The Dynasty staff gathered to work through multiple quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends who are the biggest risers or fallers in rankings through five weeks of action. Check out the Footballguys Dynasty Football show with Jagger May and myself for more Dynasty content. We do three episodes weekly, discussing a variety of relevant Dynasty trends.

Dynasty Movement at Quarterback

Bo Nix, Denver

Andy Hicks - After a rough start to his NFL career, Nix has turned it around in grand style. His first three weeks resulted in zero passing touchdowns and four interceptions, but we have had five passing touchdowns and only one interception over the last three weeks. He is unlikely to be a fantasy force with a strong defense but deserves upward-ranking changes. 

Jared Goff, Detroit

Andy Hicks - With a dominant running game, Goff had a slow start to the season, with only five touchdowns in his first four games. That changed against the Cowboys, where Goff could do as he pleased. The preference for the Lions would be for Goff to take a back seat, but the schedule indicates that is unlikely to happen. Expect more good passing games from Goff moving forward—a slight bump in anticipation. 

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland

Ryan Weisse - There is no way to look at the Browns' offense this season and think there is anything better on the horizon. Because he was a starting quarterback with rushing upside, I had kept Watson in my top 20, a viable option in Superflex. At this point, I want nothing to do with him. He looks uninterested, and not even a change of scenery could bring me back to the table. He is outside my Top 30 and could fall further.

Caleb Williams, Chicago

Jason Wood - What a relief. I was all-in on Williams entering the season, and those initial weeks were a gut check. Fortunately, things are coming together in a big way, and you can see it in Williams' on-field performance and his vibrant, excited energy in post-game press conferences. He's feeling comfortable in the system and executing at a high level. He's solidly in my Top 10 and has room to move higher, particularly with Kyler Murray and Dak Prescott dropping a few spots.

Corey Spala - Dynasty is not supposed to be reactionary, and Williams has been the clear-cut case for the notion. It should not be surprising a rookie would need a few weeks to adjust to the NFL. Over the last three weeks, Williams has been the most efficient quarterback. He is at the forefront of turning the organization around. He is our current QB9, and I would move him up in the rankings. I would be comfortable having him ranked ahead of Kyler Murray (QB8) and Joe Burrow (QB7); I am sure we can argue over Patrick Mahomes II (QB5), too.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota

Jason Wood - Darnold has played his way into the Top 20. Before you think that's reactionary, consider how few quarterbacks are both young enough to project multiple years of high-level play and are executing at a high level. Sure, players like Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and Kirk Cousins have redraft value and may maintain value into 2025 and beyond, but Darnold is only 27 years old, and the Vikings look like the best team in the NFC. All the key pieces are young and under contract, and I don’t think we should worry that J.J. McCarthy’s presence means the Vikings aren’t willing to commit significant money to Darnold on a multi-year deal.

Dynasty Movement at Running Back

Derrick Henry, Baltimore

Andy Hicks - The superlatives regarding the performance of soon-to-be 31-year-old Henry is well deserved. He looks much better in a Raven jersey than he ever did for the Titans during his storied career there. His age is undefeated, and while the end will likely come quickly, his managers should continue to roll the dice. He may even be an excellent option for trade. 

Kyren Williams, LA Rams

Ryan Weisse - While I didn't move Williams up much, I did adjust his tier. With the elite running backs, Bijan Robinson, Breece Hall, and Jahmyr Gibbs, looking less than elite to start the year, Williams' play and consistency must be rewarded. At just 24 years old and playing for Sean McVay, who is willing to give him every touch he can handle, Williams is my RB4 and in the same tier as the elite guys I mentioned above.

D'Andre Swift, Chicago

Jason Wood - We want Swift to be something he's not, and we hold it against him. Swift is prone to peaks and valleys, and the volatility can be maddening for fantasy managers and their coaches. Yet, when push comes to shove, he's generally delivered good to great numbers and held off the other running backs on the roster. We just saw that unfold again. As soon as reports surfaced that Roschon Johnson would get an opportunity in Chicago, Swift re-awakens and dominated snaps and touches, looking great. Given his age and the upward trajectory of the Bears' offense, Swift warrants a top-25 ranking, at a minimum.

