynasty League Football office. You’ll find this article will review the week’s happenings in a variety of ways and help set you up for the coming weeks as we spin around the league in the way we know best. Expect it each and every week.
I’ve written this column for the past sixteen years and I love it. I enjoy combing through the stats of the week on Monday night, putting together ridiculous lineups, picking MVPs/LVPs and discussing things to worry about.
That’s not all. I also really love sharing observations, little bits of entertainment or some stories with the community of DLF and picking a theme for this column each week. You really never know what you’re going to get.
This week I’m going to focus on something we all need to be very aware about – something I am now calling the Amari Cooper Effect, or “ACE.” Cooper is the best known representation of a player who moves up and down in terms of our love and hate and it seems to happen on a weekly basis each and every year. As dynasty managers, we love to see consistency as it makes players easy to value. Cooper is one of the toughest players to value because he’s honestly the best reason why people move to “best ball” formats. It’s maddening. Unlike players like Mike Wallace or DeSean Jackson in the past who we basically knew what to expect from (big plays or nothing), Cooper gives us these weeks where we ask the most dangerous of all questions – “Have things really changed?”
After catching three passes for 17 yards in week one, Cooper has now posted back-to-back games with 101 receiving yards and a touchdown, with 16 total catches in those two weeks. Is he finding his groove in Cleveland? Is he going to blow up when Deshaun Watson returns? Is he worth a late first round pick in next year’s draft again? It’s just maddening. Remember, this is a player who posted 21 catches for 261 yards and three touchdowns in two games last year. He had 604 receiving yards and six touchdowns in the other 13 games combined. We’ve seen this so many times, yet still may not have learned our lesson.
Cooper is currently on pace for a 107/1,241/11 season, which would be a career high for him in each and every category. At age 28. With his third team. Dynasty owners are going to need to make a decision again this season – is he worth moving or trading for after a hot streak or could he actually keep it up? The “ACE” reminds me of this sketch below and begs the question, “Are we just being fooled yet again?”
Let’s get to it!
Fantasy MVP of the Week
After a fantastic 107/1,361/9 season last year, it was natural to expect some kind of regression when it came to the production of Mark Andrews. Instead, he’s picked up right where he left off with another gem this week as he posted eight catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns. After three games this season, Andrews has a line of 22/245/3, which puts him on pace for a whopping stat line of 124/1,388/17 this year. While it’s fair to expect those numbers to die down a little, Lamar Jackson is on another planet right now and the Jackson / Andrews stack is quite honestly the most lethal in fantasy football at the moment. Enjoy the ride as Andrews has quite possibly supplanted Travis Kelce as the premier player at the position.
Fantasy LVP of the Week
This off-season, many looked at DJ Moore and considered him a prime buy candidate. After all, if he could produce with Sam Darnold and Cam Newton, Baker Mayfield would just HAVE to be an upgrade, right? Wrong. After this week’s clunker that saw him catch one pass for 15 yards, Moore now has just seven catches for 88 yards and one touchdown through three games. The Panthers passing “attack” has been dreadful with Mayfield and the only player you can start with confidence on that team is Christian McCaffrey, who they aren’t even utilizing properly. This is just gross.
The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week
QB Lamar Jackson BAL = 218 passing yards, 107 rushing yards, five touchdowns, one interception
RB Derrick Henry TEN = 85 rushing yards, five catches, 58 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Devin Singletary BUF = 13 rushing yards, nine catches, 78 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Cordarrelle Patterson">Cordarrelle Patterson ATL = 141 rushing yards, one catch, 12 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR DeVonta Smith PHI = Eight catches, 169 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Marquise Brown ARI = 14 catches, 140 receiving yards
WR Chris Olave NO = Nine catches, 147 receiving yards
TE Mark Andrews BAL = Eight catches, 89 receiving yards, two touchdowns
2022 members of the list: Mark Andrews (2), Tua Tagovailoa (1), Patrick Mahomes (1), Lamar Jackson (1), Saquon Barkley (1), Jonathan Taylor (1), D’Andre Swift (1), Aaron Jones (1), Nick Chubb (1), Austin Ekeler (1), Derrick Henry (1), Devin Singletary (1), Cordarrelle Patterson (1), DeVonta Smith (1), Marquise Brown (1), Chris Olave (1), Justin Jefferson (1), Cooper Kupp (1), Davante Adams (1), Stefon Diggs (1), Tyreek Hill (1), Jaylen Waddle (1), Travis Kelce (1)
