Dynasty News: Week 1

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We are nearing the season opener and the news from training camp is beginning to pour in. In today’s  “Dynasty News,” we will examine some items from the recent players released, claimed, and signed to meet the NFL cutdown deadline and the dynasty implications. This is not an exhaustive list, but dynasty managers must understand the impact of these situations as these circumstances are very fluid.

Dynasty News: Green Bay QBs

The Tennessee Titans were looking for a trade partner for quarterback Malik Willis. The Titans found a trade partner in the Green Bay Packers, who gave up a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for Willis. He now steps into the backup quarterback role behind Jordan Love. Willis’ skills were a poor match for the Tennessee offensive system and there is hope that he could develop under the Green Bay coaching staff. In a related move, the Packers waived Sean Clifford, and then signed him to the practice squad.  In deep SuperFlex leagues, Willis is an intriguing stash for dynasty managers.

Dynasty News: Miami QBs

The Miami Dolphins surprisingly chose Skylar Thompson over Mike White for the backup quarterback role behind Tua Tagovailoa. Coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that it was because he thought the players “believed in” Thompson in the preseason games. Given Tagovailoa’s injury history, dynasty managers should consider stashing Thompson if there is room on the roster. White played great with the New York Jets before signing with Miami, starting seven games over two seasons. The Buffalo Bills signed White to their practice squad and will be behind Josh Allen and Michell Trubisky on the depth chart. Given the lack of quality quarterback depth in the NFL, it was surprising that White was not able to find a spot on an active roster.

Dynasty News: Cleveland QBs

The Cleveland Browns had a crowded quarterback room and released Tyler Huntley. The Browns chose to keep Dorian Thompson-Robinson over Huntley, which speaks volumes. Huntley signed with his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, to serve as their third quarterback behind Lamar Jackson and Josh Johnson. Baltimore chose Johnson over Huntley in the first place so this signing should be seen as nonthreatening to Johnson’s spot on the depth chart. Given Johnson’s arm advantage over Huntley, dynasty managers of the Ravens’ skill position players, dynasty managers should hope that he remains Jackson’s primary backup.

Dynasty News: Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 

The San Francisco 49ers raised curiosity when they placed Elijah Mitchell on season-ending injured reserve. Last Wednesday, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters about Mitchell's status. He said that the tailback re-aggravated his injury during Monday's practice, leading to the decision to put Mitchell on the shelf. Shanahan said, "It's terrible ... I think all you guys know how I feel about Elijah, how our whole team does. Elijah's a stud. He's had some real unfortunate injuries that keep happening, and he had a hamstring injury, and it got worse ... And the doctor suggested he should have season-ending surgery. I don't know when he's doing that, but that's what he should do, and he's going to do it, and it is unfortunate to not have him for this year." Mitchell's absence leaves just Jordan Mason behind Christian McCaffrey. 

Dynasty News: Baltimore RBs

Ravens tailback Keaton Mitchell will begin the season on the PUP list after suffering a gruesome knee injury in 2023. By rule, he will miss at least the first four games of the season, and likely will not be able until November – at the earliest. While Mitchell is recovering, Justice Hill will complement Derrick Henry. Mitchell looked great before the injury, but there is no certainty that he will be able to return to pre-injury form.

Dynasty News: Jonathon Brooks, Carolina

It was unsurprising when the Carolina Panthers left rookie Jonathon Brooks on the PUP list to start the season, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the season. Brooks was the first running back chosen in the 2024 NFL Draft, pick 46 overall. Beat reporter, David Newton wrote that the team is “bringing Brooks along slowly, feeling good about Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders but believing Brooks is the future.” Carolina is in rebuilding mode and should feel no pressure to rush the rookie back to the field before he is fully healthy. If the youngster is slow to return to the field, he makes a great dynasty “buy” for rebuilding dynasty squads who can trade a producing veteran for the rookie.

Dynasty News: Samaje Perine, Kansas City

Last week, the Denver Broncos released running back Samaje Perine at the cutdown. The Broncos were publicly seeking a trade partner for Perine but could not work out a deal. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs to serve in the Jerrick McKinnon passing-down role. Perine is solid as a blocker and receiver, and should be considered a strong “buy” in dynasty leagues as McKinnon had some solid fantasy games. The pursuit of Perine was correlated with the status of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. This Monday, Field Yates posted an update on Edwards-Helaire, "The Chiefs have placed RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the reserve/non-football illness list. 
As a result, CEH is now out for at least four games. Makes the addition of Samaje Perine that much more important for the champs." While this news does not clear up the mystery behind the Chiefs tailback, it does provide clarity for Perine's role ... at least for the next few games. 

