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Dynasty Risers and Fallers

Week 5 Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers

*These players have moved up the Draft Sharks dynasty rankings over the last week. Check back each week as we list the fantasy-relevant changes.

Sam Darnold, QB, Vikings

Darnold ranks fourth in QB fantasy points. He's sixth in EPA per dropback and third in completion rate over expected.

It's fair to wonder where he'll start in 2025, assuming a healthy J.J. McCarthy. But the veteran will start somewhere if this breakout season continues. Just one month ago, that seemed like a long-shot proposition.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars

Despite poor play from Trevor Lawrence, Thomas has proven pro-ready.

Among 51 WRs with 20+ targets, Thomas ranks tied for eighth in yards per catch and 12th in yards per route run. He turns just 22 on the 8th.

"We challenge him as a staff, we challenge him more and more on his plate, "HC Doug Pederson said this week. "I think we're seeing, you're seeing, obviously, the type of receiver that he is and why we drafted him. He's, gosh, he's such a competitor. I love that about him -- the way he competes out there and he plays hard, he plays fast, he'll go in there and block a safety if he has to… So, he's very capable and we're going to continue to keep throwing the ball this way.”

Pederson and his staff might not stick around in 2025, but it’s becoming clear that Thomas will be a long-term staple in Jacksonville.

Erick All, Bengals

All’s injury history includes an ACL tear and a herniated disc that required surgery.

But you wouldn’t know it based on his rookie-year play thus far. 

He’s beat teammate Mike Gesicki in yards per route run (2.16 to 1.91) and targets per route (.31 to .24).

All’s even out-targeted Gesicki – 8 to 6 – over the past two games.

The Round 4 pick isn’t short on ability, and there’s a real chance he’s Joe Burrow’s full-time TE come 2025.

Week 5 Dynasty Fantasy Football Fallers

*These players have moved down the Draft Sharks dynasty rankings over the last week.

Will Levis, Titans

Levis finished as the QB28 over the first three weeks.

On Monday, he was knocked out of the Miami game with a shoulder injury.

Maybe he returns after Tennessee’s Week 5 bye. Still, he’s underwhelmed under new HC Brian Callahan. Levis ultimately won’t be a lock to start for any team beyond 2024.

Malachi Corley, WR, Jets

Through one month, Corley’s run only one route.

Remember, the Jets drafted him in Round 3.

“He just needs to continue to work. There’s a group of receivers ahead of him that are operating a little bit better than he is right now. We as coaches also have to continue to work to develop him and get him ready to contribute to the offense,” HC Robert Saleh said this week.

Corley remains a dynasty hold for his long-term potential. But it’s certainly disappointing that he hasn’t earned snaps on a team with pass-catching questions.

Week 4 Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders

Our 2024 Breakout Pick, Daniels has already turned heads with his athleticism and advanced passing chops.

Frankly, Daniels’ rush volume is even higher than we expected. He’s up to 38 total rushes; ten or more in each game.

We’ll see if that’s sustainable. But Daniels’ ability to flash early bodes well for his future – especially factoring an offense with little receiving depth and O-line questions.

Braelon Allen, RB, Jets

Through three games, Allen’s passed the eye test with an explosive combo of burst and power.

His underlying numbers look solid, including a top-ten rush EPA.

Perhaps most surprising: Allen’s volume. He’s already racked up 27 opportunities alongside a healthy Breece Hall.

Malik Nabers, WR, Giants

Nabers was a dynasty WR1 from the moment he entered the league.

But his early-season tape and production – alongside Daniel Jones – has exceeded expectations. He’s the PPR WR1 entering Week 4.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers

Here's a surprise performer through three games.

Johnston's sitting on 3 TDs, a  71.4% catch rate, 6.2 yards after catch per reception, and 2.05 yards per route run. That’s a huge turnaround from a massively disappointing rookie year.

The Chargers will likely add talent to the WR corps next offseason, but for now, Johnston will have a huge opportunity to prove he belongs as a starter.

Week 4 Dynasty Fantasy Football Fallers

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars

Lawrence is locked into a starting role for the foreseeable future. After all, he just signed a multi-year deal.

Still, he’s performed as a bottom-tier QB through the first three weeks. He's managed only 560 yards and 2 TDs.

Barring a major turnaround, there’s a real chance he’ll work with a new HC in 2025.