The Underdog Lineup of the Week
QB Trevor Lawrence JAX = 262 passing yards, three touchdowns
RB Khalil Herbert CHI = 157 rushing yards, two catches, 12 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Jamaal Williams DET = 87 rushing yards, two catches, 20 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Rhamondre Stevenson NE = 73 rushing yards, four catches, 28 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Mack Hollins LV = Eight catches, 158 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Zay Jones LV = Ten catches, 85 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Russell Gage TB = 12 catches, 87 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE David Njoku CLE = Nine catches, 89 receiving yards, one touchdown
2022 members of the list: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (2), Trevor Lawrence (1), Jared Goff (1), Carson Wentz (1), Dontrell Hilliard (1), James Robinson (1), Tony Pollard (1), Damien Harris (1), Khalil Herbert (1), Jamaal Williams (1), Rhamondre Stevenson (1), Mack Hollins (1), Zay Jones (1), Russell Gage (1), David Njoku (1), Devin Duvernay (1), Robbie Anderson (1), Jahan Dotson (1), OJ Howard (1), Garrett Wilson (1), Friggin’ Mike Williams (1), Amari Cooper (1), Irv Smith Jr.">Irv Smith (1)
The Disappointing Lineup of the Week
QB Carson Wentz WAS = 211 passing yards, 22 rushing yards
RB David Montgomery CHI = 11 rushing yards
RB Darrell Henderson LAR = 17 rushing yards
RB Raheem Mostert MIA = 11 rushing yards
WR Mecole Hardman KC = One catch, two receiving yards
WR Robbie Anderson CAR = One catch, 11 receiving yards
WR DJ Moore CAR = One catch, 15 receiving yards
TE OJ Howard HOU = No catches
2022 members of the list: Darnell Mooney (2), Carson Wentz (1), Matt Ryan (1), Aaron Rodgers (1), Cam Akers (1), Damien Williams (1), Elijah Mitchell (1), Rashaad Penny (1), Tyler Allgeier (1), Kenneth Walker (1), David Montgomery (1), Darrell Henderson (1), Raheem Mostert (1), DeVonta Smith (1), Alec Pierce (1), DeVante Parker (1),Skyy Moore (1), Mecole Hardman (1), Robbie Anderson (1), DJ Moore (1), Dawson Knox (1), OJ Howard (1)
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I was playing against Lamar Jackson and/or Mark Andrews right now.
I’d be worried if I had given up on Saquon Barkley.
I’d be worried if I thought the Broncos were going to be this bad all year.
I’d be worried if I was counting on any Chiefs wide receiver.
I’d be worried if I was still starting Miles Sanders.
I’d be worried if I was still doubting Jalen Hurts.
I’d be worried if I thought Cooper Rush was going to create any sort of competition in Dallas.
I’d be worried if I thought the 49ers didn’t miss Elijah Mitchell.
I’d be worried if I was counting on DJ Chark.
You have something on your shirt.
I’d be worried if I overvalued Elijah Moore this off-season.
I’d be worried if I was relying on Alvin Kamara.
I’d be worried if I still didn’t believe in James Robinson.
I’d be worried if I needed to start James Conner.
I’d be worried if I needed vintage Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers right now. Personnel matters.
I’d be worried if I thought Patrick Mahomes was still the QB1. See Jackson, Lamar.
I guarantee you looked, just in case.
I’d be worried if I needed too much out of Najee Harris.
I’d be worried if I thought Justin Jefferson was going to do that again.
Ditto with Tyreek Hill.
I’d be worried if I had Austin Ekeler. They’re serious about managing his load. Will they if they keep losing?
I’d be worried if I missed out on Marquise Brown.
I’d be worried if I thought that performance from Khalil Herbert was a mirage.
I’d be worried if I was relying on Rashaad Penny or Kenneth Walker.
I’d be worried if I thought Darren Waller was in the same class as Mark Andrews or Travis Kelce.
I’d be worried if I was starting Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Each week brings more and more of a timeshare.
I’d be worried if I was counting on Michael Thomas. Jameis Winston is just such a wild card.
I’d be worried if I was ignoring the connection between Matt Ryan and Michael Pittman.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t looking for ways to trade Antonio Gibson.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t impressed with Drake London.
I’d be worried if I thought Kyle Pitts was just going to keep posting clunkers.
I’d be worried if I still had schmutz on my jammy jam.
I’d be worried if I needed consistency from Rashod Bateman.
I’d be worried if I had D’Andre Swift as my RB1. There is a theme developing here.
I’d be worried if I thought any Miami running back was a safe play.
I’d be worried if I was surprised by that performance from Carson Wentz.
I’d be worried if I had Joe Mixon as my RB1. That offensive line has been awful.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t at least making sure the manager of Jonathan Taylor wasn’t disappointed. Windows to buy are small here.
I’d be worried if I thought Ezekiel Elliott was better than Tony Pollard.
