Forgotten dynasty assets are now teaming with life. Former elite options have seen better days. It’s another wild and crazy season in dynasty land. Sophomores are stepping up big time in the latest installment of the Dynasty Football Stock Watch!
Dynasty Football Stock Watch
↑ D.J Chark – Jacksonville Jaguars (WR)
Per Game: 5.4 receptions for 97 yards, 1 TD (76% of snaps)
After the first five weeks of 2019, D.J. Chark is on pace for 86 receptions, 1,552 yards, and 16 TD. While I’m confident those are thresholds that Chark is unlikely to eclipse, I must admit Chark has been impressive.
😳 What a catch DJ Chark!#JAXvsCAR
(via @Jaguars)
— PFF (@PFF) October 6, 2019
D.J. Chark has emerged as a vertical big-bodied slot receiver in the mold of Martavis Bryant. Like Bryant, Chark wins with speed and length and has shown an ability to make chunk plays downfield. Considering Gardner Minshew continues to prove his legitimacy, the Jacksonville Jaguars suddenly offer a fertile offense, ripe with opportunity. D.J. Chark is here to stay.
Unfortunately, Chark’s insane production is unsustainable, at least at its current pace. Chark has benefited from some friendly coverage and should see less room to work with as defenses key in on him. Still, it’s undeniable that Chark has taken a monster step forward in his second season. Coming into his own at 23 years old, if D.J. Chark can continue to develop, he could become a top 15 dynasty football wide receiver.
↑ Ronald Jones – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (RB)
Per Game: 11.8 carries for 53.8 yards (4.6 ypc), 0.2 TD, 1 reception for 18.4 yards (32% of snaps)
After being selected late in the first round last year, Ronald Jones had one of the least encouraging rookie seasons in recent memory. In an era where a first or second-round draft pedigree is a first-class meal ticket to a 1,000-yard season, Ronald Jones struggled to even be activated for gamedays last year. And in the rare occurrences that he did see the field, Jones averaged a nauseous 1.9 yard per carry. That’s a level of ineffectiveness that would make Trent Richardson blush.
It’s fair to say that no sophomore entered 2019 with lower public expectations than Ronald Jones. And while he’s still nowhere near a featured role, Jones has exceeded all expectations with his performances thus far. Jones is running with a level of patience and vision that seemed out of reach last year. Finally, he’s seeing the hole correctly, and attacking with urgency.
https://twitter.com/_SteveFrederick/status/1178484113931689984
Through five weeks, Ronald Jones is Pro Football Focus’ fourth-highest graded running back, and should continue to carve out a larger role as the season progresses. He’s worth a poke if he’s available in your league.
↓ O.J Howard – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TE)
Per Game: 2.2 receptions for 28.2 yards, 0 TD (83% of snaps)
“Bruce Arians doesn’t utilize the tight end position.” Arians’ offensive philosophy has been public knowledge since his days in Pittsburgh. We knew that Howard’s rise to elite fantasy status would be dependent on a veteran coach contradicting his track record. We knew this and still anointed O.J. Howard as a top tier fantasy tight end for 2019.
We were wrong. After a highly productive sophomore campaign that was cut short by an ankle injury, analysts were all too eager to expect another jump for his third season, regardless of the shift in offensive scheme. While Howard’s commanding a healthy snap percentage against Cameron Brate, Winston is peppering Chris Godwin and Mike Evans with the lion’s share of targets.
Within this struggle lies opportunity! If you can afford a lost year, purchasing O.J. Howard is a strong recommendation. While his immediate outlook is dim, he won’t cost anywhere near the lucrative sum he would’ve netted a few months ago. Coaches and coordinators are fired, hired, and promoted in a whirlwind carousel every season. Situations change for Dynasty Football purposes, but talent is a constant. Not only is Howard a capable blocker, but the guy catches EVERYTHING.
“That gentleman just barehanded the ball.”
That’s O.J. Howard lmao pic.twitter.com/8gcOuymCWq
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) October 9, 2019
It’s only a matter of time before O.J. Howard and his well-rounded skills are showcased to the world again.
↓ David Johnson – Arizona Cardinals (RB)
Per Game: 12.8 carries for 52.8 yards (4.1 ypc), 1.7 TD, 4.8 receptions for 49.4 yards (79% of snaps)
David Johnson has been a heck of a football player. Nobody can deny that. And the new-look Arizona offense has indeed boosted his overall production and effectiveness. He’s toting the rock with increased efficiency and has been actively deployed in the receiving game. But regardless of how productive David Johnson has been, his days may be numbered.
Johnson is starting to experience back issues, which are seemingly a death sentence in pro football careers. There’s no such thing as a player who used to have back issues. These things tend to linger and compound over time.
With Johnson’s days numbered, it would be a good time to invest in Chase Edmonds. Like Johnson, Edmonds offers a three-down skillset with receiving chops tailor-made for an air raid offense. Given the overall improvements to the offense, Edmonds has seen a similar spike in efficiency as David Johnson and should perform at a comparable level in a workhorse role.
Dynasty Football Penny Stock
Gerald Everett – Los Angeles Rams (TE)
Per Game: 3.6 receptions for 44.6 receiving yards, 0.2 TD (66% of snaps)
It’s no secret that the Rams passing offense has been centered around their top three receivers. And while that certainly creates a near bottomless floor, it also creates a discounted purchasing window for Gerald Everett. Smart coaches adapt and evolve their schemes around the talents of their players, and by most accounts, Sean McVay is a smart coach. Like other undersized tight ends like Evan Engram and Jordan Reed, Everett is a matchup nightmare for defenses. He made significant strides last season in efficiency and has been rewarded with extended playing time this year. Should his role continue to grow, Everett could blossom into a dynasty football mainstay.
Dynasty is forever! Check out the full archive of Nick’s Dynasty Football Stock Watch.
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