Dynasty Market Movers – Report 4: Stock up for Tony Pollard

by Steve Smith · Dynasty Leagues

This is the Dynasty Market Movers Report 4! At this point in the 2022 campaign, managers should know what their dynasty teams are. Take advantage of the market trends and use PlayerProfiler’s advanced stats and metrics to secure a championship now or look towards building a future contender. Don’t be caught asleep at the wheel because now’s the time for action.

Here is your Dynasty Market Movers Report following the events of Weeks 7 and 8.

Stock Trending Up

Tua Tagovailoa – QB Miami Dolphins

Things change fast in the NFL. Following a scary incident, Tua Tagovailoa returned to action versus the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7 and has since posted back-to-back QB1-level finishes (QB11 in Week 7, QB1 in Week 8). Dolphins management looks to have sent him a vote of confidence by dealing away their remaining 2023 first-round pick at the Nov 1st trade deadline.

In an offense loaded with weapons, Tagovailoa has posted solid metrics this season. He owns league-best marks for Yards Per Attempt (9.0, No. 1) and Deep Ball Accuracy (7.0, No. 1). Tagovailoa owns a True Passer Rating of 100.0 (No. 1) and a 73.9-percent True Completion Percentage (No. 5). Both of these numbers are career highs. He gains 25.36 Lifetime Value points and climbs six spots to QB11 in dynasty. Due to his injury history, managers willing to bet on the 24-year-old may still be able to acquire his services at a discount.

Tony Pollard – RB Dallas Cowboys

Following a Week 8 Podfather Tony Pollard Dance Party, featuring the fourth-year RB in this report is practically a necessity. With Ezekiel Elliott sitting out the Week 8 match-up versus the Bears, Pollard exploded for 147 total yards and three touchdowns. This big day translated to a 33.7 fantasy points (RB4) finish.

Pollard gains 54.22 Lifetime Value points to move nine spots on the dynasty rankings to RB20. Regardless of any narrative coming out of the Cowboys organization regarding future RB splits, Pollard makes for an interesting free agent this offseason. His 5.3 (No. 9) True Yards Per Carry and 6.7 (No. 3) Yards Per Touch are substantially better than Elliott’s marks. The man of the hour has nine Breakaway Runs (No. 3). Tony Freakin’ Pollard!

DeAndre Hopkins – WR Arizona Cardinals

It’s safe to say that Kyler Murray is pleased to have his alpha wideout back. Since returning from suspension in Week 7 versus the Saints, DeAndre Hopkins has been peppered with 27 Targets for a massive 37.5-percent Target Share (No. 1). Over the last two games, Hopkins has 22 catches for 262 yards and a slick one-handed touchdown grab.

The veteran stud receiver has posted back-to-back WR1-level performances (WR8 in Week 7, WR2 in Week 8) for an average of 27.1 Fantasy Points Per Game. Hopkins roars back on the scene as a strong WR1 gaining 48.42 Lifetime Value points and 19 spots to rise to WR20 in PlayerProfiler’s dynasty rankings. He makes for a great boost to dynasty teams looking to make a 2022 championship run.

Isaiah Likely – TE Baltimore Ravens

A second-half shoulder injury to elite tight end Mark Andrews propelled Ravens 2022 fourth-round selection, Isaiah Likely, into a larger role in Week 8 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie out of Coastal Carolina played a season-high 66.2-percent of snaps running 30 routes. Likely contributed in a big way catching six of seven Targets for 77 yards and a score. He finished Week 8 with 19.7 fantasy points (TE2).

With Rashod Bateman out of the picture due to season-ending foot surgery, Likely is poised to become a bigger part of the Ravens’ offensive game plan. He leads all TEs earning 15.49 Lifetime Value points and vaults eight spots to TE17. The presence of a healthy Andrews should allow for Likely to remain an affordable dynasty league buy.

