Dynasty Impact – Detroit Lions select Eric Ebron, TE

ebronDynasty Impact: Ebron, the best tight end in the draft, finally fills the black hole that is the Detroit Lions tight end position. Ebron will immediately garner targets and should elevate Matthew Stafford’s game. The pick should not have an impact on Calvin Johnson or even Golden Tate but Joseph Fauria dynasty owners have to be disappointed. Ebron will immediately be the top pick in dynasty mock drafts, especially in PPR leagues.

Updated Dynasty Wide Receiver Rankings – April 2014

Click here for updated dynasty wide receiver rankings. 

  • sandersOne change in the top five as Julio Jones enters the top five. Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, and Josh Gordon precede Jones.
  • Big risers this month include new Bronco Emmanuel Sanders to 45th from 55th thanks to having Peyton Manning as his quarterback; Eagles receiver Riley Cooper moves to 52nd from 60th thanks to the trade of DeSean Jackson; and finally Packers receiver Jarrett Boykin to 58th from 68th thanks to James Jones’ departure.
  • The big drops this month include Saints receiver Marques Colston from 42nd to 50th thanks to the Saints more balanced offensive approach; the Vikings’ Greg Jennings drops from 43rd to 51st; finally Steve Smith drops from 58th to 70th thanks to his probably reduced role in Baltimore.

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.

Updated Dynasty Wide Receiver Rankings – February 2014

Click here for the complete dynasty wide receiver rankings. 

  • No changes to the top five with Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, Josh Gordon, and Demaryius Thomas. Nothing should change this group of top-tier receivers any time soon.
  • A big drop includes Giants receiver Victor Cruz, still recovering from a knee scope. The drop is nothing to worry about as Cruz will be the top receiver in New York now that Hakeem Nicks is a free agent. Another drop is Baltimore’s Torrey Smith. Luckily for Smith, he has Gary Kubiak as a new offensive coordinator who oversaw big seasons from his own #1 receiver, Andre Johnson. However, with Dennis Pitta and the Ravens far apart on contract talks, the lack of support in the Ravens passing game can only hinder Smith.
  • Rising this month is Cowboys receiver Terrance Williams. With current second receiver Miles Austin on his way out, it will be Williams jobs to lose. Some others include newcomers to the list, Colts receiver Da’Rick Rogers and Eagles free agent Riley Cooper. Of  the two, Rogers has more potential as he has an elite talent throwing him the ball and, hopefully, a more pass-oriented offense. Cooper, meanwhile, is a free agent and it’s anybody’s guess as to where he ends up.

Updated Dynasty Wide Receiver Rankings – December

Be sure to check out the latest dynasty wide receiver rankings here

  • No changes at the top as the top seven stay the same: Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Julio Jones, Brandon Marshall, and Randall Cobb all stay the same.
  • The big risers include Josh Gordon (8), Antonio Brown (14), and Alshon Jeffery (22). All had the skill it was just a matter of putting it together. There should be no doubt heading in to 2014.
  • The only real drop was Marques Colston (47) which primarily is age. Any receiver in New Orleans is bound to be limited by the in-house competition.

Dynasty Recap – Week 17 – Vikings slip by Lions, 14-13

  • Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford went 22 of 33 for 217 yards for a 6.6 YPA, another sub-par performance without Calvin Johnson. It’ll be interesting to see what the Lions do with the coaching staff and who it will affect. No matter what they do, Stafford will have even more pressure on him to perform next year. 
  • Vikings running back Matt Asiata had 14 carries for 115 yards for an 8+ YPC. He will not be an option next year on dynasty rosters. 
  • Lions running back Reggie Bush had an abysmal 2.3 YPC with 32 yards on 14 carries but added five catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. Bush’s value has definitely taken a hit with Joique Bell in the fold. It could be affected further depending on any coaching changes. Stay tuned.
  • Vikings end Jared Allen had two more sacks for 11.5 on the year. Allen had 6.5 in the last five games of the year, showing he’s still got it. Allen will, most likely, sign with another team for 2014 and is still a viable IDP option. 

Dynasty Recap – Week 16 – Giants escape Lions, 23-20

  • Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford did not have a good day, going 25 of 42 for 222 yards and two interceptions with no touchdowns. He had a largely ineffective Calvin Johnson going which shows, yet again, how Stafford performs without him. It’s an interesting case for 2014.
  • Lions running back Joique Bell took over the running back role in Detroit with 91 yards rushing on 20 carries and a touchdown along with ten catches for 63 yards. If Stafford fails to get anything going downfield, Bell is looking like his safety valve.
  • Giants linebacker Jon Beason continues to play well with his new team, racking up 11 more tackles. He’s had 84 tackles in 10 games in New York. His cap number in 2014 shoots up so don’t expect Beason back.

Dynasty Recap – Week 15 – Ravens escape Lions, 18-16

  • Lions running back Reggie Bush returned to form last night with 86 yards rushing on 17 carries. Bush is a dynamic player and even better in that high-powered offense. But if he can’t stay healthy he’ll always be a boom-or-bust player.
  • Lions receiver Calvin Johnson had 98 yards receiving on only six catches. With rumblings about change in Detroit, Johnson is about the safest bet anywhere.
  • Ravens linebacker Daryl Smith filled the stat sheet with five tackles, a sack, and an interception. Smith was originally supposed to only be a fill-in until rookie Arthur Brown was ready but has played well. The free agent-to-be has 107 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions and an incredible 18 passes defended.
  • Ravens rookie safety Matt Elam had his best game in 2013 with 10 tackles, a tackle for a loss and an interception. Elam is one of crop of rookie safeties that should be around awhile.

Dynasty Recap – Week 13 – Lions destroy Packers, 40-10

  • Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had a very Matthew Stafford game, throwing for 330 yards on 22 of 35 passing with three touchdowns but two interceptions and a fumble lost. This is the Matthew Stafford dynasty leaguers will have to live with.
  • Lions running back Reggie Bush had 117 yards rushing and 65 yards receiving on five catches with a touchdown. He did lose a fumble but that didn’t stop him. You have to wonder how Reggie’s fumble issues will affect his play going forward. Backup Joique Bell had 94 yards rushing on 19 carries with 34 yards on three receptions and another touchdown.
  • Lions receiver Calvin Johnson had 101 yards on six catches and a touchdown. He’s the best and I have a man crush on him and I don’t care who knows it.
  • A bright spot for the Packers was safety Morgan Burnett had nine tackles, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown. His value only increases as the Packers allow more yards and points.
  • Lions rookie defensive end Ziggy Ansah had two sacks for the second straight game after missing a month. Playing in that system, in which Cliff Avril was a star, should only increase Ansah’s value along with his age and contract.

Dynasty Recap – Week 11 – Steelers outlast Lions, 37-27

  • Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a huge day going 29 of 45 for 367 yards with four touchdowns and no turnovers. Big Ben can still sling it around and could be a decent QB2 asset in dynasty leagues.
  • Roethlisberger’s favorite target was Antonio Brown with 13 targets, 10 catches, 147 yards and two touchdowns. I’ve said it before but Antonio Brown is a guarantee top 10 receiver every week. The only receiver playing better is…
  • Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, who had six catches on 13 targets for 179 yards and tow touchdowns. There’s just no one better in the game.
  • Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy had a big day with 12 tackles to go along with two passes defended and two tackles for a loss. Levy is a force in the passing game and someone to monitor as a LB2/3 going in to next year.