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This column was written by Alan Seslowsky (@alanseslowksy) and provided to RotoBaller by our friends at RosterWatch.
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.
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Jalen Hurts (QB, PHI)
Age: 22
Movement: Rising
Previous Rank: QB19
Updated Rank: QB15
The initial set of RosterWatch dynasty Superflex rankings was aggressive on Jalen Hurts. We had him as the QB10 even before Carson Wentz was traded. Prior to the NFL draft, we moved him down slightly, unsure of how the Eagles were planning to support him. It is obvious that Hurts has QB1 overall upside. He also has mid-season benching risk. To their credit, the Eagles have made moves to bolster Hurts’ confidence, adding another first-round WR in DeVonta Smith and rostering backup QBs Nick Mullens and Joe Flacco. Both of those QBs pose no immediate threat to Hurts.
The Eagles have the 2022 draft capital to get a quarterback next year should Hurts prove unreliable. Hurts is an excellent redraft pick, but buyers beware in dynasty, where you are “married” to the player. Jalen Hurts will cost you a valuable third-round startup pick in Superflex leagues. There is a real risk of him losing most of his value by this time next year. The upside is worth that risk if he falls outside of the top-12 QBs.
Alexander Mattison (RB, MIN)
Age: 23
Movement: Rising
Previous Rank: RB49
Updated Rank: RB40
Last offseason, Cowboys RB Tony Pollard and Vikings RB Alexander Mattison were the two most valued “handcuffs” in dynasty startup drafts. Pollard’s value has remained intact while Mattison’s value has taken a significant hit. Their 2021 ADPs have an irrational gap. The best explanation is that Dallas had a number of things go wrong. Offensive line injuries, Ezekiel Elliot’s efficiency took a dip, and most importantly, Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury.
Pollard took advantage of Zeke missing a game in Week 15 last year. Pollard gashed the 49ers' defense for over 170 total yards and two scores. That game is fresh in fantasy players' minds and has some thinking Pollard’s role will grow. Alexander Mattison remains a handcuff to Dalvin Cook, who had amazing positive injury luck in 2020. Mattison is only 23 years old, the same age as rookie RB Najee Harris. Mattison should still be the unquestioned beneficiary if Dalvin Cook misses time. He will be only 25 years old when he hits free agency in a couple of years. He should command attention in the free agency market in 2023, making him a clear riser in the dynasty rankings. Next year at this time, he may be inside the top-30 RBs. You can likely acquire him for a mid to late second-round rookie pick.
Myles Gaskin (RB, MIA)
Age: 24
Movement: Rising
Previous Rank: RB32
Updated Rank: RB25
Gaskin was a pleasant surprise in 2020. He was mostly undrafted in season-long leagues and likely dropped prior to the 2020 season in your modest size bench dynasty leagues. Don’t hate yourself if you dropped Gaskin in the summer of 2020. Miami signed Jordan Howard and proactively traded for Matt Breida, who was coming off a nice season in San Francisco. Both Howard and Breida were considered “value” picks in the eighth round last year.
For the first half of the 2020 season, Weeks 1-8, Gaskin was the RB17. He then missed a month of action, causing his seasonal ranking to drop. When Gaskin returned, he remained productive, including a massive 35 point fantasy output in Week 16. The RB's lack of draft pedigree along with his suboptimal size (5’10” 200 lbs) are contributing to his relatively inexpensive ADP.
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