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 give you 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 9 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: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
About: It was a slow start for Herbert in a new offense, with new weapons, and a run-heavy scheme. But the past three weeks, he’s gotten his groove back. Herbert has 279 or more yards in each of the past three games with four touchdowns and no interceptions. His young receivers are coming to life, the team is 5-3 and Herbert is working his way back into must start territory.
Stock Down: Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders
About: In 2023, Minshew was a savior of sorts for the Colts. When Anthony Richardson was lost for the year, he came in and helped the team to a 9-8 record and kept them in the playoff race until the very last week. That earned him a two-year deal for the Raiders. He was named starter for Week 1 and did OK early but found himself benched a few weeks ago. Then Aidan O’Connell broke his thumb, forcing Minshew back into action. On Sunday, he was benched again in favor of newly signed Desmond Ridder. Minshew’s value as a starter has dried up.
Running Backs
Stock Up: Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
About: Henry has been a great player, but the past couple seasons in Tennessee were a struggle. Turned out, in the right scheme, he could look like an MVP again. In just nine games, Henry has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He looks great and is on track to be the overall RB1 again. For those that kept the faith, Henry is paying off big.
Stock Down: Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
About: I thought Elliott’s return to Dallas, in addition to being a good story, would be suitable for fantasy. He was a playable running back for the Patriots in 2023 and the Cowboys have a big need in the backfield. So far, it hasn’t been great. Elliott has just 149 yards rushing and seven receptions for 40 yards, along with two touchdowns this season. If that wasn’t bad enough, he was held out of Sunday’s game for disciplinary reasons. All that adds up to a player not worth rostering in 2024.
Wide Receivers
Stock Up: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
About: The Broncos lost on Sunday, but Sutton did his best to keep them in it. As Bo Nix has gotten better, Sutton has picked up, too. Sunday, he had his second straight 100-yard receiving game. He also threw a touchdown. Sutton is not only the best receiver on the Broncos, but he’s also reminding fantasy players he’s one of the most dynamic weapons on a young Broncos’ team.
Stock Down: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
About: When Tua Tagovailoa was out, we knew it would be rough for Waddle and Tyreek Hill. But now that Tua is back, we still aren’t seeing good production from Waddle. In the past two games, he has just six receptions for 41 yards. This season, he has just 28 receptions for 310 yards and a touchdown through eight games. That’s simply not living up to his price tag and potential. Those who roster Waddle need to find other options to make a run down the stretch of the fantasy season.
Tight Ends
Stock Up: Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
About: When Tee Higgins is out of the lineup, Gesicki has been gold. And the good news if you roster Gesicki is that Higgins seems to be out of the lineup a lot. The past two weeks, that’s resulted in 12 receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns. For those that roster Gesicki, you’re in no hurry to see Higgins return.
Stock Down: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
About: I’ve always liked Johnson’s talent and potential. And, on occasion, we’ve seen him turned loose in the offense. But he’s not getting consistent targets, even with the Saints thin at receiver. He had two big receptions for 41 yards on Sunday, but fewer targets and receptions than Taysom Hill, while fellow tight end Foster Moreau got the touchdown. Given the offense and roster needs, I’m not sure Johnson is even worth rostering at this point.
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.
