- Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will have ankle surgery but should be ready for training camp. If there was ever a time to buy-low on Newton, it’s now.
- Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins officially signed with Cleveland where he’ll be the new slot receiver. Between his signing, and the arrival of Ben Tate, the Browns offense is shaping up to be a very supportive cast for whoever ends up as the quarterback in 2014 and beyond.
- The Giants signed receiver Mario Manningham, who will be no better than fourth on the depth chart.
- Now that the Patriots have re-signed Julian Edelman and added Brandon LaFell, the fifth spot on the depth chart will be between Kenbrell Thompkins and Josh Boyce. Both had some dynasty appeal heading in to last year but it turned out to be inflated. Neither are expected to hit it big this year.
Author Archives: dodgermoore
Updated Dynasty Tight End Rankings – March 2014, 2.0
Click here for complete dynasty tight end rankings, now with Rotoworld rankings included.
- Top six remains the same with Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed at the top.
- Big risers this update include Vance McDonald of the 49ers. Vernon Davis is now 30 years old and McDonald is the current candidate to replace him; same goes for McDonald’s Rice teammate Luke Willson in Seattle, playing behind now-28-year-old Zach Miller; the last big riser is Atlanta’s Levine Toilolo. With Tony Gonzalez’ retirement (almost) official, Toilolo steps in as the starter in a high-powered offense.
- The big drops this update include the previously mentioned Miller; the Eagles Brent Celek, 29, who will be giving more snaps to Zach Ertz; the other big drop includes Jacksonville’s Marcedes Lewis, who could be a decent buy-low candidate if Jacksonville draft’s a quarterback in May.
- The new entries to the rankings include Houston’s Ryan Griffin, who immediately looks appealing thanks to Owen Daniels’ release; and the Giants Adrien Robinson who is currently the starter in New York thanks to Brandon Myers signing in Tampa.
Daily Dynasty Update – March 18th
- The Raiders signed wide receiver James Jones to a three-year deal. He’ll immediately be at the top of the depth chart in Oakland but should still see a decrease in fantasy value. Unless the Raiders draft a quarterback in the first round, Jones doesn’t have a good chance to have dynasty value in 2014.
- Quarterback Brandon Weeden signed with the Cowboys where he’ll back up Tony Romo. Even though he’s cemented his status as a backup, Weeden’s dynasty value might have actually increased. Tony Romo is coming off back surgery and the Dallas offense is never one to be shy.
- The Packers are expected to re-sign running back James Starks to back up incumbent Eddie Lacy. Starks had a 5.5 YPC last year and should be considered one of the better compliment backs in dynasty leagues.
Updated Dynasty Wide Receiver Rankings – March 2014
Click here for complete dynasty wide receiving rankings, now with rankings from Rotoworld.
- Top five remains the same with Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, Josh Gordon, and Demaryius Thomas in the same positions as last month.
- Big risers this month include Michael Crabtree, who will have a full pre-season to perform; the Cardinals Michael Floyd, who should be taking more targets from Larry Fitzgerald; the Titans Kendall Wright, who caught almost 100 balls with over 1,000 yards despite shoddy quarterback play; and the Patriots Julian Edelman, who re-signed with New England where his dynasty value will never be higher.
- The drops this month include Larry Fitzgerald, who at 31, is a year older and has a steadily falling dynasty value; recently signed Eric Decker, who had his value drop once he left Denver; the Texans Andre Johnson, also a victim of time; and the Patriots Danny Amendola who just can’t seem to stay healthy.
- New to the rankings are the Seahawks Doug Baldwin, who should see more targets now that Golden Tate is out-of-town; the Giants Jerrel Jernigan, who should see more targets now that Hakeem Nicks is out of New York; and Jarrett Boykin who should see more looks now that James Jones is out-of-town.
Daily Dynasty Update – March 17th
- The Ravens signed recently cut receiver Steve Smith over the weekend. It should be a non-impact move as Smith’s value in dynasty had sharply decreased and isn’t expected to increase in Baltimore. It’s also not expected to affect Torrey Smith or Dennis Pitta’s value.
- At the opposite end of the impact spectrum, Emmanuel Sanders signed with the Broncos. His value should be at an all-time high heading in to 2014.
- The Patriots signed receiver Brandon LaFell to a short-term deal. He’s expected to compete with Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins for catches. You shouldn’t expect much from LaFell in dynasty.
- Speaking of Patriots receivers, they re-signed Julian Edelman. Edelman’s dynasty value wouldn’t be higher anywhere else and he should continue to be a WR2/3.
- In free agent running back news, the Browns signed Ben Tate who will be penciled in as the starter heading in to 2014. Tate only signed a two-year deal so he has limited time to prove his worth.
- In non-free agency news, Arian Foster has been medically cleared by his doctors after a season-ending back injury. He could be a decent buy-low candidate to pick off from those scared off by Foster’s injury history. You shouldn’t rely on him as your RB1 in dynasty but would make an excellent RB2.
- Seahawks tight end Zach Miller re-worked his contract to stay with the team. Luke Willson dynasty owners might have to wait a little longer to cash in on the dynasty hold.
Daily Dynasty Update – March 14th
- The Eagles traded for running back Darren Sproles, which should pump some life back in to Sproles dynasty value. LeSean McCoy’s won’t drop in the least.
- Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso is moving to the outside in what appears to be a switch to a 4-3 defense in Buffalo. Alonso is a still a LB1 option in dynasty leagues but probably won’t have a chance to the be absolute best.
- The Lions re-signed tight end Brandon Pettigrew to a four-year deal. Pettigrew has never taken full advantage of the Lions high-powered attack and won’t start now. Joseph Fauria is the tight end to town in Detroit.
