That’s so stupid. There’s a lot to understand about dynasty teams beyond surprise picks and trades that didn’t happen. Here are some of the big developments to keep an eye on.
Cousins Retreat
Next year: Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. pic.twitter.com/W927TZXptM
— KYRI (@VividDope) April 26, 2024
?????? – That was the feeling of most, if not the entire sports world, about Falcons draft pick quarterback Michael Penix. First, it was questionable whether Penix should have been drafted that high in the first place. He will be 24 years old when his rookie year begins, but he has already suffered multiple serious injuries.
But even if you get past all those red flags, there’s the fact that Atlanta already paid a lot of money for a quarterback, committing nearly $100 guaranteed to Kirk Cousins over the next two years. And that’s if Cousins doesn’t even play well, at which point his actual contract runs for two more seasons.
It was as controversial and confusing as any draft pick in recent and perhaps history. Now, the Falcons have two quarterbacks, but what will the dynasty community do with them?
Dynasty influence: Interestingly, both Cousins and Penix had ascended through the dynasty ranks prior to the NFL Draft. Despite coming back from a major injury, Cousins joins a team that features immediate talent such as Bejan Robinson, Drake Rondon and Kyle Pitts. And for a player who has managed top-15 fantasy seasons every year, he was healthy, a starter, and the future looked bright.
For Penix, the fact that he is a first-round pick should have added to the value of his dynasty. Instead, he continues to be instantly blocked from starting for the team for at least two years, if not longer if the Falcons win.
As for which quarterback has more dynastic value, it would have to be Cousins. He has secured a starting spot with a good offense. And if he does what Aaron Rodgers did when the Packers acquired Jordan Love, he could be in the MVP conversation. For Penix, by the time Cousins’ contract was up he would be nearly 30 years old and there were already questions about his skill set. He would be a pretty valuable pick in the second round of the superflex rookie draft, but Cousins is a guy in the Atlanta and dynasty leagues.
Sieg show
In his second stint in Dallas, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will wear No. 15, the same number he wore at Ohio State.
To make this possible, Cowboys QB Trey Lance will switch from No. 15 to No. 19. pic.twitter.com/A6E4mmeBpn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 1, 2024
Who do you think is the back? again. Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys completed their most inevitable reunion yet this week after Elliott’s one-year experiment with the Patriots. The deal is a rare win-win, as Elliott has little competition for touches and the Cowboys fill a need they haven’t previously been able to address in the draft or free agency.
And while his best days appear to be behind him, he has some real bounce-back potential. He averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry last season, but played with one of the worst offensive lines in the league. As a result, he had a statistically disastrous season on the ground with just 642 yards and three touchdowns. His fantasy coaches were saved by his production in the passing game, where he had 51 receptions for 313 receiving yards and two touchdowns. It was his best receiving season in four years and helped him regain fantasy value as an RB3.
But Zeke won’t be competing for touches with incumbent running backs like he did with LaMondre Stephenson in New England. Instead, he has a previous backup to compete with in Rico Doodle, which should be much easier to pass.
Dynasty influence: Elliott’s dynasty values are meaningless if they are not consistent. Although a top-five player for the first five years of his career, he steadily declined, eventually bottoming out as a top-70 running back.
But there may be an opportunity here. Dallas has no competition for the starting spot, so Elliott will likely start the season as is. Tony Pollard, the Cowboys’ leader in attempts last year, had 252 carries that year. Even with Elliott’s lowest average of 3.5 yards per carry last year, that would mean almost 900 rushing yards for the entire season. Add in the reception numbers that both Pollard and Zeke have seen, and that could mean a productive season for the vet. Although he won’t cost as much as he used to, he would be a strong option for the 2nd running back spot on a dynasty championship contender.
dolphin story
Odell Beckham Jr. signs with Dolphins @TomPelissero @lap sheet 🐬 pic.twitter.com/izBi4wOfsk
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 3, 2024
After waiting most of free agency, wide receiver Odell Beckham found his next team in Miami. He joins a receiving corps that already includes All-Pro Tyreek Hill and 1,000-yard phenom receiver Jaylen Waddle, who together make up one of the best receiving groups in the NFL, if not the best. It becomes one.
But does Miami need a third receiver? The Dolphins ranked him just 19th in pass attempts, with him throwing 33.6 per game. The Dolphins’ third receiver last season was Cedric Wilson, who had an impressive 22 receptions on 38 targets for 296 yards and three touchdowns.
Beckham’s contract looks good on the surface, but should his dynasty managers be concerned?
Dynasty influence: Beckham hasn’t played in a dynasty league in nearly five years. He’s currently on the fifth team, but would be as good as the team’s third option.
But given the cost, he might be worth buying a flyer. Using the DLF Trade Analyzer, Beckham is roughly worth being a rookie pick in the fourth or fifth round. The hit rate isn’t very good for a player acquired that late, so why not add Beckham (in a deeper league) in case they bring him in to ease the burden on both Hill and Waddle? There aren’t many offenses better than Miami, so I buy that.
Michael has been playing fantasy football for over 20 years, with his mother funding his first team when he was in fourth grade. He has contributed to various fantasy football publications, most recently Pro Football, where he spent five years writing on the fantasy side.