Dynasty News: MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers will rely on rookie MarShawn Lloyd to backup Josh Jacobs after placing AJ Dillon on injured reserve. Dillon has disappointed in Green Bay and may need a fresh start somewhere else. Lloyd is still recovering from a hamstring injury and the Packers may lean on Emanuel Wilson early in the season as the rookie has barely practiced throughout the preseason. Wilson makes a sneaky stash in dynasty leagues as he may play more than expected early in the season.  He can be stashed on dynasty rosters until the roster spot is needed to cover bye-week holes.

Dynasty News: Noah Brown, Washington

The Houston Texans surprisingly released receiver Noah Brown. Brown landed in Washington and should start opposite Terry McLaurin after the trade of Jahan Dotson.  Brown has a chance to be dynasty-relevant in the Commanders offense. This offense has few playmakers and will rely on Brown to make plays down the field.

Miami Dolphins receiver Odell Beckham has not practiced or played in a long time. He will start the season on the PUP list. Rookie Malik Washington will start in the third-receiver position, who has flashed big-time potential in training camp. In dynasty leagues, Washington is a great depth option as he essentially becomes the handcuff for the top two receivers. If either misses games, Washington becomes a must-start in dynasty lineups. There is a chance that Washington plays well enough to keep Beckham on the sideline.

Dynasty News: Tim Patrick, Detroit

The Broncos also released Tim Patrick in a move that surprised many, including the majority of the Denver beat reporters. This is an offense that has a shallow receiver depth chart and Patrick has played well when healthy. The issue is that he struggled to remain healthy. Patrick signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad with the hope he will step into the third-receiver role. Patrick is 30 years of age and there is no certainty he will be able to become dynasty relevant. The Lions need a third receiver after releasing Donovan Peoples-Jones, who has disappointed throughout training camp. Detroit traded for Peoples-Jones last season but has never been able to put it all together. He later signed back with the team’s practice squad. This offense rarely targets the third receiver as tight end Sam LaPorta and tailback Jahmyr Gibbs command targets in addition to the top two receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Let others chase Patrick on waivers and target other players for your dynasty roster.

Dynasty News: Kansas City WRs

A couple of days after signing JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Kansas City Chiefs waived receivers Kadarius Toney and Justyn Ross before resigning Ross to the practice squad after he cleared waivers. This may be the end of the road for Toney. Smith-Schuster is not dynasty-relevant as the team has a bevy of receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, and most are able to pick up yards after the catch … something Smith-Schuster is unable to do at this stage of his career. Let another dynasty manager chase the veteran receiver.

Dynasty News: Tennessee WRs

After failing to live up to his dynasty hype, the Tennessee Titans waived receiver Kyle Philips. He caught just 23 passes in 13 games and the team added a lot of talent to the receiver depth chart this offseason. With Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd now in Tennessee, there was little room for Philips.

Dynasty News: Philadelphia WRs

After the acquisition of Jahan Dotson, the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to bring their rookie receivers along slowly. Fifth-round pick, Ainias Smith hurt his ankle in the team’s final preseason game and was later placed on injured reserve. While Smith may be eligible to return in October, we may not hear his name mentioned until next offseason. With the Eagles rarely throwing to their third receiver, Smith should not be a target in dynasty leagues.

Dynasty News: Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

After his late-season knee injury, it was no surprise when the Los Angeles Rams placed Tyler Higbee on the reserve/PUP list, guaranteeing he will miss at least the first four games. It is entirely possible that Higbee does not play this season. The Rams signaled Higbee’s unavailability by signing free agent Colby Parkinson. We may not hear an update on Higbee’s status until November – at the earliest. Dynasty managers should look to acquire Higbee in tight-end premium leagues with an eye toward the 2025 season.

Dynasty News: Jelani Woods, Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Colts coaches have been vocally unhappy about the lack of practice involvement of tight end Jelani Woods. Last week, Woods was reported to have a toe injury that would cost him time. He was then placed on injured reserve. Woods has dynasty upside and is still just 25 years of age, even after missing the 2023 season with a hamstring injury. He is only worth acquiring in dynasty leagues that have deep rosters.

Dynasty News: T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota

It was no surprise when the Minnesota Vikings announced that star tight end T.J. Hockenson will start the season on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games. Hockenson is not expected back on the playing field until after Halloween so this move is unexpected. Dynasty managers should not chase the Vikings tight ends while Hockenson is out. This offense could be a big mess early in the season.

Dynasty News: Donald Parham, Denver

After he was released by the Los Angeles Chargers, the Denver Broncos signed tight end Donald Parham to their practice squad. With the lengthy injury history of Greg Dulcich, Parham is a player to monitor as he gets acquainted in the Sean Payton offensive system. Parham is an athletic tight end who has a chance to emerge as a dynasty option if Dulcich gets injured again.