Dynasty Rankings Movement, Week 8

Photo: Kim Klement, USA Today Sports

Somehow, we have reached the halfway mark of the fantasy regular season. Injury, opportunities, and trades have created movement within dynasty ranks. Our staff captures it heading into Week 8.

Question: Who is your favorite under-the-radar dynasty buy?

Jason Wood

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a player off the radar in all but the deepest of dynasty leagues. However, we saw him gain a prominent role this past week, mainly at the expense of Antonio Gibson. While Rodriguez's college profile spoke to average athleticism and baseline skills, we've seen repeatedly that running back fantasy value is more driven by opportunity and system. Presuming Eric Bieniemy stays in Washington for another two or three seasons, Rodriguez could easily become part of a committee with Brian Robinson at first and has the skill set to be effective as the lead back if injuries arise.

Christian Williams

Jake Bobo, the Seahawks' rookie wideout, is a tremendous under-the-radar dynasty buy. With DK Metcalf out in Week 7, Bobo led the wide receivers in snaps (75% to Tyler Lockett's 70% and Jaxon Smith-Njigba's 63%). That led to a four-reception day, resulting in 61 yards and a touchdown. Bobo has earned a role by doing the little things; his blocking ability will constantly keep him on the field. With a potential out in Lockett's contract after this season, it's not unrealistic to believe Bobo could earn a fantasy-relevant role within the next few years. His actual value is enough to be a throw-in in most trades, but another week without Metcalf could change that.

Jay Stein

Kendre Miller - Kendre Miller is a long-term, under-the-radar dynasty buy. Miller was the Saints' early third-round pick in this year's NFL draft and has gotten minimal work behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams this season. Miller had a preseason knee injury, which required him to miss the Saints' first two games. Since week three, Miller has managed just 24 attempts for 73 rush yards and seven receptions for 71 yards. At 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, Miller is a perfect complement to Alvin Kamara and could manage a three-down workload if the runningback situation changed (via injuries, free agency, or trades). Miller is currently trading at a late 2nd or two mid-3rds valuation, which could be well worth it for the potential upside here.

Corey Spala

Brenton Strange - The Jaguar's rookie tight end is an under-the-radar buy. Evan Engram has consistently been involved in the offense, and the second-round-rookie has become an afterthought. Doug Pederson is no stranger to multiple tight ends, as he drafted Dallas Goedert in the second round (Strange) when he already had Zach Ertz (Engram) as his starting tight end. Strange has displayed his blocking ability but has only mustered six targets through seven games. He does have two two reception games under his belt. Strange scored his first career touchdown in week six and fell a yard short to make it a multi-touchdown game. Strange is a chess move piece for the Jaguars, and he can also be a chess move piece for your dynasty rosters.

Jeff Bell

Joshua Palmer - What if I told you there was a 24-year-old wide receiver who has been inside the top 20 scorers since gaining a more significant role attached to an elite quarterback valued in WR5 territory? Palmer is positioned well to play a vital role long-term with the Chargers, as the salary cap likely dictates that Mike Williams has played his last game for the franchise. Palmer was a hyped player when given the opportunity in 2022, but he was pushed into a role that did not support his skillset. Now the Chargers have him positioned to succeed, using his ability to play the ball in the air downfield. He is an excellent win-now target with underrated long-term value.

Quarterback Movement

Christian Williams

Jordan Love - Giving a first-year starter time to adjust is critical, and the situation around such quarterbacks can affect play in a significant way. Jordan Love is approaching a large enough sample of poor play despite nearly ideal conditions to give justification to the Packers should they pursue other options. Love doesn't possess an abundance of job security, and it's unlikely he's the heir to Aaron Rodgers. For that reason, Love is moving down in my dynasty rankings.

Jay Stein

Jordan Love - Love got off to a hot start to his first season as the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, throwing three touchdowns in each of his first two games and becoming a hot commodity in dynasty. Since then, he has regressed, and he is a dynasty faller. Accuracy may be a problem. He has a 57.5% completion percentage, which is second worst in the NFL, and a -5.6 completion percentage above expectations, which is fourth worst in the NFL. Those inaccuracies have resulted in seven interceptions on the season, which is tied for third worst in the NFL. We may still need more information on Love to make sweeping conclusions, but he undoubtedly has fallen short of some elevated expectations and is a dynasty faller.

Jeff Bell

Desmond Ridder - A month ago, it looked like Ridder was headed for the bench in favor of Taylor Heinicke. Ridder struggled severely in a London loss to the Jaguars and failed to top 202 passing yards for the third time in four games. The flip in his play over the last three games has been shocking. He has completed over 75% of his passes in two of the three and topped 250 yards in all three. Through those first four games, Ridder was fantasy QB28. Over the last three, he is QB6. His turnovers are a problem, but at 4-3, Ridder has the Falcons in first place in their division. He has a chance to solidify his position as the future quarterback and, at the bare minimum, has shown himself as a capable NFL backup. That deserves better than a consensus rank of QB30.

Ryan Tannehill - My initial assessment of Tannehill coming out of Week 1 thought his days as an NFL starter were numbered. He brushed that off a bit in Week 2. But trust your gut. Outside of that Week 2 performance, he has completed 58% of his passes, averaging 176 yards per game and throwing six interceptions in five games. The Titans look headed for a rebuild, and I am not convinced there is a starting job for him elsewhere in the NFL, especially not when the rookie crop of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and others hit the league. Tannehill may have some difficult career decisions soon, and it is best to move him off dynasty rosters while his name holds some value.

Jason Wood

Tyson Bagent -- In dynasty leagues that also utilize a Superflex, it's hard to find a backup quarterback on waivers, yet Bagent is widely available. The rookie out of Shepherd University was forced into the lineup this week and played well. With Justin Fields likely out for a few more weeks, Bagent has the chance to stake his claim to a more lucrative role on another team in a few seasons, at a minimum. But if he builds off what we saw this week, Bagent's future may be brighter than expected.

Kyler Murray -- Murray has entered the 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve, putting to bed fears he would hold out the entire year and agitate for a trade this offseason. While Murray is far from perfect, he was a ludicrously productive fantasy asset in prior seasons. He has the kind of multi-faceted skill set the Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing can build off quickly. Josh Dobbs has been shockingly effective as a fantasy asset, partly thanks to a newfound running prowess. Murray is more accurate, stronger-armed, and more mobile than Dobbs.