Dynasty Roundtable: 5 Big Names Who Concern Us

Through five weeks, we have developed a large enough sample size to no longer dismiss some players as just a bad game or two. We gathered our Dynasty staff to discuss a group that has not lived up to expectations.

Question of the Week

Saquon Barkley, Ja'Marr Chase, Jameson Williams, Ladd McConkey, and Brian Thomas Jr. have all been disappointments relative to preseason expectations.

Concern Over the Next Few Weeks

What situation are you most concerned about affecting one player in the immediate term?

Ladd McConkey, LA Chargers

Jason Wood: McConkey looks poised to be one of the biggest disappointments among early draft picks this year, despite being healthy. In Greg Roman's long coaching history, his offenses have never supported more than one fantasy-relevant wide receiver, but this year's Chargers are completely upending everything we thought we knew about his scheme. Justin Herbert is funneling targets to Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, and McConkey. Splitting targets three ways will make it nearly impossible for McConkey to deliver on his preseason ADP. Add in the Chargers' massive offensive line injury issues, and this may be a lost year for him.

Jameson Williams, Detroit

Maurile Tremblay: Among this group of underperforming assets, Williams presents the most tenuous case for recovery because his path to fantasy relevance depends on conditions growing more precarious by the week. Amon-Ra St. Brown's dominance of Detroit's passing game is entrenched -- anchored by his reliability and the Lions' schematic preferences -- and leaves little room for redistribution. Williams's 2024 breakout was driven by volatile deep efficiency rather than sustainable involvement, a profile that looks increasingly fragile now that defenses have adjusted and his volume remains capped. Even in a productive offense, Detroit's opportunity tree appears static, and Williams's role as a complementary vertical threat offers minimal margin for rebound unless the team meaningfully alters its target distribution.

Matt Montgomery: Williams has been the most disappointing among this group. Despite the continuity among the team's offensive skill players, the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has clearly impacted performance. Expectations were high for Williams to expand his role and emerge as a dynamic No. 2 receiver this season, but that hasn't materialized. Through five weeks, he has only 21 targets, compared to 25 in the same period last season, which included a bye week. His reduced usage is puzzling, but given his unique skill set, I believe he'll find his rhythm in the offense soon.

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati

Andy Hicks: Chase is a concern for the next few weeks. The team has traded for Joe Flacco, a 40-year-old with two passing touchdowns and six picks for the year in Cleveland. We can compare the Cleveland and Cincinnati offenses, but Flacco will not help his new team. There is a reason he has been a backup since 2018, stepping into spot duty as a starter. 

Ryan Weisse: Over the next few weeks, it's certainly Chase. The Bengals just traded for Joe Flacco, but it will take him a few weeks to learn this system. In the short term, it will continue to be Jake Browning or an unprepared Flacco at quarterback, which will likely keep producing boom-or-bust weeks for Chase and the entire Bengals offense. Eventually, Flacco will get comfortable, and Chase will have a much safer floor.

Dan Hindery: The Bengals offense simply isn't the same without Joe Burrow. Odds are he misses the entire season, though a late return hasn't been ruled out. Joe Flacco should provide an upgrade over Jake Browning, but any hopes of Ja'Marr Chase competing for the receiving triple crown again in 2025 are gone. His target quality and overall touchdown opportunities will take a big hit until Burrow returns.

Concern Over the 2025 Season