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
Pasquino:
Ryan Tannehill – Miami just cannot seem to block for their quarterback this year (Tannehill is on pace to be sacked over 70 times this season), but Tannehill still steps up and delivers good performances most every week. The Dolphins have good (but not great) receiving options for Tannehill with Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Charles Clay as the top three targets. If Miami can block for Tannehill and develop a better run game (and tailbacks that can be receivers too), Tannehill has QB1 fantasy upside for 2014 and beyond.
Matt Ryan – Tony Gonzalez is going to retire soon, Roddy White is running out of gas, and Julio Jones is done for the year with an injury that goes back to his 2011 foot problems. Ryan gets a downgrade because all three of his top targets have issues. I would trade him for another Top 15 prospect if I could.
Parsons:
Peyton Manning - Even for those that value youth highly in dynasty formats, Manning's historic pace with a quartet of viable targets deserves a short-term bump in the rankings. While Manning may not be under center in 2015, his difference-making weekly impact for the rest of this season and likely next year can be a decisive advantage. I recommended contending teams with tenuous quarterback situations, like Matt Ryan or Colin Kaepernick, target Manning in the trade market. The rare teams that are falling out of the playoff race with Manning are in a position of power to auction him off to the highest bidder in the next few weeks.
Cam Newton - There are a few quarterbacks that could be featured here, but Newton is the one I am most concerned about going forward. The Panthers did not address his weapons in the offseason and Steve Smith is trending downward. Ted Ginn Jr, Jr. is a surprise solid target for Carolina, but that says volumes about the offense in a negative way. Newton has been under consistent pressure and has the tendency to stare down his receivers. To top it all off, Newton is not the dominant rushing force that fueled his fantasy production in years past. While Newton has put up two good fantasy games this season, both were against shells of a decent defense in the Giants and Vikings, and also three outright duds. Newton needs to develop as a passer and the lack of consistent weapons in their prime is a limiting factor.
Cummings:
Nick Foles (From 35 to 22) - Foles looked outstanding against a tough defense on Sunday. While it's still Michael Vick's job there's now no reason to rush him back and a legitimate reason to believe that this job could be Foles' in the future. Whoever is handed the reigns to Chip Kelly's offense has a chance to be a QB1 and Foles looks more than capable.
Matt Schaub (From 20 to 28) - Schaub has lost it so quickly that it's really hard to believe. Between the Texans inability to protect him and Schaub's inability to protect the ball, it's easy to wonder how much longer his future will be in Houston. Gary Kubiak is giving no guarantees for the remainder of 2013 which means 2014 is definitely in question.
Running Back
Parsons:
Giovani Bernard - Bernard was a player that I liked early in the offseason, but he was not a dominant athlete. I did not think BenJarvus Green-Ellis would be a limiting factor, which has turned out to be the case. Bernard is arriving earlier than expected as a weekly starter, especially in PPR scoring, and he has impressed quite a bit. To use Cecil Lammey's phrase, Bernard's foot frequency is among the best in the league and he has surprising leverage between the tackles. Considering the state of running backs in dynasty, Bernard zooms up the list as a 21-year-old showing well in the early going.
Steven Jackson - Jackson was a decent addition for contending teams needing a solid RB2 this season and possibly next. He has been anything but that with an injury and now the Falcons look to be circling the drain with a 1-4 start and a myriad of injuries. Their defense is anything but stout and the goal line opportunities look to be quite a bit less than the expected Michael Turner era volume. With older backs the current season is so valuable to their remaining dynasty value that Jackson is on his very last legs. Jackson is tough to count on weekly, even with healthy, and basically impossible to sell for anything of worth.
Maurice Jones-Drew - The Jaguars are having trouble staying in games, their offense is struggling to put it kindly, and Jones-Drew looks like a shell of his former self. His involvement in the passing game has dwindled and his yards-per-carry is by far the lowest of his career. Jones-Drew is another older back that is stuck in purgatory where he does not help a contending team and the other owners in the league want nothing to do with him.
Cummings:
Eddie Lacy (From 14 to 9) - I was very impressed with Lacy's performance against the Ravens. I'm even more intrigued by the opportunity that is presenting itself in Green Bay. With Randall Cobb and James Jones both injured Lacy should get every opportunity to prove he can carry the offensive load. After what I saw this week I'm betting he can do it.
