Dynasty News has been a part of Footballguys for well over a decade. Our Jeff Tefertiller combines strategy with relevant NFL news to help dynasty managers excel with their teams. It examines some of the larger happenings of the week from a dynasty perspective. The news may be injury- or performance-related.
Dynasty News: Trey Lance, Dallas
Last Tuesday, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked about the possibility of quarterback Trey Lance starting at some point the rest of the season. Jones said, "I don't think so … I thought for the most part we did some good things out there (Cooper Rush against Cincinnati). I still believe he gives us our best chance." Lance is finishing his rookie contract and will seek a backup role with another team. While still 25 years of age, Lance's prospects for a future starting role seem slim. His inability to beat out Cooper Rush should be a litmus test for potential suitors.
Dynasty News: Nick Chubb, Cleveland
Nick Chubb left the Week 15 loss to Kansas City with a foot injury. Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters after the game that Chubb broke his foot. It is a sad ending to a disappointing season. The Browns will ride Jerome Ford the rest of the way. After missing most of the 2023 season Chubb was expected to be a difference-maker for the second half of 2024. But the 28-year-old only had 332 yards on 102 carries. Chubb did not have the same juice and may-making ability he possessed pre-injury. He turns 29 next week and one must wonder how many productive years Chubb has remaining. He will be a free agent in the offseason and may not have much of a market for his services until healthy.
Dynasty News: Zamir White, Las Vegas
This season has been disappointing for Las Vegas running back Zamir White. After missing a couple of games with a quadriceps injury, the Raiders finally placed White on injured reserve. This will mercifully end his 2024 season, his third as a professional. Most dynasty managers had high hopes for White's role as the lead back, but he could never really put things together, finishing with a meager 183 rushing yards and a touchdown on the season. White will be back in Las Vegas in 2025 but will play a complementary role behind Alexander Mattison and Sincere McCormick. The Las Vegas offense is void of weapons outside of Meyers and Bowers so the team's running game should not be a priority for dynasty investment. Ameer Abdullah will also be on the depth chart in a passing-down role.
The time has come. After spilling much ink on the potential return of Marquise Brown to the Chiefs lineup, this could be the week. Last Thursday, Ian Rapoport reported, "Sources: #Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown has received final clearance to practice, paving the way for him to play before the regular season ends. Brown, who is recovering from surgery to repair his SC joint, should have his window opened Friday or Monday. The team will be cautious." Then, on Friday, Albert Breer tweeted, "The Chiefs are opening WR Hollywood Brown's practice window today, per source. Hope has been he'd return this week or next, so he's right on time. First step in getting him back into game action." He practiced last Friday and looks to be fully healed. With a lead for the top seed in the AFC, the Chiefs may bring Brown along slowly and make sure he is 100% for the playoffs. The veteran receiver signed a one-year deal with Kansas City this past offseason and is raring to earn a bigger, longer deal this coming offseason. Brown possesses legitimate fantasy upside. In his first five years as a professional, Brown has 313 catches for 3,644 yards and 28 touchdowns. Still just 27 years of age, we expect the veteran pass catcher to sign a multi-year deal with the Chiefs this offseason. He makes a great complement to Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, Rashee Rice, and Travis Kelce.
Last week, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about the role of Marvin Mims Jr. Payton responded, "I'm mad at myself that we didn't begin looking at this (Mims playing running back) earlier … He does such a good job running when you watch him return punts that that vision can carry over to certain runs in your offense and then certain things in the passing game." It appears that Mims is assuming the role that Jaleel McLaughlin was slated to play. Denver has a deep depth chart at the position and Payton likes using a committee approach at the position. Dynasty managers have been waiting for Mims to become relevant. Playing a part-time role at running back will not help his dynasty value.