D’Andre Swift, RB, Bears

Chicago’s O-line has struggled. But if you watch Swift, there are several plays each game that call into question his vision.

Add it up, and he’s managed only 1.8 YPC on 37 attempts. Roschon Johnson even took on a larger role in Week 3 (8 carries, 22 snaps, 5 targets).

Swift signed a three-year deal this past offseason, but Chicago could quickly cut the cord.

Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens

Six catches. 65 yards. 0 TDs. That’s all we’ve seen from Andrews in 2024. 

Last week, he ran only six routes against Dallas.

Unlikely to be at 100% and now pushed by Isaiah Likely, Andrews’ days as an elite TE1 are probably over.

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs

We now have a three-week sample of Kelce significantly underperforming.

Yes, he’s probably the best TE of all time. And yes, he remains tied to an excellent offense. But even if he rebounds a bit, at 35 in October, Kelce’s days as a fantasy asset are winding down.

Week 3 Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers

De'Von Achane, RB, Dolphins

It's not just Achane's hot start that's nudged him up the ranks.

It's the fact that he was trusted to handle 29 touches against Buffalo -- despite an ankle issue.

That level of volume won't be close to the norm going forward. But for a guy who projected for limited touches entering the league, it's certainly a positive development.

Rashid Shaheed, WR, Saints

Through two games, Shaheed tops Chris Olave in targets, catches, yards, TDs, catch rate, yards per route run, and yards after the catch per reception.

That's probably unsustainable over 17 games...but it's still a snapshot on how well Shaheed has played early on.

Most importantly, the 26-year-old is in an offensive environment that can sustain weekly fantasy production. Hopefully OC Klint Kubiak sticks around beyond 2024.

Week 3 Dynasty Fantasy Football Fallers

Bryce Young, QB, Panthers

It took 2 games, 3 INTs, and 0 TDs for Carolina to bench Bryce Young.

Perhaps we see him later in the year. But the tape has showed nothing to believe he'll develop into a useful fantasy asset -- at least any time soon.

Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, WRs, Rams

At 31, Kupp's dynasty prospects already looked suspect coming into the year.

But another ankle injury simply forces a move down the ranks. While he could return within a few weeks, the high risk of another injury is worrisome.

Nacua's recent knee issue could knock him out past mid-season. His injury history now includes eight different entries going back to college -- including five to his lower half.

Isaiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs

We flagged Pacheco as a "very high risk" injury player in the preseason. Entering the year, his injury history included several noteworthy items. 

Of course, he plays as one of the most physical backs in the league, too.

The 25-year-old has a chance to return around mid-season, but a recent fibula fracture only adds risk to his value.

Week 2 Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers

*These players have moved up the Draft Sharks dynasty rankings over the last week. Check back each week as we list the fantasy-relevant changes.

Bucky Irving, RB, Buccaneers

Irving looked explosive in the opener vs. Washington (9-62 rushing). 

We’ll see how he fares against tougher defenses. But it’s clear that this backfield could shift more rushing work to the rookie – especially if Rachaad White remains inefficient.

Jameson Williams, WR, Lions

Williams ran a route on 30 of 32 Jared Goff drop backs.

The results matched the offseason hype: 5 catches, 121 yards, and 1 TD. He'll certainly have some dud games playing in such a loaded offense. But there's no denying the talent here. And the career-high 9 targets clearly shows he's earned the trust of Jared Goff.

Isaiah Likely, TE, Ravens

As with Williams, it was one big game from Likely.

But man, did he look impressive...

While the Chiefs pushed extra defensive attention toward Mark Andrews, Likely still capitalized with 26.1 PPR points. This followed a training camp with plenty of buzz for the 24-year-old.

If this level of play continues, he'll remain a go-to piece for Lamar Jackson. Note that Likely ran only 3 fewer routes than Mark Andrews (35 to 38) against Kansas City.

Week 2 Dynasty Fantasy Football Fallers

*These players have moved down the Draft Sharks dynasty rankings over the last week

Luke Musgrave, TE, Packers

Don't throw in the towel here; Musgrave is still only 24, and he's loaded with athleticism. But it's a major disappointment to see Tucker Kraft beat him in routes run in the opener (30 to 8).

Looking Ahead to Week 5?

Get the lowdown on pickups for Week 4 waiver wires and FAAB bidding:

Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15 years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). His work has been featured on The Mercury News, Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.