Monthly Archives: January 2014

Q & A: Should I hang on to Giovani Bernard?

Posted on by Standard Reply

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cincinnati BengalsQuestion: Is Gio Bernard going to be as  good as everyone says? I’ve been offered a lot for him but I want to hang on to him. Thanks. – Anthony S.

Currently, Gio is ranked #5 in our dynasty running back rankings. I would say five might be a little high but not by much. One reason is his age as Bernard will still be just 22 entering the 2014 season. Of the running backs to score more points this year (in PPR leagues), the next youngest was Eddie Lacy who is almost a year and a half older.

Production-wise, Bernard had a very good season finishing as a top-15 running back in PPR dynasty leagues. Bernard was in a time-share with incumbent running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis with Green-Ellis getting 56% of the carries as opposed to Bernard’s 44%. Despite that, Bernard gained 695 yards and a respectable 4.1 YPC. However, he did most of his damage in the passing game, where he was second among all rookies with 56 catches. He turned that into 514 yards and a 9.2 yards per average.

Going forward, things seem to be falling in to place for Bernard to be extremely productive. BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ contract is up after the 2014 season which will move Bernard into the lead role. Furthermore, with Jay Gruden being named the new head coach in Washington, Hue Jackson will take over the offensive coordinator duties in Cincinnati. In his last stint as offensive coordinator, Jackson managed to squeeze 1,157 rushing yards (5.2 YPC) out of the oft-injured Darren McFadden plus 507 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns. He should be able to do the same for Bernard.

Physically, Bernard has the build of Ray Rice (Bernard is 5′ 9″/ 208 lbs; Rice is 5′ 8″ / 212 lbs) which should alleviate any fears you may have of his body holding up. Rice had four very productive years with at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage before suffering a drop-off this year (it remains to be seen if he’ll return to form).

Overall, it’s very difficult to get a running back you can consistently rely on in dynasty football. Bernard has that potential, and should be treated, as a low-end RB1 or high-end RB2 for at least the next 3-4 years which, in  running back years, is a lifetime.

But, I’m a big believer in every player has a price and running backs, of all positions in fantasy football, are the most replaceable. If you were to trade Bernard, be sure to get at least one good, young player (i.e. Keenan Allen) along with picks in your upcoming drafts.

If you have a question for DFFC, be sure to email us at dynastyfantasyfootballcentral[at]gmail.com.

Daily Dynasty Update – January 10th

Posted on by Standard Reply
  • Broncos linebacker Von Miller had ACL surgery today and will be recovering for a while. It’s unknown whether he’ll be ready for the start of next season and is another disappointing development for the LB1. He could be a decent buy-low candidate.
  • With James Jones future in Green Bay in doubt, receiver Randall Cobb could move out of the slot to the outside. You have to assume that would sap some of his opportunities to make plays but it depends on the other personnel. Cobb is a WR2 only because of the crowded receiving corps in Green Bay.
  • Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III got a vote of confidence from new coach Jay Gruden. There goes the Cousins in DC theory.
  • Giants running back David Wilson will undergo neck surgery. Hopefully, Wilson can get healthy and back to being a productive running back. Meanwhile, it leaves Andre Brown as the front-runner for the Giants running back job in 2014.

Updated Dynasty Tight End Rankings – January 2014

Posted on by Standard Reply

Click here to see the latest dynasty tight end rankings heading into 2014.

  • Colts tight end Dwayne Allen jumped up a bit. I’m guessing it has more to do with fellow Colts tight end Colby Fleener‘s ability to take the starting job after Allen’s injury and run with it. Allen has more upside. 
  • Dolphins tight end Charles Clay continues to move up as he was one of the few bright spots on the Dolphins offense this year.  That team has many holes but Clay gives them some stability at the position. 
  • Two rookies enter the rankings – Oakland’s Mychal Rivera and Seattle’s Luke Willson. Both played sparingly this year but showed flashes of ability. They’ll be playing for starting jobs in 2014 so now is the time to snag them.
  • Meanwhile, Seattle’s incumbent tight end, Zach Miller, continues to drop, likely because of the small chance he has of coming back to Seattle. Miller appears to be at the end of the line. 
  • Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez continues to drop but until those retirement papers are filed, I’m expecting Gonzalez back next year. 

