Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco: The “IP” Address To Remember During Your Draft

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The “IP” Address To Remember During Your Draft

By Joe Goodwin

 

The last time you saw a Rutgers running back make a splash in the NFL, you were watching a young Ray Rice who was drafted in the 2nd round by the Baltimore Ravens.  Isiah Pacheco, a 7th round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, looks to be the next impact running back out of Rutgers to hit the NFL.

During his college career at Rutgers, Pacheco rushed for over 2,200 yards on 563 rushing attempts, and scored 18 touchdowns.  However, Pacheco didn’t grab the attention of NFL scouts until he blazed a 4.37 40 yard dash time at the NFL combine; which tied the fastest 40 yard dash time among all running backs at the combine. 

Generally, 7th round draft picks are fighting for a roster spot at best, more realistically trying to make the practice squad, or putting enough effort and skill on tape to make another team’s practice squad after being cut.

However, the feedback on Isiah so far in camp has been FIRE! 

Pacheco isn’t just fighting for a roster spot, he is consistently getting 1st team reps on a daily basis.  And, he is making the most of those reps.  

The recently released depth chart by Andy Reid showed Isiah as the RB3, jumping over players like Jerrick McKinnon and Derrick Gore. And the starting punt returner to start the pre season schedule.

The list of people praising Pacheco’s name after practice includes: Andy Reid, starting fullback Michael Burton, and just about every beat writer at practice.

When Andy Reid complements who hard Pacheco runs with the ball, you know that is the coach term for “he doesn’t go down on first contact.”  This is an area the Kansas City Chiefs finished dead last in the NFL in the 2021 season.

One camp comparison of Pacheco was the “next” Kareem Hunt.

Let me remind you of what Hunt did in his 2 years with the Chiefs:

2017: 272 rushing attempts, 1,327 yards, 8 touchdowns; 53 receptions, 455 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

2018: 181 rushes, 824 yards, 7 touchdowns; 26 receptions, 378 yards and 7 td’s.  

In 2 years with the Chiefs, Hunt had almost 3,000 total yards and 25 total touchdowns.

If Pacheco is the “next” Hunt, sign me up for those stats from a player currently being undrafted in redraft leagues, and recently went as pick 18.3 in our recent Dynasty Pros Football writers Devy league startup draft.

If your dynasty startup takes place soon, then I suggest drafting him between rounds 15 or 16 to ensure you get his services.  As the preseason progresses, monitor his reps in practice carefully. If the buzz grows even louder, you may need to draft him even earlier than that. 

Pacheco might be a breakout star next year, but he may also be a league winner this year!

So, watch Isiah Pacheco carefully this preseason and remember that "IP" location to win your league.

 

AFC West Predictions for 2022

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AFC West Predictions for 2022

By Tim Lazenby

Almost any expert is in agreement that the AFC West will be the most competitive division in the NFL in 2022.  Featuring the already strong Kansas City Chiefs, all three other teams have made massive improvements to compete.  Exploding with talent, how will the four fair in the upcoming season?  I haven’t been this excited to watch a division battle it out in quite some time.  Let’s discuss.

Denver Broncos

Record in 2021: 7-10-0  

Predicted Record in 2022: 9-8-0

Strengths and Weaknesses

Obviously Russell Wilson makes this team loads better, and the continued growth of this young receiver core is very appealing.  Let’s not forget about Javonte Williams and Denver’s criminally underrated defense.  The glaring weakness is next year’s draft capital.  In a loaded draft class, the Broncos will be watching as the Seattle Seahawks use Denver’s first and second round picks.  Russell Wilson had better be the long term solution or this plan has backfired tremendously.

