Dumpster Diving For Dynasty Value: QBs & TEs
When I was young, my favorite activity to do with my father was to pick. Picking involves combing garage sales for items that others mark at a severe discount, then selling those items for profit. This “dumpster diving” mentality is a viable strategy to find hidden dynasty value. Players left for dead often rise up through the ranks of the fantasy football community and return value for those willing to stash them at the end of their bench.
The Dumpster Diving approach entails acquiring assets that have either failed to shine in their first couple years in the league (looking at you Tyler Boyd) or rookies and developmental players who flashed in training camp and have a viable path to production (and now you, Phillip Lindsay). Diving into the dumpster of the fantasy football landscape frequently returns value for those willing to search through the trash to find those pieces of gold. Take a look below at quarterbacks and tight ends left for dead who could become viable assets in the 2019-2020 NFL Season.
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Bargain Bin: Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
I know. Yuck. But Andy Dalton can be a viable backup, with QB1 upside in the right matchup. Dalton has only failed to hit 3,000 yards once in his seven seasons as the starting QB for the Bengals (in 2018, where he only played 11 games). Last year was also the first time in his career where he did not finish inside the top-18 QBs, including a fifth ranked season in 2013 and a 12th ranked season in 2016.
Of the ten games Dalton completed in 2018, he had below 12 points in three of them. Dalton is currently the 29th QB off the board according to MyFantasyLeague, and his value in one QB, 12 team leagues is near the Rookie 4.05. That is a small price to pay for a quality streaming QB. Meanwhile, his value in a two QB/Superflex league sits near the 2.05, which is a tremendous value for a QB2 who has never finished outside of the top 18 when healthy.
Deep Dive: Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo Bills
Tyree Jackson is a monster of a man. Coming in at 6-7, 245 pounds, Jackson is an athletic freak at the quarterback position. Jackson possesses 4.59 speed, and an 88th percentile Burst Score, which contributes to his 92nd percentile SPARQ score. He finished his three years at Buffalo with a 129.3 passer rating and 757 yards rushing on over 200 attempts.
While his completion percentage (55.8 percent) leaves something to be desired, Jackson is a developmental quarterback with a huge arm that can be a game-changer when rushing with the football. Does that remind you of anyone currently in the NFL? What about the starting QB on the Buffalo Bills? By signing Jackson, the Bills added a one-for-one backup for Josh Allen. Allen is a 93rd percentile SPARQ athlete who ran his way to an overall QB1 finish over weeks 12 through 17. That came on the back of 377 rushing yards and four touchdowns during those five games. Even with a rough start to his passing career, Allen finished the season as the overall QB20 despite only playing twelve games.
However, with an aggressive running style like Allen’s, there is an increased likelihood of injury. Allen missed four games in his rookie season with a sprain of his UCL joint in his right elbow. Additionally, Allen broke his clavicle twice before entering the NFL. Allen’s injury risk leads to a higher likelihood of Jackson starting games this season and beyond. If he does, fantasy players can expect a QB with quality rushing numbers establishing a decent floor. Jackson should be rostered in all two QB leagues. He would be worth a waiver wire addition in one QB leagues were Allen to miss time.
Bargain Bin: Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Rams
Gerald Everett, or “Mount Everett” as a fellow Create-A-Rank writer Matt Reller calls him, is entering his third year as the Tight End of the Los Angeles Rams. In his first two years, Everett was limited by the myriad of weapons at the Rams’ disposal. He also is capped by the presence of fellow TE Tyler Higbee. Everett, an over-sized slot receiver at 6-3, 239 pounds, is a top-tier athlete, with his SPARQ score measuring in the 85th percentile. He also progressed late last season, having at least four catches in four of his last five games.
In addition to his increased utilization, the Rams offense has multiple question marks.. Everyone is aware of Todd Gurley‘s injured knee. Gurley had 81 targets in 2018, so if he is limited or unable to play, those targets will go to other players, including Everett. Additionally, Cooper Kupp tore his ACL on November 12, 2018. Week One of the 2019 season will come at nine months and 27 days after that point. While most athletes are able to recover in that time period, Kupp will likely be limited early in the season. Kupp had 55 targets in eight games, a pace he likely won’t continue throughout the first few games of the season. If Everett can horde targets from both Gurley and Kupp, he could return immediate value for his current asking price, which is currently sitting at the Rookie 4.05.
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Deep Dive: Mo Alie-Cox, TE, Indianapolis Colts
Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. Mo Alie-Cox is a second-year tight end for the Indianapolis Colts out of Virginia Commonwealth. Alie-Cox was a four-year basketball player at VCU, averaging 7.7 points and 4.7 rebounds over his 142 game career. As such, he registered an above-average SPARQ score and began last season on the Colts’ practice squad.
However, through a hip injury to Jack Doyle, Alie-Cox quickly was promoted to the 53-man roster, becoming the second tight end behind Eric Ebron. Alie-Cox averaged a 37.4-percent snap share in games which he was active. While he only received 13 targets in his rookie season, he was productive with those targets, turning them into seven catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers may not be great, but as a former basketball player, they are promising as a developmental project
In his first full off-season as a football player, Alie-Cox is drawing praise for his development. Both Ebron and Doyle sat out the off-season program, allowing Alie-Cox to take snaps as the primary tight end in the first team offense. He impressed so much that The Athletic’s Stephen Holder is calling for Alie-Cox to breakout this season. Doyle missed ten games last season and Ebron is on the last year of his contract, leaving the door open for Alie-Cox. He can be found on waivers in most dynasty leagues. If Doyle or Ebron miss time, his continued development could lead to TE2 production. Alie-Cox is an intriguing dynasty stash for those with room on their bench.
Check out Part II coming soon!
Comments (1)
Kylie Mason
Seems about right.