Look for the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger to use more no-huddle this season, resulting in more plays for the offense. With more plays per game, look for an all-around bump in Steelers offensive players.- Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton is practicing all four receiver spots this off-season which should utilize his value. He probably won’t line up on the outside where Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks are expected to be but his long-term value is high, as possibly, the best receiver left in 2015.
- Look for Dennis Pitta’s dynasty stock to shoot back up thanks to new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. While calling plays in Houston, Kubiak utilized the tight end position more than most. With only Torrey Smith ahead of him for targets, look for Pitta to get his share.
- Dynasty owners of Ace Sanders can probably move along now.
Tag Archives: hakeem nicks
Your dynasty questions answered, Part VII
With the combine in full swing, we take more of your questions. If you have a dynasty questions, be sure to email us at dynastyfantasyfootballcentral(at)gmail(dot)com.
Anthony writes:
Would you grade Le’Veon Bell for Victor Cruz and the 6th overall pick this year?
In our latest running back rankings, we have Bell checking in #11. Bell started his rookie season injured but ended up playing 13 games. He was highly productive in the passing game with 45 catches for 400 yards and a 8.9 YPC average. However, the running game was a little less productive, gaining just 3.5 YPC on 244 attempts. Now, that could be due to a 24th ranked offensive line in run blocking or Bell’s inability to find the gap but either way, it wasn’t good. Now, Bell is only 22 and has talent around him to draw defensive attention away and will still be a productive back. But I think there’s more value on the other side.
Victor Cruz is currently ranked #15 in our dynasty rankings and is trending downwards. However, there’s a lot of reasons to be excited about Cruz heading in to 2014 and beyond. Cruz is now the primary weapon in the Giants offense now that Hakeem Nicks isn’t expected back. His contract dispute behind him, Cruz will be ready to at the beginning of training camp and will be just 27 heading in to the season.
But what really makes this trade for Anthony is the sixth pick in the upcoming draft, a draft Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said was the deepest in 30 years. With 2-3 elite tight end prospects, 3-4 elite receiver prospects and a handful of quarterback and running back prospects, you’re guaranteed to get a difference maker with that 6th pick. Not looking at the rest of your roster, adding Cruz plus that pick is a good return for a player at the most replaceable position in dynasty football. I say do it.
Remember to send your questions in to dynastyfantasyfootballcentral(at)gmail(dot)com. Enjoy the combine!
Updated Dynasty Wide Receiver Rankings – January 2014, 2.0
Click here for updated dynasty wide receiver rankings.
- A new entry in the top five with Josh Gordon at #4. Gordon did a lot with little to work with on offense so anything should be an upgrade in 2014.
- You can certainly see a trend in the biggest risers: the Bears Alshon Jeffery is up to 9th from 15th; Steeler Antonio Brown is up to 11th from 14th; Chargers rookie Keenan Allen makes the biggest leap to 15th from 24th; and the Vikings Cordarrelle Patterson to 17th from 21st. All are under the age of 26.
- Drops include the Seahawks Percy Harvin from 9th to 12th primarily because he can’t seem to get on the field; Bucs Vincent Jackson goes from 20th to 26th since Lovie Smith was hired as coach; the enigma Hakeem Nicks drops from 23rd to 29th and could fall further depending on where he signs.
Dynasty Recap – Week 17 – Giants beat Redskins, 20-6
- Redskins running back Alfred Morris had 62 yards on 16 carries for a shade under 4.0 YPC. Morris was one of the few bright spots in Washington, most likely finishing in the top five in rushing yards.
- Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon had six catches for 56 yards and will finish in the top ten in receiving yards and over 100 catches. Garcon will be 28 entering 2014 and should be a high-end WR2 in dynasty leagues.
- Giants receiver Jerrel Jernigan had another nice game replacing Victor Cruz in the slot. He caught six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown and added 57 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jernigan figures to be in the Giants plans next year after Hakeem Nicks moves on.
- Giants end Justin Tuck added two more sacks for 11 on the year and is sure to cash in during the off-season. The Giants probably won’t bring back the 30-year old but Tuck is sure to land somewhere else and be a decent DL2 option in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty Recap – Week 14 – Chargers destroy Giants, 37-14
- Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers continues his comeback season, going 21 of 28 for 249 yards and three touchdowns with one fumble lost. Rivers has excelled under new offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and should pray he comes back in 2014. If not, Rivers value should not be as highly regarded.
- Giants running back Andre Brown had 81 yards on 16 carries for a 5.1 YPC. Brown has played well without platoon partner David Wilson, sporting a 4.3 YPC for the season and 424 yards in just five games. Keep an eye on the Giants backfield in 2014 because if there’s a bell cow, he’ll be extremely valuable. Brown could be it.
- Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks had five catches for 135 yards and an insane 27 YPC. Nicks hasn’t put up a ton of stats but when he’s in the zone, there’s not many better. He’s averaged 16.1 YPC and, if extrapolated, would eclipse 1,000 yards again. He’s sure to sign somewhere else in 2014 and, if he can stay healthy, Nicks can be a decent dynasty WR2.
- Giants defensive end Justin Tuck had two more sacks, giving him seven in three games. However, Tuck is 30 and a free agent and is unlikely to reproduce his 2013 production.
Dynasty Recap – Week 6 – Bears escape Giants, 27-21
- Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery had one catch for 27 yards along with a 15 yard rush. Jeffery will be a boom-or-bust fantasy player with Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte on the team as there’s only one ball to go around. But he’s still a great dynasty stash as the 29-year old Marshall will have to move on at some point.
- Bears running back Matt Forte had over 100 total yards to go along with six catches. He would have had more yards but the Bears insist on keeping MIchael Bush, and his 1.8 YPC, involved. So frustrating.
- Meanwhile, the entire Giants offense continues to flounder. The exception was Brandon Jacobs and his 106 yards and touchdown. It won’t last folks. Trade him now if you can.
- One bright spot is Hakeem Nicks lead the team in targets with eight and it wasn’t even close. Maybe since their season is over they’re allowing Nicks to audition for his free agency. He’s a good buy-low candidate as he’s slated to land somewhere else, presumably with less competition, next year.
- Bears safety Major Wright had 11 more tackles to bring his season total to 45. He’s on pace for over 100 and is playing well just in time for his free agent year.
Week 3 Dynasty Recap – Panthers destroy Giants, 38-0
- There was nothing going on offense for New York. It might be time to jump ship on the Giants veterans for dynasty purposes. Guys like Hakeem Nicks or Eli Manning might net you some value.
- One bright spot was safety Ryan Mundy who racked up nine tackles. Mundy took over the starting job for Stevie Brown earlier this year. With Brown out for the season, Mundy is worth a flyer.
- For Carolina, DeAngelo Williams racked up 120 yards rushing. SELL. NOW. There won’t be a better time than right now to trade the 30-year old Williams for something.
- Greg Hardy racked up three sacks for Carolina, proving just how valuable he is to Carolina’s front seven. Hardy is easily a top five defensive linemen in dynasty fantasy football.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Central 