David Montgomery, Detroit

Ryan Weisse - At this point, Montgomery's touchdown upside is second only to Derrick Henry. At 27 years old, Montgomery is at the weird age for dynasty running backs. He certainly isn't young, but he might still have two or three good years left, and we should play dynasty in a three-year window. I had Montgomery outside my top 20 but moved him to RB15. He might be the best buy-now asset for teams looking to win championships this season and next.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., NY Giants

Jason Wood -Tracy has looked great in Devin Singletary’s absence. The running back landscape is full of landmines—just look at the players ranked in the 15-30 range in any dynasty consensus, and you’ll see players who could easily fall entirely out of relevance quickly. Tracy, a rookie who primarily played receiver in college, has answered questions over the last two games about his ability to be an every-down asset. While I don’t think we should expect Tracy to overtake Singletary immediately, I believe we can value Tracy with the expectation that he could become the Giants’ lead back in 2025 and hold onto the job for multiple seasons.

J.K. Dobbins, LA Chargers

Corey Spala - Through five games, Dobbins is the current RB15 despite having a bye week. He appears to be recovering from his Achilles injury and setting a new precedent for the injury. Dobbins has 94 opportunities and has totaled 488 yards. He has forced 14 missed tackles and has 2.84 yards after contact per attempt. Dobbins is currently our RB37 and should move up the rankings. I would rank him ahead of Jaylen Warren (RB33) and Rachaad White (RB26).

Kimani Vidal, LA Chargers

Andy Hicks - With Gus Edwards on IR and J.K. Dobbins having a troubled injury history, the next man up is Vidal. With his first real opportunities against the Broncos, Vidal acquitted himself well with a considerable touchdown reception. Dobbins will be run into the ground in the meantime, but Vidal will get multiple opportunities to showcase while Edwards is unavailable. 

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee

Jason Wood - There's a thin line between dynasty relevance and marginalization at the running back position, and Spears is trending toward the latter. No one knew how the Titans would balance Spears and free agent Tony Pollard, but most believed they would be used interchangeably and that their relative talents were comparable. However, six weeks into the season, we have clarity on two fronts. First, Pollard is the lead back—this is not a two-man committee. Second, the Titans are in an awful state, and we can't feel confident about what this offense will look like in 2024, 2025, or beyond.

Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville

Jason Wood - Etienne falls out of the Top 10 for multiple reasons. First, he hasn’t looked great this year. Second, the backup Tank Bigsby performed well. Third, the Jaguars are on the verge of yet another complete rebuild, with a new front office and coaching staff likely on the horizon. That’s a recipe for uncertainty, making it hard to trust Etienne as an elite asset despite his age and pedigree.

Jeff Bell - We can check Etienne’s value weekly, but the direction stays the same: down. It isn't easy to imagine him reestablishing himself as the top back with Doug Pederson as coach. He is a Dynasty buy for me, though. Jacksonville traded defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris to Seattle this week, potentially signaling the start of a sell-off, especially if they lose Week 7 to New England. Etienne would be a prime option for getting a fresh start. 

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay 

Corey Spala - Rachaad White did not play in Week 6 and left the door open for Bucky Irving to prove his worth. Irving had 105 scrimmage yards on 16 touches. He looks electric with the ball in his hands; he forced seven missed tackles and had 4.9 yards after contact per attempt. Additionally, he had a 74% snap share and 86% running back rush share in the first half against New Orleans. Irving is currently our RB29 and should move up the rankings. I would rank him over Javonte Williams (RB27) and Tyjae Spears (RB23).

Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay 

Jeff Bell - Tucker was a hot devy name in the 2021 and 2022 cycles after posting 1,496 yards as a sophomore. His draft capital did not materialize, but falling out of the draft entirely was a shock. The Buccaneers gave him an aggressive bonus as an undrafted free agent, and he worked his way up the depth chart. With Rachaad White out in Week 6, he exploded. The team has been committed to playing multiple backs between White and Irving; with a rotation established, it will likely break into a three-way share. Tucker was readily available even in deep Dynasty waivers before Week 6, but now he is a young back who must be rostered. 

