Dynasty Player News

It was expected the injury was minor but confirmation is good news. All indication is that Dak will be fine for the team's week eight tilt against the Vikings, following the Cowboys' bye in week seven. Dak is found as DLF's QB5 and has been lighting it up in recent weeks.

Chubb's dynasty coaches have long wished for a carry-the-load role but have come to grips with the shared backfield that is the Browns running back room. Kareem Hunt has remained the team's primary receiving option while mixing in with Chubb as an early down option as needed. Both have been impressively productive in the tandem role. With Hunt now expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a significant calf injury and Chubb nearing a return, dynasty coaches will have a few weeks to see their wish realized. Already with 523 yards and four touchdowns on the season through five games, averaging over 17 carries per game, Chubb's arrows are pointing decidedly up over the next few weeks. He's listed as DLF's RB10.

The initial timetable is said to be 4-6 weeks though no specific injury was given. It's a bad blow for the Browns and dynasty coaches holding Hunt, but will give Nick Chubb (when healthy) owners something they've long wanted, a full-time role. Hunt has been ultra-productive in a tandem role with Chubb as the primary receiving option out of the backfield while mixing in on carries as well. As long as Hunt's injury doesn't linger, his DLF ranking of RB21 shouldn't be materially impacted but dynasty squads relying on him should be prepared to make other arrangements as his absence will potentially last until just prior to fantasy playoffs.

His usage and resulting fantasy production to date remain far below expectation. Edmonds has yet to find the end zone and while he has reeled in 26 receptions, his 53 rushing attempts over six weeks haven't been enough to move the needle. With the exception of week four, when Edmonds rushed for 120 yards on 12 carries, he hasn't produced more than 63 yards (week one) despite a healthy 6.0 ypc. average. His saving grace remains his passing game role, averaging five targets per game but unless his rushing attempts increase, Edmond's status as a dynasty starter will quickly come to an end, even now best used as a last-flex play. Within a pass-first offense possessing multiple dynamic players in the skill-positions, Edmonds' future prospects appear limited. He listed as DLF"s RB27, a ranking which will be pressured in the coming weeks.

News of the 33-year-old's dynasty fantasy demise have been greatly exaggerated. On the year, Green has amassed a 21/340/3 stat line, meaning the veteran could flirt with 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. As DLF's WR82, Green has been left for dead but still holds flex value for competing teams as we enter the peak-period for bye weeks. There's significant competition for targets with a full receiver depth chart but Green has found a role and should be rostered in dynasty.

Bateman made his first appearance in week six and looked good as the Ravens boat raced the Chargers. In the end, the rookie matched tight end Mark Andrews for top targets though only produced 29 yards on the day. All in all, it was a good coming-out party for Bateman who figures to immediately slide into a starting role alongside Marquise Brown. As DLF's WR26, the first-year player carries a premium value with WR2 expectations for an offense that has struggled to find passing game efficiency in the past. That said, thus far in 2021, the team ranks in the top-third of the league in this regard following a league-worst finish in 2020. Arrows are pointing up for Bateman in dynasty.

Smith was largely ineffective as he took the reins following the finger injury suffered by Russell Wilson in week five. While he didn't throw an interception, he had a costly overtime fumble on a scramble which handed the Steelers a late victory. Prior to overtime, the eight-year veteran struggled to move the ball through the air and the team was reliant upon the run-game absent Chris Carson. For Smith, another week of practice should help prepare for a Monday night affair in week seven when the team hosts New Orleans, fresh off their bye week though reports are that Wilson is ahead of schedule in his rehab. Smith is a free agent in 2022 and with a potential departure from Seattle looming for Wilson, his play in relief could be seen as an audition for a potentially greater role in 2022. Unranked on DLF"s quarterback rankings, expectations remain very low for Smith's development.

The team plays Thursday night in week seven and while there has been no indication that Jeudy will suit up for the game, it's not out of the realm of possibility as the receiver is now five weeks removed from a high ankle sprain suffered in week one. Following a hot start to the season, winning its first three games, the team has dropped it's last three contests and enters week seven at .500 with a tilt vs. the listing Browns on Thursday night. Getting Jeudy back in uniform would be a boon for the Broncos but even should the sophomore make his return this week, expect him to be eased back into production. Jerry Jeudy is found as DLF's WR18.

It's been another train-wreck of a season for the Lions once and the team remains winless through six weeks. Jared Goff, DLF's QB29, has been uninspiring with his new team and simply doesn't have the ability or the weapons to put the team on his back. Head coach Dan Campbell chose his words carefully when saying Goff "needs to step up more than he has" but it remains a tall order given the team's position among the league's worst in both offensive and defensive production. Jared Goff is a fading dynasty asset and it's a foregone conclusion the team will be selecting a new face of the franchise with it's first selection in 2022 NFL Draft. The team possesses two first round selections in each of the next two drafts. Jared Goff is an emergency fill-in at best in dynasty.