Situation to Watch

With Wilson taking almost every headline in the mile high city, my attention actually focuses elsewhere.  Patrick Surtain was an absolute gem last season and many people didn’t notice.  Although he’s not at the level of players like Jalen Ramsey yet, the rookie was still very dominant.  The once mighty Denver defense has not been up to snuff in the past few seasons, but the future looks bright with Surtain at corner.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt in my mind that this team will improve.  There’s almost no area in which they regressed in the offseason and the team hasn’t had a star quality quarterback since Peyton Manning led the charge.  If they were in any other division, the record would be even better, but this squad just won’t measure as well as a couple others.  The record will look brighter, but it won’t be enough in 2022.

Kansas City Chiefs

Record in 2021: 12-5-0  

Predicted Record in 2022: 10-7-0

Strengths and Weaknesses

The trio of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid gives even the worst team in the NFL a chance at glory.  Creed Humphrey is also a big reason for the success of the offense.  But JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore are not a replacement for Tyreek Hill.  And even though the group is not terrible, it’s hard not to see it as a weakness when you consider what they had before.

Situation to Watch

I will be closely monitoring the backfield moving forward.  If I’m being honest, I’m still a Clyde Edwards-Helaire truther, but signing Ronald Jones is the final nail in the coffin that tells me CEH will not succeed until he moves on.  This team will have to lean on the ground game more now than ever to make up for the loss of dynamic Tyreek Hill.

Conclusion

Although this team will take a step back or two, trading away the Cheetah will not cause this team to buckle.  The once guaranteed champion of the AFC West, however, will be a thing of the past.  With the other three improving, the Chiefs are far and away the least improved, leaving someone else to take the lead next season.

Las Vegas Raiders

Record in 2021: 10-7-0  

Predicted Record in 2022: 8-9-0

Strengths and Weaknesses

If you thought the Raiders’ offense showed promise last year, you’re in for an awakening.  Not a rude awakening, mind you, but a breath of fresh air.  Las Vegas offensive stars were largely unheralded, but it’s a new day with Davante Adams in town.  That being said, the defense let this team down more than anything.  There are studs like Maxx Crosby but the loss of Yannick Ngakoue hurts.

Situation to Watch

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t watching the connection of Derek Carr and Davante Adams.  You have to believe Adams will take a step down now that he’s not with Aaron Rodgers, but let’s not forget the bromance between he and bestie Carr going all the way back to college.  In a side note, I’ll also be watching Josh Jacobs closely.  Las Vegas not picking up his fifth year option is flat out stupid.  I’m sure he’ll make them regret it.

Conclusion

Make no mistake, in this division anyone has a chance to take the lead, but I don’t think it will be the Raiders.  Even I question my prediction of 8-9-0.  How will they do worse than last season even though they’re improved?  Much like the Broncos, the Raiders play in this division, which is a flat out juggernaut.  The Raiders, to make things worse, have the 7th toughest schedule in the entire league.  I predict three straight losses out of the gate, making it really hard to succeed in the standings.

Los Angeles Chargers

Record in 2021: 9-8-0  

Predicted Record in 2022: 14-3-0

Strengths and Weaknesses

I need to be honest when I say this is my favorite team.  That being said, I believe I am an impartial writer.  I have seen the woes before and do not always see the light with this squad.  Now that you know this, the number of strengths are at the top of the league.  The offense led by Justin Herbert and defense led by Derwin James equals flat out dominance.  If I have to pick a weakness, it’s Brandon Staley’s fourth down guts.  His boldness cost the team greatly in 2021 and he needs to be more conservative.

Situation to Watch

I think most fans will be watching for the newest additions on defense like JC Jackson, Khalil Mack and Sebastian Joseph Day; and rightfully so.  I, however, will be watching for first round pick Zion Johnson out of Boston College.  The solidification of the offensive line was their biggest need and this kid dazzled me at the combine.  When I threw his name out there on twitter on March 4th, I may have been the biggest believer that wasn’t being paid to analyze the situation.

Conclusion

Part of me wants to be cautious.  I’ve had so many times watching my favorite teams across all pro sports when I felt there was a giant there only to be disappointed.  But this time, I think I’m right in my assessment.  The three losses I predicted for this team were generous.  On a rookie contract for Justin Herbert, this team is Super Bowl or bust and I don’t think there will be a bust in 2022.

