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 with an 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. Week 1 of the season is in the books. Let’s look at what we learned. 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: Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
About: Jones has had a rocky few years. After flaming out with the Giants, he was released mid-season. He landed on the Practice Squad with the Vikings and then earned a free-agent deal from the Colts. This off-season, he managed to best Anthony Richardson to earn the starting job, but the questions about what he had left remained. On Sunday, he answered those questions. Or at least he gave a good opening paragraph of an answer that ought to boost his long-term value. He threw for one touchdown and rushed for two others as the Colts posted 33 points and cruised to a win. Better still, he looked to revive the fantasy value and upside for players like Michael Pittman, Jr., and Tyler Warren.
Stock Down: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
About: There have long been questions about Tua. Most of those questions were about health and durability. But when available, Tua was a valuable asset for the Dolphins and fantasy players. That is until Sunday. He looked out of his depth, throwing two interceptions and adding a fumble before Zach Wilson was called on to finish the game. The Dolphins appear to be a mess, and Tua seems to be a significant part of the potential problem. That’s a dark omen for dynasty players.
Running Backs
Stock Up: Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
About: The 2024 season wasn’t kind to Etienne, who struggled to perform and was often outplayed by Tank Bigsby. As he enters the final year of his rookie deal, the question was what Etienne could bring to the offense. In Week 1, he looked more like the back we saw in 2023, who earned a Fifth-Year option pickup. He rushed for 143 yards on 16 carries, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. He also had three receptions. Liam Coen did wonders with Bucky Irving in 2024, and it looks like Etienne is poised to benefit in 2025.
Stock Down: Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
About: Heading into the weekend, Ford looked like one of the better values in fantasy football. He was the starter of a run-first team in Cleveland, one of only a couple of backs on the roster. Saturday, the Browns signed rookie Quinshon Judkins, bringing an end to that holdout. Sunday, Ford looked like the third-best running back on his team. Rookies Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders were more impressive. Sampson led the team in rushing and caught eight passes, while Sanders scored a rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, Ford carried the ball six times for eight yards, so if you were counting on him as an RB2 or Flex, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Wide Receivers
Stock Up: Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
About: After a flat 2024 with the 49ers, Samuel looked for a fresh start. He got that when he was traded to the Commanders this offseason. In Week 1, he showed he still has some pop and could be a valuable weapon for the team. He caught a team-high seven passes for 77 yards and added a 19-yard rushing touchdown. It’s a good sign for his value with his new team.
Stock Down: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
About: I mentioned Tua wasn’t great. That’s not good for Hill, either. And it’s already been a struggle for Hill dating back to last season when he tried to quit on the team. His body language and actions on the sideline today showed he wasn’t pleased with this new 2025 version of the Dolphins, either. This feels like a marriage that is crumbling. Perhaps a fresh start somewhere else will buoy Hill, but for now, he remains a risky start in fantasy.
Tight Ends
Stock Up: Harold Fannin, Jr., Cleveland Browns
About: The rookie tight end made quite a splash in his first game. He caught seven passes for 63 yards on nine targets. The team still has David Njoku, but it’s a good sign for Fannin. He and fellow rookie Sampson seemed to be the focus of a lot of the pass offense for the Browns, which could mean wheels up for those looking for some upside with late-round rookie picks.
Stock Down: Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
About: It’s been a roller coaster for Gesicki and the Bengals. After bouncing back with a stellar 2024 season, Gesicki earned a three-year contract this offseason. That gave fantasy players hope he could return some good upside again in 2025. I started to get concerned when the team kept adding players, especially when they added Noah Fant at tight end. That was confirmed in Week 1 when Fant caught four passes and a touchdown, while Gesicki caught just one pass. Yes, it’s one game. But having this kind of competition for targets at tight end in an offense with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown makes it hard ever to feel confident starting Gesicki. That makes him the definition of a roster clogger in dynasty.
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.