Updated Dynasty Quarterback Rankings – January 2014

Posted on by Standard Reply

Click here for our updated dynasty quarterback  rankings for January 2014 

  • No major changes in the first dozen. Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Andrew Luck still make up the top three.
  • The big riser continues to be Nick Foles who is now up to #13. Looking at the 12 ahead of him, it makes sense. Jay Cutler also moves up a bit thanks to his new contract which insures he’ll be surrounded by top-notch talent for a bit.
  • The drops continue for Eli Manning who will have a new offensive coordinator next year. Keep an eye out for that one. Terrelle Pryor also drops thanks to the likelihood that Oakland drafts a quarterback with their first pick.

Got a question?

Posted on by Standard Reply

Just because fantasy football is done for the year doesn’t mean it is in dynasty leagues. If you’ve found your way to this site you’re already thinking about 2014. We are too! If you have a specific question about your team, a player, rankings or anything else, hit us up at dynastyfantasyfootballcentral@gmail.com so we can post your answer. It’s never too early to start so fire away!

Daily Dynasty Update – January 6th

Posted on by Standard Reply

Dynasty Recap – Wild Card – 49ers escape Packers, 23-20

Posted on by Standard Reply
  • 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had another big day against the Packers, going 16 of 30 for 227 yards, one  touchdown, and one interception. However, he did a lot of damage on the ground with 98 yards. If Kaepernick can keep putting up these kinds of numbers in the regular season, he’ll still be a QB1 prospect in dynasty leagues.
  • Packers rookie running back Eddie Lacy capped off his rookie season with 81 yards on 21 carries. He also added two catches. Lacy had an impressive rookie year and should be a low-end RB1 prospect going forward.
  • 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree had a huge game with eight catches for 125 yards. Crabtree showed no signs of the injury that kept him out most of the year and should return next year in top form. He’ll be back in San Francisco next year on a team-friendly deal and is a WR2 in his current environment. Be on the lookout for where he ends up in 2015.
  • 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith led the team with 1.5 sacks to go with four tackles. Smith has had a unique year, racking up 8.5 sacks in just 11 games after missing five games due to rehab.

Dynasty Recap – Wild Card – Chargers upset Bengals, 27-10

Posted on by Standard Reply
  • Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton had a game to forget, going 29 of 51 for 334 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and one fumble. Dalton’s never been a QB1 prospect in dynasty circles and this game just proved it, despite Cincinnati’s success this year. If you’re a Dalton owner, you might start looking at a trade.
  • Bengals rookie running back Giovani Bernard ended his rookie year doing what he does best – catching the ball. He caught seven passes for 73 yards while adding 45 yards on the ground. Bernard is a legit RB2 prospect in dynasty.
  • Bengals receiver Marvin Jones had a big day, catching eight passes on an amazing 12 targets for 130 yards. Jones will enter 2014 as the second receiver in Cincinnati and should be square on the WR3/4 radar in dynasty leagues.
  • The Chargers didn’t do much in the air but leading the way was Ladarius Green, catching three passes (a 1/4 of Philip Rivers completions) for 34 yards and a touchdown. His stock will be sky-high heading in to 2014.

Dynasty Recap – Wild Card – Saints escape Eagle, 26-24

Posted on by Standard Reply
  • Saints quarterback Drew Brees had a very average day, going 20 of 30 for 250 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Brees goes up against Seattle next week. This game does nothing to dispel the notion that Brees can’t put up his usual numbers outside of a dome.
  • Eagles quarterback Nick Foles had another efficient day, going 23 of 33 for 195 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He’ll be a QB1 in dynasty circles heading in to next season.
  • Saints running back Mark Ingram picked up the slack with 97 rushing yards and a touchdown. Ingram is eligible to be cut before next season but games like this will help him stick around.
  • Eagles receiver Riley Cooper led the Eagles with six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. The free agent had quite the year with the racial slur controversy in the beginning but found his groove with Foles. It’ll be interesting to see if Philadelphia brings him back.

Dynasty Recap – Wild Card – Colts stun Chiefs, 45-44

Posted on by Standard Reply
  • Both quarterbacks went off as Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith went 30 of 46 for 378 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. This game, and season, bought him at least one more year as the Kansas City starter.
  • Meanwhile, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck went 29 of 45 for for 443 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Admittedly, most of it was in garbage time and against the Chiefs second stringers, but it’s what Luck dynasty owners like to see.
  • The real star yesterday was Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton who had 13 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns. It remains to see what his role will be next year but there’s no denying his talent. He’s a strong dynasty prospect heading in to 2014.
  • Meanwhile, Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe had his best game all year with eight catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. Don’t be fooled though as Kansas City is still a run-first offense and Bowe will only be a year older next year.
  • Kansas City linebacker Justin Houston had a sack in his return from injury. Houston is a big-play linebacker with low tackle numbers but potentially big sack numbers.