Bruce Matson discusses which players have seen their dynasty value rise or fall in Week 5. 

This piece is part of our article program that features quality content from experts exclusively at FantasyPros. For more insight from Bruce, head to Dynasty League Football.

There was a lot of craziness in Week 5. The Browns and Bills both won their games while the Packers and the Falcons struggled to put points on the scoreboard. From week to week we want to monitor the ebbs and flows of each player’s production so we can predict future player values. Variance is our friend, and the wilder the games are each week, the easier it will be for us to exploit our league’s trade markets.

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Risers

Nyheim Hines (RB – IND)
Hines has been a crowd favorite since the Colts selected him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Since he’s a very good receiver out of the backfield, he is the perfect fit for the Colts’ offense. Andrew Luck needed a running back like Hines who is a threat to score from anywhere on the football field. He is currently providing some extra firepower for the offensive game plan each week.

Against the New England Patriots, he caught seven passes for 45 yards while also toting the rock 15 times for 45 yards. This was his first big performance in front of a national audience which means he’s not under the radar anymore.

Dynasty owners are more patient with rookies, which insulates their value and makes them safer assets to own during the first few years of their career. When a player is productive during their rookie season, their value will shoot through the roof. Hines is quietly on pace for 93 receptions this year, and once the market catches on to his production, he should develop into a highly sought-after asset.

The buying window is quickly closing on Hines. If you’re a fan of his and you want him on your dynasty team, then I suggest that you trade for him now. Unless he experiences a devastating setback, his price tag will only increase.

Christian Kirk (WR – ARI)
There’s little excitement around the Cardinals’ offense these days. After catching three passes for 85 yards and a touchdown to help the team win their first game of the season, Kirk has given fans something to look forward too. The rookie wide receiver shows a lot of promise, and it appears that he is developing chemistry with Josh Rosen.

Last offseason, he was being drafted in the back half of the first round during rookie drafts, So far, he is holding his value, and he could become one of dynasty’s must-get assets if he continues to blow up the box score. Trade for him now before the asking price gets out of control.

David Njoku (TE – CLE)
Njoku is one of the most athletic tight ends in the NFL. He has the potential to develop into one of the most productive tight ends in fantasy. All season we’ve been waiting for his breakout game. With 23 total targets in the first four weeks of the season, Njoku’s 16 percent target share was a significant indicator that the Browns wanted him heavily involved in the offensive game plan. On Sunday, against the Ravens, he reeled in six of his 11 targets for 69 yards. His performance helped the Browns win their second game of the season.

There are only a handful of reliable tight ends in the league and if he can develop into a reliable fantasy asset then by default he will be one of the most valuable tight ends in dynasty. His age will insulate his value, and he has the athleticism to make him one of the top tight ends in fantasy. The Browns’ offense is getting better, which will create more opportunities for him in the passing game. Before we know it, he will be a valuable commodity in dynasty, and if you can, I suggest you attempt to trade for him before his price tag makes him virtually unattainable.

Fallers

Amari Cooper (WR – OAK)
A few years ago, Cooper was considered one of the top wide receivers to own in dynasty. He was consistently getting drafted in the first round of startup drafts. A lot of things have changed since then. He had a horrific season in 2017, and the recent running back renaissance pushed his value even further down the board. He is currently experiencing an up-and-down season, making him an unreliable fantasy asset. Against the Chargers on Sunday, he caught the only target thrown his way for 10 yards. So far this season, he’s either blowing up the box score or providing fewer than five fantasy points.

It’s going to be very interesting to see how he’s going to be valued in startup drafts next offseason. Unless he turns things around, I highly doubt he will be a plug and play second-round draft choice in dynasty next year. More than likely he will fall to the third or even fourth round in startup drafts. Things can get even worse if he experiences a major cold streak during the back half of the season.

Cooper is a very talented wide receiver, and he has a lot of years in front of him still. Be aggressive on the trade market if he does experience a major dip in value. Eventually, the market is going to undervalue him, and dynasty owners will be able to acquire him for pennies on the dollar.

Eli Manning (QB – NYG)
We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to Manning’s career. Although he hasn’t received much help from the offensive line, it’s quite apparent that his skill sets are deteriorating rapidly and it’s a matter of time until he’s no longer a starting quarterback for an NFL team. Odell Beckham hinted last week that there were problems in the passing game and the team’s offensive woes were hindering his performances.

His value has bottomed out. There’s not much juice left in his gas tank and only contending dynasty teams can appreciate his services right now. He’s an instant sell if your team is rebuilding. Get what you can out of him before it’s too late.

Dalvin Cook (RB – MIN)
Cook missed another game last week due to his hamstring injury. Injuries have already taken a toll on his career, especially when you consider all the injuries he incurred during his time at Florida State. His injury history is going to be in questioned next offseason which will impact his dynasty value. A running back’s best ability is their availability, and if they can’t get on the field, then they can’t produce in the box score for fantasy purposes.

It’s time to check to see if he can be had for a discount via trade in your league. Results will vary, but there’s a good chance that his owner is currently tilting, which could allow you to swoop in and get Cook at a reduced cost.

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