 

Follow me on Twitter @NFLazenby

AFC West Best Values

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AFC West Best Values

By Tim Lazenby

We’ve talked about many values in every single division in the National Football League but one.  And in many ways, I’ve saved the best for last.  Let’s get into it.  It can’t be denied any further.  We just have to talk about the AFC West, not only my favorite division in football, but the most exciting one in many people’s eyes.  In a division ripe with skilled players all over, it’s not hard to find talent on any of these teams.  But, finding the value players isn’t that hard either.  Here is one player from each team in the AFC West who is, in my opinion, the best value player on his squad.

 

Denver Broncos: Tight End - Albert Okwuegbunam

Since Peyton Manning gifted them a Super Bowl win, the Denver Broncos just haven’t been able to get it together.  A regular carousel of coaches and quarterbacks have entered and left the organization, making success a difficult task for the Broncos.  But, with the addition of one of the best quarterbacks of his era, Russell Wilson is sure to give Denver their best chance at success.  Many have heard, “Let there be light” after the trade.  I am certain that the stocks of Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton have to go up, but there is a player who will improve that isn’t being spoken of nearly enough.  Now that Noah Fant was packaged in the deal that brought Wilson to town, Albert Okwuegbunam is ready to step into the spotlight and give the Broncos some voltage at tight end.

Now, I mean no disrespect toward Noah Fant; in fact, I love Fant.  He’s tremendously talented and he’ll certainly be leaned on in Seattle.  What I mean is that Albert O will finally shine as he isn’t in the shadow of Fant anymore.  If you didn’t watch many Broncos games, you should know that despite being the second tight end on the squad, Albert O performed better than many starting tight ends in the league.  And while it’s true that Russell Wilson doesn’t typically lean on tight ends, it doesn’t mean that he ignores them completely.  I also believe that teams will be all too eager to shadow Jeudy and Sutton, leaving the door open for Albert O to score a few key touchdowns.  And at such a talent starved position when it comes to fantasy, we have to be especially mindful of values at tight end.  Albert Okbuegbunam won’t be one of the top options at tight end league wide, but he’ll be one that could help you win a few weeks and the price tag isn’t one that will hurt the pocketbook too much.

Kansas City Chiefs: Running Back - Ronald Jones

Funny isn’t the word, but I’m going to use it anyway.  It’s funny how the Kansas City Chiefs reigned unanimously in the division among experts, and now, some have them as low as third.  While I don’t believe the notion that the Chiefs are dead in the water or even close to it, there is some reason to feel unsettled at the state of affairs in Kansas City.  While the rest of the AFC West has made mega moves to contend, the Chiefs have done the opposite by trading away the Cheetah, Tyreek Hill.  Surely this move will help their future, but the present is going to bring suffering.

I still think that the Chiefs are the second best team in the division and you’re always in it with Mahomes and Kelce.  But, one position that hasn’t gone well is the running back.  Although the running game is successful, the starting position hasn’t given much in the way of fantasy.  Clyde Edwards-Helaire clearly isn’t the solution, much to my dismay, so the addition of Ronald Jones is noteworthy.  Do I think that Jones steals the job outright?  Probably not.  But I think, even in a committee, he’ll be relevant as he shared a backfield pretty much his whole career.  There is also the chance that he could take the job and if that happens, his value will skyrocket.  I wrote a dynasty dilemma on him, so my love for him shouldn’t be surprising.  Having him as the best value on the team is a no brainer.

 

Las Vegas Raiders: Quarterback - Derek Carr

I have to be honest with you.  I’ve never loved Derek Carr.  He’s always been one of those guys, to me, who can win you a week or two if you get lucky, but can never be one to be depended on.  The beginning of last season, I was looking quite foolish as Derek Carr was balling out.  As the season continued, he came back down to earth, further cementing my notion that he’ll never be truly fantasy relevant.  Although I’m not alone in my thought process, I don’t think I gave him enough credit for what he’s done with the resources he’d been given.  When you look at the surrounding talent from years past, he hasn’t done as poorly as I’d naively believed.  This season, it’s a different game, as the added talent is insane.

