The NFL moves fast, and with how quickly things change week to week, it’s easy to gloss over the bad calls and move on to the next shiny topic. I’m a firm believer in accountability, however, and if I’m going to put my advice out there, I’ve got to own up to where I went wrong. That’s why every few weeks throughout the season, I’m going to take a look back at the players I’ve pegged as dynasty football risers or fallers in dynasty value and see if those takes still hold true.
With how little starters actually play in the preseason nowadays, these first three weeks almost feel like an extended preseason for a lot of teams. It’s the perfect time to review those early calls and see if the hype or the concerns I had around certain players were justified. So, as we wrap up this early phase of the season, let’s dive into some of the players who’ve either risen or fallen in value and make sure we’re still on the right track moving forward.
Dynasty Football Risers and Fallers After Week 3
Dynasty Risers
Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Mason remains a strong dynasty buy and is steadily rising in value. Christian McCaffrey’s injury concerns haven’t gone away, and with no definitive return date in sight, Mason’s role in the 49ers offense continues to grow. He’s produced well in his opportunities, showing that he’s more than capable of handling a bigger workload when called upon. Even when McCaffrey returns, Mason has likely carved out a spot for himself moving forward, making him a valuable asset for both short-term and long-term dynasty plans.
The key here is that Mason’s value isn’t solely tied to McCaffrey’s health anymore. He’s proven he can contribute in meaningful ways and should remain involved in the offense. If you can still grab him at a reasonable price, he’s a smart stash with real upside as the season unfolds.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons
My enthusiasm for Michael Penix Jr. may have been a bit overblown, especially with Kirk Cousins looking a lot better in Weeks 2 and 3. Cousins has shown improved mobility and performance since his Achilles injury, which means the Falcons probably won’t be in a rush to move on from him anytime soon. Penix remains a solid long-term dynasty prospect, and I believe in his ability to put up big numbers with Atlanta’s current offensive cast.
If Cousins stays healthy and continues to play at this level, Penix might not see the field anytime soon. This creates a potential window to buy even lower on Penix in the future, especially if teams start to lose patience. His talent is undeniable, but it may take a while before we see him leading this offense.
Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
Jameson Williams is still a fantastic buy in dynasty leagues, and his value has only continued to rise. He’s established himself as the clear WR2 for the Lions, and with Sam LaPorta’s injury opening up more opportunities, Williams has a chance to make a big impact. His elite speed and talent make him a dynamic weapon on a rising offense, and he’s got the potential to cement himself as a key piece in Detroit’s passing game.
Williams’ skill set makes him a perfect fit for this offense, and he’s primed to take on a larger role moving forward. If you can still buy him, now’s the time before his value skyrockets even more.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Isaiah Likely’s early rise in dynasty value is starting to look like a bit of an early overreaction. I’m still a fan of his talent and he’s got a promising future in dynasty formats, but this Ravens offense has stuck to its word about spreading the ball around each week. After a monster Week 1, Likely followed it up with two duds that likely left fantasy owners frustrated.
While I still believe in Likely long-term, it’s clear that he’s going to be a volatile option week to week. He’ll have his moments, but consistency is going to be a challenge in this offense. If you’re holding him, be patient, but if you’re expecting steady production, you might want to temper expectations.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos
Jaleel McLaughlin is still a buy, but my enthusiasm has cooled off a bit since Week 1. He’s clearly the pass-catching option in Denver’s backfield, and his elusiveness gives him some value, but this Broncos offense has been rough to watch for fantasy purposes. It’s hard to trust anyone in Denver for consistent production right now, which makes McLaughlin more of a speculative bet at this point.
If you can get him at a low price, he’s still worth stashing for future upside, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to acquire him if I need him as a weekly starter.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield’s production has cooled off a little since his hot Week 1, but he’s still a strong buy in dynasty leagues. Locked in as the starter for the Bucs and surrounded by high-level weapons like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Mayfield has the tools to continue producing solid numbers. He remains one of my favorite buys in superflex leagues, especially for contending teams looking for a steady QB2 option.
He might not light it up every week, but his situation is ideal, and he’s proven he can manage this offense effectively. If you need QB depth, Mayfield’s still a great target for dynasty rosters.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. continues to be a solid buy in dynasty formats. He’s locked in as the early-down back for Washington and has been getting more involved in the passing game. The team has leaned on him, and with Jayden Daniels exceeding expectations at QB, Robinson’s role is likely to stay strong for fantasy throughout the season.
His combination of workhorse potential and involvement in the passing game makes him a valuable asset, especially in PPR leagues. Robinson’s production should stay consistent, and I like his long-term outlook even more as this offense improves.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Nico Collins is still the biggest riser on this list, and his dynasty value keeps climbing. He’s now my WR9 in dynasty rankings, and it’s easy to see why. His rare size and speed combination, along with his connection to CJ Stroud, makes him a cornerstone for any dynasty team. Collins is locked in with Stroud for the foreseeable future, and the ceiling for this duo is sky-high.
