32 Teams, 64 Dynasty Targets
With free agency over for the most part and a little time to pass before next month's draft, it feels like a prime time to dive into some fantasy football talk. Face it, that's what we're all here for in the first place, right? By playing dynasty, it gives us the opportunity to manage a fantasy team year-round and keeps us in the loop around the clock. Below are 64 players, two from each of the 32 teams, whom I've pinpointed as guys to target in your respective leagues. There's a nice mix of high-end youngsters who will cost a pretty penny and third- or fourth-year talents who may now just be getting opportunities to earn more snaps or may soon be finding their way to (possibly) greener pastures.
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Arizona Cardinals -- Running back Ryan Williams: Obviously Andre Ellington and Michael Floyd are more desirable dynasty targets, but let's try and not point out the blatantly obvious. Stepfan Taylor is also in the conversation, but Williams is the more talented runner even if the Cardinals don't seem to see it that way. Williams is only 24 (on April 9) and has just one year left on his rookie deal. Barring an unforeseen change of heart by the Arizona coaching staff, Williams will get a fresh start in a new city in 2015. Williams has an NFL body and would be an ideal fit in a one-cut, zone-blocking scheme. The Cardinals are a power team. The obvious red flag with Williams is we don't know if he's truly ever going to be the same since tearing his patellar tendon in August 2011. But he can likely be plucked off waivers in most leagues or be had for pennies via trade. … Honorable mention: Running back Stepfan Taylor
Atlanta Falcons -- Tight end Levine Toilolo: The cupboard is a bit bare for the Falcons; it's not an overly deep roster. Toilolo is the most intriguing option among the younger players outside of Julio Jones. With Tony Gonzalez hanging up the cleats, Toilolo should be given an opportunity to earn a larger offensive role, though I fully expect GM Thomas Dimitroff to address the position in May's draft. At 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, he profiles as a red-zone option. However, Toilolo showed shaky hands en route to a meager 11-55-2 receiving line as a rookie. He's also not a great blocker, which will keep him off the field. At this point, it doesn't make sense to give up much for Toilolo trade-wise. He's worth a stab on the waiver wire. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Darius Johnson
Baltimore Ravens -- Running back Bernard Pierce: Pierce is coming off an extremely disappointing sophomore campaign that saw him average just 2.86 YPC. But he's one of the more talented No. 2 backs in the league and is a natural fit for new OC Gary Kubiak's zone-run scheme. Pierce drew Arian Foster comps coming out of Temple. Pierce could even push for timeshare duties with Ray Rice this season and may get the bulk of the work a few times depending on how Rice's legal situation shakes out. Even if Rice isn't suspended, he has a ton of wear and tear on his tires. Pierce will get his chance sooner than later. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Aaron Mellette
Buffalo Bills -- Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin: Goodwin (5-foot-9, 183) is small, but he has blazing speed (4.27 forty) and is a legitimate threat to take the top off the defense any time he steps on the field. He doesn't have a clear path to major offensive snaps in 2014 behind Mike Williams, Stevie Johnson, and Robert Woods, but Johnson may be nearing the end of the line in Buffalo. Williams is also basically entering a prove-it season. Goodwin posted three touchdowns as a rookie and is definitely worthy of a stash on fantasy benches. … Honorable mention: Tight end Chris Gragg
Carolina Panthers -- Wide receiver Tavarres King: The Panthers are in the midst of completely overhauling their receiving corps, and King is currently penciled into a top-three role. That will likely change after the draft, but Jerricho Cotchery is entering his age-32 season and Tiquan Underwood is a run-of-the-mill talent. Things are far from unsettled in Carolina. This will be one of the more intriguing wide receiver competitions to watch this summer. King was a fifth-round pick of the Broncos last year but was among their final cuts and spent the year on the sidelines in Carolina. As a senior at Georgia, King led the NCAA with his 22.6 YPR mark. He has good size at 6-foot-1 and 191 pounds and possesses 4.47 wheels. … Honorable mention: Running back Kenjon Barner