There's been no indication if Thomas is healthy to return to the field upon his return but the team badly needs his presence. Though the Saints are coming off a bye in week six, they rank 31st in the league in passing and remain run-game reliant. Thomas' return would be an immediate to boost to the offense and quarterback Jameis Winston and he should have no problem immediately seizing the team's WR1 role. Now ranked as DLF's WR24, Thomas' dynasty value has been in a tailspin and only consistent production will stop the decline. It's uncertain if he'll be back in the mix in week seven or if he'll need an additional week to get his legs under him. Expect snaps to be less early in his return.

Mayfield dislocated his shoulder in week two and an MRI confirmed a partially torn labrum but he was able to continue playing. In the week six loss, he reinjured the shoulder but believes he'll be able to play when the team takes the field vs. the Broncos on Thursday night. Whether it's a good decision remains to be seen. Following a 3-1 start to the season, the Browns have dropped two straight while injuries continue to mount, especially on offense. On the year, Mayfield has thrown for 1,474 yards and six touchdowns to only three interceptions, well off the pace of league leaders and falling short of expectations. As DLF's QB21, Baker Mayfield remains a capable but uninspiring QB2 in dynasty.

Hubbard got off to a slow start in replacement of McCaffrey but has increased his production in each game, last week posting his first 100-yard effort of his career on 24 attempts while also producing 33 yards on 5-of-6 receiving. With the team's next three games coming against the Vikings, Giants and Falcons, Hubbard remains an upside start over the next three weeks. Hubbard is on the rise as DLF's RB41.

He'll miss a minimum of three additional games. It's a concerning trend for dynasty's top ranked player as all signs pointed to a return to action in week six or seven. Instead, he won't be eligible to return until week nine at the earliest. Backup Chuba Hubbard will continue to be relevant over the next three games. It's fair to wonder how soon McCaffrey may be knocked off his perch as the top overall player in fantasy.

Dallas has the size (5'10/214) to be an intriguing player at the position but is utilized primarily on passing downs, and rarely at that. On the season, he's reeled in 3-of-3 targets for 37 yards while rushing for 12 yards on five carries. Backup runner Travis Homer is also in the mix but Dallas is expected to see the increase in role until Carson returns. With Geno Smith now under center, it's possible Dallas is called upon more often as a safety valve option. A 2020 fourth-round selection, DeeJay Dallas is on the outer fringes of the dynasty radar but deserves a roster spot in deeper dynasty formats while we wait to see what his role will be over these next three weeks.

Sparsely ranked as DLF's RB87, Collins has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence in 2021, compiling a 28/124/1 state line as Carson's backup. A gritty, tough, downhill runner, he will get at least three games as the lead back and possesses flex-start appeal. Now 27, Collins doesn't hold long term, carry the load, value but should be rostered while he remains in Seattle due to Carson's inability to remain healthy.

The good news is that the team is just being cautious and wants to give their fragile back more time to heal. Carson has never played a 16-game season and his 2021 campaign is interrupted after only four games, an all too familiar trend for dynasty coaches. Extremely effective when healthy, his injury history continues to sap his dynasty value and he'll slip further from his current ranking as DLF's RB28.

Philadelphia will receive cornerback Tay Gowan and a fifth round pick in 2022 in exchange. This ends a long saga for Ertz, who has been rumored to be on the block for the better part of a year. It's a good move for him as the Cardinals have reportedly told him he's going to be a big part of the offense. He should take over the role left by the season ending injury to Maxx Williams, who soaked up 16 targets between weeks two and four this year. Meanwhile, Dallas Goedert's dynasty arrow is pointing straight up after this news.

The 31-year old veteran was needed after Denver lost KJ Hamler to injury. He could potentially add a deep threat to the offense and help right the ship while they wait for Jerry Jeudy to come back off the IR. Brown has been known for explosive plays, but this is now his fifth team after stints in Arizona, Baltimore, Buffalo, and Las Vegas. At this point, it's tough to trust Brown and your last few roster spots are likely better served for younger players.

Patrick's tenure with San Francisco was brief and ends with just two carries. A deep sleeper candidate after being signed off the Bengals practice squad, Patrick was never able to move his way up the always fluid 49ers running back depth chart. He can be sent back to waivers in dynasty leagues at this point. His release is likely good news for JaMycal Hasty's return from injury.

Miller was reportedly going to sign with Jacksonville, but the Steelers apparently promised him a spot on the active roster, forcing him to change his course. With JuJu Smith-Schuster out for the season, Pittsburgh could use Miller in the slot and gives his career a new lease on life. Still, it's hard to get too excited about his prospects as the Steelers were having a hard time keeping anyone relevant on their offense outside of Diontae Johnson and Najee Harris. The former second round pick of Chicago could be a deep roster stash - just don't expect too much.