It can be easy to panic right now if you’re checking in on your dynasty football teams and see that dreaded 0-2 next to your team name, but it’s important not too bail and sell low on your stars after two down weeks. With how little starters play in the preseason today, I almost view these first three weeks as the real preseason for the key players.
With that being said, we do have enough game film to start putting some trends together, and it’s never too early to try and take a swing on a player who could have a bump in dynasty value around the corner. Conversely, there are a handful of players who are one or two more rough outings away from seeing their value crater.
Let’s dive in and take a look at who some of those players might be.
Dynasty Football Risers and Fallers After Week 2
Risers
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield is currently my favorite dynasty QB buy, especially for contending teams. He’s got one of the better supporting casts around him, and I love is how Tampa Bay has tailored their offense to suit his skillset instead of trying to reign him in. They’re letting him play his game, and it’s paying off. Right now, you can probably snag him for a single future first-round pick, and if you do, I think you’re getting multiple years of solid QB production out of him.
For a team in win-now mode, Mayfield offers that perfect mix of affordable cost and decent upside. The Bucs are committed to him, and with his weapons and the system built around him, he’s not just a short-term fix—he could be a reliable QB2 for a while. If you’re a contender, go make the move before his value climbs.
Brian Robinson Jr.
Brian Robinson Jr. is looking like a sneaky RB1 candidate. Playing with a mobile QB generally helps a between-the-tackles runner like Robinson, and sure enough, he’s clearly established himself as the top option on the ground in Washington. What’s even better? He’s earned seven targets through the first two weeks despite the addition of Austin Ekeler.
I think Robinson has low-end top-12 RB potential this year, and assuming he stays healthy, he should maintain that value going into next season. If you’re looking for someone with an RB2 cost who could flirt with RB1 territory, Robinson is your guy. Don’t wait until his value catches up to his production—buy now.
Nico Collins
Nico Collins has shot up my dynasty WR rankings all the way to WR8, and that might the too low. The guy is a size-speed freak—there are very few receivers in the league who can match his physical tools. With C.J. Stroud locked in as his quarterback for the foreseeable future, Collins is set up for a long run of success. Stroud has been impressive, and being tied to an ascending young QB only boosts Collins’ long-term outlook.
If you’re not in on Collins yet, I’d be overpaying to get him on my rosters today. He’s got all the tools to be a top-tier receiver in dynasty and it won’t be long before his price reflects that. This is one of those situations where the window to buy is closing quickly if not already shut, so don’t miss it.
Quentin Johnston
Quentin Johnston’s usage has been promising, with a 70% snap share in each of the first two weeks. There’s little competition for outside snaps in the Chargers’ offense, which puts him in a prime position to make an impact. He hauled in two touchdowns last week, showing that Justin Herbert trusts him in the red zone. That’s huge for his future role. Plus, Ladd McConkey’s skillset complements Johnston’s strengths, which should help both players thrive.
Johnston is getting the opportunities, and he’s getting key looks early in the season. If you’ve got him on your roster, you’re in a good spot. His value is rising, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him continue earning more trust as the season goes on. If you can acquire him at a reasonable price, now’s the time to strike.
Rashid Shaheed
Rashid Shaheed is shaping up to be a legit deep threat in what’s turned out to be a better-than-expected Saints offense. He’s been a big play waiting to happen, scoring in both games so far this season, and while he hasn’t seen a ton of volume with just seven catches through two weeks, he’s made the most of every opportunity. With 169 yards and two touchdowns already, Shaheed’s been incredibly productive per target, showing that he doesn’t need a ton of touches to make a huge impact.
Now, he’s not a guy who’s going to give you consistent production every week. There’s a chance for a few dud weeks if he doesn’t connect on a deep ball or two, but his explosiveness makes him one of those players who can completely change a matchup with just one or two catches. He’s got that home-run ability where he only needs a couple of plays to take it to the house, so even with the low volume, he’s worth keeping an eye on for big boom weeks, particularly in leagues with multiple flex spots.
Check out all of our Week 3 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Fallers
Will Levis
I’ve never been high on Will Levis, and nothing he’s done so far has changed my mind. Outside of one strong performance early on when there was no NFL tape on him, he’s been a constant disappointment. His decision-making has been questionable at best, with some turnovers that are downright head-scratchers. I wanted to believe in his upside, but it’s looking more and more like he’s destined to be a career backup.
If you’re still holding onto Levis in dynasty, I’d recommend selling before his value plummets any further. At this point, I just don’t see a path where he becomes a consistent starter down the road, let alone a high-level one.
D’Andre Swift
D’Andre Swift’s situation in Chicago is rough, and it’s not all his fault—the Bears’ offensive line has been absolutely abysmal. In his defense, there are probably only a couple of RBs in the entire league who could succeed behind this line. Swift is still talented, but he’s turning 26 in January, which means we’re getting close to that age where RBs start losing value in dynasty. The way things are shaping up, this could be close to a lost season for him in terms of fantasy production.
His name value still carries weight, and you might be able to sell him as an RB2, but realistically, he’s more of a flex play in this offense unless that line improves drastically. I’d be looking to move on now if I could get a decent return before his value dips even further.
Terry McLaurin
Terry McLaurin is one of those players whose real-life skills don’t always seem to translate to consistent fantasy production. He’s an excellent, well-rounded receiver, but he’s never been able to lock in that WR1-level workload. He’s only finished inside the top 20 WRs once in his career, and now at age 29, the chances of him becoming the elite fantasy option we hoped for are starting to fade. Jayden Daniels has had a bigger impact on Washington’s run game than he has with McLaurin, and their skill-sets just may not match up.
If you can get anything close to a premium return for McLaurin, I’d take it. Even 85-90 cents on the dollar might be worth considering. I just don’t see him turning into a consistent top-20 fantasy WR again.
Travis Kelce
It’s time to re-evaluate Travis Kelce in dynasty. He’s still in the same tier as the most talented TEs in the league, but the Chiefs are clearly focused on saving him for the second half of the season and the playoffs. That’s great for Kansas City, but not so great for his fantasy production. His real-life value is always going to be there, but his weekly fantasy value might start to dip as they manage his workload.
The only upside here is if Isaiah Pacheco’s injury forces the Chiefs to get back to their old pass-heavy ways. Otherwise, Kelce’s production could be spotty until late in the season. His name still holds elite value, so if you’re thinking of selling, now might be the time.
Zamir White
I wasn’t in on Zamir White before, and I’m even less so now. Alexander Mattison has been the one finding the end zone both weeks, and he’s also getting passing-down work. Meanwhile, the Raiders’ offense is centered around Brock Bowers and Davante Adams, which means White is left as an afterthought. If the Raiders want to win, they’re going to lean on their stars, and White isn’t in that conversation.
If you’ve got White on your roster, I’d cash out while you can still get something for him. His role isn’t growing, and his dynasty value is only going to continue falling from here.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!