Chicago Bears -- Wide receiver Marquess Wilson: Wilson is a tall, lanky prospect at 6-foot-4 and 184 pounds but he put up serious numbers at Washington State in 2011 (82-1,388-12) before quitting the team. The 2013 seventh-rounder now has the inside track on the No. 3 receiver job in Chicago following Earl Bennett's release. The Bears want Wilson to get in the weight room. Coach Marc Trestman has already come out and said that he expects a second-year leap from Wilson. Even if Wilson wins the No. 3 job, he won't be any higher than the No. 5 option in the passing game. Brandon Marshall's contract expires at the end of the season. … Honorable mention: Running back Michael Ford
Cincinnati Bengals -- Tight end Tyler Eifert: Jermaine Gresham has one year left on his contract, so Eifert is staring at another year of splitting snaps. But there's no denying who the more talented player is, and it's clearly Eifert. Gresham is a mistake-prone and skillet-handed plodder. Eifert can come down with balls in traffic and stretch the seam. He'll probably be tough to pry away in dynasty, but it's worth sending out feelers. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Marvin Jones
Cleveland Browns -- Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins: Hawkins just turned 28, but little jitterbug slot receivers like him can last a long time in the NFL. The Browns handed Hawkins a three-year, $13.6 million deal in March to steal him away from the rival Bengals. He's going to play a major role on offense after being part of a loaded offensive arsenal in Cincinnati. Hawkins can turn simple dumpoffs into monster gains. Tavon Austin drew some Hawkins comparisons last spring. Hawkins is currently penciled in as the No. 3 option in the passing game. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Charles Johnson
Dallas Cowboys -- Wide receiver Terrance Williams: Williams is a no-brainer 2014 breakout candidate. With Miles Austin handed his walking papers, Williams is locked into the No. 2 receiver spot opposite Dez Bryant. Even with Bryant and Jason Witten ahead of Williams in the pecking order for targets, he's still going to see a ton of balls in new OC Scott Linehan's pass-happy attack. He's also going to see a lot of single-coverage with Bryant and Witten drawing the attention of safeties. … Honorable mention: Running back Lance Dunbar
Denver Broncos -- Running back C.J. Anderson: Knowshon Moreno is out of the picture in Denver, and Ronnie Hillman couldn't capitalize on numerous opportunities last season. Anderson was active over Hillman as the No. 3 back late in 2013. Anderson should be given a legitimate shot to win No. 2 duties behind Montee Ball. Anderson lacks long speed but has good burst and can run between the tackles. As long as Peyton Manning is under center, whoever is lined up at running back will see soft defensive fronts. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders
Detroit Lions -- Running back Joique Bell: The Lions gave Bell $4.3 million guaranteed on his new deal this offseason, more than they handed Reggie Bush. Detroit is really high on Bell and believes he can function as a between-the-tackles runner, in addition to catching passes out of the backfield. He's entering his age-28 campaign, but there's plenty of tread left on the tires considering Bell is entering just his third full season. He's going to be a major part of the timeshare. Bush also dealt with a couple nagging injuries in 2013. Bell has immediate low-end RB2 appeal. … Honorable mention: Tight end Joseph Fauria
Green Bay Packers -- Tight end Brandon Bostick: The former small-school college receiver got his first real taste of the NFL last season when Jermichael Finley went down with his neck injury. Finley is a free agent and remains unsigned, leaving Bostick and Andrew Quarless atop the current depth chart. Bostick is highly athletic, even though he lacks ideal height. Coach Mike McCarthy also recently praised Bostick's efforts as a blocker, which will only help him get on the field. When you have Aaron Rodgers throwing you the football, there's plenty of upside. … Honorable mention: Running back Johnathan Franklin
Houston Texans -- Tight end Ryan Griffin: The Texans re-signed Garrett Graham to a three-year pact last month. Our own Evan Silva described Graham as "small, slow, and can't block." Graham is a pedestrian player who's entering his age-28 season. 24-year-old Griffin started eight of the final ten games last season and displayed plus athleticism. At 6-foot-6 and 254 pounds, he's a bigger target that can win in the middle of the field. New coach Bill O'Brien comes from tight end-friendly New England. Griffin's arrow is pointing up. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver DeVier Posey
