Dynasty Leagues

Denzel Mims has great metrics: a 115.6 (96th-percentile among qualified wide receivers) Speed Score, 42.3-percent (85th-percentile) College Dominator Rating, 131.0 (90th-percentile) Burst Score and 10.34 (95th-percentile) Catch Radius. New OC Mike Lafleur’s West Coast offense should feature Mims and Corey Davis on the outside with Jamison Crowder or Keelan Cole in the slot. Mims earned five targets and 40 yards per game as a rookie, and is in the sweet spot for year 2 breakouts.

The “third year breakout” is looking more and more like a myth every year. It’s not impossible to find one. It’s just a long shot. To improve your odds, use the Dynasty Deluxe rankings and take a couple flyers – especially those that have missed time early but have tremendous profiles. Churn them though if they don’t flash right away. No need to keep pyrite on the roster. Guys with high-quality profiles that fit this description include Deebo Samuel and Parris Campbell.

The Running Back Doesn’t Matter philosophy stipulates RB production does not necessarily equate to talent, making the position replaceable. Investing significant capital in a top back who vanishes from utility is catastrophic to a dynasty team. Thus, RBDM proponents should run away from mediocre rushers who succeeded due to sheer volume. The few safe havens set to produce at an elite level for years to come should be coveted.

Running back talent has surged recently. The 2017 and 2020 draft classes gave rise to an RB renaissance. It’s on dynasty leaguers to make shrewd decisions on which current RB1s and emerging talents to place their chips on moving forward. I would target Miles Sanders or Antonio Gibson in trades for Josh Jacobs, and would sell David Montgomery in exchange for A.J. Dillon and a draft pick.

A sneaky little way to add talented players that are off of others’ radars are by adding them to a trade as “throw-ins.” Sure, everyone loves Darren Waller now, but it wasn’t until his age 27 season that he became a name to know. Hell, some might not even remember he was drafted by Baltimore. Yet, after years of no production he suddenly bloomed and put himself in the upper echelon of tight ends. Imagine how many Waller truthers got him as a throw-in.

When it comes to the tight end position, there are several players to keep an eye on. However, Carolina’s Ian Thomas should be at the top of everyone’s list. Yes, we were high on him last offseason and his 2020 was rather quiet. However, he’ll be 25 when the new year starts and in his second season with coach Matt Rhule and his system. With a quarterback upgrade likely coming, as well as vacated targets should Curtis Samuel leave, Thomas is setup for success.

Bryan Edwards and Denzel Mims are alphas in waiting, sorry Henry Ruggs. Jalen Hurts is like a more accurate Josh Allen.

Jalen Reagor would be helped by Ja’Marr Chase like Jerry Jeudy will be helped by Courtland Sutton. Trevor Lawrence is the 1.01 in superflex and 2-QB but you don’t actually want to use that pick.

With Zach Ertz likely out in Philadelphia and Jalen Hurts taking over the reigns at QB, Dallas Goedert has an appealing ceiling. Last season, he posted a +9.1 (No. 6 among qualified tight ends) Production Premium and a +14.7-percent (No. 6) Target Premium. This is a highly efficient player on a team with an abundance of vacated targets and a potential upgrade at quarterback. He’s the perfect type of tight end to target in the middle rounds.

A great example of a player that needs to be targeted in upcoming startup drafts is Rams running back Cam Akers. The Rams showed late last season that they are ready to let the second-rounder roll. With Malcolm Brown likely gone, Akers has only Darrell Henderson to compete with. Add in an upgrade at quarterback, and the second-year back is primed for a big 2021. Oh yeah, he’ll be a youthful 22 years old when the season begins.

For those who missed his productive moments during the 2020 season, Marquez Callaway should not be wasting away on waivers. He played well during Michael Thomas’ absence, including an eight-catch, 75-yard performance in Week 7 against Carolina. Michael Thomas has been making enemies in his own locker room; not even his future in New Orleans is secure. When 2021 plays out, it’s possible Callaway is a very important piece to this Saints offense.

Entering his third season in the NFL, and under coach Frank Reich, Ashton Dulin can take advantage of the looming vacancies at the wide receiver position in Indianapolis. Between his workout metrics, highlighted by a stellar 60.9-percent (99th-percentile among qualified wide receivers) College Dominator Rating and near-perfect 18.3 (99th-percentile) Breakout Age, it’s easy to see how his talent can carry him to relevancy in the near future.

With Mark Ingram out and Gus Edwards a restricted free agent, there’s a solid chance Justice Hill ends up the No. 2 in Baltimore behind starter J.K. Dobbins in 2021. With an elite 4.40 (97th-percentile among qualified running backs) 40-yard Dash and 133.0 (95th-percentile) Burst Score, Hill has the tools to be a great piece to the offense, even as the No. 2 back.

Though he wasn’t invited to the Combine and his player profile lacks workout metrics, Xavier Jones’ college production is noticeable. His 28.6-percent (63rd-percentile) College Dominator Rating is solid, while his 9.6-percent (71st-percentile) College Target Share is excellent. With Malcolm Brown a free agent, the Rams will rely on Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers to lead the backfield. Don’t count out Jones making some noise in 2021 as well.

Christian Kirk spent Week 17 on the reserve/COVID-19 list. This closed out a pedestrian season for the third year receiver. He surpassed 100 yards just once this season (Week 9), and had nine games with 50 receiving yards or less. He saw a Slot Rate of only 11.4-percent this year, a third of his 2019 usage. A potential Larry Fitzgerald retirement may help the Cardinals move Kirk back inside more.

With Hunter Henry on the reserve/COVID-19 list for the final two weeks of the season, XFL standout Donald Parham was handed increased opportunity. Logging Snap Shares of 84.9-percent and 57.6-percent in Weeks 16 and 17, The 6-8, 240-pound XFL standout produced a serviceable five receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. With Henry set to test free agency in 2021, the 23-year-old Parham makes for a decent bench stash.

With Jamaal Williams out and Aaron Jones hindered by a hip issue, A.J. Dillon got his chance to show what he’s capable of. He saw a season high 58.1-percent Snap Share and rushed 21 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 16 win against the Titans. With Williams and Jones scheduled for free agency this offseason, Dillon becomes an intriguing dynasty asset moving towards the NFL playoffs and offseason.

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire shelved due to a leg and hip injury, veteran Le’Veon Bell was not the answer for the Kansas City Chiefs running game. Bell has been an underwhelming addition to the Chiefs roster, topping out at 64 yards (Week 15) and 53.2-percent of snaps (Week 13). He has scored just one touchdown. He slides eight spots to move down from RB33 to RB41.

Tony Pollard made good on his shot at a lead role following Ezekiel Elliott’s surprise inactive designation in Week 15. Playing 92.9-percent of the snaps versus the 49ers, Pollard rushed a dozen times for 132 total yards and two touchdowns, going six of nine in the passing game. He was the fantasy RB1 on the week. He gained 22.81 Lifetime Value points to rise from RB37 to RB27 on the dynasty rankings.

With his ankle injury nagging and with high postseason hopes, the Saints opted to place Michael Thomas on injured reserve heading into Week 15. Obviously, this ends his availability for dynasty leagues in 2020. Hopefully a return to form in the post season can help to rejuvenate his dynasty stock. For now, the soon to be 28-year old is among the biggest losers Lifetime Value points, slipping from WR8 to WR11 on the rankings .