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Each week, Footballguys staff members will share the big movers in their respective Dynasty Rankings. Since the contributors will rotate, please check in weekly. The focus of this article will be on the “why” more than the movement itself. Dynasty Rankings are fluid and we hope that sharing the rationale will help you in your quest to create dynasties with all of your teams. The diversity of rankings will result in a variety of opinions weekly.
Quarterback
Simpkins
Drew Brees - I accounted for Brees having a relatively poor 2014 by pointing to the oblique strain he dealt with all season. Even though Brees didn’t look sharp against the aggressive Cardinals defense last week, I was among those who thought he was in for a big day versus a Buccaneers defense that looked woefully bad in week one. A rotator cuff injury early in the game clearly bothered Brees for the rest of the day. As sad as it is to admit, Brees’ body doesn’t seem to be holding up against all the shots he’s taking behind a very poor offensive line. The jury is still out regarding how many games the veteran may miss, if any at all. Brees will still have productive days, but he’s no longer the lock he once was for big yardage and a couple of touchdowns. If you own Brees, name cache may be your friend in helping you to get out at a good price, but his value in the dynasty marketplace is clearly down.
Tefertiller
Brock Osweiler – Last Thursday's game showed us all how close Peyton Manning is to the end of his career. Osweiler made a major move up the rankings as he should be valued as a fantasy QB1 for dynasty.
Sam Bradford – I underestimated Bradford's upside in the high-volume Eagles offense. He is a must start almost every week. Yes, the injury risk is still there, but so is the chance to attempt 700 passes this season.
Parsons
Drew Brees - Brees is at an age where the current year's production is critical to his dynasty value. The Saints as a whole are in trouble this season plus Brees did not look right following injuring his shoulder against Tampa Bay. Marques Colston is a shell of his former self, Brandon Coleman is completely new as is Willie Snead, Jimmy Graham is gone, and Brandin Cooks is still more occasional flash than steady corps leader.
Jameis Winston - Winston has a huge situational benefit over Marcus Mariota to open his career with three huge targets in Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Winston, albeit against New Orleans' flimsy defense, looked far better in Week 2 and the arm talent showed through. He is mobile enough to offer big play ability outside the pocket plus the occasional rushing touchdown.
Running Back
Simpkins
Karlos Williams - Though I thought he was a nice combo of speed and power coming out of Florida State, I thought his game in other areas was lacking. I did not foresee him having a huge spike in value this soon. The rookie needed a great deal of movement in front of him on the depth chart to see the field early. The perfect storm came together in the form of Fred Jackson’s exit to Seattle, Bryce Brown getting cut, and LeSean McCoy dealing with a hamstring issue. Though McCoy was healthy enough to start Sunday’s contest, Williams was the back that the team counted on at the goal line. Williams did not disappoint, gaining fifty-five yards on six carries and adding a score from two yards out. He’s only one LeSean McCoy injury away from having the lion’s share of the carries on a squad that will want to play good defense and pound the rock to salt away games.
Matt Jones - Those listening to Chad Parsons regarding his preseason love of Jones are now reaping the benefits. Washington took on a tough Rams defense and came out victorious, in large part because of Matt Jones’ two touchdowns and one-hundred twenty-three yards on nineteen attempts. Jones seems to have forced a committee with Alfred Morris, as they had nearly equal touches during this game. With Jones performing well and Morris likely headed out the door in free agency, things are looking great for Jones’ long-term value.
David Johnson - Though Chris Johnson logged a respectable 3.6 yards a carry versus a depleted Bears defense, Johnson netted forty-two yards and a touchdown on a mere five carries. He also showed what he can do as a returner by bringing it back a hundred and eight yards for a score. Assuming rational coaching, it’s going to be hard for Arians to not give Johnson more touches, even when Ellington is ready to play. Along with Jason Wood, I’ve beat the drum for Johnson until the canvas is falling off. I believe he’s a bigger, better, less-oft-injured version of Ellington. A good window to make offers for Johnson is when you hear that Ellington is going to play again and Johnson’s value is depressed by the news.