Last Friday morning, Tom Pelissero tweeted, "The #Dolphins and three-time Pro Bowl WR Odell Beckham Jr. have mutually agreed to part ways, per sources. Beckham is hoping for more opportunities elsewhere and the team is granting his release. He'll be on waivers until Monday." Beckham is finally healthy and looking to have a larger role in the final few games of the season. He has lost a step or two and is not the play-maker of old, but could be a quality depth addition for some receiver-needy team. It has been five years (2019) since Beckham either had 50 or more receptions, gained 1,000 yards, or made a fantasy difference. Sure, he has battled injuries, but even in 14 games last season, Beckham had 35 receptions for 565 yards and 3 touchdowns. The veteran just turned 32 in November and is not the same player of five years ago.
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Dynasty News: Noah Brown, Washington
Washington head coach Dan Quinn was asked about Noah Brown's injury. Quinn said, "During the game, between him and the medical staff, they did a really good job to address what was a serious injury. Fortunately, he's going to be okay. But it's going to knock him out for a bit." Quinn added that "it's likely heading that way" when asked if Brown's season was over. The veteran receiver had been playing well, assuming the starting job opposite Terry McLaurin. There was mystery about the nature of the injury until Ben Standig shed some light. Standig tweeted, "Commanders specified Noah Brown's injury as a ‘kidney.' Quinn spoke with a degree of concern about the initial diagnosis but said the receiver is good now." This was a scary situation for Brown. He is a reliable receiver for the Commanders and should make a full recovery. Brown is still just 28 years old and ends his 2024 season with 35 receptions for 453 yards and a lone touchdown.
Dynasty News: K.J. Osborn, Washington
Dynasty managers hoped that K.J. Osborn could be a fantasy sleeper in New England this season. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal after flashing potential in Minnesota. Osborn could never really emerge to garner a role in the Patriots offense. Last Tuesday, Adam Schefter tweeted, "Patriots are waiving WR K.J. Osborn, per source. It was a mutual decision, and he now will have a chance to catch on to a team where he will be able play more." Osborn was claimed by the Washington Commanders. This is a good fit as Washington lost Brown for the season and needed receiver depth. Osborn had three good years in Minnesota before signing in New England. In those seasons, he played 59 games, reeled in 158 catches for 1,884 yards, and 15 touchdowns. Washington acquired Brown off the waiver wire, too. The team has done a great job of adding quality receiver depth opposite McLaurin.
Dynasty News: Kyle Pitts, Atlanta
Bob McGinn has covered the NFL for a long time. He has a great network of sources within NFL front offices. Last week, one executive told McGinn that Pitts is just "going through the motions" and appears "almost disinterested" based on the film. He said, "One of the biggest disappointments I have ever scouted ... Some flashes, but rarely regularly involved in the offense. Seems to go through the motions, almost disinterested. Definitely a bust based on expectations and who they passed up." The 24-year-old Pitts is having a down year, statistically. He will be priced out of the top five tight ends next offseason. The position is changing over from a dynasty perspective and the incoming rookie class will occupy a couple of places above Pitts in most dynasty rankings.
Dynasty News: Evan Engram, Jacksonville
After a strong 2023 campaign, dynasty hopes were high for Evan Engram coming into 2024. Last season, Engram caught 114 passes for 963 yards and 4 touchdowns. His 2024 season has been disappointing. Last Friday, Adam Schefter tweeted, "Jaguars HC Doug Pederson announced that TE Evan Engram will undergo season-ending surgery for a torn labrum." This will put an exclamation point on Engram's season. He finishes the year with 47 catches for 365 yards and 1 touchdown. This will go down as the worst fantasy season in Engram's career. His poor 2024 campaign will give dynasty managers a great opportunity to acquire the 30-year-old at a discount. The Jacksonville offense will rebound.
After a promising rookie season, Luke Musgrave has spent much of 2024 on the shelf. As a first-year player, Musgrave snagged 34 passes for 352 yards and a score. Last Wednesday, Tom Silverstein tweeted, "#Packers have opened up practice window for TE Luke Musgrave to return from IR." Musgrave will give the Green Bay offense a boost and the ability to play two tight ends more, especially as the weather turns cold. While Musgrave has dynasty upside, there is no denying that he has lost any hope of regaining the starting job from Tucker Kraft.
Photos provided by Imagn Images