Dynasty Recap – Week 1 – Patriots 28, Steelers 21

Patriots

Quarterback Tom Brady was in full pissed-off mode on the heels of Deflategate and went for 288 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions. He may be old but he’s still a top-10 dynasty option at quarterback.
Running back Dion Lewis broke out with 69 rushing yards plus four catches for 51 yards. Even if these numbers continue, Lewis is only on a reserves contract and shouldn’t be in New England past this year.
On the receiving end, business as usual with Rob Gronkowski leading the way with 5/94/3 and a Julian Edelman with a 11/97/0 line. Gronk continues to be the top tight end option while Edelman has solidified his place as a WR2 in PPR leagues.
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower has come back from injury with eight tackles and a sack. Those kind of numbers make him a firm LB2 in IDP dynasty leagues.

Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger picked up where he left off with 351 yards and a garbage-time touchdown plus an interception. He was operating without his top running back (Bell) and second receiver (Bryant) so the yards are encouraging.
Antonio Brown is in the same boat with 9/133/1 line. An argument could be made that Brown is the top receiver in dynasty, especially in PPR.
Heath Miller filled in nicely with a 8/84/0 line but that should do back down when Martavis Bryant returns. Still, he’s a solid TE2 in a good offense.

Dynasty Recap – Week 4 – Bucs escape Steelers, 27-24

Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon had a good day in his first start with 302 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Glennon could still be the quarterback of the future in Tampa so he’s worth a stash.
Meanwhile, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a big day 314 yards and three touchdowns with a lost fumble. Big Ben continues to put up low-end QB1 numbers this year and is worth a look in dynasty leagues if you’re in need of a QB.
The primary beneficiary was Steelers receiver Antonio Brown with seven catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Brown is a legit WR1 in all dynasty formats.
Another good day was had by tight end Heath Miller who had his best game of the season with 10 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. Miller is no better than a TE2 in dynasty formats.

For complete updated dynasty tight end rankings click here.

No changes this month as the top five dynasty tight ends stay the same: Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, and Jordan Reed.
The rookies didn’t move much either with Eric Ebron leading the way at 7; Austin Seferian-Jenkins at 15; Jace Amaro at 17. Other rookies include Colt Lyerla at 25; Troy Niklas at 29; Richard Rodgers at 35; and C.J. Fiedorowicz at 39.
The big mover this month was Steelers tight end Heath Miller from 30 to 26. There’s growing optimism about the Pittsburgh offense and Miller is still a big part of it. I’m buying.
On the downside, Giants tight end Adrian Robinson has dropped to 37 from 29. He just hasn’t taken the job like most thought he would.

Giants receiver Victor Cruz is recovering nicely from knee surgery which bodes well for a bounce back year in 2014. With new offense coordinator Ben McAdoo from the Packers, all Giants offensive players will get a bump up in dynasty leagues.
Colts receiver Da’Rick Rogers should be good to go in 2014 after having to prove his past issues were behind him. Good thing for dynasty leaguers as Rogers projects to man one of the outside spots with Reggie Wayne while T.Y. Hilton does damage in the slot.
Looks like any scenario where the Rams draft a quarterback with the second pick are out. It’s not a bad idea with Sam Bradford costing a fortune and still has not proven that he’s the long-term solution. The #2 pick is in major flux.
Expect Heath Miller to stick around Pittsburgh as he is expected to sign a cap-friendlier extension. Miller’s certainly not a flashy option at tight end but he plays a ton of snaps and is a favorite target of Ben Roethlisberger.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had another solid outing, going 28 of 44 for 257 yards and two touchdowns and no turnovers. As long as the offense is healthy and firing on all cylinders, Roethlisberger will be a solid QB2 option. He also has yet to utilize rookie receiver Markus Wheaton yet which will only help his 2014 prospects.
Steelers rookie running back Le’Veon Bell had solid game as well with 73 yards rushing and a touchdown to go with seven catches for 63 yards. More games like this is why Bell was widely considered the top rookie prospect heading in to this dynasty season.
Steelers tight end Heath Miller led all Steelers with eight catches and 86 yards. It’s not a secret that Roethlisberger has a man-crush on Miller and Miller shows no ill effects of the devastating knee injury he sustained last year.
Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds continues to impress in place of LaMarr Woodley with 10 tackles, two sacks and a tackle for a loss. Grab him if you can as Worilds would make a cheap replacement for Woodley in Pittsburgh next year.

Fantasy-wise, this game was about Josh Gordon who had 237 yards on 14 catches. That is all.
On the other side of the field, Steelers receiver Antonio Brown had six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. He continues to be a WR1 option week-in and week-out.
Teammate Heath Miller continues to be one of Big Ben’s most popular targets, finishing second to Brown. Miller is vastly underrated and is a solid TE2 in dynasty leagues.
Browns safety T.J. Ward continues to play solid IDP football with nine tackles, two of those for a loss. Ward had over 100 tackles in his only 16-game season and his on his way again this year. As long as he’s healthy, Ward is a DB1.