Monday Dynasty Roundup, Week 12

Photo: Andrew Nelles, USA Today Sports

Giving thanks is something I struggle to do. Between family, a busy day job, and this fantasy football endeavor, I rush daily, focused on the next deliverable with little time to stop for reflection. Perhaps you can relate. This hustle is a crucial reason Thanksgiving means so much to me.

Thanksgiving has come to represent a time to take a breath. To reflect. It is almost the end of the fantasy football regular season. In most instances, we know if we have a playoff roster or are waiting on the rookie class announcement (make sure to check out the Footballguys Rookie Guide!).

Thanksgiving is a gateway between a grueling content calendar and the holiday season. And it is an opportunity to say thank you. Thanks is long overdue.

Thank you to Jay Felicio, Geoff Lambert, and Chase Vernon, who were vital in helping me start on this content creation journey.

Thank you to Christian Williams and Kevin Coleman, who have pushed me to improve and continue to work hard.

Thank you to Dave Kluge, Steph (last name redacted), Corey Spala, James Kreiss, Amanda (cover blown), Nate Polvogt, Taylor Cornell, Herms, Troy King, Juan Carlos Pena, and Jawn Swanson for keeping me sane while helping me lose my mind.

Thank you to Joe Bryant, Clayton Gray, Sigmund Bloom, Cecil Lammey, Bob Henry, Jason Wood, Jeff Haseley, Jene Bramel, Keith Roberts, Simon Shepard, John Lee, Keith Overton, Taylor Forward, Julia Bryant, and so many more who make Footballguys the best place to work.

Thank you to Joey Wright, Devin Knotts, Matt Waldman, Phil Alexander, and Jagger May for collaborating and helping me develop weekly.

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Thank you to YOU, the readers, who make everything possible.

It is time for the Roundup.

Blind Resume

Fantasy points come from all over, and several rushing performances helped deliver points in Week 11. Can you place this production?

Deep Dynasty Watch List

Identifying players rostered in less than 50% of Sleeper dynasty leagues (give or take).

• TE Charlie Kolar, Baltimore (5% Sleeper rostered) - Isaiah Likely will lead many waiver columns, which is fair. We have seen production from Likely in the past, and he played the majority of snaps against Cincinnati. At 63% rostership, he is comfortably above our threshold. But pay attention to Kolar. Kolar is a natural receiver at the position, leaving Iowa St. fifth on the career receiving yards list. He is more of a natural tight end than Likely, outweighing him by nearly 20 lbs. If available, Likely is the play, but he has struggled when given the opportunity in 2023. With the stakes on Baltimore's season, they may not hold a long leash on the potential Mark Andrews' replacement.
• QB Jake Browning, Cincinnati (6% Sleeper rostered) - The Bengals are Browning's team for now, with Joe Burrow announced out for the season. College football fans may remember Browning from the University of Washington's college playoff team that lost to Alabama in 2016. NFL fans remember him from, well, now. Browning spent two years on the Vikings practice squad before spending two seasons on the Bengals practice squad. Thursday night was his first meaningful NFL action. From a fantasy perspective, he performed admirably in a half of football, throwing a touchdown pass and rushing for 40 yards. The Bengals' offense has elite pieces, and if the 40 rushing yards reveal any rushing floor, he has fantasy utility, especially in Superflex formats.
• WR Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay (44% Sleeper rostered) - Wicks had quietly picked up the last two weeks with 49 and 51-yard performances. In Week 11, he had a breakout, leading Packers receivers with 91 yards. He is still WR4 on the team regarding snaps and usage, but the team is integrating him into the offense, and they have narrowed it to a strict four-receiver rotation. It's better in bestball, but rookie receivers showing this type of production are worth grabbing in a dynasty, especially when the acquisition price may be FAAB.
• RB Israel Abanikanda, New York Jets (67% Sleeper rostered) - Abanikanda is above our 50% threshold, but following the surprise release of Michael Carter, he needs mentioning. He saw his first action of the season in a game that got out of hand. The Jets are still hoping to get Aaron Rodgers back and sneak into a playoff spot, but they have lost three straight, face Miami in Week 12, and play four of their last seven against the current playoff team. Reality will likely hit, and Abanikanda will see more opportunities.
• RB Salvon Ahmed, Miami (33% Sleeper rostered) - Jeff Wilson sits at 70% rostership while Ahmed is at 33%; given Wilson's status above Ahmed in 2022, that can be understood. But this was the first game with De'Von Achane back and Wilson active off IR and the first opportunity to see where the pecking order stands in the Dolphins' backfield: the result, a healthy scratch for Wilson and Ahmed playing heavily after Achane left with an injury. Ahmed is much faster than Wilson, which is the direction the offense has pushed with Achane and Mostert. These rostership numbers should be flipped.
• RB DeeJay Dallas, Seattle (14% Sleeper rostership) / RB Kenny McIntosh (40%) - Ken Walker III left with an oblique injury and Seattle is on a short week. Dallas is the Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown of dynasty running back stashes. His speed, strength, and catching ability force managers to ask "what if," but Pete Carroll has never been willing to give him an opportunity. McIntosh may be the more exciting pivot. The rookie has spent most of the season on IR, but he showcased in the receiving game at Georgia, seamlessly stepping into James Cook's departed role. As we wait on future news from Walker, either of these players could be a Zach Charbonnet injury away from becoming significant fantasy contributors.