Indianapolis Colts -- Wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers: Rogers lost a bit of his luster as a 2014 breakout candidate when the Colts signed Hakeem Nicks, but Nicks only inked a one-year pact and Reggie Wayne is a 35-year-old coming off a torn ACL. He can't play forever. Rogers appears ticketed for No. 4 duties as a sophomore, but the team remains high on him. As long as Rogers keeps his nose clean off the field, he could have a prominent role as early as 2015. He's built like a brick house and has serious tackle-breaking run-after-catch ability. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver LaVon Brazill
Jacksonville Jaguars Wide receiver Cecil Shorts -- Shorts was expected to make a 2013 leap after his breakout 2012 season, but he fell victim to nagging season-long injuries and pitiful quarterback play. His YPR averaged dipped six yards and he found the end zone just three times after scoring seven touchdowns the previous year. Shorts' price tag should definitely be lower than it was last summer. As long as he can stay healthy and the Jaguars get better quarterback play, Shorts shouldn't have much trouble returning to WR2/3 form. He has high-end WR2 upside. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon
Kansas City Chiefs Tight end Travis Kelce -- Off-field issues pushed Kelce into the third round of last year's draft, and then he proceeded to miss his entire rookie season after undergoing microfracture surgery. This is a guy that averaged 17.1 YPR as a senior and posted a 4.60 forty and 37-inch vertical at his Pro Day. Kelce also is a strong blocker. With only Anthony Fasano in his way, Kelce should have no trouble finding his way onto the field. He can line up all over the field. Kelce has been compared to Heath Miller and is a legit red-zone threat. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver A.J. Jenkins
Miami Dolphins Running back Lamar Miller -- Miller was being hyped as a potential RB2 at this point last year, but he completely flopped and couldn't take advantage of a golden opportunity. He wasn't helped by ex-OC Mike Sherman's play calling, a porous offensive line, and the coaching staff's weird allegiance to Daniel Thomas. Knowshon Moreno is now in Miami, but he's on a one-year deal and shouldn't be anything more than a complementary piece. Miller is still just 23 (on April 22) and drew some loose Chris Johnson comparisons ahead of the 2012 draft. Miller's stock is low, so it's the ideal time to send out feelers. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Rishard Matthews
Minnesota Vikings Tight end Kyle Rudolph -- Cordarrelle Patterson was way too obvious a choice, but he'd cost a fortune to get. Rudolph, on the other hand, is coming off a season that saw him play just eight games due to a broken foot. But he's entering the final year of his rookie deal and has an offensive coordinator in Norv Turner who loves featuring his tight ends. Everything points to Rudolph having a career year. With Patterson and Greg Jennings occupying defensive backs and Adrian Peterson garnering a ton of attention, Rudolph could have plenty of room to roam in the middle of the field. He has top-six TE1 potential. … Honorable mention: Running back Zach Line
New England Patriots Wide receiver Aaron Dobson -- Dobson's rookie year was marred by a foot injury that required surgery after the season. He's a prime 2014 breakout candidate with nobody standing in his way for X receiver duties. (Kenbrell Thompkins and Josh Boyce ideally are backups and could be fighting for one roster spot.) Dobson has great size (6-foot-3, 210) and sub-4.4 wheels. He also had a very reliable pair of mitts in college. Dobson is only 22 and will be given every opportunity to become an every-down outside weapon. Now's the time to try and buy low on him. … Honorable mention: Running back Stevan Ridley
New Orleans Saints Running back Khiry Robinson -- Robinson, a 24-year-old undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M last year, carried the ball 38 times over the Saints' final four games, including the playoffs. There's growing belief that he's going to be the lead "big back" in New Orleans this season, as coach Sean Payton wants to transition to a more balanced offensive attack. Robinson has plus size and deceptive speed and even drew a Curtis Martin comparison from Bill Parcells, who is good buddies with Payton. Robinson's arrow is pointing directly upward with Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas entering the finals years of their contracts and Darren Sproles now in Philadelphia. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Kenny Stills