While many are still in disbelief over the utterly shocking trade of Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders fans are chanting, “Hallelujah” choruses that can be heard all the way back to Oakland.  And while Carr has had some weapons in the past, he’s never had even close to what he’s about to have at the NFL level.  It’s also even more incredible when you consider the rapport between the two that goes back to their days at Fresno.  He and bestie, Adams, should tear the league a new one.  Save the covid years, they even trained together in the off season every year.  There is a chance that the magic isn’t instant, but there is no better shot that Carr will have at greatness.  There are many who haven’t put these pieces together yet, so find one of them and get Carr at a massive discount.  The value is incredible.

 

Los Angeles Chargers: Wide Receiver - Keenan Allen

I should place a big “WARNING” sticker before you read any more as the Chargers are my favorite team.  And even though I like to think I’m quite unbiased, there is a chance that I’m starry eyed for the Bolts.  Bearing that in mind, if there is a piece of any offense in the entire league that I want a part of, it’s Justin Herbert’s crew.  From quarterback, to the running game, to the receivers, it’s high octane.  This may be the highest powered offense in the league.  So finding value is an absolute must with the Chargers.  And while I think almost anyone on this team is a value, if I have to choose one, I have to go with life long Charger, Keenan Allen.

Admittedly, I was quite stupid in my assessment of Keenan Allen for many years.  I avoided him like the plague because he was such an “injury risk”, but in truth, he just had some bad luck early on.  If you exclude his injury years in 2015 and 2016, in his entire career he’s only missed a grand total of six games.  He’s also got this weird reputation in the fantasy circles as a guy who’s been in the league forever.  Still in his twenties, Keenan Allen has plenty left in the tank.  Regarded as one of the most consistent threats to have the ball in his hands, he’s also known as one of the best route runners in the league.  Many people gloss over him in drafts or his dynasty value, but don’t make that mistake.  Biased or not, I regard him as the most underrated receiver in the league.  His current value for many people makes him an absolute steal.  He’s simply a must have and with how little it will cost you.  You just have to make the move for him.

Dynasty Dilemma: Ronald Jones 

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Dynasty Dilemma: Ronald Jones 

By Tim Lazenby

 

Let’s be honest with ourselves here.  This has been the most exciting and earth shattering off season ever.  I can’t recall when the National Football League has seen so many names shifting, let alone franchise faces up and leaving with almost no prediction.  The swirling tornado of trades and signings, while exciting, can be frustrating at the same time.  For some, it is joyous or depressing based on real life favoring a team or player, but for others in dynasty, it can be maddening to assess the value of players whom we either own or want to roster.  Since NFL inception, Ronald Jones has been perplexing, and more than ever, managers want to know what to do.

 

 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers truly believed in the greatness of Ronald Jones.  The running back out of the University of Southern California was simply brilliant.  And even though his receiving game wasn’t on top, his rushing was exceptional; crossing 1500 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground in his senior season.  It all came crashing down his rookie season in the NFL, where in nine games he rushed for a measly 44 yards.  He’s had his moments for sure, but overall, it hasn’t matched his college profile.

 

Lack of Trust

With Doug Martin slowing down, a replacement was inevitable.  In fact, since his rookie season, The Buccaneers hadn’t had much luck on the ground.  Enter the 2018 NFL Draft.  Like any season, with holes to fill, Tampa Bay elected to take the fifth running back off the board.  And while first round pick Vita Vea panned out quite nicely, the second round pick had one of the worst rookie seasons ever.  Since then, he has improved, but hasn’t become that starter they had hoped for.  After only one season as the starter, Tampa Bay brought in Leonard Fournette.  Can Jones ever be a true starter?

