Dynasty Trending Observations: Sam Darnold, Bryce Young and Aaron Rodgers
While most eyes are glued to the playoff action, developments are happening off the field as well. And as dynasty players know, there is no off-season. Below are some of the bigger happenings this week.
Sam on the Brakes
In 60 minutes, Sam Darnold is losing all the money he made himself the last 6 months.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 14, 2025
Welp. After finishing the regular season as the feel-good story of the year, despite a stinker in the regular season finale, Sam Darnold’s playoff performance wiped all that away. He threw for 245 yards, one touchdown, and one interception and was sacked a so-bad-it’s-impressive nine times by the Rams defense. The 14-win Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs on the first weekend and immediately made Darnold a free agent.
Darnold’s next team will be one of the top stories this off-season. Signed as a bridge to a rookie quarterback, in this case JJ McCarthy, Darnold was expected to relinquish the starting job at some point this season. But McCarthy was ruled out for the season before it started and Darnold played exceptionally well. He did so well that he had the Vikings at the top of the NFC standings and thinking about a Super Bowl run. Statistically speaking it was his best season ever – he threw for 4,300-plus yards and 35 touchdowns and finished as a top-ten fantasy quarterback. Typically, that would mean he’d be in line for a huge payday, either from the Vikings or another team. Not now that Darnold had his two worst games of the season to close it out.
Dynasty Impact: For most of the season, Darnold was trending toward being a starter in dynasty leagues. He certainly came a long way from where he started the year.
But it looks like midnight struck for Cinderella. Darnold could stay in Minnesota where it’s not a guarantee that JJ McCarthy is healthy enough to play, let alone start, his sophomore season. If so, we at least know what the range of possibilities are with Darnold as a Viking. He’d have Justin Jefferson to throw to and, hopefully, an improved offensive line.
Or, Darnold could sign somewhere else if Minnesota is comfortable enough with McCarthy’s progress. That could be any team that needs a bridge player just like the Vikings did last year. The Titans, Browns, and Giants are all at the top of the NFL Draft and could use a rookie quarterback. They could also use Darnold who now appears destined to be a veteran presence only for the rest of his career. For this reason, avoid any kind of dynasty leagues, Superflex or otherwise.
Bryce Yourselves
SUPERSTAR: #Panthers QB Bryce Young since Week 8 this season
• 1st in Big Time Throw %
• 1st in Big Time Throws
• 1st in Batted Passes
• 4th Most Pressured
• 5th in ADOT
• 5th in Pressure-to-Sack %
• 6th in PFF Passer Rating
• WRs: 5th highest drop %(h/t @ThomasWrrld) pic.twitter.com/41k634UCS4
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 16, 2025
Who is this? Just one year removed from a disastrous rookie season that also led to Carolina having the worst record in the league, Bryce Young suddenly looks…good? As the post above illustrates, Young has put up some excellent advanced metrics throughout the second half of the season. It got even better towards the end as he threw seven touchdowns and no interceptions over the last three games of his sophomore season. And that was what could generously be called a rag-tag group of players around him like veterans Adam Thielen and Miles Sanders, who was filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard.
To be clear, Young wasn’t a dynasty league winner. In 14 total games, he still threw for just 2,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. But he didn’t turn the ball over nearly as much and that trend to close the season out is about as good as you could have hoped. Now his dynasty managers will hope he can carry that into next year. So what should you do with him now?
Dynasty Impact: There’s no doubt that Young’s improvement to close out his sophomore season will bump up his cost/value. And it should, especially when you consider the quarterbacks currently ranked ahead of him, according to our DLF rankers.
Young is younger than all but one of the next five quarterbacks – including Michael Penix who is just completing his rookie season – with a couple of them close to retirement. Additionally, Carolina will have a first-round draft pick again and is middle of the pack when it comes to cap space.
All of this is to say you should buy the hype on Young’s improvement. Don’t pay elite quarterback prices but, rather, send solid QB2 offers in superflex leagues.
Lightning (A)-Rod
Aaron Rodgers' time with the Jets may not be over just yet 👀
(via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/I084FxtN8h
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 16, 2025
While it wasn’t the season that Jets fans had hoped for, Aaron Rodgers performed quite well when it came to dynasty and fantasy leagues. One season removed from missing 99.9% of the 2023 season with a torn Achilles, bounced back to a top-15 fantasy finish. He threw for nearly 3,900 yards and 28 touchdowns and managed to play in every game. Not bad for a 41-year-old in his 20th season.
Of course, with each passing year, it becomes more likely that Rodgers won’t be fantasy-relevant since no one can beat Father Time. So how much risk should you take when you consider taking on Rodgers for another year (or two or three)?
Dynasty Impact: Any decision on Rodgers’ dynasty value would need to wait until a decision has been made in real life. As the post mentions above, the Jets first need to hire their new leadership before a decision can be made. And if a new regime decides to move on, it could cause Rodgers to choose retirement over a new team.
But assuming he continues playing – whether it’s in a new city or back with the Jets – Rodgers does have value. According to our DLF Trade Analyzer, Rodgers is currently worth about a third-round rookie pick in Superflex leagues.
For a dynasty team in need of a second quarterback, and not able or willing to spend a lot, Rodgers would be a good, temporary solution. He was still productive this season with several games of multiple touchdown passes. A mid-round pick is (relatively) worth a likely top-15 quarterback for next season.
- Dynasty Trending Observations: Sam Darnold, Bryce Young and Aaron Rodgers - January 19, 2025
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