In this series, I look at dynasty values and what players are rising and falling. While dynasty players are in it for the long haul, it doesn’t mean that their opinions aren’t swung from week to week by good or bad fantasy performances. I will attempt to get an early read on the pulse of the Dynasty Community to see where players’ values are moving.
Feel free to comment or reach out to me on Twitter/X at (@jtorange) with any comments, insightful nuggets, or questions.
Week 8 Dynasty Football Risers and Fallers
Risers
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
I’m not sure that there is any player who has risen in value more in Dynasty circles in the last few weeks than Brian Thomas Jr. The former LSU wide receiver led the nation in touchdown receptions (17) in his final college season. He also amassed 68 receptions for 1,177 yards for an impressive 17.3 yards per reception.
There were questions about whether he would be successful at the pro level with a limited route tree in college. The Tigers coaching staff basically told him to go deep on every route. Something he was very good at.
Then came the NFL Combine in April. Thomas absolutely smashed. He measured in at 6’3, 2009 lbs. Then he proceeded to run a 4.33-second 40-yard dash with a 10-yard split of 1.5 seconds. That is absolutely blazing fast for someone that size. He also recorded a broad jump of 10’6-inches and a vertical jump of 38’5-inches. His overall RAS score (Relative Athletic Score) was 9.97 out of 10. The combine was so impressive that the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him with the 23rd pick in the first round.
Now Thomas is showing everyone why so many people were high on him entering the 2024 NFL Draft. He was considered the fourth or fifth best wide receiver entering the 2024 NFL Draft depending on what rankings you looked at. But Thomas is getting hot, hot, hot in recent weeks. He now leads all rookie wide receivers in receiving yards (513), is second in receptions (30), and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (4).
I loved Thomas coming into the draft. He was my WR4, but was extremely close to Rome Odunze out of Washington as WR3. At this point, Thomas has surpassed Odunze, who was selected ninth overall by the Bears, and Xavier Worthy, who was taken 28th by the Chiefs, in value. And now, he is starting to creep up on the top rookie wide receivers from the 2024 draft. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected by the Cardinals with the fourth-overall pick and was considered the best wide receiver prospect by most pundits. LSU teammate Malik Nabers was selected sixth overall by the Giants and was being debated as the top WR. Thomas is now being talked about and traded for as if he is equal to Harrison and Nabers.
The Jaguars have not been good, and Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has struggled, but this has a chance to be an elite combo over the next couple of years. Lawrence just turned 25 years old, and Thomas just turned 22. If you can go out and get Thomas before other owners in your league realize his increase in value, you have to do it. Thomas is going to be commanding multiple first-round picks very soon.
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
After sitting on the bench for the first five games of the season, rookie Drake Maye finally got his chance to start in Week 6. After two back-to-back solid starts in his first two professional games, expectations are on the rise. The number three pick in the 2024 NFL Draft finished as a Top 10 fantasy QB in Weeks 6 and 7. He has thrown for 519 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions with a very subpar supporting cast. Maye has a tough three-week stretch coming up with games against the Jets, Bears, and Titans, so that might temper some of the Dynasty fever, but Maye is starting to become a hot commodity. If the Patriots can add some talent around Maye in the next couple of seasons his value will continue to rise.
Check out all of our Week 7 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Fallers
Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns
Before the 2024 season got underway, there were whispers about the decline of Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson. Some people thought he was still valuable and could bounce back as a top fantasy performer. Others were screaming from the rooftops that Watson was washed and would never again be a top fantasy asset (it was me… I was saying he was washed before last season).
Watson sat out the entire 2021 season, then was traded and signed a $330 million guaranteed contract with the Browns. He served an 11-game NFL suspension in 2022, coming back for the final six games. He then only played six games in 2023 because of injuries. He didn’t look great in either of those seasons, despite putting up decent fantasy numbers.
This season, Watson has led one of the worst offenses in the league. They have been putrid on third down. He was averaging just 164 yards passing per game with five touchdowns and three interceptions and a career-worst 79.0 QB Rating.
It was so bad in Cleveland that there were grumbles about whether he should be benched or not. Well, that decision no longer has to be made. Watson tore his Achilles tendon in Week 7 and is now out for the remainder of the year. Dorian Thompson-Robinson came in for the injured Watson, but he struggled. Jameis Winston has been named the starter for Week 8.
Watson’s value is damn near non-existent in fantasy at this point. You might have been able to get a second-round pick for him in Superflex leagues prior to the season, but that isn’t happening now. Watson’s future is now shrouded in a cloud of smog. If Winston can’t turn things around for the Browns, Cleveland could be picking at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft. If they are in position to draft a quarterback, will they? When will management decide Watson is a sunk cost and move on? There are a lot of questions to be answered, but I’m not sure any of them will result in Watson regaining fantasy relevance or value.
Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
I have been a known Will Levis hater since prior to the 2023 NFL Draft. I watched a lot of his college films, and what stood out to me was his penchant for turning over the football. While I said he had all the physical traits NFL teams look for, I worried that his good plays would be overshadowed by his awful ones.
In his first year as a full-time starter for the Titans, things have not gone well. Levis is already being marred by bad decisions and horrible turnovers. He is tied for the league lead with 10 turnovers (seven interceptions and three fumbles).
Tennessee is off to a 1-5 start, and I don’t see things getting better anytime soon. Levis sat out Week 7 with a shoulder injury, and that might have helped his Dynasty Value from falling further.
According to DLF, Levis’ ADP was at its highest in November of 2023 when he was being taken 133 overall in startup drafts. His ADP has dropped to 233 as of October 2024. That’s 100 spots in less than a year. Ouch.
There is a very real chance the Titans move on from Levis after this season. If that happens, I’m not sure who would be willing to offer him a chance to start. That would absolutely crater his fantasy value. If he gets back into the starting lineup and has a good game or two, sell high for whatever you can get before it’s too late.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!