The NFL Season is here, but we’ve been in it all year long. As Dynasty players, the season never really ends. But keeping up with the fluctuations week-to-week can help provide you and advantage. That’s the point of the stock watch—to process what we see on the field and apply it to players whose value is rising and whose value is taking a hit. Those fluctuations can help guide your management decisions as you shape your Dynasty roster for the long haul.
The NFL Playoffs are in the books, so it’s time to look at who helped and hurt themselves the last three weeks. We’ll look at one player at QB, RB, WR, and TE whose value improved and one whose value took a hit. Let’s dive in.
Quarterbacks
Stock Up: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
About: Daniels is sure to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year and had an amazing season. But he topped that all off with a superb playoff experience. He helped guide the Commanders past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round and then upset the Detroit Lions in Detroit. He didn’t have a spectacular NFC Championship Game, but Daniels was cool under pressure and went 2-1 in his first playoffs. And he did it all with a middling cast of weapons and offensive line. Daniels announced his arrival as one of the best in the league and a Top 10 option at the position moving forward.
Stock Down: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
About: No one hurt their stock more in a two-game span than Darnold. He had a mediocre game in Week 18 as the Vikings lost to the Lions, missing out on the division title and forcing them on the road for the playoffs. Then, in a Wild Card game against the Rams, he went 25-of-40 for 245 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He was also sacked nine times as the Rams ran the Vikings out of the playoffs. Sure, Darnold had a good regular season. But his final two games—both in the clutch—cast enough doubt that it’s fair to wonder where he’ll be in 2025.
Running Backs
Stock Up: Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
About: If it were up to me, Barkley would hear his name called as the NFL’s Regular Season MVP. He looked every bit the MVP in the playoffs, posting three incredible games as his team advanced to the Super Bowl. He’s run for 442 yards and five touchdowns in three games, and we still have a Super Bowl to go. It could have been more in the NFC Championship Game, too, but the Eagles were up so big they hooked their starters. No player has been as impactful in the playoffs as Saquon Barkley.
Stock Down: Isaih Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
About: Pacheco, in his third season, suffered a tough injury mid-season. That has, understandably, left him a bit slowed. But he’s been struggling for the Chiefs in the playoffs. He has just 30 yards on 10 carries in two games, being outplayed and outgained by veteran Kareem Hunt. Maybe he’s not ready to carry the load? Or, just maybe, he’s not the answer for the Chiefs in the run game. Either way, if you were counting on Pacheco as a piece of your attack moving forward, I’d make a plan B.
Wide Receivers
Stock Up: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
About: Not much went right for the Chargers in the playoffs. The team was blown out by the Houston Texans and looked outmatched on offense and defense. But McConkey closed out his rookie year looking incredibly strong. He caught nine passes for 197 yards and a touchdown. He had all but 45 of Justin Herbert’s 242 passing yards in the game. While the Chargers will no doubt look to add weapons this off-season, they already have a great one in McConkey.
Stock Down: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
About: Kupp has had a great career and has been a great match with Matthew Stafford. But he had a very quiet two games in the playoffs and made some comments at the end of the season that cast doubt on his long-term and future with the Rams. He had just six receptions for 90 yards in two games. He still has good name value and had a good enough season. I’d look to move on this off-season while I can.
Tight Ends
Stock Up: Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
About: Ertz was the steadiest performer among the pass catchers for the Commanders, helping lead them to the NFC Championship Game. He caught 18 passes in three games, including 11 for 104 yards in the NFC Championship Game. He was on a one-year deal with the Commanders, meaning he can court suitors this off-season. His performance this season and in the playoffs clutch showed he still has some life left. That could make him a good veteran add for a title in 2025, depending on where he lands.
Stock Down: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
About: It isn’t just about dragging Andrews for the errors that cost the team a shot at the AFC Championship Game. Those are just symptoms of what we saw this season as Andrews’ production declined, and he shared snaps and targets with Isaiah Likely, who caught more passes in both playoff games. Andrews is still a quality player, but as the Ravens look to get better this off-season, I’d be looking to move Andrews before it’s too late.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