 

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Finally a free agent, and showing promise after sharing the backfield essentially his whole NFL career, the sky was the limit this off season for Ronald Jones.  Well, the sky indeed had a limit as he signed with a team that already had a starter.  While the Chiefs have one of the best running games in the league, so did the Buccaneers.  And while Clyde Edwards-Helaire doesn’t have complete trust, he has to be more trusted than the newly signed Jones.  Some are pretty sure they’ve seen the ceiling on Jones, especially in a committee backfield, because after all, we’ve seen it before.

 

 

For some, it seems as though Ronald Jones has been in the NFL for a long time, but even though it will be his fifth season in 2022, he’s still only 24 at the time of my writing.  It is true that his rookie season was historically terrible, but he was so young at the time and has had time to learn and evolve.  It’s important to look at how he improved after the rookie season.  And in his only season as the starter, it was pretty good.

 

The 2020 NFL Season

To truly assess Ronald Jones, we need to look at the 2020 NFL season.  This was the only season, thus far in his professional career, that he was technically a starter.  Despite sharing the backfield with Leonard Fournette even then, his numbers were trustworthy.  In only 14 games, he was just shy of the 1000 yard mark in rushing and still managed to be involved in the passing game.  His eight total touchdowns and 5.1 yards per rush were even more astounding considering the number of weapons he needed to share with.  No disrespect to the Chiefs, but they don’t have the talent of the 2020 Bucs.

 

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

No, I haven’t gone crazy here.  One of the reasons to sell him is one of the reasons to buy him.  I may be one of the biggest Clyde Edwards-Helaire truthers out there, but even I need to acknowledge the shaky ground he treads on moving forward.  Even though the Chiefs invested a first round pick, the backfield has been given to the likes of Derrick Gore, Darrel Williams and even Jerrick McKinnon last season.  In fact, in the playoffs, Andy Reid trusted Jerrick McKinnon over CEH.  It’s also important to note that even if you don’t start as running back for the Chiefs, you have value.  I think the opportunity is better than ever for Ronald Jones to take the reins.

 

At the beginning of the off season, I was preaching to buy Ronald Jones.  Largely due to the fact that Leonard Fournette was a free agent and Ke’Shawn Vaughn is unproven.  So if Jones resigned and Fournette walked, it was worth the gamble.  There was also the opportunity to sign as a starter with another team.  Now that he has signed in Kansas City, does my opinion change?  I think not.

 

Although there is a crowded backfield, it’s clear, much to my dismay, that the team has no faith in Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the starter.  And, as I mentioned earlier, even if CEH is the starter, not only is he often injured, any running back has value in an Andy Reid system.  Most people also don’t have much faith in Ronald Jones, so the price is right for the taking.  Make the right decision and grab Jones while he’s affordable.

Dynasty Dilemma: Marquez Valdes-Scantling

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Dynasty Dilemma: Marquez Valdes-Scantling

By Tim Lazenby

 

As we wait eagerly for the NFL season to start anew, many have nothing to do but twiddle their thumbs.  We in the dynasty community, however, never rest in our quest for glory.  With the constant ebb and flow of the off season, many names have swapped teams, making their value change.  And while some players are easier to assess than others, there are a few that can be quite mind boggling to figure out their worth.  Moving from Aaron Rodgers to Patrick Mahomes, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is one of these.

 

Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been somewhat disappointing in dynasty to be honest.  Always having a chance to be the second choice for Aaron Rodgers, he never seemed to grasp the great opportunity given to him.  While he had been there longer and should have been more trusted, others always seemed to grab the low hanging fruit, leaving MVS owners frustrated and often cutting their losses.  With the move to Kansas City, can we really expect him to break this mold of perennial underachievement?

