One of the most fun parts of managing a deep dynasty roster is cultivating value by planting seeds at the end of your bench during the offseason. We’ll go position-by-position and separate players out into Snorkel, Scuba, and Submarine levels to serve dynasty players of all levels.
Let's look at wide receivers, a position where youngsters are making a bigger impact every year.
Snorkel
Khalil Shakir, BUF - He looked dynamic and capable in limited action this year. The Bills are slow to trust young players, so don’t look at his minimal involvement last year as any sort of indictment of his abilities.
Denzel Mims, NYJ - It’s very possible that we may look back at Mims tenure with the Jets as an example of a team drafting a player without thinking through what their system asks for out of their position. Mims has gotten on the field over Elijah Moore - another talented wide receiver who has been in the doghouse - and only has one more year before free agency.
Parris Campbell, Alec Pierce, IND - Pierce had the look of a breakout rookie receiver with a great game on downfield passes, and Campbell was finally starting to realize his potential before the Colts' quarterback situation - and season - imploded. Campbell will be a free agent in a thin market at a coveted position, making Pierce a starter in Indianapolis and Campbell a possible starter elsewhere in a better offense.
Darius Slayton, NYG - Slayton has picked up where he left off in a promising rookie year, just before hitting free agency in a depleted wide receiver market. He could stay with Daniel Jones in New York (if Jones stays in New York) and will probably be signed to play a significant role somewhere after injuries forced him back on the field this year.
Terrace Marshall, CAR - Marshall has shown why he was a second-round pick in 2021 at times, and the Panthers are sure to improve (well, try to improve) their quarterback situation yet again this offseason. Double-check to make sure he’s not on waivers.
Calvin Austin, PIT - Austin has the speed the Steelers' wide receiver group lacked last year, and there was little buzz about him after he was placed on injured reserve before the season began. Trust the Steelers' track record evaluating wide receivers here.
John Metchie, Nico Collins, HOU - Both players should be rostered, so maybe this is more of a buy-low take. Remember that the Houston passing game is about to improve by leaps and bounds if they take a quarterback at #2 (or #1).
Scuba
David Bell, CLE - There was a lot of excitement in deep dynasty circles when Bell landed with the Browns. It hasn’t resulted in much for fantasy, but next season could be better, with a full offseason to get on the same page as Deshaun Watson, who can lean on his slot receiver when a competent player like Hunter Renfrow fills the spot.
Isaiah Hodgins, NYG - The Bills couldn’t find room to keep Hodgins, so Brian Daboll was happy to be reacquainted with him in New York, and now he’s one of the steadiest players in their offense. Hodgins is still under contract and could play an important role in the Giants offense, and he just turned 24.
Laviska Shenault, CAR - Shenault was once an “it” player in dynasty leagues, but he fizzled out quickly as part of the Urban Meyer debacle in Jacksonville. The Panthers claimed him and appeared to actually have a plan for using his versatile skillset. His dynasty value still has a pulse.
Rashid Shaheed, NO - Rarely is a rookie as productive as Shaheed not coveted in Dynasty leagues. But with the Saints offense very low-key last year and most attention on Chris Olave, Shaheed instant hit as a deep threat hasn’t gotten much attention. He could be another Marquez Callaway, destined to fade when the team gets better options, but Shaheed played ahead of Callaway in 2022…
Greg Dortch, ARI - What does Dortch have to do to get respect around dynasty circles? He is only 24 years old and a restricted free agent next year, and he has been productive any time he has gotten a chance to play. If Dortch returns to the Cardinals, Rondale Moore hasn’t been the best at staying healthy.
Justyn Ross, KC - Ross landed on injured reserve quickly last summer, and his body just might not be able to hold up in the NFL, but if it does, he’s a skilled player on a team without established players at his position.
Antoine Wesley, ARI - Wesley was in line to start before the Cardinals signed A.J. Green last year, and with DeAndre Hopkins probably on the way out, he could start this year if the team brings him back.
Dee Eskridge, SEA - Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf aren’t going anywhere. But when it comes to highly drafted players (like Eskridge with his second-round pedigree), we should be open to them hitting until we affirmatively see that they can’t play. Eskridge has been hurt more than he has been ineffective.
Submarine
Erik Ezukanma, MIA - The fourth-round pick had a good camp but has had trouble getting playing time behind Mike McDaniel favorite Trent Sherfield and free agent signing Cedrick Wilson. He still projects as a potential future starter outside and should have a chance to play a larger role next season.
Samori Toure, GB - Toure was good enough to make the team - and even get on the field a bit - as a seventh-round pick. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are the future of the wide receiver position for the Packers - with Allen Lazard hitting free agency - but Toure is a good prospect in his own right and shouldn’t be overlooked in deep leagues.
Dareke Young, SEA - Young is ultra-athletic and has stuck on the Seahawks roster despite falling to the seventh round. As a small school player, he’s expected to take longer to develop, but he also has a higher ceiling than a typical late third-day pick, and the team was creatively getting him on the field last year.
Danny Gray, SF - Gray was a fourth-round pick because of his elite speed. There wasn’t a place for him in the offense last year, but Gray’s time will come eventually in an offense that generally gets the most out of its talent.
