Rules To Live By

“Don’t Make Mountains Out Of Headlines.”

I know it’s only June, but I promise you Overreaction Season is coming. And it’s coming like a freight train, friend.

So, gird your loins and prepare yourself for the inevitable blurb-based value fluctuations of too many players to count.

Soon enough, we’ll be writing off players for the dumbest reasons you can imagine.

Like … remember when Justin Jefferson was buried in the depth chart as a rookie?

Or how about when Ja’Marr Chase was destined for a career as a car salesman because he couldn’t catch an NFL football?

You might recognize those names as the two players currently sitting at the tippity top of our dynasty rankings. 

And to think, you could’ve flipped them for a couple of 2nd-round rookie picks or some “solid players” like James Robinson and Kenny Golladay! You probably wouldn’t have regretted that for the rest of your life.

This is a good life lesson in general, but don’t let yourself get too caught up in the headlines. If you do, you might panic-sell an elite dynasty asset for no good reason.

Who Ranks As WR3 Behind Jefferson and Chase?

As hit on above, despite panic-inducing headlines before their rookie seasons, Ja’Marr Chase (WR1) and Justin Jefferson (WR2) find themselves at the peak of our dynasty fantasy football rankings.

But who ranks right behind them?

Is it Brian Thomas Jr., who took the term quarterback-proof to a new level after his production with *checks notes* Mac Jones? Or what about a rookie counterpart, Malik Nabers, who posted over 1,200 receiving yards with a carousel of quarterbacks?

Spoiler alert … it’s neither. But we aren’t giving away the keys to the castle. Make your guess and dive into the dynasty wide receiver rankings. ⤵️

“A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two On The Dart Board.”

As r/Dynasty Reddit user 92tilinfinityand astutely points out, we tend to drastically overvalue youth and kick productive veterans to the curb a bit too early.

Hitting the big REFRESH button on your roster can be satisfying, but it can also lead to diminished returns.

Obviously, players don’t stay productive forever and get, and maybe Davante Adams is finally washed (though last year’s game film and our redraft rankings say otherwise).

And maybe you think Kyle Williams can finally break the Patriots’ abysmal track record of drafting (and effectively utilizing) wide receivers.

But though your mileage on the individual players may vary, you should still heed the core message: Don’t trade away a guaranteed sandwich for the potential of a sandwich.

“A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Trade Offers.”

Whether it’s this photo of DK Metcalf looking like The Incredible Hulk if he maintained an all-poultry diet or the vast array of photos highlighting the massive quads of otherwise unimpressive running backs … we’re all susceptible to the hype that follows.

The same is true for videos of acrobatic catches during practice. Even if the catch was made by an undrafted free agent who spent the rest of the day running incorrect routes and dropping routine passes.

The point being, offseason hype is a helluva drug. 

And rather than fall into it, we should use those moments to capitalize and trade those players away to less discerning managers.

So remember, if you see a social media post of Keon Coleman bench-pressing a puma … just take a step back. And breathe.

Around the Watercooler

The latest NFL news and fantasy football analysis from our merry band of football nerds:

📺 Which Cowboys RB should you draft? Good question …

😱 Ladd McConkey’s real name is WHAT? Adjust the ranks!

🤔 What’s the cheapest contending dynasty roster possible? Reddit has suggestions.

🦬 The Bills WR room may be murky, but there’s value to be had.

👀 Young AND undervalued? Sam Wallace’s favorite WR targets.

📰 Miss the news this week? Updates on Hollywood Brown and George Kittle.

💰 Kittle wants more cash. For all tight ends.

🚨 Want to play in a league with Matthew Berry? Donate here for a chance!