The Cincinnati Bengals are a team fantasy managers are looking to invest in with QB Joe Burrow set to lead a productive offense for years to come. WR Ja’Marr Chase is the focal point of this aerial attack, but with WR Tee Higgins’ long-term future still in question, Tyler Boyd’s dynasty value is an interesting discussion point as he prepares for his age-29 season.
Boyd, of course, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so even if his role doesn’t expand in Cincinnati, there is the potential he takes his talent elsewhere in search of more volume.
Tyler Boyd’s Dynasty Outlook
The perception of Boyd is that he is a chain-moving slot WR that can stabilize but not enhance an offense. While it is true that over the past five seasons 78.7% of his receptions have come when lined up in the slot, his efficiency metrics point to more versatility than we are inclined to give him credit for.
Since 2019
- Targeted on 23.5% of non-slot routes
- Targeted on 17.9% of slot routes
In theory, this opens up a path for him to potentially overachieve based on our expectations if his role changes, but the fact of the matter is that he has yet to prove capable of earning targets on a consistent basis.
Boyd has checked in under 100 targets in three straight seasons and hasn’t shown us the ability to offset limited volume with scoring equity. He hasn’t had more than five touchdown receptions in a season since 2019, and with him posting his lowest red-zone target rate since becoming a starter last season (10.9% of red-zone routes), there’s no real reason to think that his touchdown count spikes any time soon.
Of course, you could write off some of his underwhelming usage numbers due to the talent around him. He is riding a streak of four straight seasons with a catch rate north of 68%, and that is encouraging should a ready-made offense elect to add him to the mix this offseason.
All situations need to be factored in when attempting to gauge Boyd’s future value.
Boyd ‘s Dynasty Ranking
Where does Boyd land in the dynasty WR landscape going into the 2024 offseason? Here are Soppe’s latest rankings, featuring where Boyd lands in comparison to other top names at the position.
1) Ja’Marr Chase | CIN
2) Justin Jefferson | MIN
3) Tyreek Hill | MIA
4) CeeDee Lamb | DAL
5) Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET
6) A.J. Brown | PHI
7) Garrett Wilson | NYJ
8) Jaylen Waddle | MIA
9) Chris Olave | NO
10) Tee Higgins | CIN
11) Brandon Aiyuk | SF
12) Puka Nacua | LAR
13) DJ Moore | CHI
14) Nico Collins | HOU
15) Rashee Rice | KC
16) Michael Pittman Jr. | IND
17) Amari Cooper | CLE
18) Cooper Kupp | LAR
19) DeVonta Smith | PHI
20) DK Metcalf | SEA
21) Zay Flowers | BAL
22) Drake London | ATL
23) Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA
24) Davante Adams | LV
25) Mike Evans | TB
26) Tank Dell | HOU
27) Jayden Reed | GB
28) Deebo Samuel | SF
29) Calvin Ridley | JAX
30) Stefon Diggs | BUF
31) Jordan Addison | MIN
32) Keenan Allen | LAC
33) Terry McLaurin | WAS
34) George Pickens | PIT
35) Chris Godwin | TB
36) Josh Downs | IND
37) Gabe Davis | BUF
38) Michael Wilson | ARI
39) Jameson Williams | DET
40) Elijah Moore | CLE
41) Romeo Doubs | GB
42) Jerry Jeudy | DEN
43) Christian Kirk | JAX
44) Diontae Johnson | PIT
45) DeAndre Hopkins | TEN
46) Khalil Shakir | BUF
47) Joshua Palmer | LAC
48) Jahan Dotson | WAS
49) Courtland Sutton | DEN
50) Jakobi Meyers | LV
51) Treylon Burks | TEN
52) Christian Watson | GB
53) K.J. Osborn | MIN
54) Marquise Brown | ARI
55) Mike Williams | LAC
56) Tyler Lockett | SEA
57) Zay Jones | JAX
58) Jonathan Mingo | CAR
59) Quentin Johnston | LAC
60) Jalin Hyatt | NYG
61) Noah Brown | HOU
62) Tutu Atwell | LAR
63) Michael Thomas | NO
64) Marvin Mims Jr. | DEN
65) Kendrick Bourne | NE
66) Adam Thielen | CAR
67) Cedric Tillman | CLE
68) Rashid Shaheed | NO
69) Brandin Cooks | DAL
70) Trey Palmer | TB
71) Darius Slayton | NYG
72) Wan’Dale Robinson | NYG
73) Darnell Mooney | CHI
74) Kadarius Toney | KC
75) Rashod Bateman | BAL
76) John Metchie III | HOU
77) Rondale Moore | ARI
78) Skyy Moore | KC
79) Donovan Peoples-Jones | DET
80) Alec Pierce | IND
81) Mecole Hardman Jr. | KC
82) Allen Lazard | NYJ
83) Tyler Boyd | CIN
84) DJ Chark | CAR
85) Josh Reynolds | DET
86) Odell Beckham Jr. | BAL
87) Michael Gallup | DAL
88) Tyquan Thornton | NE
89) Curtis Samuel | WAS
90) Isaiah Hodgins | NYG
91) Robert Woods | HOU
92) Terrace Marshall Jr. | CAR
93) Hunter Renfrow | LV
94) Xavier Hutchinson | HOU
95) Kayshon Boutte | NE
96) Marquez Valdes-Scantling | KC
97) Greg Dortch | ARI
98) Parris Campbell | NYG
99) JuJu Smith-Schuster | NE
100) Chase Claypool | MIA
Should You Trade Boyd in Dynasty?
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While moving on from Cincinnati might be Boyd’s best path to an increase in usage, he’d likely be sacrificing quality for quantity, and that is likely to be more of a lateral move than anything.
For the sake of argument, let’s assume that he stays with the Bengals — what he offers is nothing special. There isn’t much room on competitive dynasty teams for a receiver who needs volume to produce but has over five receptions in just 18.4% of games since Chase was drafted.
His slot role appears safe, though I’m not sure that is his cleanest path to production. Here are the catch rates from the slot over the past three seasons with Burrow at QB:
- Chase: 78.3%
- Higgins: 73.2%
- Boyd: 71.4%
Over that stretch, he has 23 targets on 172 red-zone routes (13.4%) while the Higgins/Chase tandem has a 24.2% rate.
Boyd is a fine player, and one that needs to be on rosters, but not one that should be relied on in 2024 or for much in the way of impactful growth for fantasy purposes.
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Boyd appears destined to mean more to an NFL team than he does to any fantasy roster. On a win-now team, he’s a viable depth piece that can serve as a Band-Aid as needed — but that’s about as much hope that I’d be putting into his stock, regardless of what jersey he is wearing.
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