Daniel Jones has been benched. Anthony Richardson has returned. Backfileds have shifted and wide receivers are dealing with the fallout of injuries around them. It's Week 12 and the fantasy playoffs are looming.

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. 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

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis

Hutchinson Brown: He had quite an impressive performance against one of the league's most formidable defenses, and I would guess he will start for the rest of the season. His time on the bench helped him learn a few things about playing quarterback, and it showed this past week. Detroit next week will be another challenge. I can't wait to see how he does.

Justin Herbert, LA Chargers

Corey Spala: Herbert, HC Jim Harbaugh, and OC Greg Roman had growing pains to start the season. Recently, Herbert has found his rhythm and has altered the course of the season following their Week 5 bye. This season, he has the highest grade from a clean pocket among all quarterbacks. The development of Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey has boded well for the offense and Herbert’s immediate and future outlook. He is our QB13 and should move up the rankings. 

Drake Maye, New England

Andy Hicks: Maye has looked impressive since he started for the Patriots. Especially when looking at the group of receivers he is stuck with. New England has whiffed at drafting receivers for 20 years and been stuck with inadequate free agents. They now have their guy at quarterback. If they can get him some targets, his ranking will be much higher than it is now. Can they finally address the issue properly? He moves up a few spots in anticipation.

Bo Nix, Denver

Andy Hicks: Nix has rocketed into rookie of the year discussions. With an inadequate group of receivers, in his most recent game, Nix completed 85% of his passes, threw four touchdowns, and had zero interceptions. With a weak pass schedule in his last six games, Nix could get this team into the playoffs. Considering how awful he looked to start the season, it has been an impressive development. A further ranking rise is warranted. 

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami

Zareh Kantzabedian: Tagovailoa has been performing admirably as a high-end QB2 for super-flex purposes and has the profile and weapons to put up QB1 weeks. However, the obvious concerns about his concussion injury cannot be overlooked. There isn't a Dynasty manager anywhere who feels comfortable about Tua's long-term ability to stay healthy. It would be wise to trade him for a late first-round rookie pick.

Kirk Cousins, Atlanta

Ryan Weisse: While Cousins has shown some good this season, he's also had a few games where he looks like a 36-year-old quarterback returning from a significant injury. He and Matthew Stafford are the only starting quarterbacks with negative rushing yards this season. Cousins was never all that mobile but is a statue now, and he is being punished in the pocket. The more hits he takes, the more likely we will see Michael Penix Jr. sooner than later. He's still a decent asset for contending SuperFlex teams in 2024, but I'm questioning his two-year window. I'm moving Cousins outside of my Top 25, and we'll have to wait and see what the future holds.

Drew Lock, NY Giants

Matthew Montgomery: Maybe this is a cheap shot, but can we finally put to rest the narrative that if Lock gets his chance, he will be a long-term starter in the NFL? We have repeatedly seen that teams do not believe in him, and we should finally move forward like we do with other players and put him out of our minds. That one video where he was “cool” rapping on the sideline may be his career highlight…

Dynasty Movement at Running Back

Chase Brown, Cincinnati 

Corey Spala: Brown has earned the trust of his coaching staff. He has 100% of the backfield touches over the last three weeks; it does benefit as Zack Moss is on injured reserve. The Bengals needed him, and Brown stepped up. In addition, he has 23 targets and 18 receptions over the span. Since Week 5, he has been the PPR RB6. Brown’s development and secure role in an offense with rushing and receiving production and his rookie contract (through 2026) is a recipe for Dynasty success. 

Ryan Weisse: It took some time and a Moss injury, but Brown is starting to live up to the hype he garnered after the Bengals let Joe Mixon go. Brown is the RB13 on the season, but since Week 4, he's the fourth-best back in the league. He's handled a good amount of touches, and he's finding the endzone. At just 24 years old, Brown is in a perfect situation for a Dynasty running back. He moves into my Top 15 for the first time and could shoot up even further if he is the lead back in 2025.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England

Matthew Montgomery: There was a time when I felt we could begin the burial process for the hopes and dreams of Stevenson, but since Maye has injected life into this offense, we are seeing all the pieces improve. Stevenson is still a buy in Dynasty, and while he will never be the top guy in the running back position, he is more than serviceable and will be a startable option for many years to come. 