Zac Stacy (From 56 to 42) - I don't see Stacy as a future star, but he's proven that he's the best back in St. Louis and that's worth something. His running style fits very well with what Jeff Fisher wants to do and I could absolutely seeing him as at least a part of a committee into 2014.
Mike Goodson (From 54 to 70) - Between injury problems and off field problems it's getting pretty close to time to remove Goodson from these rankings altogether. He's not a special enough talent to survive missing this much time on the field.
Pasquino:
Trent Richardson – Who saw that trade coming? Bill Polian made the move to get a top notch feature tailback, and with Andrew Luck leading a good passing game, Richardson fits in well as the balance to a passing offense. Richardson moves from a probable stud on a questionable team in Cleveland to an instant Top 5 prospect going forward.
David Wilson – Last time I wrote about my Dynasty Rankings (4 weeks ago) I was a "hold" on Wilson. Now I'm dropping him down my rankings quickly, and feel like he is a sell if you can – but most likely you have to move him to the "hold and hope" category. If his spinal cord concerns are real and his health is at risk, Wilson could be done early in his career, so Dynasty owners of Wilson have to sit and wait. If you want to gamble, he is worth a third round pick at best if you have depth room on your roster (or even an IR spot).
Bilal Powell – Chris Ivory was out, but Powell took the opportunity to be the main man in the Jets’ backfield and ran with it, quite literally. Powell had a big game against Buffalo in Week 3 (27-149 rushing) and followed it up with a 100+ combined yardage day against Tennessee in Week 4. Ivory is returning to action, but Powell just looks like the better player and will remain the top choice for New York in their backfield.
Andre Ellington – When I watch Arizona (and yes, I have seen them play – we have badges for that sort of thing), Ellington looks faster than most everyone else on that offense. Ellington is a playmaker, while Rashard Mendenhall is a ground game killer. I expect Ellington to become more and more of a contributor and eventually have more touches per week then Mendenhall, as Ellington is the better talent going forward.
Wide Receiver
Parsons:
Terrance Williams - Miles Austin was unproductive even before his latest bout with a hamstring injury and Terrance Williams has progressed nicely in the first few games of his career. Williams was an under-the-radar prospect coming out, but was productive in college with enough athleticism to be optimistic about his future. Any receiver playing opposite of Dez Bryant is at a huge advantage and Tony Romo is once-again playing great football. Williams has caught over 75% of his targets and the mental mistakes of the first couple of weeks are becoming far less frequent. Williams is becoming more intriguing by the week.
Dwayne Bowe - The Chiefs are content with a ball-control attack and Alex Smith has not been looking Bowe's way. Like an older running back, the 29-year-old Bowe needed a strong 2013 to restore his sinking value. If anything, it has crippled his value through six weeks. Bowe is back on the bench for dynasty teams on a weekly basis until further notice.
Alshon Jeffery - The Bears offense is in top form and Brandon Marshall is pulling the coverage away from the second-year receiver. Jeffery is looking like the top prospect he was early in his college career, high-pointing passes with regularity and having the long-speed to produce big plays. Jay Cutler and the new Chicago offense look primed to produce two top receivers. Cutler is the perfect quarterback for Jeffery as he is bold downfield and not afraid to throw passes into tight coverage. Jeffery is fast becoming one of my favorite long-term WR2 plays.
Cummings:
Tavon Austin (From 17 to 29) - It takes a special player to succeed at Austin's size, and it's clear from the way they're using him that the Rams don't think Austin is one...yet. I'm not ready to give up on Austin long term, but until he has a lot to prove. As Dexter McCluster has shown, great speed isn't enough to succeed in this league.
Marques Colston (From 18 to 23) - Watching Colston against the Patriots I was struck by how open he wasn't getting. Even with the Patriots focusing their best defender on Jimmy Graham. Everyone ages differently, but it looks like Colston has definitely lost a step in 2013, which doesn't bode well for the future.
