RADIO
Each week, this column provides you with movement in the RosterWatch Dynasty Rankings. We highlight players who have gained or lost value recently.
Tracking these player value trends assists dynasty players in identifying opportunities to improve their rosters, as the landscape of the market is ever-changing.
This column was written by Alan Seslowsky (@alanseslowksy) and provided to RotoBaller by our friends at RosterWatch.
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Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Age: 25
Movement: Falling
Previous Rank: QB3
Updated Rank: QB10
The 2021 offseason is going to be remembered mostly for the Deshaun Watson soap opera. Watson’s strong stance that he “will never play for the Texans again” didn’t move his ADP at all. In Superflex startups, he routinely went off the board in the top-six picks as the QB3 or QB4. Watson’s contract insulation along with his proven track record of elite production in sub-optimal conditions warranted a first-round draft pick in dynasty startup leagues.
This week, the Watson headlines turned dark, with multiple female accusers alleging inappropriate conduct and sexual assault. The RosterWatch dynasty rankings pledge to update weekly and reflect draft strategy as if you were drafting today. While all of this hangs over Watson, we can not in good conscience draft him in the top-24 picks of our startup leagues. There is a chance that Watson misses significant time. If you want to gamble that this all goes away, you can certainly ignore our Watson ranking at your own risk. If Watson is available at the end of the third round, we can get behind the upside gamble. Watson’s ranking would restore to the top-five if the off-the-field accusations go away.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Football Team
Age: 38
Movement: Rising
Previous Rank: QB35
Updated Rank: QB29
It’s not often you see a 38-year-old journeyman QB rise up the dynasty rankings. Previously, we had “Fitz” ranked outside of the starting QB range, QB35. He was a player you could draft with your last pick in Superflex or simply leave on the waiver wire in FFPC leagues. This week, the Washington Football Team signed “Fitz-Magic,” and the fantasy community is excited about the WFT offense.
Though Fitzpatrick is not a top-20 real-life NFL QB, he has shown the ability to support two top-24 WRs for fantasy. Fitzpatrick's “gunslinger” mentality also makes him a viable QB2 in Superflex leagues. Drafters of Fitzpatrick need to assume this is a one-year play and draft accordingly. Washington could also draft a young QB and plan to give a rookie QB starts in 2021. The final caution is that Taylor Heinicke showed well in Washington’s playoff game and has quickly become a fan favorite in DC. If the WFT gets off to a slow start, don’t underestimate the power of the fans calling for Heinicke. In one-QB redraft leagues, Fitzpatrick should be ranked as a top-15 QB that you can easily cut and replace. Dynasty league drafters need to seriously consider the opportunity cost of getting aggressive on Fitzpatrick.
Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
Age: 33
Movement: Rising
Previous Rank: QB38
Updated Rank: QB32
The Chicago Bears were reportedly pursuing Russell Wilson this offseason. That was always a long shot given the lack of assets and draft capital Chicago has. They settled for 33-year-old Andy Dalton instead. Real-life NFL fans were uninspired by the move, but fantasy football players acknowledge the signing gives new life to Dalton’s Superflex value. Previously ranked among other uninspiring backup QBs, Dalton makes the leap to QB32, the last of the viable starters.
Dynasty startup drafters should understand he represents a short-term play as a QB3 on your team and should not be proactively drafted. If you land an elite QB in Round 1, then ignore the position for the bulk of your draft, as Dalton could serve as a nice life preserver pick in the “teen” rounds.
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