Week 18 provides the final opportunity to sway opinions on many players. The NFL playoffs eliminate half the league and in many cases, targets and opportunities are constricted to elite playmakers. Dynasty staffers Corey Spala, Andy Hicks, Jason Wood, Josh Fahlsing, and Hutchinson Brown hit their movers coming out of Week 17.

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 Wide Receiver

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville

Josh Fahlsing: Thomas is ranked 11th among wide receivers in our consensus rankings, yet there still might be room for him to climb. He went on a heater to end the season, going five straight weeks with at least 10 targets and scoring five touchdowns. He's only 22, and the situation around him in Jacksonville will continue to improve. I can't move him much higher, but I can find 2-3 wide receivers ranked above him that I would move down.

Ladd McConkey, LA Chargers

Josh Fahlsing: McConkey currently sits as our 18th-ranked Dynasty wide receiver. While his rank could go either way, he will move up some as we head toward 2025. McConkey proved he belonged in the NFL, runs excellent routes, and seems to be the apple of the eyes of both his coach and quarterback. He has a valuable role in this offense. The Chargers will spend the offseason looking to improve in other areas, leaving plenty of opportunities for McConkey to improve his rookie year numbers.

Corey Spala: McConkey is the new rookie leader for receptions and yards in the history of the Chargers. He is the leader in the NFL in terms of the separation win rate from the slot, running 70% of his routes from the slot. He is currently ranked fourth in the win rate against man coverage and fifth in the contested catch percentage. McConkey had a stellar season and should be moving up from his WR18 ranking. 

Jameson Williams, Detroit

Andy Hicks: Since his suspension, Williams has been performing at a fantasy WR1 level. He ranks 11th and looks good doing so. Whether he has finally matured or the team has more confidence in him is up for discussion. The results are there. Young men mature at different rates, and their previous college skill level needs to be factored into how they started in the NFL. He deserves a substantial rise in rankings.

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco

Andy Hicks: Pearsall has had an eventful rookie season but finally looked worthy of his first-round selection against the injury-depleted Lions. One good game does not make a career, but it allows the team to offload or renegotiate an expensive contract like Deebo Samuel Sr.'s. Pearsall is set for a great 2025, depending on what happens at coach and quarterback in the off-season. The feeling is something is bound to change. 

Jayden Reed, Green Bay

Andy Hicks: Given the options Green Bay has at receiver, Reed looked to be the top dog. That can no longer be the case. He has 17 receptions since the bye in seven games. This includes games of zero and one reception. This isn't the same player with three 100-yard games before the bye. All are still on rookie contracts and can still be for the 2025 season. All of them have reason to fight for the ball. Stating the obvious, it is impossible to have confidence in any until the team invests in them. 

Keon Coleman, Buffalo

Andy Hicks: Coleman has quietly amassed 500+ receiving yards in his rookie season, despite missing four games. He is an excellent deep threat, and with a full off-season to learn and develop rapport with Josh Allen, he could be in for a huge breakout in 2025. Or not. We will see what Buffalo does in the offseason. If they spend on a free agent or invest a high draft pick on another receiver, I would be concerned about Coleman's long-term prospects. Right now, he is getting a considerable bump in rankings. 

Jordan Addison, Minnesota

Corey Spala: Addison has continued to develop as the WR2 in Minnesota and our Dynasty teams. He is WR20 overall and in points per game; he missed two games this season. Following his return from injury in Week 4, he was WR7 overall. He is our current WR29 and should easily move up the rankings. I would rank him over Tyreek Hill (WR24) and arguably D.J. Moore (WR22). 

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City

Jason Wood: As the regular season winds down, it's wise to re-evaluate young players, recognizing that optimism often surges before the next season. This provides opportunities to target them if you foresee a big leap or move them if you anticipate a plateau. In Worthy's case, I'm betting on a step forward. His involvement picked up late in the season, even with the Chiefs having DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster in the mix. The Chiefs are constantly retooling, and I believe their 2025 receiving corps could center around Rashee Rice, Worthy, and tight end Noah Gray.

Jaylen Waddle, Miami
Tyreek Hill, Miami

Jason Wood: If you're confident in projecting either Dolphins starter, more power to you. Given the inconsistencies in Miami's offense this season, I see both as conundrums. Hill is especially perplexing; he went from being a consensus game-breaker and top-5 asset to someone who, despite being active, rarely helped fantasy managers win their weekly matchups. I'm hoping we find out he played through an injury that requires off-season surgery—otherwise, it's hard not to conclude that he's hit the age cliff suddenly and devastatingly.

Waddle feels safer, but I struggle to rank him higher than a WR3. He's too far in his career to expect another major leap forward, even if everything breaks his way.

Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay

Jason Wood: McMillan had an up-and-down rookie season, but I've seen enough to feel confident he'll eventually emerge as the Buccaneers' No. 1 receiver. Mike Evans will likely return in 2025, but will Chris Godwin? Godwin has shown incredible resilience, bouncing back from multiple career-hampering injuries, but can he do it again at his age? I see McMillan as the probable WR2 next year in what could be a strong passing attack, with quarterback Baker Mayfield solidifying himself as a high-output gunslinger. By 2026, McMillan could take over as the team's No. 1 receiver, depending on Evans' plans.

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati

Hutchinson Brown: Higgins had a monstrous finish to his season. Since returning from injury in week eleven, he put up 49 targets, 40 receptions, 517 yards, and seven touchdowns. His 2024 season showed how necessary he is to the Bengals. When you add that he has switched agents to Ja'Marr Chase's current agent, it seems like he will be a Bengal for life. Being tied to Joe Burrow and this offense for his career would be great for his fantasy value.

Dynasty Movement at Quarterback

Kyler Murray, Arizona
Jordan Love, Green Bay

Josh Fahlsing: Murray and Love are ranked quarterbacks 9 and 10 in our Footballguys consensus Dynasty rankings; I will take them together. We will never get the experience we expected from either of these guys. Murray has as many games, 8, over 20 fantasy points, as he has games under 20. Love has produced slightly more than Murray, with only five games under 20 fantasy points. Despite their ranks, relying on either one as your starting quarterback is risky from week to week. Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and Drake Maye are all behind Murray and Love in the rankings and could all be considered safer fantasy starters by next fall.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta

Andy Hicks: We have seen Penix blooded late in the season, and so far the results are promising. He has a talented supporting cast and an effective offensive scheme. Kirk Cousins has helped him but will be gone in the off-season. We could see some interesting play if Atlanta gives him a good mentor, a.k .a. Andy Dalton, and pushes him in year two. He moves up in rankings but with caution. It's always good to see a lefty throwing the ball. 

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay

Corey Spala: Mayfield is the current QB5 overall and is ranked as our QB16. He will be turning 30 years old for the 2025 season; this is not old for Dynasty purposes. Mayfield was without Chris Godwin for nine games and Mike Evans for three games this season. Mayfield has thrown for over 4,000 yards and has 39 touchdowns. Given his current production and immediate outlook, he should move up the rankings. 

Brock Purdy, San Fransisco

Hutchinson Brown: Purdy has grown as a player every single year; he's played like a great quarterback this year, and despite the injuries, he kept the 49ers in many games and won them some as well. He will likely get a big bag of money this offseason, and this security will give his Dynasty value a nice boost.

Dynasty Movement at Running Back

James Cook, Buffalo

Josh Fahlsing: We have Cook ranked as the running back 11 in our consensus rankings, and I can't say that he hasn't earned that rank. He has been productive and better than many people thought he would be. He's a little undersized at 190 pounds, and he must contend with the rushing of Josh Allen and the emergence of the bigger and very capable Ray Davis. I still like Cook, but his value in Buffalo may have peaked this year. He'll likely still be a reliable RB2 in most fantasy leagues, but I hesitate to count on him as my RB1.

Chase Brown, Cincinnati

Josh Fahlsing: The Bengals jettisoned Joe Mixon, brought in Zack Moss, and, in doing so, told us what they thought about Brown. He has a good combination of size and speed, runs like a bucket full of nails, and is tied to a great quarterback and receiver duo. He is ranked a respectable 19th among running backs in our consensus rankings, but if he holds onto the lead-back job throughout the off-season, I expect him to be ranked closer to the end of the running back one tier by the fall.

Corey Spala: Brown has filled Mixon's shoes well beyond expectations. He currently has 1,350 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns; he did not have a starter's workload until Week 9. Cincinnati will find depth in the position for the 2025 season. I also imagine Brown would retain the majority of the workload. He is our current RB19 and should move up the rankings ahead of Brian Robinson Jr. (RB14) and Joe Mixon (RB12). 

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England
Antonio Gibson, New England

Andy Hicks: Stevenson appears to have worn out his welcome in New England. Whether that is temporary or not, we will see in the off-season. Gibson has also performed okay, but the team could eliminate one or both of their backs. They probably won't. Neither inspires confidence, but there could be moving parts everywhere for the Patriots. Both move down until there is some clarity. 