Honestly, any deal you make for Collins right now is likely to look like a steal a year from now. He’s one of those players who’s only going to get better, so I’m overpaying to get him on as many rosters as I can.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Quentin Johnston is still a rising asset in dynasty leagues. He’s continued to produce, adding another touchdown to his resume, and is steadily gaining Justin Herbert’s trust in the red zone. However, Herbert’s injury could lead to a few down weeks if the Chargers struggle with a backup QB, so there might be a better buying window in the near future.
Even with the potential hiccup, Johnston’s role in the offense and his ability to make plays make him a solid long-term investment. If you’re looking to buy, it might be worth waiting for a slight dip if the offense stumbles without Herbert.
Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints
Rashid Shaheed is still a riser in dynasty value, but not quite as much as he was after Week 1. He’s shown his explosiveness as a deep threat, but last week was a reminder of the boom-or-bust nature of his role. When Shaheed doesn’t hit on a deep TD, the floor can be pretty low, which makes him a volatile option in fantasy lineups.
For deeper leagues, Shaheed is a great flex play with spike-week potential, but you’ll need to brace yourself for the inevitable down weeks. He’s worth holding onto for the upside, but the lack of consistent targets keeps him from being a must-start every week.
Check out all of our Week 4 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Dynasty Fallers
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey’s dynasty value continues to take a hit, and it will stay that way until he’s back on the field and fully healthy. Even when he returns, McCaffrey is an older RB coming off an Achilles injury, which is a red flag for dynasty owners. With Jordan Mason proving to be more than capable in his absence, the 49ers aren’t going to rush McCaffrey back into a workhorse role.
While McCaffrey is still elite when healthy, his days as a Tier 1 dynasty RB are over. He’ll still have his week-winning moments, but his value in dynasty leagues is fading fast, and you might want to explore selling him before it dips further.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young’s fall from grace has been swift. After getting benched, it’s hard to argue against the idea that his fantasy outlook has cratered. At this point, I don’t see him having much value unless you’re able to get him as a throw-in or for free in trades. He’s a long-term stash, but expectations should be tempered.
Young might still have a future, but I wouldn’t bet on huge fantasy numbers from him anytime soon. He’s more of a lottery ticket at this point, and if you’re patient, he could offer a decent return down the road.
Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson’s weekly stat lines have looked better than his actual play on film. He continues to struggle, and his dynasty value is slipping. I still see him as a sell candidate and would take any solid return I could get. He’s far from the player we saw during his peak in Houston, and it’s hard to trust him moving forward.
If you’ve been holding out for a bounce-back, it’s time to cut bait. Watson’s value isn’t likely to improve, and you’re better off getting what you can while his name still holds some weight in dynasty circles.
Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert’s situation mirrors a lot of what we’re seeing with Christian McCaffrey. He’s an older back who’s losing value with each passing week, and now with Tua Tagovailoa out with a concussion, the entire Dolphins offense is in disarray.
Mostert may still flash here and there, but by the time this offense is back to full strength, Mostert likely won’t be a part of it. If you’re still holding onto him, now’s the time to sell before his value drops even further.
Javon Baker, WR, New England Patriots
Javon Baker has yet to make any meaningful impact in an NFL game, and his dynasty value hasn’t done much except continue its downward trend. At this point, it’s hard to see him turning it around this season, and his stock remains low.
If you’re holding onto Baker, there’s not much you can do but wait and hope for a surprise breakout. But realistically, you’re probably looking at a non-factor for the rest of the year.
Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
I really wanted to be wrong about Will Levis, but he’s continued to make head-scratching turnovers that are costing his team. The physical tools are there, but the processing just isn’t at the NFL level yet. As much as I like some of what Levis offers, he’s still a sell for me, and I’d take any decent return I could get for him at this point.
If someone in your league still believes in him, now’s the time to cash out before his value plummets even further.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
The Bears’ offensive line has been abysmal, and that’s killing D’Andre Swift’s fantasy value. He’s become a TD-dependent flex play at best, and until the offense improves, there’s no reason to believe his outlook is going to change. He’s not even really a sell at this point because everyone can see the same struggles you are.
For now, you just have to bench Swift, hold onto him, and hope for better days ahead. There’s not much else you can do but wait for the offense to show signs of life.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin has bounced back a bit, finally connecting with Jayden Daniels in a big Monday night win. I’m no longer ready to sell him at a discount and have moved McLaurin back into the “hold” category. He’s a top-15 WR on film, and if Daniels can consistently play like he did this past week, we could finally see McLaurin reach his full potential.
It’s been a long wait for McLaurin to get a QB who can maximize his skill set, and Daniels might just be the guy to do it. For now, I’m holding and hoping this is the start of a productive run.
Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce remains a sell for most dynasty teams. He’s done little to boost his value in recent games, and at his age, the decline is inevitable. While he’s still capable of putting up strong performances, his best days are behind him, and you won’t get the elite return you once could in trades.
That said, Kelce’s name still carries weight, especially in TE-premium leagues. You can still get a decent return, and I’d be looking to cash in now before the bottom falls out on his value unless he’s a flex option on a contending team.
Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
I’m still completely out on Zamir White, and nothing has changed to make me reconsider. He hasn’t shown anything special, and the Raiders offense isn’t doing him any favors either. At this point, White is a sell for whatever you can get.
If there’s someone in your league willing to take a chance on him, move on while you can. White’s not going to be a factor, and his value is only going to keep falling.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!