Keenan Allen (From 60 to 34) - The last two weeks Keenan Allen has made huge strides and now looks like Philip Rivers favorite target. In Mike McCoy's offense, with a rejuvenated Rivers throwing the ball, Allen has a chance to make even my ranking of 34 look too low. His development over the first six weeks has been as impressive as any of the 2013 rookies.
Pasquino:
Larry Fitzgerald – Is Fitzgerald finally starting to deteriorate? I hope not, and in a passing-first NFL today, Fitzgerald has WR1 value if he is at full strength, but he is not right now and Carson Palmer is not looking so hot. Fitzgerald is still in my Top 10, but the arrow is pointing down now.
Roddy White – see Fitzgerald, Larry. Injuries are more of a concern for the aging veteran, and with Julio Jones now done for the year, I do not see who can stretch the field to make White's shorter routes look better. White also turns 32 this year, and with Atlanta falling apart this season, the offensive woes for the Falcons and the age at the skill positions does not make for a good future outlook for Roddy White.
Julio Jones – I love a healthy Julio Jones, but this recent foot injury is scary. To hear that it might be related to his 2011 foot problems and that he might have broken a screw in that two-year old repair is not good news at all. Jones faces a long rehab schedule and there is no guarantee that he returns to the big offensive force he once was.
Josh Gordon – I think Gordon has a lot of value going forward, and his big performances with Brian Hoyer under center have sold me on Gordon being a true #1 NFL wideout. Now if the Browns can just stay healthy and get a ground game next year, Gordon might realize all of his potential, especially with Hoyer due to come back. Gordon would then be aided by TE Jordan Cameron, a good quarterback, a ground game and someone else at the WR2 spot – all reasonable outlooks for 2014 and beyond.
Alshon Jeffery – Jeffery finally broke out in Week 5 with a 200+ yard game against New Orleans, displaying the athleticism and big play ability that makes many believe that Jeffery can be a #1 wide receiver on his own. Now with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall, Jeffery has Top 15 upside most weeks and even higher potential in the long run.
Tight End
Pasquino:
Jordan Cameron – I had him in my Top 10 a few weeks ago, but that clearly is not high enough. Brian Hoyer, Jason Campbell or Brandon Weeden – it does not seem to matter. Cameron is a TE1 in fantasy and can remain there for many years to come.
Julius Thomas – Week after week, Thomas delivers. Peyton Manning certainly helps, but Thomas has the athleticism and playmaking ability to get open and post strong fantasy numbers most weeks for any quarterback. That said, I will take a Peyton Manning tight end most weeks as a Top 12 option.
Charles Clay – Clay stepped right up and in for the injured Dustin Keller, and Clay has shown that he can post TE2 with TE1 upside numbers most every week. Clay has good hands, can get open over the middle and can also go deep along with work the spaces in the Red Zone. Ryan Tannehill has confidence in him, and so do I going forward.
Parsons:
Kyle Rudolph - The Vikings are struggling on offense and that starts with quarterback. Cordarrelle Patterson is being brought along very slowly and Rudolph is not getting the red zone looks that fueled his 2012 fantasy value. Rudolph is not a good athlete compared to nearly all of the top-15 dynasty tight ends, which means he vitally needs a good situation to prosper. Minnesota is anything but a good situation. Rudolph is on pace for his third straight season with a sub-10.0 yards-per-reception average and now the touchdowns are lagging as well. The tight end that was once in the running to be the no.3 dynasty option at the position is falling down the board.
Antonio Gates - After a really down 2012 and most thinking Gates was done as a fantasy impact player, he has rebounded in a big way. Gates looks spry like a few years ago and Philip Rivers and the offense looks on track. Gates is back to being a difference-maker in the short-term.
Cummings:
Joseph Fauria (From 50 to 32) - As bad as his celebrations are, Fauria sure knows how to find the end zone. Fauria to me looks like a Kyle Rudolph prototype that will be very touchdown dependent and probably have prolonged fantasy slumps. That being said, the Lions have a desperate need for another quality target, and if Fauria keeps catching passes he should surpass Brandon Pettigrew.
Jordan Reed (From 36 to 27) - Reed's ceiling is limited by his inability to block, but his route running and YAC skills are highly developed for a rookie tight end. I still have doubts about Robert Griffin III III's desire to use his tight end, but there's no doubting Reed's raw talent.
