The NFL Season is here, but we’ve been in it all year. As Dynasty players, the season never really ends. But keeping up with the fluctuations week-to-week can help you gain 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 is taking a hit. Those fluctuations can help guide your management decisions as you shape your Dynasty roster for the long haul.
Week 16 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: Michael Penix, Jr., Atlanta Falcons
About: When the Falcons drafted Penix, it raised eyebrows. The team had just invested in Kirk Cousins, signing him to a big four-year deal. The question was, when would Penix play for Atlanta? When would you get a return on your draft investment? Well, the answer to that question was this week, as the Falcons benched Cousins. Then word came this week that the Falcons plan to release Cousins post-season. That means not only are those who drafted Penix getting a three-game preview to end 2024, but they also enter 2025 knowing he’s first in line to take the snaps for the Falcons.
Stock Down: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland Browns
About: It felt like a good sign when the Browns entered the 2023 season with Thompson-Robinson as the primary backup. That didn’t last after a few dreadful performances in 2023. This season, the Browns grabbed a veteran in Jameis Winston as the backup. With the season over, the Browns decided to see if Thompson-Robinson had improved over the past year and a half. The answer is no. Thompson-Robinson doesn’t even look like a quality backup. There’s no reason for him to be on your fantasy roster.
Running Backs
Stock Up: Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
About: Week 15 was rough for Taylor. He released the ball on a breakaway touchdown run and saw it go out of the end zone, resulting in a turnover. Instead of being up 20-7 and looking at salting the game away, the Colts never recovered. Sunday, Taylor reminded everyone why he remains one of the game’s best running backs. In a monster performance with the Colts’ season on the line, Taylor came up big, going for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns. He remains a beast for the Colts and your fantasy lineup.
Stock Down: Devin Singletary, New York Giants
About: When Singletary signed with the Giants, it seemed like an ideal fantasy fit. He was coming off a season where he dominated for the playoff-bound Houston Texans. The Giants had a glaring need in the backfield, and Singletary was familiar with the system. It hasn’t played out that way. He has just 101 carries for 398 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also caught less than 20 passes. In fact, he’s been surpassed by rookie Tyrone Tracey to the point where he hasn’t had more than 25 yards rushing or eight carries in any of the last five games. If you need the space, he’s droppable in dynasty.
Wide Receivers
Stock Up: Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers
About: When Austin was drafted, it was unclear if he’d ever have a role in the Steelers’ offense or fantasy. Austin has stepped up this season with the team re-making the offense and the receiver group. He has 32 receptions for more than 500 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also stepped up down the stretch, with 15 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns in his past five games. That’s a good sign for those stashing Austin, who could be a sell-high this off-season.
Stock Down: Tank Dell, Houston Texans
About: This isn’t about this week’s performance. I don’t like to kick a man when he’s down, but it’s fair to wonder about Dell’s long-term fantasy value. His injury on Saturday was brutal. It’s the kind of injury that will linger well into 2025. It’s also the second year in a row a fractured leg has ended Dell’s season. After a hot start to his rookie year, he was enduring an uneven second season. Now, it’s fair to wonder how many games we’ll see him play in 2025. For dynasty, he’s a hold at best, given the upside we saw in early 2023. But it’s a blow to those hoping to have a solid piece for their fantasy lineup for years to come.
Tight Ends
Stock Up: Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
About: It was a quiet season for Okonkwo, so it wouldn’t be a shock if he was released in your league. You might even have been the one to release him. But of late, Okonkwo is showing signs of life, and with the Titans looking like they’ll be in the market for a new quarterback, the big tight end is worth a stash if nothing else.
Stock Down: Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
About: Eyebrows were raised when the Bills moved up in the draft to acquire Kincaid. But there was a vision, and at times in 2023, we saw that vision. Heading into 2024, the expectation was Kincaid would take a bigger piece of the pass offense with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis elsewhere. It hasn’t happened. Kincaid went from a trendy pickup to a player you can’t comfortably leave in your lineup. Including Sunday, he hasn’t received more than 53 yards or four receptions in any of his last five games. That simply isn’t the production those rostering Kincaid need at the tight end position.
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.
