Dynasty Market Report: Week 2

Managing a Dynasty roster is about building long-lasting success in the chaotic and unpredictable landscape of fantasy football. The idea should be to give yourself as many assets/bargaining chips as possible so that when you move all in, the deck is stacked in your favor. “We are card counters at the blackjack table, and we’re going to turn the odds at the casino.”

Today, we look at some intriguing assets in Dynasty, drawing unbiased values from Sleeper ADP, Dynasty League Football, and KeepTradeCut in an attempt to exploit certain market discrepancies. As always, we will be viewing these players and values through a Superflex lens.

WEEK 2 DYNASTY MARKET REPORT

Notable Market Risers

Tony Pollard RB - Dallas Cowboys

• The market ageists have no control over Tony Pollard’s rising cost as the Cowboys' superstar running back continues to establish himself as a top-5 positional asset.

Calvin Ridley WR - Jacksonville Jaguars

• Calvin Ridley silenced all doubters with an emphatic return that saw the Jaguars' new top receiving weapon secure eight of 11 targets for 101 yards and one touchdown.

Zay Flowers WR - Baltimore Ravens

• The Ravens' new passing attack under OC Todd Monken looked horrendous in Week 1 but rookie Zay Flowers made an immediate impact catching nine of his 10 targets for 78 yards, leading the team in all categories.

Jordan Love QB - Green Bay Packers

• Jordan Love effortlessly dispatched the Bears defense, completing 15/27 pass attempts for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Love appears to be a capable NFL starter and an excellent Superflex asset for anyone willing to stash the Packers starter.

Brock Purdy QB - San Francisco 49ers

• Brock Purdy is silencing anyone who thinks draft capital matters. Purdy became the first quarterback in NFL history to record over 200 passing yards and at least two touchdowns in their first six games. Purdy also maintained his streak of unbeaten regular season dominance, extending his win total to six across his first six starts.

Notable Market Fallers

Cooper Kupp WR - Los Angeles Rams

• Managers are in fear of the worst for Cooper Kupp. The Rams star receiver was placed on injured reserve after a minor hamstring injury developed into a severe issue. Kupp’s absence will extend through Week 4, leaving several managers with no choice but to trade off their star asset at a discount if they wish to compete.

Treylon Burks WR - Tennessee Titans

• Treylon Burks' dynasty value continues to plummet after a poor rookie season. The signing of DeAndre Hopkins has done little to help Burks' stock or development as the veteran target hog leaves few opportunities on the table in the Titans' low-volume passing offense.

Christian Kirk WR - Jacksonville Jaguars

• Christian Kirk will never be higher than number two (and likely lower) in the Jaguars pecking order when it comes to earning targets. Truthfully, Kirk is likely fourth in the rotation behind Travis Etienne, Calvin Ridley, and Evan Engram. Furthermore, Zay Jones remains a highly valuable weapon for the Jaguars, leaving Kirk to scrounge for leftovers.

Cam Akers RB - Los Angeles Rams

• Cam Akers gained 29 yards on 22 carries in Week 1 while a 5 '7'' running back with a 4.71s 40-yard dash out produced him on every touch. The Rams will not hesitate to cut Akers' role entirely if he continues to disappoint as he did on opening day.

D’Andre Swift RB - Philadelphia Eagles

• D’Andre Swift may need several weeks to earn a larger role on his new team. The Eagles seem content with riding Kenneth Gainwell until that moment comes, leaving managers with a dead asset.

Dynasty Waiver Adds

Durham Smythe TE - Miami Dolphins

• The Dolphins appear to have found their TE1 in Durham Smythe as the relatively unknown tight end trailed only Tyreek Hill for the team lead in targets during their Week 1 win against the Chargers. If the Dolphins maintain their frenetic passing pace throughout the 2023 season, Smythe will skyrocket in value as a mere byproduct of his team’s success.

Tutu Atwell WR - Los Angeles Rams

• Tutu Atwell may not have much utility upon Cooper Kupp’s return but the big-play threat could prove to be a useful bargaining chip for managers if he can repeat his Week 1 performance.