Joe Mixon, Houston

Ryan Weisse: While there was plenty of early-season hype around how well Derrick Henry is playing, Mixon's play might be even more noteworthy. In just eight games, Mixon is the RB7 in fantasy this season. This Houston offense is tailormade for Mixon's game and should only get better over the next two seasons. Mixon is just 28 and should be considered a top-10 asset among Dynasty running backs.

Nick Chubb, Cleveland

Andy Hicks: Cleveland looks like a team trying to get a good draft pick for next year. That isn’t good for Chubb, who is in the final year of his contract and looking to where he lands in 2025. Fans want him to stay in Cleveland, but if he has better options, he should seriously consider them. He has not been overworked and still looks like class. It would be great to see him be the back he should have been.

J.K. Dobbins, LA Chargers

Andy Hicks: Dobbins is having a career year at contract time. It is about time he caught a break. With a wretched run of injuries previously, he is a perfect fit for Jim Harbaugh. What happens in the off-season will be interesting. If the Chargers are happy and sign him to a new contract, he becomes a consideration for a Dynasty RB1. If he has to start elsewhere again, his value will decrease significantly. 

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay

Hutchinson Brown: We’ve seen the Buccaneers backfield truly unfold with everyone healthy over the last few weeks, and it is clear as day that White is a very talented player and is a valuable fantasy asset on this roster. He has been a target earner in this offense all year, just like last season, and he still gets some chops as a runner right behind Bucky Irving. It’s led him to put up efficient numbers and be a borderline RB1 in fantasy over the last month, and there's no major reason to change what the Buccaneers have going this year or next season with White under contract until the 2026 offseason. They've got a phenomenal one-two punch with Sean Tucker as a solid backup. You can likely send a second-round pick for White, and I'd be happy to do that.

Jaylen Wright, Miami

Zareh Kantzabedian: Wright has been steadily pushing for Miami's RB2 role and seemingly won it in Week 11 when he out-snapped Raheem Mostert 26 to 15 percent. Over the past two weeks, Wright earned ten carries to Mostert's three. 

Wright has no stand-alone value, but his talent has never been questioned. De'Von Achane is the unquestioned RB1, but Miami's backfield may become more of a split in 2025 or as soon as the end of 2024. 

Javonte Williams, Denver

Matthew Montgomery: Despite the good week in Week 11, Williams feels like a dead man walking in this offense, and I can't yet determine if that will be a good or bad thing. On one hand, we have seen that he can be a dynamic player who can win a week or two alone for you when he has one of those boom weeks. On the other hand, he always feels just one bad hit away from never being that player again. He may or may not remain in Denver next season, but this is a rare situation where a change of scenery could benefit both parties. 

Audric Estime, Denver

Hutchinson Brown: We all thought he could be something (I was more resistant to buy in), and just like that, three carries for six yards. He is back to being a stash option rather than someone you might flex like some people did this past week. For his future, you're hoping Denver does not decide to replace him in the draft, but to be brutally honest, Denver seems like a lock to take a strong running back in this loaded class.

Zach Charbonnet, Seattle

Corey Spala: I see no reason why Charbonnet should be ranked as RB26. Plenty of running backs ranked below are far more deserving of this ranking. He does not have an important role when Ken Walker III is healthy. Geno Smith has more rushing yards than Charbonnet in the same number of games.

Jordan Mason, San Francisco

Zareh Kantzabedian: Jordan Mason will be a restricted free agent in 2025, allowing the 49ers to retain him unless another team matches the 49ers' tender on Mason. To tender Mason would cost 10 to 13 million dollars for one year's service in 2025.

It seems unlikely that the 49ers would pay that much for a backup running back. Additionally, rookie running back Isaac Guerendo has looked promising when given opportunities. Mason could be a featured runner for several teams, such as the Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, or Cleveland Browns.

Dynasty Movement at Wide Receiver

Quentin Johnston, LA Chargers

Corey Spala: The old wives’ tale of development for players circles the Dynasty landscape. Johnston had a disappointing rookie season, yet he has changed his outlook this season. He has played eight games and is tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (six). His role has solidified after his injury, as he has two straight games playing over 80 snaps. Johnston’s athleticism and larger frame to be paired with Justin Herbert are grounds for success. He is currently eighth in yards after catch per reception (over 15 receptions). It helps when OC Greg Roman utilizes Johnston’s skillset. I see no reason he should not be moving up the Dynasty rankings.

