Dynasty Twitter Observations: Hopkins, and A Jump Away

You might not think the first couple of weeks of off-season workouts could generate valuable dynasty nuggets, but you’d be wrong! From who gets first-team snaps to which teams look like they could use some help via free agency, Twitter never lies. Below are a few Tweets to ‘like’ this week.

Hopkins and a Jump Away

DeAndre Hopkins is looking for:

– A contending team
– A good quarterback
– A team that can pay him well

The Tennessee Titans check none of those boxes. https://t.co/XFLoIgOFov

— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) June 7, 2023

This week in ‘As the DeAndre Turns,’ the Titans emerge as a potential landing spot for the newly released DeAndre Hopkins. Tennessee joins an ever-expanding list of teams that have shown interest in the 31-year-old former All-Pro despite his age and inability to play the last two seasons. Hopkins had injuries in 2021 that limited him to 10 games, followed by a suspension that took him out for six games in 2022. And while Hopkins probably won’t be making any more Pro Bowls, the interest proves that teams still believe in him. So where should he land that would help his dynasty manager the most?

Dynasty Impact: Hopkins’ decline in dynasty value is one of the most dramatic you’ll see. After one successful season in Arizona – the 2020 season, where he totaled over 1,400 yards – the injuries and suspension took his value down to levels Hopkins had never seen.

Wherever Hopkins ends up, he has work to do. For Tennessee, they could certainly use better pass catchers to go along with the very young ones they have. 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks and fourth-round pick Chigoziem Okonkwo showed promise but could benefit from some attention being given to someone else. But for Hopkins, the Titans might be the worst option. Tennessee was a bottom-three team in pass attempts last year and still doesn’t know who their quarterback will be for 2023 after drafting Malik Willis in the third round last year and Will Levis in the second round this year, both of whom will be battling veteran Ryan Tannehill.

The Browns are a good environment, but Hopkins would be battling with two very good receivers for targets. Amari Cooper turned in another 1,000-yard season, while Cleveland already landed a receiver this off-season in former second-round pick Elijah Moore. A reunion with DeShaun Watson is a nice thought, but it probably wouldn’t translate to fantasy success.

Another kind of reunion for Hopkins would probably be his, and his dynasty managers, best bet. Houston recently drafted their quarterback of the future in CJ Stroud and needed some assets around him. Veterans Robert Woods and Nico Collins aren’t ideal, and 2022 second-round pick John Metchie is unknown after missing his rookie season to undergo leukemia treatment.

None of these options are ideal or even better than what Hopkins had in Arizona. But Houston might be the best option to not only see targets but also be part of a competent offense, especially considering the new regime, including offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik who came over from San Francisco.

Deebo is Me

Deebo Samuel bounce-back season 🚀 pic.twitter.com/VJiurMi9u8

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) June 7, 2023

Lost in the shuffle of the surprisingly successful season in San Francisco, led by Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy, was the shocking decline of receiver Deebo Samuel. After torching the league in 2021 with over 1,700 total yards and 14 total touchdowns, 2022 saw his fantasy stats decline by more than half. He did miss a few games due to injury, but, for example, he averaged just 66.4 total yards in 2022 compared to 110.6. If you listen to Deebo’s comments this off-season, he acknowledges that he wasn’t in the best shape after holding out for a new (and deserved) contract. Heading into 2023, though, Deebo has had a whole off-season to prepare and won’t have the distraction of an extension hanging over his head.

Dynasty Impact: While Deebo has no physical reasons not to bounce back in 2023, there are plenty of other things around him to prevent it. It is explicitly running back Christian McCaffrey, who was acquired mid-season in 2022. In short, McCaffrey does many things Samuel does, such as being the dual threat that throws off opposing defenses. And while it’s nice to have two of those types of players, there is also only one ball to go around.

Regarding Deebo’s dynasty value, don’t assume that he’ll come close to his peak just a few months ago. Value him as he is now, which is a WR2 with boom potential.

Young Blood

Panthers have elevated rookie Bryce Young to the No. 1 quarterback spot, a move coach Frank Reich said Thursday is “the next step” in the top pick of this year’s draft becoming the Week 1 starter, via @DNewtonespn:https://t.co/sQUHmZ1WtA

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2023

That didn’t take long. Granted, the first overall pick probably should be able to beat out Andy Dalton in a quarterback competition, but it’s still reassuring to know Bryce Young is on track. Young showed enough for new coach Frank Reich to be named the de facto starter and will be sharing reps with the rest of the first-team offense. He’ll need it as he attempts to process NFL defenses and show why he was chosen as the Panthers’ future.

If you paid any attention to the draft, you know about the main criticism of Young, which is his size. However, at least for fantasy purposes, we’ve seen examples of undersized quarterbacks doing just fine. Take Kyler Murray – all 5′ 10″, 207 pounds of him – who has shown he can be effective for your dynasty team just on his throwing ability alone. If you believe in Young, and the team around him, don’t get swayed by a non-existent problem.

Dynasty Impact: While Young is probably not enough of a generational talent to warrant a high pick in a 1QB dynasty league, he still is in Superflex leagues. Young is a top-three pick in rookie drafts so far this off-season, according to our DLF Rookie Draft App.

And always remember that Young was good enough in at least one team’s eyes to be taken first. Of the six quarterbacks taken first overall in the last decade, only one failed to turn in multiple top-15 fantasy performances in their career.

The bottom line is you’re safe to draft Young as high as two if your rookie Superflex league drafts. He should be able to produce for dynasty teams right away.