Dynasty Market Movers – 2021 Free Agency Edition

by Steve Smith · Dynasty Leagues

Over the past few weeks, NFL teams have handed out billions of dollars in contracts, signing over 260 players. With many players moving zip codes, the ripple effect has impacted many dynasty values. The Dynasty Market Movers Report is back for a post-free agency edition to outline notable risers and fallers on PlayerProfiler’s Dynasty Rankings. For more, check out The Podfather’s free agency breakdown on Patreon.

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Ryan Fitzpatrick – QB Washington Football Team

Ryan Fitzpatrick went from hanging up the cleats to signing a one-year deal with the Washington Football Team. The move to his eighth team resulted in a 17-spot jump on the Dynasty Rankings up to QB38. Fitzmagic joins a roster stacked with weapons in Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson, and newly signed Curtis Samuel.

The 16-year veteran ranked No. 5 among qualified quarterbacks with a 77.3 Total QBR in 2020, helped by his 60.0-percent (No. 1) Pressured Completion Percentage. Never afraid to sling it, Fitzpatrick also registered a 56.5-percent (No. 2) a Deep Ball Completion Percentage. While the 38-year-old hasn’t been assured the WFT starting gig, he looks to be a great fit as the team’s bridge quarterback.

Phillip Lindsay – RB Houston Texans

Phillip Lindsay broke onto the scene in 2018, putting up consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. However, this didn’t persuade the Denver Broncos from signing Melvin Gordon to a two-year contract in the 2020 offseason. Hampered by injuries and reduced to a 42.6-percent (No. 39) Opportunity Share, he saw his production drop to 502 (also No. 39) Rushing Yards in 11 games.

Once again, the Broncos did not show confidence in Lindsay this offseason. Allowing him to test the free agent market, he ultimately opted for a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Houston Texans. Currently slated to share the backfield with veterans David Johnson and Mark Ingram, combined age of 60 years, the UDFA is in position to return to his productive ways. This low-risk, high-ceiling signing has Lindsay trending as a positive market mover. He gains 22 spots and 13.25 Lifetime Value points to settle in at RB49.

Kenny Golladay – WR New York Giants

Kenny Golladay played the waiting game in free agency and cashed in to the tune of $72 million over four years. In need of a legitimate receiver, Golladay fills a hole for the Giants. Battling a hip injury for most of 2020, he was limited to five games, registering 20 (No. 110) Receptions for 338 (No. 99) Receiving Yards and two (No. 82) Total Touchdowns. However, the rest of his resume speaks for itself.

Prior to 2020, Golladay produced back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2019. He owns the highest Breakout Rating of all receivers in the 2017 class. His move away from the struggling Detroit Lions franchise slots him at WR23 on the Dynasty Rankings. Quarterback Daniel Jones also receives a boost, while Darius Slayton‘s stock plummets.

Anthony Firkser – TE Tennessee Titans

Corey Davis‘ departure to the New York Jets and Jonnu Smith‘s move to New England has freed up 157 targets in the Titans offense. While Tennessee brought in Josh Reynolds, they also re-signed restricted free agent tight end Anthony Firkser to a one-year contract.

Only managing a 30.9-percent (No. 86) Snap Share last season, Firkser put up a modest 39 (No. 23) Receptions for 387 (No. 26) Receiving Yards and one (No. 53) Touchdown. He did flash potential in Week 6, exploding for a receiving line of 8-113-1 against the Texans. This was a performance that earned him the TE1 crown on the week. Firkser gains 7.90 Lifetime Value points, moving up to TE27. Go check the waiver wire for him if in need of help at tight end.

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Deshaun Watson – QB Houston Texans

As lawsuits continue to mount against Deshaun Watson and uncertainty clouds his outlook, dynasty managers grow uneasy. A top three selection in dynasty startups a month ago, he’s quickly sliding down draft boards.

Watson has been a consistent fantasy producer. He finished 2020 averaging 23.3 (No. 5) Fantasy Points per Game, and averaged 21.2 (No. 2) FFPG in 2019. Fantasy gamers were hoping for a change of scenery this offseason, not a scandal. Rostering or acquiring him in fantasy football now comes with risk. The former Heisman Trophy nominee loses 17.54 Lifetime Value points, putting him on the verge of falling out of the top 10 QBs in dynasty. It may be too soon to panic, but those invested in Watson should monitor this situation intently.

Josh Jacobs – RB Las Vegas Raiders

In a surprise signing, Kenyan Drake inked a two-year deal worth $14.5-million with the Las Vegas Raiders. This move sent a ripple across the dynasty market, boosting the value of Chase Edmonds, and perhaps Eno Benjamin, (at least until Arizona’s draft plans are seen), while dropping the value of Josh Jacobs.

In 15 games last season, Jacobs logged 273 (No. 3) Carries for 1,064 (No. 8) Rushing Yards. Sounds pretty good on the surface, however, he commanded only 45 (No. 24) Targets. Buoyed by rushing volume, he averaged a mediocre 3.8 (No. 56) True Yards Per Carry and ended the season with a 15.4 (No. 12) Fantasy Points per Game average. Drake’s arrival won’t help matters. Jacobs drops four spots in the Dynasty Rankings to fall to RB19.

Preston Williams – WR Miami Dolphins

The dynasty stock of Preston Williams took a hit with the Miami Dolphins locking up Will Fuller for 2021. Injuries have limited Williams to eight games in each of his first two seasons. Fuller is no stranger to injury himself, but is coming off a breakout season where he produced a career-best 879 (No. 28) Receiving Yards and eight (No. 13) Touchdowns in 11 games. He appeared to have some juice in 2020 (editors note: I see what you did there).

Fuller’s 4.32 (99th-percentile) speed and ability to reel in the Deep Ball provides Tua Tagovailoa a nice field-stretching weapon. Both Fuller, who will miss Week 1 due to suspension, and the much debated Tua, move up in the Dynasty Rankings. Williams had a strong start to his career, but has failed to produce since. This move pushes him down the depth chart. He loses 9.33 Lifetime Value points, dropping to WR90.

Hunter Henry – TE New England Patriots

It’s been reported that Bill Belichick is fond of Hunter Henry, scouting and monitoring his game since high school. In fact, Belichick likes him so much that he signed him to a three-year deal. One small caveat. This happened after the Patriots signed Jonnu Smith to a franchise record-setting four-year contract.

In his five year career, Henry has a season-high of 652 Receiving Yards. Not completing a full season to date, injuries have been a concern. With the Patriots likely employing more 12 personnel in 2021, Henry will be useable in fantasy football. Unfortunately, sharing snaps and targets with Smith caps his ceiling. For this reason, Henry loses 7.93 Lifetime Value points and slides out of the top 10 to TE11. The biggest beneficiary in New England looks to be Cam Newton.