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 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 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 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: Drake Maye, New England Patriots
About: Yes, the Patriots lost on Sunday. And, yes, Maye made some mistakes. It was also his first start against a good Texans team. Maye provided a spark, throwing for more than 200 yards and adding three passing touchdowns as the Patriots scored 21 points. The team is still a work in progress, but Maye delivered on the potential those who took him high in rookie drafts were hoping to see.
Stock Down: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
About: Hurts hasn’t been the same after a hot start in 2023. He slumped a bit to close the season and while the Eagles have won three of five games this season, Hurts hasn’t been the same fantasy force he was prior. Hurts is still a QB1, but prior to this year he was viewed as a Top 5 option. This could open up a good chance to acquire him at a discount if you can find someone who is frustrated.
Running Backs
Stock Up: D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
About: After a slow first three weeks, he’s sprung to life. Swift has 70 or more yards in each of the past three games and has scored a rushing touchdown in each. He also has 13 receptions in the past three weeks. He’s become a reliable fantasy option and a big part of the Bears’ surging offense.
Stock Down: Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers
About: After Edwards put up good numbers in leading the Ravens’ rushing attack in 2023, he was a trendy sleeper in 2024. He came to the Chargers in a run-first offense and seemed poised to be the team’s battering ram. Instead, we’ve seen just 113 yards rushing and one reception in four games. Now, he’s on IR. Worse yet, he was quickly surpassed by J.K. Dobbins, and Sunday rookie Kimani Vidal had a strong showing, meaning Edwards isn’t even a lock for touches when he gets healthy.
Wide Receivers
Stock Up: Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
About: Downs has developed into a go-to options for Colts. The past three weeks he’s had 24 receptions—averaging eight a game—with at least 65 yards in each game and two touchdowns. He’s looked like the most reliable piece of the passing game. Can it continue with Anthony Richardson? That’s a fair question. But, for now, Downs looks like a player that needs to be in a weekly lineup.
Stock Down: Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
About: Jeudy was a big part of the Browns’ off-season, coming via trade from Denver and signing a big extension. To start the season, he seemed like the safest starting option in the passing game. In the past two games, he’s turned back into a pumpkin. The offense, in general, is struggling, but it’s hard to feel confident starting a player who has two receptions and just six targets in two weeks.
Tight Ends
Stock Up: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
About: Tight End had been a brutal position at times this season. The 49ers’ offense has also been up-and-down, but Kittle has been soaring. He missed one game due to injury, but in his five starts he had 28 receptions—an average of more than five per game—along with five receiving touchdowns. This season has been a reminder that Kittle remains one of the best in the game at an unpredictable position.
Stock Down: Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos
About: The first roadblock for Dulcich in his career was health. He missed games as a rookie and missed nearly all of his second season. This year, it’s not health but production. He hasn’t been a factor in the passing game and on Sunday was a game day inactive. That’s not a promising sign for a player who was once a Third-Round pick. Dulcich now isn’t even worth a roster spot.
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.
