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Who's #1 at Each Position in Dynasty?

Who are the top players at each position in dynasty football leagues? Johnnie Dowling analyzes the #1 player at each position for 2018 dynasty leagues.

Determining the value of any dynasty player comes down to two things. First, the player's expected production in the upcoming season, and secondly their production in seasons that are years down the line.

As a dynasty team owner, it is important to understand where your roster is in terms of "rebuild" or "win now" and adjust player rankings accordingly. If you are going all in to win your league in 2018, you may want to make a point of owning the top player at one of the critical positions. The players listed below provide the perfect balance of elite level talent and opportunity, but also have a long career ahead.

If you're not familiar with our current dynasty rankings, check them out here. Now, let's see who I believe should be the top choice at each position.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Leaders of the New School

Quarterback - Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers is the clear number one quarterback in standard leagues, and while he is now 34 and entering his 14th season in the NFL, he is also the dominant player in his position for dynasty leagues. His age might scare some people off from believing in Rodgers still being elite in five years, but consider Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady all playing some of the best football they've played late into their 30's and in Brady's case even into his 40's.

Rodgers did face issues last year when he got injured and missed over half of the season. However the last time this happened to Rodgers back in 2013, he came back the following season and put up 4,381 yards and 38, finishing as the QB1. The trend for quarterbacks to keep their careers going longer leaves Rodgers as the best quarterback for this season, and likely five or six years to come.

Running Back - Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams

The number one dynasty running back is between two players, Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott's rookie numbers are astonishing, gaining 500 more yards and five more touchdowns than Gurley did in his rookie season. However there has been a clear decline in the Cowboys offense since Elliott's rookie year, and the complete opposite has happened for Gurley. With Jared Goff, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and now Brandin Cooks, this offense will no doubt be one of the highest-scoring in the NFL, not only this year but for many years. All the pieces including the head coach are young, exciting and showed last year just how productive they can be.

Also, Todd Gurley added receptions to his game last year, or more accurately coach Sean McVay helped add more receptions to Gurley's game. This added 788 yards off of 64 receptions to Gurley's stats, and before McVay's arrival Gurley hadn't scored a single receiving touchdown in his first two years in the league, last year he got six. Last season Gurley averaged 52.5 yards per game through the air, which is double what Elliott managed. Both of these running backs will be elite for years to come but Gurley has the better offense, better head coach and better opportunity to make things happen on third down.

Wide Receiver - Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants

This decision is truly neck and neck, between DeAndre Hopkins and Odell Beckham Jr. Odell Beckham's first three years in the NFL aren't comparable to anyone, he is in a league of his own. Over 4,100 yards and 35 touchdowns in his first three years, makes DeAndre Hopkins start to life in the NFL look very slow, in which he managed 3,500 yards and 19 touchdowns in his first three seasons, despite playing five more games than Beckham in that time.

However, the one thing that Beckham has always had that Hopkins hasn't is a competent quarterback. Hopkins spent the 2015 season catching passes from four different starting quarterbacks,  Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallet, T.J Yates and Brandon Weeden, and he still managed to put up his career-best numbers of 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hopkins now will be catching passes from Deshaun Watson, the first truly talented quarterback he has played with, a partnership that could last a very long time. On the other hand, Beckham has an aging and declining QB, Eli Manning who realistically has one or two seasons left as the starter, and there is no successor currently being readied to take over in New York. Despite all of this it is hard to look past Odell Beckham as a generational receiving talent, and while it is yet to be proven, it seems likely that Beckham has the ability to catch passes thrown by anyone. It should also be mentioned that while Antonio Brown is the out and out leader of all WRs for this season, his age cuts down on his use to a dynasty team compared to these two younger receivers.

Tight End - Evan Engram 

Evan Engram is not currently the number one ranked tight end. In fact he probably isn't currently in the top five.  However he is only entering his second year in the league, and his rookie year produced some impressive moments for the big-bodied TE. In PPR leagues, Engram finished fifth amongst TEs, and only one point away from fourth. Rob Gronkowski has suggested his retirement isn't too far in the distance, and Engram is five years younger than Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce. It also wouldn't be that surprising if he finished above a couple of these big names this coming season, let alone a few years down the line. Engram strikes the ideal balance between current and future production, despite having to share targets with the top WR pick, Odell Beckham.

 

More 2018 Fantasy Football & ADP Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
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Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
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Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
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Returns to Spurs
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Rejoins Timberwolves
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Moves to Brooklyn
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Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
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To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
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Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
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Exits With Ankle Sprain
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Officially Active on Monday Night
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Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
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Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
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Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
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on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
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Returns Against Rangers
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Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
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Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
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Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
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Returns To The Win Column
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' Week 3 Status in Doubt
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Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
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Wins His Second UFC Fight
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Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
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Wins Back-To-Back Fights
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Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
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Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
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Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
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Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
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Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
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Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
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Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
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Punches Out 12 in Win
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to Return on Wednesday
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Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
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Strikes Out 14 in Win
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Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
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Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
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Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
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John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
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Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
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Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
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May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
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Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
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Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
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Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
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Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
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Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
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BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
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Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
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CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
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Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
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A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
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Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
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Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
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Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
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Looks To Return To The Win Column
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Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

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David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

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Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
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Aims for Early-Season Return
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Officially Signs Contract Extension
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Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
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