Man, you looked again!
Fun with Numbers
Lamar Jackson is on pace for 4,250 passing yards, 57 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 1,377 rushing yards and 11 rushing scores after three games. Seriously.
Jalen Hurts is on pace for 5,190 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 952 rushing yards, and 17 rushing after three games. Yes, he’s been great, but Jackson is the MVP after three weeks.
If Clyde Edwards-Helaire had that same performance every week, he’s end the year with 119 carries for no yards and 17 touchdowns. And he’s still the RB4 on the year – that’s how bad the position has been so far.
The Top Rookie Scoring Averages
1.) Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ = 17.13
2.) Drake London, WR ATL = 17.13
3.) Chris Olave, WR NO = 15.27 (+2 spots)
4.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ = 13.43
5.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS = 13.30 (-2 spots)
6.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB = 11.60 (+4 spots)
7.) Dameon Pierce, RB HOU = 10.57 (+3 spots)
8.) Kyle Philips, WR TEN = 7.05
9.) Treylon Burks, WR TEN = 6.77 (-3 spots)
10.) Daniel Bellinger, TE NYG = 5.53 (+4 spots)
11.) Zander Horvath, RB LAC = 5.30 (-4 spots)
12.) Jelani Woods, TE IND = 5.10 (Up from UR – no stats until Sun)
13.) Christian Watson, WR GB = 5.00 (-1 spots)
14.) Grant Calcaterra, TE PHI = 5.00 (Up from UR – no stats until Sun)
15.) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA = 4.90
16.) Isiah Pacheco, RB KC = 4.57 (-5 spots)
17.) Alec Pierce, WR IND = 4.55 (Up from UR – no stats until Sun)
18.) James Cook, RB BUF = 4.50
19.) George Pickens, WR PIT = 3.83 (+1 spot)
20.) Tyler Allgeier, RB ATL = 3.50 (-3 spots)
Notable players not in the top 20 of rookie scorers: Isaiah Likely, Tyrion Davis-Price, Hassan Haskins, Rachaad White, Skyy Moore, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jaylen Warren, Malik Willis, David Bell, Zamir White, Jerome Ford, Danny Gray, Jordan Mason, Trey McBride, Pierre Strong
The Rookie Top 20
Always check our latest rankings to see the updates through the week. These rankings are simply my own.
1.) Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ (last week: 1)
The fact he’s overtaken Elijah Moore this quickly tells me all I need to know.
2.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ (last week: 2)
He’s steadily getting more touches. Could be back on top soon, but Carter is still a thorn in his side.
3.) Drake London, WR ATL (last week: 3)
Salvaged his day with a score this week. I love his upside.
4.) Chris Olave, WR NO (last week: 4)
Winston is erratic, but Olave’s stats won’t care.
5.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS (last week: 5)
Quiet this week, but we’ve seen enough.
6.) Jameson Williams, WR DET (last week: 6)
The buy window is closing.
7.) Treylon Burks, WR TEN (last week: 8)
Has yet to emerge, despite a depth chart not exactly stacked with talent.
8.) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA (last week: 7)
No idea why they took him if they weren’t going to use him.
9.) Brian Robinson, RB WAS (last week: 9)
See Williams, Jameson.
10.) Dameon Pierce, RB HOU (last week: 11)
Solid production, just doesn’t offer much in the passing game.
11.) Rachaad White, RB TB (last week: 10)
Fournette is still chugging along, but White looks poised.
12.) George Pickens, WR PIT (last week: 13)
Might have the catch of the year. Perhaps they’ll trust him more.
13.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB (last week: 16)
Now we’re cookin’!
14.) James Cook, RB BUF (last week: 14)
Love his talent, but hate the landing spot.
15.) Skyy Moore, WR KC (last week: 12)
Uhh? Hello!?! Bueller. Bueller.
16.) Christian Watson, WR GB (last week: 15)
Needs to get back on the field soon.
17.) Alec Pierce, WR IND (last week: 17)
Baby steps being taken here, but he could rise.
18.) Jelani Woods, TE IND (last week: UR)
My favorite tight end sleeper finally found the end zone. Twice.
19.) Malik Willis, QB TEN (last week: 19)
The Titans performance this week stops any wild speculation he could play soon. He really shouldn’t.
20.) Kenny Pickett QB PIT (last week: 20)
He really should.
Notable players not in my current top 20 rookie rankings: Wan’Dale Robinson, Isaiah Likely, Isiah Pacheco, Calvin Austin, John Metchie, Zamir White, Jaylen Warren, Isaiah Spiller, Trey McBride, Tyler Allgeier, Tyrion Davis-Price, Jalen Tolbert, David Bell
See you next week!
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