New York Giants Tight end Adrien Robinson -- Brandon Myers left the G-Men to join the Bucs, leaving Robinson currently penciled in as the No. 1 tight end. He's an athletic freak of nature at 6-foot-4 and 264 pounds who ran a 4.56 forty at his Pro Day in 2012 and was even called the "JPP of tight ends" by GM Jerry Reese. Robinson's main issue has been an inability to stay healthy. He dealt with foot and knee injuries last season and has zero career catches through three games. The Giants are a strong bet to use an early pick on a tight end in the upcoming draft, but Robinson should be able to be had on the cheap. New OC Ben McAdoo comes from an offense in Green Bay that loved to use the tight end in the passing game. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Rueben Randle
New York Jets Tight end Zach Sudfeld -- There isn't much to choose from among the Jets' offensive artillery. Stephen Hill is still young, but he looks like a bust who can't stay healthy. Jeremy Kerley is also worthy of a look-see. Sudfeld, a waiver claim from the rival Patriots last October, has the measurables at 6-foot-7 and 253 pounds with 4.78 wheels. The Jets are said to be high on him even after re-signing Jeff Cumberland. Cumberland is a burly, lumbering tight end who doesn't profile as a true No. 1 tight end. I'm not saying Sudfeld does, but he is a better athlete with soft hands. The Jets will likely address tight end in May's draft. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley
Oakland Raiders Wide receiver Andre Holmes -- There's going to be competition all over the offense in Oakland this summer. There are a number of players to choose from who could be dynasty targets. Holmes is a soon-to-be 26-year-old who was claimed off waivers from the Patriots last May. He was given an opportunity late in the season and exploded for a seven-catch, 138-yard effort on national television Thanksgiving Day against the Cowboys. He followed that up with 15 catches for 230 yards and his first NFL touchdown over the final four games. Holmes (6-foot-4, 210) can jump out of the gym and flashes sick playmaking ability on the outside. James Jones is slotted as the No. 1 in Oakland, so Holmes will be in a competition with Denarius Moore and Rod Streater for snaps. Holmes possesses the most raw athleticism of the bunch. The Raiders may be souring on Moore, while Streater profiles as a slot receiver. … Honorable mention: Running back Latavius Murray
Philadelphia Eagles Tight end Zach Ertz -- Ertz is kind of in the same boat as Tyler Eifert, as in he's going to be hard to pry away. Ertz's playing time was bound to rise after he played just 41 percent of the offensive snaps as a rookie, but with DeSean Jackson now out of the picture, Ertz could be leaned on in the passing game even more. Coach Chip Kelly is an offensive genius and knows how to utilize his players' strengths. Ertz is a skilled pass catcher who can line up out wide and in the slot. Ertz has TE1 potential, while his floor should be in the high-to-mid TE2 range. … Honorable mention: Running back Bryce Brown
Pittsburgh Steelers Wide receiver Markus Wheaton -- Wheaton was the 79th overall pick in last year's draft. Due to late graduation rules, he was unable to show up for the offseason until mid-June. Couple that with two separate finger injuries, Wheaton's rookie season was ruined for the most part. With Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery elsewhere, Wheaton is penciled in as the Steelers' No. 2 receiver. Pittsburgh is likely to add a big-bodied receiver in the draft, but Wheaton is going to play significant snaps. He has blazing speed and drew Mike Wallace comparisons coming out of Oregon State. The Steelers have had plenty of success developing receivers recently, and Wheaton is next on the to-do list. … Honorable mention: Running back Le'Veon Bell
San Diego Chargers Tight end Ladarius Green -- Green had a three-game stretch from Weeks 11-13 where he caught nine passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns while playing major snaps. His usage then went into the toilet once Eddie Royal returned from injury. GM Tom Telesco expressed a desire to infuse more speed into the offense, and Green fits the bill. He's a 6-foot-6 animal with 4.53 speed. Antonio Gates also isn't going to play forever and doesn't have any more guaranteed money left on his deal. Green and Keenan Allen are the future in terms of pass catchers for the Bolts. Green won't be easy to get in dynasty. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Vincent Brown