Cooper Kupp, LA Rams

Matthew Montgomery: I am done doubting Kupp's abilities and longevity. He is so good at what he is asked to do in this offense that it doesn’t matter that Puka Nacua is the #1 option there now. Any McVay receiving option will be a fantasy-viable player, but Kupp has the unique skill set that may make him just a damn good NFL player, and sometimes that’s all it takes for him to be fantasy viable. This midseason injury might have been a blessing if you survived it because he looks as good now as he has in a year or so.

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati

Matthew Montgomery: Whatever team is lucky enough to get Higgins next year will be in for a treat. People look at Higgins as a #2 because of how great the #1 in Cincinnati (Ja'marr Chase) is. The reality of Higgins's situation is that he's a great receiver alongside an all-timer, and he will be overshadowed while doing so. He has all the skills necessary to be a team’s number-one option, and he will likely get that chance next year, so the sky is currently the limit for Higgins' perceived future value.  

Chris Olave, New Orleans

Ryan Weisse: Put this as nicely as possible: Olave's current Dynasty ranking is based more on potential than actual substance. He was buoyed by volume in his first two seasons but was nothing special regarding yardage. He was also a subpar touchdown scorer. Then, this season, his numbers are getting worse, and now he's dealing with a scary streak of concussions. All in all, there is a lot of risk around Olave for minimal reward. He is not a top-10 Dynasty receiver and belongs outside the Top 20.

George Pickens, Pittsburgh

Ryan Weisse: A lot of Pickens' Dynasty value will depend on who the quarterback is for Pittsburgh next season. He was decent with Justin Fields, but the lack of touchdowns was infuriating. Once Russell Wilson took over, Pickens was unlocked. Since Week 7, Pickens is a top-10 receiver in fantasy. Pickens does not separate, but his contested catch ability means he's almost always open. He needs a quarterback willing to throw a risky pass. I'm moving Pickens into my top 20 because he belongs there based on talent. The Steelers' offseason decisions will determine whether or not he stays there.

DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia

Andy Hicks: The 2024 Eagles are a different team than we have seen before. The surging performance of Saquon Barkley has been at the expense of Smith. Three of his last five games have been fantasy useless. And the prospect of more of this deflates his value moving forward. Of course, he will have his 70-80-yard games with a touchdown here or there, but the multiple 100-yard games a season seem to be becoming an endangered species. 

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville

Andy Hicks: Thomas has demonstrated that he is an alpha receiver for years to come. That won't be for the remainder of 2024, as the Jaguars are trying to eliminate Doug Pedersen. The biggest worry is Trevor Lawrence. Another head coach will come in next year, laden with an awful new contract. If Lawrence can become what he was supposed to, then Thomas is a Dynasty WR1. That's an upside I am ranking now. 

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco

Zareh Kantzabedian: Jennings' future production profile is murky, considering that Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from an ACL injury, Christian McCaffrey is returning from injury, George Kittle is going nowhere soon, and Ricky Pearsall is beginning to emerge.

He's been incredibly productive, but his boom weeks have been entirely contingent on a teammate missing time. Jennings is also 27 and will be a free agent once he's 29. While his evolution has been pleasant, the odds are low that he'll return any consistent top-24 wide receiver fantasy value in 2025. Trading him for a mid-second-round rookie pick would be an optimal move.

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland

Andy Hicks: Five years into his career Jeudy is still an enigma. He is still only 25 years of age and locked into Cleveland. What the quarterback situation looks like in 2025 ultimately determines his value. He isn’t a WR1 for the Browns but may be stuck in that role until they have options. Given his inconsistency, it is hard to give him a significant bump, but he is working well with Jameis Winston, and that is worth something. 

Jalen Coker, Carolina

Corey Spala: Carolina is coming off their Bye week, so we have no updated information or stats. Regardless, Coker is ranked too low for his Dynasty outlook. He played well with his minimal opportunities to begin the season and had his first snap share over 80% before their bye. He ran a route on 26 of 28 dropbacks, too. He has the opportunity to be Carolina’s WR1. 