Dynasty Movement at Wide Receiver

Amari Cooper, Buffalo

Andy Hicks - Many will see the move of Cooper from Cleveland to Buffalo as an ascendant sign to his prospects. I wouldn’t get excited. Cooper has been a league leader in drops for three seasons now, and at age 30, his future is clouded. He still plays on the five-year contract signed in Dallas and traded to the Browns. He will be a free agent next year, and his time in Buffalo will likely be a stopgap. 

Davante Adams, NY Jets

Andy Hicks - Adams is two years older than Cooper, and his contract will be a much bigger liability for the Jets than what Buffalo is getting with Cooper. Aaron Rodgers will be 41 soon and looks his age. It’s a very Jets move to try to win when everything indicates it is a poor move. Adams may get an immediate sugar hit, but beyond that, his prospects get even bleaker.

Garrett Wilson, NY Jets

Ryan Weisse - I might be overreacting to the Jets adding Adams, but it's not just the trade that worries me. Wilson was not great with Rodgers through the first four weeks and only looked good the last two games. Now, he might be his quarterback's third favorite target. As long as Rodgers is in New York, Adams will stay there. So, the scenarios for Wilson are competing for targets with Adams from an aging Rodgers or Rodgers retiring, and we have yet to determine who will be his next quarterback. Either way, he is less appealing now than he was a week ago, which moves him out of my top 10.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay

Andy Hicks - Surprisingly, Godwin is still only 28 years of age. This is his eighth season, and he is on track for his best year. Godwin will be a free agent after this year but has previously seemed content with remaining in Tampa at a cheaper rate than he would command on the market. He has played 1b to Mike Evans’ 1a for a considerable time. It is time to reverse those roles and bump Godwin significantly.

Ryan Weisse  - Godwin might be the best receiver in fantasy right now, especially in PPR formats. He was down in my rankings because there was uncertainty about what this offense would look like without Dave Canales. It looks great, at least for fantasy purposes, and Godwin is thriving in the Cooper Kupp role that his offensive coordinator teased in the preseason. At just 28 years old, Godwin has plenty of good football left and is another excellent trade candidate for teams looking to win a 2024 championship. I have moved him up to WR18, which is different from his ceiling.

Bub Means, New Orleans

Andy Hicks - Means is a fifth-round pick from this year's draft class who merited very little attention as a dynasty option. With Chris Olave concussed and Rashid Shaheed likely to be long-term injured, Means may be expected to lead the struggling Saints receiving group. At the very least, he merits a significant rank bump while we assess his next few games.

Devaughn Vele, Denver

Andy Hicks - Vele is an unheralded seventh-round pick out of this year's draft class. Fourth-round pick Troy Franklin attracted more attention but has struggled to date. Due to injury, Vele has only appeared in two games but has acquitted himself well. With a massive frame, he presents as a great option opposite Courtland Sutton. He is worth watching with a close eye and attaining if available. 

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati

Jason Wood - Higgins is back in the circle of trust. After another round of hamstring issues, we had terrible vibes following the contract situation, but fortunately, he's returned to the lineup and again looks like a difference-maker. We must remember that Higgins’ dynasty value isn’t tied to re-signing with the Bengals. If he leaves Cincinnati, it will almost certainly be for massive money and a clear role as the No. 1 target on his new team. I love young, proven players who can succeed in multiple scenarios.

Corey Spala - Higgins reminds us why he was once considered a dynasty WR1. He accumulated 37 targets in the four games played this season. Higgins has out-targeted Ja’Marr Chase in three of those four games. Higgins is currently our WR25 and should move up in the rankings. I would comfortably have him over Jayden Reed (WR19) and Tyreek Hill (WR18). He will turn 26 in January (2025) and sign with a new team or remain with Cincinnati in 2025; neither is terrible.