Jason Wood: Stevenson's window isn't closed, but it's undoubtedly lowered in anticipation of stormy weather ahead. His talent is undeniable, and the Patriots gave him a vote of confidence with a contractual affirmation just a few months ago. However, he's fallen out of favor with the coaching staff, who have leaned on an aging and limited Gibson instead. Without a coaching change—an unlikely scenario—Stevenson faces a steep uphill climb to regain the every-down back profile we assigned to him heading into 2024.

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City

Andy Hicks: Since his return from a lengthy injury break, Pacheco has seen less playing time each week. Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine are being preferred. He takes a hit in the rankings, whether he lacks confidence or is physically unable to perform. He may return in the playoffs or need the off-season to return to previous levels. It's unusable right now. 

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina

Corey Spala: Hubbard finished his 2024 season with 1,366 scrimmage yards. The notably torn ACL for Jonathan Brooks, while being the same ACL he tore in 2023, intrigues Hubbard's Dynasty outlook. Hubbard should have another year with a starter's workload, yet he looks to have solidified a role within the offense when Brooks returns. He is our current RB24, and I would move him ahead of Zach Charbonnet (RB22) and Rhamondre Stevenson (RB20). 

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay

Jason Wood: The Buccaneers have rotated through all three of their primary tailbacks this season, but Irving has emerged as the most capable of excelling in an every-down role. He's proven to be a more effective ball carrier than veteran Rachaad White, while Sean Tucker has settled into a more traditional backup role. Irving's power, vision, and patience make him stand out. With Baker Mayfield's continued productivity, the Buccaneers' offense should remain a reliable, top-half unit, providing a solid foundation for Irving's development.

Derrick Henry, Baltimore

Jason Wood: I couldn't be happier with how Henry's first season in Baltimore played out. Despite concerns from many Dynasty rankers about his age and workload, I was aggressively recommending him. While having him as a top-12 tailback last offseason proved to be a huge win, now is the time to pivot and lower him to the RB2 tier.

If you're in a championship window, by all means, hold onto him. But if you're gearing up for a rebuild in 2026 or beyond, this is the perfect opportunity to trade him. Coming off another elite year, his value is at its peak, and it's better to sell high now before potential decline sets in. Just look at the value shift Christian McCaffrey experienced between 2023 and 2024—selling early in Dynasty can often be the right move, even if it feels premature.

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco

Hutchinson Brown: He's been a great fantasy running back for quite a while, but after another injury-plagued season and his age seriously creeping up, it is difficult not to move him down significantly in Dynasty rankings.

Dynasty Movement at Tight End

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo

Josh Fahlsing: He just hasn't done it yet, so he deserves to be the 4th ranked tight end in our consensus rankings. It is tough to downgrade tight ends because so few make a real difference in fantasy. Kincaid has the ability and the situation to be one of them, but he hasn't produced to the level many of us thought he would. I can't move him down too far, but he's only about another year away from a precipitous drop.

Jason Wood: The Kincaid breakout never materialized, even with the Bills' offense producing massive numbers and Josh Allen delivering another MVP-caliber season. While Kincaid's skill set and age make him too enticing to give up completely, he deserves a downgrade to the lower end of the TE1 tier. Ultimately, we're betting on his upside rather than concrete evidence of a growing role in the offense.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina

Josh Fahlsing: It isn't unusual for a rookie tight end to have an up-and-down year, and Sanders' rookie season fits the bill. Still, as the dust settles, he stands atop the Carolina depth chart at tight end. If Bryce Young has figured it out, Sanders could be a security blanket target for a young quarterback in a developing offense. That should equal fantasy points and allow Sanders to outperform his current consensus ranking of tight end 19.

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati

Andy Hicks: Gesicki has had maybe four decent fantasy games in his first season in Cincinnati. More importantly, he has Joe Burrow and the team looking at the position, unlike during Burrows's time there. If Tee Higgins leaves, Gesicki will see more targets. If he stays, he will get easier targets. Win/Win. He has disappointed fantasy expectations before, but the cards seem lined up for a great 2025

Theo Johnson, NY Giants

Corey Spala: Johnson ended his rookie campaign on injured reserve in early December. He displayed his potential while developing his skillset, finishing with 43 targets while playing 84% snaps in 12 games. The important traits for Johnson are his athletic ability and his 9.93 relative athletic score (RAS). He is our current TE31, and I want to move him up the rankings. He should be ranked ahead of Michael Mayer (TE25) and Dalton Schultz (TE23).

Mark Andrews, Baltimore

Jason Wood: I was too quick to discount Andrews after his very slow start to the 2024 season. Considering his age and the presence of Isaiah Likely, I prematurely leaned toward favoring the influx of young tight ends entering the league in recent years. However, that judgment was hasty, given how well Andrews returned to form and, just as significantly, how underwhelming many of the younger tight ends performed down the stretch.