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 5 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: Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers
About: I was one of those who thought Jones played well for the Jaguars in 2024. I thought there was a chance he could get one of the open starting spots. Instead, he went to the 49ers and the coach who once considered drafting him. He has been called on to start three games, and he’s won them all for the injury-ravaged 49ers. He’s looked good doing it—enough so that questions about who should start are cropping up. Jones could be the next quarterback to parlay a good backup year into a starting spot. He’s worth a stash.
Stock Down: Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
About: Shough was the highest drafted Saints quarterback since Archie Manning. He seemed to be a lock to earn his team’s starting job. He didn’t. Now, he seems even further away after Taysom Hill returned and was listed as QB2 on the depth chart. That pushes Shough to the emergency quarterback and makes it look even less likely we’ll see him play in 2025.
Running Backs
Stock Up: Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
About: Dowdle was a surprise 1,000-yard rusher in 2024. He parlayed that into a contract with the Panthers behind Chuba Hubbard, but hadn’t been much of a factor the first four weeks. With Hubbard out in Week 5, he got his shot. Boy, did he capitalize. Dowdle rushed for 206 yards and a touchdown, catching three passes. He looked great and should push for more touches. If you stashed him, you’re feeling optimistic.
Stock Down: Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
About: Brown was explosive in 2024 when he assumed the lead role. This off-season, the Bengals did everything to solidify him as their feature back. But 2025 hasn’t produced much. Through five games, he has 65 carries for just 160 yards and a touchdown. It’s simply not good enough for those who were counting on another year of Brown being a starter for the Bengals and in fantasy.
Wide Receivers
Stock Up: Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys
About: It’s getting thin for the Cowboys. CeeDee Lamb is out with a high ankle sprain. On Sunday, the team was also without KaVontae Turpin. That left Flournoy to help pick up the slack. He caught six passes for 114 yards and even had two carries. It was a good production, which makes him an interesting stash.
Stock Down: Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
About: Bateman was a solid contributor in 2024, even earning a new contract this offseason. However, like many Ravens in 2025, he has been underwhelming. In the past two games, he has had just one reception on five targets. Both games saw the Ravens get blown out. It’s a blow for the Ravens and for Dynasty players who were hoping to have a WR3/Flex option again.
Tight Ends
Stock Up: Theo Johnson, New York Giants
About: Someone needs to step up for the Giants, especially with Malik Nabers out for the season. On Sunday, that someone was the second-year tight end in Johnson. He caught six passes and added two touchdowns. It looks like he has a good connection with Jaxson Dart and could be a good part of the Giants’ re-shaped offense.
Stock Down: Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks
About: A lot of people thought Arroyo would have a path to meaningful targets for the Seahawks. That was especially true when the team parted ways with Noah Fant just before the season. But it turns out it wasn’t Arroyo they had in mind; it was A.J. Barner. While he caught two touchdowns on Sunday and has been a fixture in the Seahawks’ offense, Arroyo contributed just one catch for ten yards. His time might come, but it’s not likely in 2025.
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.