Devaughn Vele, Denver

Zareh Kantzabedian: Vele is the heartthrob of every sicko Dynasty manager. Vele had a modest collegiate career, but he now finds himself as Denver's WR2, as only Sean Payton could make a wide receiver with Vele's profile relevant.

As Vele has emerged through the 2024 season, so has his quarterback, Bo Nix. Both are pacing each other in maturity and understanding of the game. Vele has yet to crack the ranks of the top 24 fantasy wide receivers, but he could be a consistent WR3 in 2024 with room for more as Nix continues his upward trajectory. 

Dynasty Movement at Tight End

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas

Andy Hicks: Bowers is on track to smash the rookie performances of Kyle Pitts and Rob Gronkowski. I don’t think he can reach the level of Sam LaPorta last year, but he should finish the year in clear second place for rookie tight ends over the last 30 years. However, two of the three players mentioned have had highly disappointing sophomore seasons. Doubts will be there with a new coach likely and an uncertain quarterback situation. For now, he is the clear number-one Dynasty option.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans

Andy Hicks: Hill has one or two of these games every year. But for how much longer? He will be 35 at the start of next season and have a new coach. Given his low numbers in almost every other game, he is challenging to put into a lineup weekly. Depending on his position designation in various leagues, he could draw interest, but I would be looking at extracting whatever value you can and moving him on. 

Cole Kmet, Tampa Bay

Zareh Kantzabedian: Kmet has all the upside and is as cheap as they come at the tight-end position. But the primary pitch here is a revamped coaching staff. It seems the Chicago Bears are at a reckoning point in Caleb Williams' career and have seen the error in their ways. Head Coach Matt Eberflus's time in Chicago is seemingly over, and his end promises a fresh start.

I hope the Bears will bring in an offensive guru to replace Eberflus. The current Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, is at the top of everybody's shortlist, but other fantastic presumed candidates exist, such as Liam Coen and Todd Monken. These candidates have proven track records in making tight ends fantasy relevant. 

Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas

Andy Hicks: The concussion to Jake Ferguson has given last year's second-round pick Schoonmaker a shot to start. Ferguson is essentially just a guy, so the hope is that Schoonmaker will permanently take the job from him. The Cowboys are looking for 2025 players now. And a coach. The value of Schoonmaker could rise to where he was originally ranked in Dynasty circles. There is a lot of drama to navigate first, though. He moves much higher now.

Theo Johnson, NY Giants

Matthew Montgomery: Despite the glaring error at the quarterback position for the Giants, we are seeing some offensive pieces shine a little bit. Most of the spotlight will go to Malik Nabers, and rightfully so, but we need to acknowledge that 4th round pick Theo Johnson has been a consistent middle-of-the-road tight end. Next season, the Giants will have to upgrade the position. If they do so, as many believe, we could see him emerge as a legitimate threat on an offense that would suddenly feature ascending assets at the running back, wide receiver, and tight end positions. 

Noah Gray, Kansas City

Corey Spala: Gray has played at least 50% of snaps in each game. He has at least three receptions in 45% of games. These are not league-winning stats but intriguing usage that plays a limited role behind Travis Kelce. He signed a three-year extension in the offseason and is pacing for a career-best season; Gray is signed through 2027. He is our TE42 and should move up the rankings.

Ryan Weisse: As we learned in the Mike Tyson fight recently, Father Time is undefeated. While Travis Kelce has had a recent resurgence, we must remember how bad he looked at the beginning of the season. Kelce is 35 years old and has much going on off the field. He has to be considering retirement. We've seen more of Gray this season, and he's turned 26 targets into the TE26 season so far. At just 25 years old, Gray appears to be Kelce's replacement, and if he's the starter in 2025 or 2026, he could hold massive Dynasty value for three or more seasons.

AJ Barner, Seattle

Corey Spala: Barner has seen his snaps increase from 36% to 88% during Noah Fant’s absence. Barner has 11 targets and six receptions over the last two weeks. He is a rookie and has made mistakes. I think it is important that Seattle utilizes him in a minimal role to start the season and allows him to be TE1. Fant is signed through 2025 but does have zero guaranteed salary for the year. Barner appears on the trajectory Seattle hoped for, developing and playing meaningful snaps as a rookie. Barner is currently ranked as TE61 and should move up the rankings.