Darnell Mooney, Atlanta

Jason Wood - I signaled Mooney as a dynasty sleeper months ago after the Falcons handed out a hefty contract to the oft-injured receiver. Hopefully, you acquired his services when his cost was shockingly low. Now that he’s performing as a top-25 receiver, with numbers closely aligned with Drake London, he will be more expensive to acquire. However, I still think he’s worth targeting if you can get him for anything less than a top-30 price tag.

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans

Jason Wood - Shaheed is currently dealing with a knee injury, which only adds to his long-term uncertainty. But I'm equally concerned about the state of New Orleans beyond his health. The Saints' early-season scoring surge now looks like a mirage, and I can easily see head coach Dennis Allen being shown the door at season's end unless things turn around quickly. Shaheed has never been profiled as a complete, high-volume receiver who can be utilized in all passing zones, and he could soon be relegated to special teams and a complementary WR3 role as early as the next April draft.

Zay Flowers, Baltimore 

Corey Spala - I am intrigued by Flowers's second-year leap with Baltimore. He accumulated 48 targets through six games and totaled 33 receptions. He is 10th in the NFL in receptions. We would be talking about him more if he scored more than one touchdown, drastically bringing down his season-end finish (WR18). He is currently our WR23 and should move up the rankings. I would rank him over Jayden Reed (WR19) and D.J. Moore (WR16).

Jeff Bell - Flowers answers the “What is wrong with Mark Andrews?” question. The Ravens' offense has taken shape and rests on Flowers as the primary receiver. In most gamescripts, the team is targeting Flowers as the top option. At the same time, Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Rashod Bateman are secondary options capable of occasional touchdowns or big-volume weeks. Corey mentions his volume numbers and the lack of multiple touchdowns, which suppress his point total. The manager in your league who has Flowers indeed recognizes his weekly production more than the general public. Flowers is a buy. 

Dynasty Movement at Tight End

Cole Kmet, Chicago

Andy Hicks - Kmet had over 50 catches and six touchdowns in each of his last two seasons. He ranked as a top-eight fantasy tight end in both years. He was not given due respect heading into this season. A rookie quarterback loves his tight end, and this season has proven no exception. Kmet is likely to smash all previous career highs. He deserves a top-six ranking, perhaps even higher. 

Ryan Weisse - My recent love for Kmet is more of a consequence of my passion for Caleb Williams. Kmet is only 25 and tied to one of football's most exciting young quarterbacks. It was rough to start the season, but the same can be said for every tight end. I moved Kmet to 11; if he can add some consistency, he could move up even more.

Corey Spala - Admitably, I was down on Kmet when Chicago traded for Keenan Allen and drafted Rome Odunze in the 2024 NFL Draft. Over six weeks, Kmet has had the fourth most receptions among tight ends and the second most touchdowns. I never doubted the NFL tight end, so I was concerned the added target competition would not bode well for Kmet. He is our current TE15, and I would move him up the rankings. I would feel comfortable ranking him over Isaiah Likely (TE14) and Dallas Goedert (TE13).

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina

Andy Hicks - Ja’Tavion Sanders was seen as a development project for the Panthers with a considerable upside. He may be eclipsing early expectations with a solid five-reception game against the Falcons. He is likely to regress slightly, but when he bounces back, he is one to project highly. 

Jeff Bell - Andy’s callout of Sanders is excellent. Sanders was viewed as a work in progress in the draft and started camp slowly with minimal buzz. His uptick in Weeks 5 and 6 may be due to Tommy Tremble’s injury, but he ran with the opportunity, playing snap shares above 73% and recording the 5-49 game. Sanders had a fumble, though the team recovered, which may stick in the coaches' minds when Tremble clears concussion protocol. However, providing a game like Week 6 is a positive step for a franchise looking toward the future. 

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay

Jason Wood - There was considerable debate about whether Luke Musgrave or Tucker Kraft would offer better long-term fantasy value, with most expecting them to cannibalize each other’s production. However, Kraft is a natural playmaker, while Musgrave has yet to make a significant impact, partly due to injuries. The Packers have enviable depth at the skill positions, so Kraft is unlikely ever to see the target volume of the elite tight ends. Nevertheless, he’s valuable enough in a sound system to be a startable option for many years.