More notable players with stocks trending up:

Joe Burrow – QB Cincinnati Bengals: +10.06 Lifetime Value points and +1 spot to QB6

Travis Etienne – RB Jacksonville Jaguars: +69.04 Lifetime Value points and +3 spots to RB6

Jaylen Waddle – WR  Miami Dolphins: +34.93 Lifetime Value points and +4 spots to WR6

Dalton Schultz – TE Dallas Cowboys: +13.79 Lifetime Value points and +4 spots to TE8

Stock Trending Down

Matt Ryan – QB Indianapolis Colts

After leading the Colts to a 3-3-1 start, Matt Ryan‘s tenure in Indianapolis has been put on ice. With a league-leading nine interceptions through seven games, the veteran QB was shown the bench in Week 8 in favor of sophomore sixth round QB Sam Ehlinger. He is also reported to be dealing with a shoulder sprain.

On the season, Ryan has produced 14.6 fantasy points per game(QB23) with only two performances in the top 12 at the position. He has a QBR of 44.2 (No. 22) committing 23 Danger Plays (No. 2) and 17 Interceptable Passes (No. 4). In all fairness, a 79.1-percent Protection Rate (No. 22) hasn’t done him any favors. Ryan drops a position-leading 16.76 Lifetime Value points over the last two weeks and falls 11 spots to QB37. Dynasty managers rostering the 37-year-old can only hope for a change to his indefinite clipboard-holding status.

James Cook – RB Buffalo Bills

Just when it looked as if rookie RB James Cook was beginning to seize the RB2 role in the Bills’ high-powered offense, they went out and traded for Nyheim Hines. Through seven games, Cook has played an average of 14.1-percent of snaps, peaking at 27.7-percent in Week 2. He has 24 carries (No. 24) for 132 yards (No. 55) catching five of eight targets for 78 yards and one TD.

The dynasty value of the 2022 second-round selection takes a big hit. Cook loses 33.40 Lifetime Value points and slips 12 spots to land at RB38. He’s destined to sit third on the depth chart. Barring a backfield injury, Cook is relegated to end-of-bench or taxi squad status.

Courtland Sutton – WR Denver Broncos

After a strong start to 2022, Courtland Sutton has gone cold of late. On the season, Sutton is commanding a reasonable 23.8-percent (No. 25) Target Share and playing 92.8-percent of snaps (No. 11). However, his per-game targets have dropped off recently as he’s earning just single-digit looks in each game since Week 6. Sutton has not been performing like the team’s WR1, and other weapons have emerged.

Courtland Sutton Efficiency Metrics – Week 1-8

Over the past three weeks, Sutton has produced a total of 50 scoreless receiving yards with no red zone targets. This yardage total is lower than any single game output from Weeks 1 through 5. From a fantasy perspective, he has 11 fantasy points over this trio of games, which is lower than any single week through the first five contests. Sutton produced 11.2 fantasy points in Week 1. The 27-year-old loses 45.7 Lifetime Value points and 18 spots to slide to WR43 in dynasty. Better days are ahead for Sutton, but this buy-low opportunity comes with volatility in the Denver Broncos’ No. 21-ranked passing offense.

Irv Smith – TE Minnesota Vikings

Vikings’ 2019 second-round tight end Irv Smith will spend time on the injured reserve with a high-angle sprain. The missed time clearly hurts his dynasty value. To make matters worse, Minnesota acquired T.J. Hockenson at the NFL trade deadline. Double whammy! Smith loses 16.58 Lifetime Value points and 14 spots to plummet to TE33.

In seven games this year, Smith has hauled in 22 of 33 targets for 168 yards (No. 27) and two touchdowns (No. 11). This equates to 7.3 fantasy points per game (TE21). Still only 24 years old, and an Unrestricted Free Agent this offseason, Smith is likely to look for a new home in 2023. Fantasy managers who believe in Smith’s talent should explore this opportunity to buy at a discount.

More notable players with stocks trending down:

Derek Carr – QB Las Vegas Raiders: -5.87 Lifetime Value points and -4 spots to QB17

Breece Hall – RB New York Jets: -132.71 Lifetime Value points and -7 spots to RB8

Rashod Bateman – WR Baltimore Ravens: -45.02 Lifetime Value points and -17 spots to WR37

David Njoku – TE Cleveland Browns: -11.92 Lifetime Value points and -4 spots to TE15

Follow @stevenr_smith