It’s only been two weeks, which makes it tricky to find valuable data amongst all of the noise. In dynasty, managers need to look ahead, though, and not worry too much about a small sample size. Instead of overreacting to the bad games, let’s see if we can find some diamonds in the rough to help your team get better as the season goes along.
Dynasty Stashes to Add Now
The fantasy community at large has moved on from Kenny Pickett, but I’m not done myself yet. Starting quarterback Jalen Hurts hasn’t been stellar this year, but his job is far from in danger. That said, as the losses and injuries to the team add up, there could be a case for giving Pickett some snaps to see what they have in him for the future.
It’s only been two weeks, which makes it tricky to find valuable data amongst all of the noise. In dynasty, managers need to look ahead, though, and not worry too much about a small sample size. Instead of overreacting to the bad games, let’s see if we can find some diamonds in the rough to help your team get better as the season goes along.
Dynasty Stashes to Add Now
The fantasy community at large has moved on from Kenny Pickett, but I’m not done myself yet. Starting quarterback Jalen Hurts hasn’t been stellar this year, but his job is far from in danger. That said, as the losses and injuries to the team add up, there could be a case for giving Pickett some snaps to see what they have in him for the future.
As soon as Pickett gets that start his value will skyrocket. I want to roster him now and wait for the day I can flip him for someone I find more value in. If he’s available in your Superflex league, grab him from the waiver wire.
The odds are very slim Rico Dowdle is available on waivers in your dynasty league. He might be someone you could add in a trade, though. Through two weeks, Dowdle only has one fewer carry than starter Ezekiel Elliott and four fewer PPR points. Elliott has the lone touchdown in the running back group, but Dowdle is getting plenty of chances.
I can’t predict Elliott getting injured, but I’d much rather roster Dowdle given his age and future trajectory possibility. If you can add him as a throw-in to a bigger trade, do it and wait to see how the season unfolds. If he were to be the lone starter in Dallas he could have top-20 RB upside.
AJ Dillon was someone I was targeting all offseason as a dynasty stash. Once the Packers moved him to injured reserve (IR) his value fell through the floor. He will miss the entire season, which isn’t great for contending teams, but he might be in line for a big 2025, either on the Packers or elsewhere. If you’re already pivoting to rebuilding your team through two weeks, he is an attractive target.
I’m fine adding him to my bench on the off chance starter Josh Jacobs burns himself out or finds another home next year and the team brings Dillon back. On the other hand, since Dillon is a free agent himself after this season, he might find new life elsewhere. He’ll be 27 before the start of the 2025 season but I think he’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
DeMario Douglas, or Pop, as he’s often called, was a dynasty stash target for me heading into 2024. So far, he’s still a stash and not a breakout given his two catches on three targets in two games. He’s been very quiet on a team that is also very quiet, so I’m not at all shocked by this.
Rookie Ja’Lynn Polk has been the only real standout thus far and that’s only because of him being the only receiver to catch a touchdown. K.J. Osborn has looked ok as well, but I’m still holding out hope for Douglas to be the guy there in the future. He had a great 2023. As the team rebuilds, I don’t expect him to do much this season. He’s got the talent worth targeting in trades or snagging off the waiver wire.
Jalen McMillan is behind veteran studs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the depth chart, but I think he’s the future in Tampa. He’s caught two of his five targets for 53 yards and a touchdown, one catch in each week. As the slot receiver in a very surprising offense, I fully expected McMillan to have a great rookie campaign. Buy him now before he officially breaks out. Once that happens and he has a big game his price will almost definitely go up.
I doubt he’s on waivers, but if you can add him in a trade I’m fine doing that. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has had a resurgence and the Buccaneers could be in line for a playoff run if this keeps up. McMillan’s stock will go up if the Bucs do indeed continue to look like this, so I want that kind of upside on my bench immediately.
I rarely put veterans on my list when it comes to dynasty stash targets, but Adam Thielen is different. The 34-year-old receiver has had a downright awful 2024 so far. Fantasy managers and the Panthers themselves are likely in agreement that that is due to the terrible play of second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
I think all Panthers will see an uptick in value now that Young has been benched for Andy Dalton. Veterans also tend to find other veterans, and there aren’t many receivers more veteran than Thielen. I’m not sure if it will happen this week, but I am predicting a solid run for Thielen looking forward. Even if you’re rebuilding, buy Thielen now and flip him once he starts scoring points. You’ll be glad you did.
Tight ends for fantasy looked to be in great shape heading into the season, but boy were we wrong. Only six tight ends are averaging over 10 PPR points per game through two weeks, and Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta and Mark Andrews aren’t among those six. What looked to be a great year is now looking to be more random than ever. Hence why I’m higher on Luke Musgrave than most.
He’s had a terrible season thus far, only catching one of three targets for six yards. However, as the team has had to pivot from Jordan Love to backup Malik Willis, I think the connection with Musgrave will just take more time. Fantasy players in some leagues of my own have dropped Musgrave and I was happy to add him. Teammate Tucker Kraft currently has more points, but Musgrave’s time is coming. I have faith.
Luke Schoonmaker’s an anomaly at the tight end position. Jake Ferguson is consistently ranked ahead of Schoonmaker, but Schoonmaker is scoring more fantasy points. I know it’s only been two weeks and that’s a small sample size (and Ferguson missed Week 2), but Schoonmaker might be the one to roster going forward. He’s caught all six of his targets for 43 yards compared to Ferguson’s three catches on five targets for 15 yards in Week 1.
Will this continue? I’m not sure, but given the ranking difference, I’m fine paying the cheaper price for the same or better production. Tight end is messy this year, so why not lean into it and go against the grain here? It couldn’t hurt.
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Andrew Hall is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his profile and follow him @AndrewHallFF.