 

Never at the Top

Marquez Valdes-Scantling is heading into his fifth season and has never had more than 38 receptions in a season.  In case that didn’t sink in, his career equates to 30 receptions per season.  Add to that, he was catching balls from whom some consider the best quarterback in the game today, it’s a little tough to expect him to succeed now with a new offense and uncharted waters.  His touchdowns were also undesirable, at 13 in four seasons.  It’s possible that we’ve seen all he can do at the professional level.

 

Terrible Efficiency

If his stats weren’t appalling enough before, it’s even worse when you consider he only catches about half the balls thrown his way.  In four years, he’s yet to have a catch rate of 53% or better.  And it can’t be understated that he was catching balls from Aaron Rodgers.  We can forgive some stars who are receivers on terrible teams with less than accurate quarterbacks, but it’s hard to swallow these facts.  While it’s true his chances may change under Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, it’s tough to believe it.  If MVS is on your squad, it’s hard to trust him even in a best ball format, let alone a dynasty team.

 

Photo Swap by CameronWallaceDesigns

 

While it’s true that the National Football League hasn’t been too kind to MVS, it’s not like he isn’t talented.  After all, the number of players who make it are scarce and the number of players who can last even four seasons are even fewer.  In South Florida, MVS showed what he could do, scoring 7 touchdowns in 12 games and a respectable 73 yards per game.  In Green Bay, it didn’t go the best, but can he shine for the Chiefs?

 

Deep Threat Machine

Statistics can be deceiving.  Yards, touchdowns and even catch rate are only relevant if you understand the schemes and opportunities that spawned them.  Sure, Valdes-Scantling could have done better, but when you are a deep threat specialist, there is a higher probability of a missed catch than that of a slot receiver.  While he’s had drop issues in the past, it’s all more likely with a cornerback hanging over your shoulder.  It doesn’t hurt either that he led the league in yards per catch before and he’s now catching from who many consider the one of the best arms in the game today.

 

The True Opportunity

With Tyreek Hill no longer calling Kansas City home, one of the league’s biggest roles must be filled.  The Cheetah really could do it all and he did for Andy Reid, but one of the best parts to his game was his speed and deep threat ability.  While fellow new signing JuJu Smith-Schuster has been anointed by many as the replacement, he doesn’t have the deep threat ability that MVS does.  The scheme for the Chiefs is much more friendly to the style of game that Valdes-Scantling has than it was for the Packers.

 

 

In truth, before the off season, Marquez Valdes-Scantling had little to no dynasty value.  Only once Davonte Adams left did air be wooshed into the sails of MVS.  And now that he has moved on to Kansas City, you can argue that his value has never been higher.  I actually inherited a team recently with him on it.  And while I was wanting to hold him for a bit, I relented and rightfully so.  A package was made and a deal was done.

 

Although he should do much better, he’s never going to be that top tier talent, let alone a consistent WR3.  If there is a deal to be made when his value is at its best, you simply have to move on it before the season starts.  With all the excitement of possibly the busiest offseason ever, dynasty owners are more active than ever.  Now’s the time.

Dynasty Dilemma: JuJu Smith-Schuster 

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Dynasty Dilemma: JuJu Smith-Schuster 

By Tim Lazenby

 

When describing the rich smorgasbord that is dynasty fantasy football, there are many words that come to mind.  Thrilling, exciting and jaw-dropping can be easily surmised, but disappointing, soul crushing and depressing can be equally true.  All the same, we keep coming back for more.  One word that should be on the forefront is intriguing.  The game is truly intriguing because it comes with dilemmas and heart wrenching choices every year when managers need to run their team.  Since he’s come onto the scene, JuJu Smith-Schuster is one that most everyone has an opinion on.  The question is, which opinion should we have on him that will lead to success in the coming seasons?

 

JuJu Smith-Schuster not only did well his rookie season, he flat out dominated.  And the next year, he crushed it even more, as the 22 year old lit the league on fire.  Since then, he’s by all standards fallen out of his lofty perch, straight down to the depths of fantasy despair.  Not only did he miss most of the year last season, now he moves on to a new team with a new scheme.  Can he possibly do any better with the changes?

