Dynasty Recap – Week 2 – Raiders 37, Ravens 33

Raiders

Another reclamation project with quarterback Derek Carr having a big day with 351 yards and three touchdowns. It’ll certainly help his dynasty value but Carr will never exceed QB2 status.
Not a big day from Latavius Murray with 65 yards on 15 carries but he had all of the Raiders rushes but two. He’s the clear starter for this year which gives him RB2/3 status.
Raiders rookie Amari Cooper is already paying dividends with seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. Now Cooper owners just need every Raiders game to be a shootout.

Ravens

Being a shootout, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco had the numbers to go with it with 384 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, this game was atypical and shouldn’t be repeated, keeping Flacco in the low-end QB2 conversation.
Receiver Steve Smith just keeps on trucking with ten catches for 150 yards. Being the only receiving threat in Baltimore, Smith could flirt with WR2 status in re-draft leagues but it’s hard to imagine him keeping this up beyond this year.

Updated Dynasty Wide Receiver Rankings – June 2015

Complete updated dynasty wide receiver rankings can be found here.

Top five remains the same with Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, A.J. Green, and Demaryius Thomas.
Top movers this month include rookie Nelson Algholor to 24th from 27th; rookie Devin Funchess to 57th from 60th.
Top drops include Percy Harvin from 38th to 41st; Doug Baldwin from 69th to 74th; Markus Wheaton from 73rd to 76th; Tavon Austin from 74th to 78th; Josh Huff from 76th to 79th; Steve Smith from 77th to 80th.

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Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco went off for 327 yards and three touchdowns against a very good offense. Still, he’s no more than a low-end QB2 in dynasty leagues.
Ravens receiver Steve Smith turned back the clock with seven catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. It’s a renaissance for Smith but his age limits his dynasty value. Only use him if you’re in win-now mode.
On the other side of the field, Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin led the team in targets with nine and hauled in five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Despite the attention he continues to deliver as a WR2/3 as a rookie. His dynasty arrow is pointing up.
Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly racked up 12 tackles and a pass defended, turning in another LB1 day. He’s squarely in the top-tier.

Click here for updated dynasty wide receiver rankings.

One 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.

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.