Justice Hill RB - Baltimore Ravens

• An unfortunate season-ending injury to Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins leaves Gus Edwards and Justice Hill as a one-two punch atop the depth chart. Edwards is a Dynasty darling and is rostered in over 80.0% of collective leagues on Sleeper and MLF. Hill, on the other hand, is vastly overlooked and presents a similar upside to Edwards should he maintain the hot hand.

Adam Trautman TE - Denver Broncos

• Adam Trautman was a coach-favorite of Sean Payton during their time together in New Orleans and will now receive another opportunity as the Broncos top tight end amidst Greg Dulcich’s potential absence.

Kendrick Bourne WR - New England Patriots

• Kendrick Bourne will never return a pretty penny on the trade market but if the veteran wideout continues to lead his team in receiving stats his production will be well worth the menial cost of investment.

Dynasty Roster Cuts

Chase Claypool WR - Chicago Bears

• Chase Claypool appears to have no desire to maintain an NFL career, playing with an utter lack of effort and production. I do not believe his absurd pre-game diet has anything to do with it.

Jaleel McLaughlin RB - Denver Broncos

• A hot name coming out of training camp, Jaleel McLaughlin is laughably far behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine on the depth chart. McLaughlin is nothing more than a long-shot upside handcuff that needs not one, but two, injuries to see meaningful touches.

Greg Dortch WR - Arizona Cardinals

• The lack of depth on the Cardinals depth chart does not appear to be enough to keep Greg Dortch’s dynasty value afloat. Undersized and lacking talent, Dortch is merely a one-hit wonder of yesteryear.

Buy Low

Jahmyr Gibbs RB - Detroit Lions

• NFL Teams simply do not draft generational running backs in the first round to not utilize them. Gibbs' opportunity share in Week 1 was undoubtedly discouraging but his rookie breakout is a matter of when, not if.

Cooper Kupp WR - Los Angeles Rams

• A healthy Cooper Kupp is one of the most lethal wide receivers in the NFL, regardless of age. Kupp’s declining cost is certainly justifiable amidst several recent injuries but managers that can afford the risk could see a payoff well beyond any asset that shares a similar value tier.

Tank Bigsby RB - Jacksonville Jaguars

• The Jaguars have one of the most talented young duos of backfield running mates in the NFL. Tank Bigsby’s forceful North/South rushing style compliments Travis Etienne perfectly, allowing both players to maintain relevance within their roles.

Sell High

Mac Jones QB - New England Patriots

• Mac Jones will need to produce an entire season mirroring his Week 1 production for him to shake the stigma of a middling Superflex QB2. Hopefully, some managers are willing to weigh his opening week performance over his entire resume of mediocrity.

David Montgomery RB - Detroit Lions

• David Montgomery is amongst the most ineffective and inefficient plodders in the NFL. Jahmyr Gibbs could easily usurp Montgomery’s nonsensical opportunity share at any moment, rendering the veteran running back as a touchdown-dependent roster clogger.

Darnell Mooney WR - Chicago Bears

• Darnell Mooney often teases the Dynasty market with flashes of high-upside performances before being wildly out-produced by every other receiver on his team, regardless of name. D.J. Moore will surely usurp Mooney this season and hopefully, the Bears have enough wherewithal to add some real receiver talent in the coming draft.

Weekly Market Evaluation

Week 1 is amongst the most volatile on the Dynasty market. Managers are quick to overreact in each direction by devaluing high-quality assets while simultaneously propping up unwarranted roster cloggers. One week of data is simply not enough to make such brash market adjustments yet consensus rankings reflect a differing mentality. Hold strong on your previous evaluations. Do not panic sell after one bad week. Conversely, do not empty your budget on unproven assets simply due to a single blow-up game. Patience is a virtue. The 2023 season has a long road ahead with several unforeseeable and treacherous turns along the way.

Much respect, thank you for reading. If you have any continued thoughts and would like to share, I am always available for an open conversation on Twitter: @PsychWardFF or Instagram: @psychwardff.

You can find my other works as the Lead Writer and DOC at Broto Fantasy Football.

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By Matt Ward