 

Continued Disappointments

From 2013-2017, Antonio Brown reigned supreme among fantasy wide receivers.  One of the best receivers of his generation, Brown won many titles for managers in all formats.  In 2018, Brown had little competition to start the year as Big Ben’s top option, save the appearance of an extremely green, wide eyed Smith-Schuster.  That year and the following, JuJu took enough focus off Brown to be a viable number one option, but that was the closest he’d get.  With many managers selling the farm at the chance to own him, he rewarded them with only 12 touchdowns in three years and not breaking 850 yards even once.  Needless to say, JuJu hasn’t instilled faith since 2018.

 

Andy Doesn’t Like the Second WR

Andy Reid is an amazing coach and that’s pretty much a fact to most.  When considering fantasy points, this could be argued differently.  In a bizarre fact, Andy Reid was the only coach since 1964 to have none of his wide receivers catch a touchdown all year.  It’s also insane when you look at how his “second” wide receiver has fared.  In his NFL career, even before the Chiefs, he has only had one second option at wide receiver to finish inside the top thirty in a fantasy season.  And, JuJu hasn’t even been technically named the second WR yet.  If history is an indicator, it doesn’t look good.

 

 

Above all, talent reigns supreme.  Among all the truthers and haters, most can agree that JuJu Smith-Schuster is talented.  With the size, speed and hands that you look for in a professional football wide receiver profile, the USC product has all the necessary tools to bounce back.  And while he hasn’t played the best lately, there weren’t too many success stories in the last couple years in Pittsburgh.  With the chance to begin anew and write new history for himself, the dynamic pass catcher is looking forward to blazing new trails of glory.  Will you be a part of his story moving forward?

 

Playing With the Best

I am one of the biggest Ben Roethlisberger fans out there.  When I rank the all time greats, he’s way up there and I consider it a privilege to have watched so many of his games.  That being said, for the last couple of years, his legacy became slightly tarnished with his poor vision and lack of arm strength.  While JuJu suffered in the past few seasons with Big Ben, he now moves on to who many consider the best in the game today, in Mahomes.  With the biggest upgrade you can get, it simply doesn’t seem possible for JuJu to fail.  Add to that, in Pittsburgh he was in a three headed monster of a wide receiver core.  In Kansas City, the competition for second fiddle is much lower.

 

He’s Been There Before

Listen, I know it was three seasons ago, but so many people have forgotten just how good JuJu was in 2018.  And if you ignore his injury riddled season last year, some of his stats were even better than his monster year.  And, if you are super sleuthy, you would notice his usage changed greatly.  In 2018, he was utilized much more for stretch plays and as an outside burner.  As Ben struggled to be himself, JuJu’s role was changed to a short flip play style of receiver and his fantasy points suffered.  It’s important to note that his drops and catch percentage both improved, despite the lack of usage for the plays that fantasy managers salivate to.

 

Verdict

Truthfully, this is somewhat of a sore subject.  I was one of those fools who sold the farm in 2019, just to be destroyed all season.  On top of that, in dynasty, the investment has even greater depth as you don’t get to hit the reset button as you do in redraft.  I can’t help but grit my teeth and yell into a pillow as I think back to that year.  However, that’s not what an unbiased writer should do, so I will avoid such things.

 

Before the signing in Kansas City, I was preaching the value of JuJu Smith-Schuster.  If he stayed in Pittsburgh, he’d do better while healthy and with an improved quarterback, or if he moved, it’d still be an improved quarterback.  He’s also only 25, so there’s still not much dirt on the tire.  Ultimately, now the setting is more desirable than ever.  But that’s the problem.  Virtually everyone will share the same sentiment.  If it’s possible to get him at the same price as before, it’s a no brainer.  You simply have to jump at the chance.  I, however, don’t see a world where everyone hasn’t increased the price on JuJu.  And for that reason, there’s only one logical decision to make for Smith-Schuster.