San Francisco 49ers Running back Kendall Hunter -- Hunter's 2014 outlook isn't bright, but he's entering the final year of his contract. He'll operate as Frank Gore's change-of-pace back once again this season while competing with Marcus Lattimore for snaps. Hunter could then jet to a team that will give him an opportunity for a bigger role or just replace Gore, who will be 32 before the 2015 season. Hunter is still 25 years old and has plenty of tread on his tires. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Quinton Patton
Seattle Seahawks Running back Christine Michael -- Michael is a Rotoworld favorite. Marshawn Lynch has taken a number of hits and is about to turn 28 years old. He also has just two years left on his contract. Michael has been talked up by both coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider since the Super Bowl, with Carroll pegging Michael as the team's "biggest breakout candidate." While it's going to be hard to break out if Lynch stays healthy, Michael is viewed as the future in Seattle's backfield. He's just 23 years old and has simply sick running talent. Michael is going to be hard to obtain in dynasty, but it's just going to get harder. … Honorable mention: Tight end Luke Willson
St. Louis Rams Wide receiver Stedman Bailey -- "Studman" steadily saw his snaps increase late last season after being the 92nd overall pick in the 2013 draft and making his mark on special teams. Bailey has a sick pair of hands and runs crisp routes. The receiver competition in Rams camp is going to be one of the top ones to watch around the league. It's wide open. Even though Bailey lacks the size, he proved to be a legitimate red-zone threat for Geno Smith at West Virginia. Bailey could have a future at the Z receiver spot in St. Louis. … Honorable mention: Wide receiver Tavon Austin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide receiver Tommy Streeter -- This is a complete shot in the dark. There just isn't much to choose from in Tampa outside of Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson. Mike James is a fullback/tailback 'tweener. Bobby Rainey is entering his age-27 season and is on his third NFL team. Mike Glennon has three years left on his contract and is playing for a coach that doesn't like young quarterbacks. Those that have been playing dynasty the past couple seasons have undoubtedly heard Streeter's name before. He's a size-speed freak who hasn't translated that to the field. Streeter was a popular sleeper pick last spring for the Ravens but was waived ahead of final cuts and spent the year on Buffalo's practice squad. Coach Lovie Smith loved big receivers in Chicago, and Streeter (6-foot-5, 215) fits the profile in that sense. He's worth a waiver wire grab in deeper leagues. … Honorable mention: Quarterback Mike Glennon
Tennessee Titans Wide receiver Justin Hunter -- GM Ruston Webster traded up to select Hunter with the 34th pick in last year's draft. Hunter struggled and drew some tongue lashings from WRs coach Shawn Jefferson last summer. He then couldn't find the field outside of red-zone packages as the No. 4 or 5 receiver on game days. Hunter still doesn't have a clear path to playing time in 2014, but Nate Washington is entering the final year of his deal and isn't a lock to make the team. Hunter flashed big-play ability in limited opportunities late last season and should be given every opportunity to unseat Washington. Kendall Wright and Dexter McCluster are also fighting Hunter for targets. He has all the tools to become a future No. 1. … Honorable mention: Tight end Taylor Thompson
Washington Redskins Tight end Jordan Reed -- Reed's value is sky-high, but some owners could be thrown off a bit by the concussion issues that disabled him at the end of his rookie season. It can't hurt to send out feelers. Anyway, Reed's old position coach Sean McVay is now the offensive coordinator for the Redskins. With Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson drawing all of the attention on the outside, Reed is going to have plenty of space to operate between the hashmarks. The coaching staff has already talked about developing ways to get Reed the ball. He's oozing with upside and has a real chance to finish as a top-six tight end in 2014. … Honorable mention: Running back Roy Helu