- The Texans re-signed Garrett Graham to potentially fill the Aaron Hernandez role in Houston. This still leaves Ryan Griffin in the Gronk role and should be on dynasty leaguers radar.
- Another tight end re-signed in Andrew Quarless and the Packers. Quarless is, at the moment, the starter in Green Bay but is not known as a pass-catching tight end. Either way, he’ll be given the first crack at replacing Jermichael Finley.
Daily Dynasty Update – March 13th
- The Jets have their receiver in Eric Decker, who signed for five years and $36.5 million. Obviously a downgrade without Peyton Manning, Decker is still the top receiving option on a team so will warrant some consideration in dynasty leagues. He’s also on a young team that can develop. Currently, he’s no more than a WR3 until he proves otherwise.
- Golden Tate is now in Detroit, which should immediately boost his dynasty value. Being in a high-powered passing offense, instead of the run-heavy Seattle offense, will allow Tate to hit career numbers. He could be a WR2 candidate for a few years.
- Kevin Minter dynasty owners might be rewarded in 2014 with the depature of Karlos Dansby. He’s expected to fill the every-down role Dansby occupied last year and could be a LB1/2.
- Josh McCown currently sits as the starter in Tampa after signing with them. 35 at the beginning of the season, McCown is a short-term dynasty option, at best. Luckily, Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin won’t suffer as McCown’s not necessarily a downgrade from the likes of Mike Glennon.
- DeMarcus Ware is now in Denver and, if healthy, should be a fine LB2 playing across Von Miller for at least a year or two.
Daily Dynasty Update – March 12th
- The Giants are expected to make running back Rashad Jennings their starter after signing him on the first day of free agency. David Wilson’s dynasty stock remains in a stand still as Jennings will turn 29 in a few weeks. Andre Brown’s future may be in doubt.
- On a related note, running back Darren McFadden re-signed with the Raiders where he’ll battle Latavius Murray for the starting job.
- In a surprising move, the Chargers signed running back Donald Brown and, effectively, downgraded the entire San Diego backfield for fantasy/dynasty purposes. Brown played like a starter down the stretch in Indy and will now take snaps from both Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead.
- Another head-scratcher was the Saints signing safety Jairus Byrd. Byrd was, arguably, the best safety available but to commit that much money ($28 million guaranteed) is odd. Either way, Byrd is a top safety in IDP leagues and inserting him in one of the league’s most aggressive defenses should be good times.
- The Bengals re-signed receiver Andrew Hawkins after he received an offer from division rival Cleveland. Hawkins was hurt most of last year but did show some promise as a dynamic option in the slot. He’s worth a stash in deep, PPR dynasty leagues.
- Saints running back Darren Sproles is not expected to be cut but, instead, should be traded soon. His value will entirely depend on where he ends up but his days as a RB2 are over.
- The Colts re-signed running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who should be in the mix for backup duties now that Donald Brown is gone.
Updated Dynasty Running Back Rankings – March 2014
Click here for complete dynasty running back rankings, now including Rotoworld dynasty rankings.
- Top five has a slightly different order but the same players: LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Eddie Lacy now at 3, Adrian Peterson now at 4, and Doug Martin dropping to 5.
- The risers this month include Bernard Pierce, David Wilson, Latavius Murray, Rashad Jennings, and LeGarrette Blount. Pierce’s rise is inherently tied to Ray Rice‘s fall. Rice’s production dropped off a cliff last year and an off-season domestic assault incident doesn’t help. Wilson looks as healthy as he has in a while and there is optimism he’ll pick up where he left off as the primary back in New York. Murray ad Jennings, The two Oakland backs, now have a clear path to a more prominent role now that the Raiders are letting Darren McFadden walk. Blount’s rise will only prove accurate if he sticks in New England where coach Bill Belichick got the absolute most out of him.
- Drops this month include Maurice Jones-Drew, Darren Sproles, Danny Woodhead, Rashard Mendenhall, and Fred Jackson. Jones-Drew’s impending free agency, and where he signs, are resulting in his fall as he’s most likely done as a featured back. Sproles, recently released by the Saints, looked bad down the stretch and, at 32, still struggle to find a similar situation as he had in New Orleans. Woodhead’s play also tailed off at the end of 2013 but his value in PPR dynasty leagues should be higher. Mendenhall looks set to retire. And finally, add another year to Fred Jackson who, at 33, is officially the oldest running back on the list. His only value is if you need to win this year.
Daily Dynasty Update – March 8th
The Vikings re-signed quarterback Matt Cassel to a two-year deal, insuring him as a bridge quarterback. Not long ago, it seemed like none of the top QB prospects would be there at eight when the Vikings picked but with recent chatter, it’s entirely possible that one of Manziel, Bortles, or Bridgewater will be there.- Dynasty owners of Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta should have their patience pay off as he’s expected to be back at 100% before the season starts. Pitta put up TE1 numbers the season before his hip injury and should have no problem repeating that success once he’s healthy.
- Saints running back Khiry Robinson is expected to handle a much bigger load in 2014 and, possibly, beyond. With Darren Sproles out, Pierre Thomas on his way, and Mark Ingram only under contract for one more year, Robinson is the best dynasty play in the Saints backfield (at the moment). Those that plucked him last year should be vindicated this year.
- The Jets re-signed tight end Jeff Cumberland, leaving him as the starter with Kellen Winslow moving on. Cumberland hasn’t flashed any TE1 potential and the New York offense certainly doesn’t indicate anything like that happening. But he is a starter and could be a decent reserve in dynasty leagues.
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