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
Parsons
Derek Carr - Carr is an easy riser with an argument for the top-3 quarterbacks or so with a long-term lens. The infusion of legitimate NFL wide receivers plus an offseason of seasoning has done wonders for Carr. The Carr-Amari Cooper connection will be a fruitful one for years to come.
Jameis Winston - The stat lines have been tepid for Winston, but the film has been promising for the No.1 overall pick. Winston has shown mettle in the pocket, boldness to pepper Mike Evans with a heavy dose of targets regardless of coverage, plus enough mobility to boost his fantasy production near the goal line.
Simpkins
Peyton Manning - Manning continues his descent down my board after his horrific outing against the Chiefs. It’s been clear watching him this season that he’s declining physically. Now with a multitude of nagging injuries, it’s becoming obvious that his illustrious career is coming to an abrupt close. He might end up starting again for the Broncos, but don’t make the mistake of continuing to let him hang around on your dynasty roster.
Tefertiller
Peyton Manning – Manning had a poor showing against the Chiefs Sunday. Yes, he was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and a rib injury, but we are not buying that this is only reason for Manning's demise. Brock Osweiler will get a game or two to show what he can do.
Nick Foles – Foles was benched Monday for backup Case Keenum. Foles has little upside, and Keenum has even less. The Rams have no wide receivers of note and the offense is extremely run-heavy.
Running Back
Simpkins
Jay Ajayi - Originally slated as a first round talent in dynasty leagues, concerns over his surgically repaired knee dropped his draft position in the NFL Draft and fantasy circles. He showed well in preseason action, but cracked his ribs, which necessitated that the Dolphins place him on IR. Since activated, Ajayi is showing the wiggle and burst that originally had owners intrigued. Miller could potentially leave in free agency this offseason, making Ajayi a much more interesting commodity.
Jeremy Langford - Langford has had a nicer showing in relief of the injured Matt Forte than I thought he would. He’s very speedy in the open field and showing himself an able receiving back. While I don’t view Langford as the next big thing for dynasty owners, he’s increased enough in value that you can package him with other players and picks to get a target player or pick you really desire.
Parsons
Latavius Murray - While Murray has a the lead role in Oakland, I have not been impressed with his tape as the starter this season. Murray is a clunky mover, even for his size, and it takes too long to get up to speed with an opening. I would expect far more competition for Murray to log significant touches in 2016.
Eddie Lacy - I am out of the supporting Eddie Lacy business. He has looked slow-footed all season and even before 2015 Lacy turned every carry into a wrestling match to gain yards. I project a Trent Richardson track in the coming year or two more than a rise back to dynasty prominence.
Tefertiller
Matt Jones – Jones moves into the top ten backs in my dynasty rankings. He looks to inherit the starting job from Alfred Morris after this season. Jones has shown strong running and better-than-expected receiving ability.
Eddie Lacy – Watching Lacy lose playing time to James Starks is disheartening for Lacy owners. The Packers desperately need a strong running game with Jordy Nelson sidelined. We are undecided if this is the beginning of the end for Lacy as a top 10 back. Either way, there are too many top young backs for Lacy to be ranked where I had him, in the top five.
Dion Lewis – Lewis was gaining steams in most dynasty rankings before last week's knee injury. Sure, Lewis can come back next year, but his value falls dramatically. Even though he is under contract for 2016, we are unsure if Lewis can regain his prominent offensive role.
Wide Receiver
Simpkins
Cody Latimer - Most dynasty owners have been valuing Latimer as if he died. He was drafted in the second round only a year ago and we know that some players are later bloomers than others. It didn’t help that the expectations Manning placed on him were so high. Yes, his targets against the Chiefs came in garbage time, but I expect that with Manning sitting and Emmanuel Sanders banged up, Latimer will get a chance with Osweiler to show owners he’s not a lost cause.
Tefertiller
Randall Cobb – Cobb moves way down the rankings. We are quickly coming to the realization that Cobb benefited from having Jordy Nelson on the field. Cobb is still a great receiver. Just not to the level we had him ranked.
DeAndre Hopkins – Hopkins moves up to WR3 in the rankings. He is young and has been dominant with middling quarterback play. We see him exploding with any quarterback upgrade from Hoyer.
Parsons
Terrance Williams - Williams' cameo as the No.1 option with Dez Bryant out this season landed like a lead balloon. Williams has eroded since flashing upside early in his career. I project more competition for Williams' secondary role on the outside than Devin Street in 2016 and his upside is now questionable even as a bye week or injury replacement.
Dwayne Harris - Harris has emerged in New York after being almost exclusively a special teams standout in Dallas. Harris flashed outstanding ball skills in Week 10 and beyond Odell Beckham, Harris has performed like the best receiver on the Giants roster in recent weeks.
Calvin Johnson - At this point I have lowered Johnson's future outlook. The oversized receiver has looked pedestrian for most of 2015 and is on the wrong side of the age curve with fewer benefits of the doubt by the month. Production is paramount as an older player and Johnson is not hitting even his career average level for contenders.
Tight End
Parsons
Martellus Bennett - Bennett looks to have aged five years since 2014. Add to that the Bears passing game has Kevin White simmering for his 2016 arrival and Bennett's high floor of targets is going away sooner rather than later.
Clive Walford - Walford continues to flash with sparse opportunities as a rookie. The Oakland passing game is turning into one of the most appealing in the NFL and Walford, like Amari Cooper, is poised to grow up in fantasy terms with one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, Derek Carr.
Tefertiller
Dennis Pitta – Pitta was placed on IR this week, ending his season. We see his career over as well. It is a sad ending for a player who showed so much promise a few years ago.
Vernon Davis – The trade to Denver should boost Davis' dynasty value, even if Peyton Manning is not under center. Coach Gary Kubiak likes to utilize the tight end position and we expect Davis to put up low-end TE1 numbers in a couple of weeks.
Simpkins
Clive Walford - A two-way tight end, Walford has been impressive on limited playing time this year. He’s also hauled in two scores over the past two games. The Raider offense continues to be productive and Walford continues to make plays, which can only mean good things for his dynasty stock.