Parsons
DeMarco Murray - Like Drew Brees, a 27-year-old running back's dynasty value is entirely built upon their current year offerings. While I doubt the Eagles offense will be THIS bad for 16 games, the interior of Philadelphia's offensive line is a significant black eye to any big games coming down the pipeline for Murray. He will rely on touchdowns, which will require Sam Bradford to not screw it all up before they get there.
Matt Jones - Jones continues to rise up my dynasty board...and I was already one of the highest in the industry on the Florida product. Jones moves well for a back of his size and Washington's offense, if they want to succeed this season, will be built around the run game. Jones will have plenty of buzz come January as Alfred Morris is an upcoming free agent, but Jones' arrival date may be far earlier.
Joique Bell - Bell does not look right physically and at his age, he has zero wiggle room to maintain dynasty value. Without a strong game in the next couple contest, he will be a complete roster albatross.
Tefertiller
David Johnson – The rookie moved up after big showing in consecutive weeks. He is slowly gaining a larger role. We like his chances to overtake Chris Johnson, and possibly Andre Ellington, before the end of the season.
Dion Lewis – Lewis moves into the rankings. Lewis dominated snaps against the Bills and should be valued as RB2. He had 73 snaps as LeGarrette Blount had 7. Yes, he has fumbled twice, but the Patriots continued to go to the talented journeyman with a lengthy history of injuries.
Wide Receiver
Tefertiller
Cody Latimer – Fantasy owners should take note that the Broncos are using Latimer as the WR4 or WR5 the first two games. He is playing behind Jordan Norwood. Let that sink in. I adjusted Latimer to reflect his lack of role in the Denver offense.
Victor Cruz – I am rooting for Cruz to come back strong from his injuries. But, his inability to get – and stay – healthy has to be considered. In addition, how high should our expectations be for a player who is coming off a nasty Patellar tear then had blood in his calf?
Parsons
Michael Floyd - Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown are locked into the top-2 spots in the Arizona passing game, leaving Floyd with the hopes of a free agency change of scenery this coming offseason to revive his sagging dynasty value.
Justin Hardy - Leonard Hankerson is excelling as the No.3 option in Atlanta, even outplaying Roddy White against the Giants. Hardy has slot appeal in the NFL, but reports were he was clearly behind Hankerson leading up to the season and may require a longer hold to recoup even his tepid Round 3 rookie pick initial price.
Brice Butler - Butler is still a long-shot for relevance, but the change of scenery to Dallas is a golden opportunity with Dez Bryant out for at least two months. Devin Street is nothing special and Cole Beasley runs primarily out of the slot. Butler has athletic upside and seeing a boost in dynasty value deep down the receiver rankings.
Simpkins
Dorial Green-Beckham - Tennessee was absolutely dominated by the Browns on Sunday. Lost amidst the defeat was the flash of just how physically gifted DBG is. As the Titans desperately clawed their way back into the game, Green-Beckham skied above his defender in the back of the end zone to catch a high strike from Mariota. While I did not like his landing spot because of situation, I’ve never doubted the athletic talent of Green-Beckham. I’ve seen enough of what Mariota can do to believe he’ll keep DGB viable long-term. As his snap counts begin to increase, Green-Beckham’s stock is also headed up.
Tight End
Parsons
Josh Hill - The Saints passing game is providing little fantasy value and Josh Hill is barely playing and delivering even less. The trendy sleeper for 2015 is now firmly on the cut line in all but the deepest of leagues.
Crockett Gillmore - Gillmore is seeing significant playing time in Baltimore and doing plenty with the opportunity. The Ravens passing game needs Breshad Perriman added to the mix and Gillmore offers the best red zone presence.
Tefertiller
Tyler Eifert – Two factors are working in favor of Eifert's dynasty value. First of all, there is a lack of young, elite tight ends after the top three (Gronkowski, Graham, and Kelce). Secondly, Eifert has seen his role increase to the point to where he is a major cog in the Bengals offense. He is a player to acquire before the rest of the dynasty community catches on.