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Biggest Dynasty Movers Through Three Weeks
There’s only one prediction that I always get right when it comes to fantasy football and the NFL–it is unpredictable. It’s hard to believe that we are already through three weeks of action. It’s time to update our projections and rankings or risk falling behind our opponents. The dynasty landscape has never been so fluid with sure-fire studs underperforming as well as players once thought of as busts finally breaking out.
Here are the biggest dynasty movers through the seasons’ first three weeks:
Trending up: WR Mike Williams
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams has had an incredible start to the 2021 campaign. He has quickly developed into one of quarterback Justin Herbert’s favorite targets. His outstanding 31 targets through just three games are sure to come back to Earth at some point–regardless he needs to be ranked way higher in dynasty and redraft leagues than he was in August.
He has recently climbed eight spots on our Yards Per Fantasy dynasty rankings and I’d argue that’s not even enough. During training camp, rumors swirled that Williams was going to play the X receiver role in first-year offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system. This was the role that New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas played when he dominated fantasy leagues for a few years.
Most people–myself included–chalked this up to pure coach speak. But through three games it has become obvious that Williams is a huge part of this offense now and for the future. Williams is about to turn 27 years old but the big downside is that he is only under contract with the Chargers through 2021. I would expect him to get an extension with the team but it is worth noting nonetheless.
Mike Williams vs Chiefs
⚡️ 7 catches
⚡️ 122 yards
⚡️ 2 TDs
⚡️ 31.2 PPR fantasy points pic.twitter.com/d3Awhh5kWf— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) September 26, 2021
Trending up: RB D’Andre Swift
Wow! What an efficient start from Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift. Swift is essentially playing the limited Austin Ekeler-type role in Detroit and is still the RB4 overall in point-per-reception (PPR) scoring leagues.
Swift has always had the elite talent to dominate in the NFL but what is so surprising is the number of touches that he is doing it on. He only has 33 rushing attempts through three weeks. For comparison–the RB1, Derrick Henry, has 80. This means that Swift is making the most out of his touches and simultaneously taking less wear and tear on his body.
If the Lions’ coaching staff is smart they will begin to develop plays that get the ball into Swift’s hands more often as the year goes on. At just 22 years old, there is a serious case to be made that Swift should be the RB1 for dynasty leagues moving forward. He is currently ranked as our RB3.
Trending up: WR DJ Moore
Much like Swift, Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore possessed the talent to succeed in the NFL right away. Now, he has the volume to go with it. Moore has quickly become quarterback Sam Darnold’s new favorite target.
Moore has 31 targets through three games which is not an easy accomplishment on a team that features RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Robby Anderson. He is currently the WR9 in PPR leagues.
Moore is only 24 years old even though he is in his fourth season in the pros. He has moved up to WR10 in our dynasty rankings which is up five spots from his preseason rank. This is a fair evaluation considering there are so many young, talented receivers in the league right now.
Trending down: RB Trey Sermon
San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Trey Sermon has had a rough start to his NFL career. In Week 1 he was a healthy scratch which paved the way for fellow rookie Elijah Mitchell to take over as the lead back. In Week 3 Sermon took over lead duties but only because every other RB option on the team was injured.
Sermon is shaping up to be the Ke’Shawn Vaughn of 2021. For those unfamiliar, Vaughn was drafted in the third round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in hopes that he would be a power back to go along with Ronald Jones. As it turns out the Bucs seldom use him and he is completely irrelevant in fantasy football.
On Sunday night the 49ers used fullback Kyle Juszczyk in a halfback role instead of giving Sermon all the carries. This indicates that they do not trust Sermon even when he is quite literally their only option.
Trending down: WR Allen Robinson
I don’t think it’s time to hit the panic button on Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson quite yet, but what the heck is going on? In 2020 Robinson had only one game in which he did not record double-digit fantasy points. In 2021 he has already failed to do so in all three games.
QBs Andy Dalton and Justin Fields were supposed to be upgrades compared to what Robinson has had in the past but he cannot get on the same page with either one. The good news is that Robinson might be able to walk in free agency after the year and leave the mess that is the Bears organization behind him.
Still, his early-season production does not look good. The 28-year-old has caught just 10 out of 21 targets and he even dropped an easy touchdown pass.
I don’t know if Allen Robinson just isn’t used to balls thrown this perfectly but he’s gotta catch this.https://t.co/HxlGRH4JLO
— Dave (@dave_bfr) September 19, 2021
Trending down: WR Elijah Moore
I’m willing to give New York Jets rookie wideout Elijah Moore the benefit of the doubt but where is the guy we saw in training camp? It felt like every day this summer I would log on Twitter to see Moore making a ridiculous catch.
Fast forward through three games and it’s like Moore has disappeared. The Jets are a mess and rookie quarterback Zach Wilson is going through some major growing pains.
I would still hold Moore in dynasty because the talent is there but the outlook for his rookie season has dropped significantly. He is droppable in redraft leagues.
