Dynasty Top-25 Players Under 25: Players 1-10
Dynasty fantasy football should be about focusing on a three year window. Thinking too short-sighted might win you a title, but one bad week in the playoffs and you’re stuck with aging players that are over the hill. Thinking five-to-six years down the road, let’s you load up with those rookies we all love, but so much can change in six years (Arian Foster ADP third overall in 2013, no longer in the league in 2019), so playing this far out adds too many variables. A three-year window allows for the growth of your rookies, and it allows for peak years of stud players. Sure, injuries happen, players retire, but three years is a nice in-between of the long and short game.
This article is the first of three that takes a look at some of those pieces who fit that three-year window. The ability to grab these players before their cost goes up, or realize the true value of your emerging player, can change your dynasty roster construction philosophy. I have omitted players under 25-years-old that are in the top-25 of ADP per Fantasy Football Calculator, as these players are already stars, and don’t need an introduction (Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffery, Alvin Kamara, etc). Additionally, this article will not include quarterbacks. Feel free to check out my dynasty QB rankings to get an idea of what the under-25 list would look like.
1. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions
22 years old, ADP26
The 2017 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, leads this list due to his efficiency (5.43 yards per carry), his receiving ability (32 receptions despite only seeing greater than 50-percent of the snaps in just five games), and his offense’s desire to run the rock. Kerryon Johnson played in 10 games in 2018 and was the first Lion since 2013 to eclipse 100 yards rushing in a game. With the recent cut of Theo Riddick, Johnson could see 50+ receptions in 2019, making him a very solid RB2 with RB1 upside.
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2. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
24 years old, ADP29
Leonard Fournette has been an absolute roller coaster since his NFL debut. He displayed league-winning potential during his rookie year, but has struggled with health since. Fournette is rumored to be adding receiving skills to his arsenal, and if healthy, he could make the jump into the top-25 of ADP.
3. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers
22 years old, ADP37
D.J. Moore came on strong to finish the 2018 season, and saw over 80 targets on the year. Moore is the clear WR1 in Carolina, and has shown versatility in his routes and releases to garner more volume in 2019 and beyond. Carolina wants to get their guys in space, and Moore excels in these situations.
4. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
23 years old, ADP47
Chris Godwin is entering his third NFL season, and HC Bruce Arians continues to rave about Godwin’s potential for the Bucs. I expect Godwin to see over 100 targets in 2019 and beyond, as well as utilization across the formation. I would be ecstatic to have Godwin as my WR2 going forward.
5. O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24 years old, ADP51
The second Buc in my top-five, O.J. Howard possesses a freakish athleticism that is matched by few at the TE position. Howard averages 16.6 yards per reception, and has flashed immense potential as a red zone threat. He needs to stay healthy to reach his potential, but Howard rounds out what is an impressive young receiving core for Tampa Bay.
6. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
24 years old, ADP64
Tyler Boyd, a recent winner in contract negotiations, is the heir apparent to A.J. Green and WR1 of the future for HC Zac Taylor. Boyd signed a four-year extension, tying him to Cincinnati for the foreseeable future, and Taylor should be ecstatic. He wins with crisp routes and strong hands at the point of the catch, and broke out in 2018 finishing as the WR17 in PPR despite only playing in 14 games. Boyd is an absolute steal as a WR2.
7. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts
23 years old, ADP46
Marlon Mack is linked to an incredibly gifted offense with an offensive minded HC in Frank Reich. The Colts have one of the best lines in the NFL, anchored by All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson. Mack will see the bulk of the carries and red zone carries for an offense that will see positive game script and score a lot of points. I worry about his receiving ability with Nyheim Hines in the backfield, but his rushing ability alone puts him in the top-25.
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8. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons
24 years old, ADP39
Calvin Ridley enters his second NFL season as one of the games brightest up-and-comers. In 2018, Ridley saw 92 targets and turned those into over 800 yards and 10 TDs. He finished as WR22 in PPR. As he grows more and more familiar with the NFL and the Atlanta system, Ridley will become an excellent compliment to Julio Jones and to your WR1 on your dynasty team.
9. Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers
23 years old, ADP77
The WR1 in San Francisco, Dante Pettis flashed his talent and upside last season. The former second round pick saw an uptick from Weeks 12-15, posting no less than five targets or 13 points per game (in PPR). Pettis had a full offseason to recover from nagging injuries. San Francisco added numerous weapons, but Pettis has the skills and the moxie to be the WR1.
10. Derrius Guice, RB, Washington Redskins
22 years old, ADP40
Derrius Guice has yet to see the field in the NFL, but the 2018 second-round pick flashed immense potential that had some draftniks wondering if he was even better than Saquon Barkley. Barkley exploded in his rookie year, and Guice tore his ACL in training camp. With Adrian Peterson resigned, the Redskins can bring Guice back slowly and not rush his recovery. Guice is a play for the second half of 2019 and beyond.
Stayed tuned for part two, which will include players 11-20. Part three will include players 21-25 and some names that just missed the cut!
