Dynasty Trending Observations: Nick Chubb and Russell Wilson are back; Lamar Jackson is King
Between trades and injuries, there are plenty of developments to monitor on social media this week. Specifically, the AFC North has been busy, with some of the league’s more pertinent storylines trending below.
Point-and-Nick
398 days in the making.@NickChubb | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/SPg7jwHAeG
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 20, 2024
It’s been a long time coming, but Browns running back Nick Chubb made his comeback from another major injury. Chubb had been out since Week Two of last season, injuring his MCL and ACL and rehabbing ever since but he did it and appeared for the Browns in Week Seven and even scored a touchdown in his season debut. For Chubb, it’s a testament to his commitment and focus that he stuck with it, especially this late in his career.
For the Browns, it was a nice story in an otherwise miserable season. Cleveland is now 1-6 after their Week Seven loss to Cincinnati amid ongoing questions about why quarterback Deshaun Watson is still starting. On that front, Watson was averaging a little over five yards per attempt and only 170 passing yards per game, leading the last-ranked offense regarding DVOA.
However, the second half may give the Browns a whole new look for multiple reasons. Watson appeared to suffer a major injury before the conclusion of Week Seven, which could take him out of the Browns’ plans for a while. Chubb appeared to make it through the whole game unscathed, which could mean he’ll be a big part of the Cleveland offense down the stretch. But what does that do for his dynasty value?
Dynasty Impact: It will be interesting to see if Chubb will be moved in dynasty leagues this year. On one hand, Chubb is a former elite running back who was leading dynasty teams.
On the other, he’s a 28-year-old running back who’s suffered two catastrophic lower leg injuries between his college and professional careers. Like most things, you have to weigh the risk versus the reward.
Using our Dynasty Trade Analyzer, Chubb is worth an early third-round rookie pick in 2025. If you are a current Chubb dynasty manager and have held on to him this long, you might as well move him for something. Whether you’re a contending dynasty team – who got this far without Chubb – or a re-building team – who doesn’t need a nearly 30-year-old running back, get something for Chubb before he can’t step on the field anymore.
Danger-Russ
Mike Tomlin to Steelers fans after putting up 37 points with Russell Wilson under center pic.twitter.com/lE3KEljo0f
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 21, 2024
Maybe after 18 non-losing seasons and a Super Bowl title, we should give Mike Tomlin the benefit of the doubt. He switched quarterbacks while his team sat at 4-2 and was roundly questioned right up until halftime of Week 7. Out was Justin Fields; in was Russell Wilson, who then proceeded to lead the Steelers’ offense to a season-high 37 points in a win over the Jets. Russ also managed to throw two touchdowns, something Fields did just once in his six starts this season, and get sacked just once, which Fields hasn’t been able to do all year.
It’s only one game – and a super small sample size – but Wilson was one of the top fantasy quarterbacks of the week while supporting a top fantasy receiver in George Pickens and a top fantasy running back in Najee Harris. Dynasty managers, especially in Superflex leagues, are collectively holding their breath to see if Wilson can keep it up.
Dynasty Impact: If you jumped off the Russell Wilson fantasy train anytime in the last couple of years, no one could blame you. After finishing as a QB1 in fantasy scoring in his first eight seasons in the league, he hasn’t been able to accomplish that feat in three seasons. He’s older, and there was little hope that he would magically return to fantasy relevance by switching to his third team in four seasons. But he showed flashes in Week 7, which could help dynasty teams down the stretch.
Using our DLF Trade Analyzer, Wilson is currently valued as a third-round rookie pick in Superflex leagues. If you’re the current Wilson manager and assuming you don’t need a second quarterback, now is the time to sell and maybe even ask for a second-round pick. It’s possible Wilson can be productive, but he’s still 35 and is being paid next to nothing by his current team (his previous team is footing most of the bill).
A New King in Baltimore
What Lamar Jackson is doing in the #NFL is insane 👀 pic.twitter.com/X3j5fbeqtv
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) October 22, 2024
While Derrick Henry may have owned the ‘King’ moniker before he was in Baltimore, it’s Lamar Jackson who should take the crown. Whether it’s in the actual NFL – where he’s already won two Most Valuable Players awards and could win another – or dynasty football, Jackson has earned the title. Yes, Jackson can claim to have surpassed both Patrick Mahomes II and Josh Allen when it comes to dynasty value and was on his way anyway.
In Mahomes’ case, Jackson is not only two years younger but appears to still be ascending statistically. Meanwhile, Mahomes has had to make do with a sub-par receiving corps ever since Tyreek Hill left. And Travis Kelce isn’t getting any younger, which means Mahomes will need even more help. Not that Kansas City fans are complaining as long as the Chiefs keep winning.
Jackson’s primary challenger for the crown would be Allen. Allen has finished as a top-two fantasy quarterback in each of the previous four seasons and has just acquired a quality receiver in Amari Cooper. But Jackson is younger than him too and, as the post above shows, is doing things Allen isn’t.
Dynasty Impact: Jackson is one of those quarterbacks who is valuable in both 1QB and Superflex leagues. His performance on Monday Night Football single-handedly won fantasy games for his managers and is evidence of the possibilities when starting him. It also may have officially made him untouchable in dynasty leagues. I would suggest trying to acquire him, but it would cost multiple picks and players, as it should. Jackson is in his prime, has young receivers around him, and is firing on all cylinders right now. You’d have a better shot at acquiring Mahomes or Allen if you were in the market for an elite quarterback.
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