Dynasty Movement: Week 3

Working at Footballguys, I'm always impressed by our staff. We run this feature weekly to capture actionable value shifts and help you, the reader, understand where our minds are on adjusting to the latest Dynasty movement. This week, much of the industry focus has centered on injuries. The reality of this physical game hits hard every year as we transition from summer hope. Our Bob Harris frequently says, "We tell ourselves happy stories about players we like." This week, our staff dug deep and bypassed the temptation to simply react to injuries. Thank you to all who contributed!

We polled Dynasty staffers Jason Wood, Ryan Weisse, Andy Hicks, Maurile Tremblay, and Sean Settle for their biggest Dynasty value movers of the week.

Dynasty Movement at Quarterback

Tyler Shough, New Orleans

Wood - Shough was a bit of a trendy sleeper in redraft circles a few months ago, but I had a hard time convincing myself that last year's raw stats were anything to be excited about. Now, the Saints' starter has attempted 90 passes in two games, and the team hasn't yet proven an ability or willingness to run the ball effectively. Fortunately, Shough isn't just deriving his fantasy value from volume; he's completing nearly 70% of his passes while also maintaining the rushing upside we witnessed last season. With Chris Olave looking like an All-Pro and Devaughn Vele delivering No. 2 receiver value far above what we expected a few months ago, the cupboard is full, and Shough should now be viewed as a viable low-end QB1 or high-end QB2.

Tremblay - Shough's Week 1 at Detroit produced 410 yards, but also three turnovers in the first 35 minutes. Week 2 at Baltimore was the harder test: a loud road environment and a defense built to entice interceptions with disguised pressure and crowded middle-of-the-field coverage. He went 27 of 34 for 252 yards with no turnovers. Then he led both fourth-quarter touchdown drives and scored the go-ahead touchdown himself on a fourth-down sneak. The question for a No. 40 pick who turns 27 this month was whether he's a legitimate starter or a placeholder until the Saints find one. Winning a low-volume, mistake-free game against an elite defense and getting goal-line rushing work now that the Taysom Hill era is over is evidence he's the long-term answer.

Weisse - I liked Shough last year, but he was an older rookie, and I didn't adjust my rankings much, so he was still just outside my Top 20. After two weeks, it's clear he is a perfect fit for Kellen Moore's offense and should hold this job for at least a few more seasons. He showed his passing upside in Week 1, leading the league in yardage, and then added 23 yards rushing and a touchdown in Week 2. Shough is a borderline top-15 dynasty quarterback.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota

Tremblay - McCarthy was already demoted to third string before the season, so Week 2 was his one window. Kyler Murray's concussion made him Carson Wentz's backup at Chicago, one snap from the job, which in NFL terms is close enough to smell the Gatorade. Wentz struggled, completing about half his throws in a 9-3 rain game, but no opening came. Murray cleared the protocol the next day, and McCarthy went straight back to third string, which shows where he stands. Minnesota controls him through 2027, the trade market for him looks thin, and the team may even add another veteran arm. For dynasty purposes, his path to meaningful starts now probably requires a new team, and his value isn't going to grow while he holds a clipboard.

Jayden Daniels, Washington

Hicks - It makes sense to move Daniels down considerably in dynasty rankings. Having the same injury in his left elbow for the second or third time in a year, depending on definitions, will result in another stint on the sideline. Not what people need when relying on him as their dynasty starter. When he returns, we must evaluate his prospects fairly and objectively. Not just upside.

Wood - Daniels is sidelined again with an elbow injury that looks reminiscent of the same malady that cost him a chunk of the 2025 season. While his talent and upside are undeniable, based on what we saw during his electric rookie season, we have to seriously question not only his durability but also the team's construction. The Commanders' offensive line is in shambles, and it's starting to feel like the organization will have to make yet another coaching staff reset this offseason. All that uncertainty puts Daniels in the bottom tier of multi-year, starting-caliber quarterbacks.

Bryce Young, Carolina

Hicks - Usually if a player starts their career the way Young has, it doesn’t end well. In recent years, we have had guys like Trevor Lawrence break the mould of resurrected quarterbacks, and Young looks like the player drafted number one overall. He gets a tentative bump in rankings until we see consistency, but the early signs are promising.

Justin Herbert, LA Chargers

Hicks - Herbert usually starts the season on fire, but this year the Chargers have lost to the Cardinals and Raiders. Two teams that are expected to battle for the number one draft slot. Herbert appears completely out of sync with the Chargers' new offensive scheme. In his seventh season, it is clear he cannot single-handedly carry this franchise. He needs the surrounding players to function flawlessly. Until this offense finds its rhythm, Herbert remains completely unstartable in fantasy formats. While his elite arm talent has never been in question, his poise and leadership temperament are now facing heavy scrutiny from a growing audience.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay 

Settle - Mayfield's return to Cleveland for a much-discussed revenge game produced 182 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, good for only 12.18 fantasy points. That continues a real decline: he's averaged 14.62 points per game over his last 6 outings dating back to last season. None of that erases what he did a year ago, but it is worth tracking whether the surrounding weapons and offensive line issues in Tampa are catching up to him as a dynasty asset.

Drake Maye, New England 

Settle - Maye followed an underwhelming Week 1 with an even quieter Week 2, completing 14 of 22 passes for 208 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception in a win built almost entirely on the ground game and defense. That is 2 straight weeks of shaky quarterback play from a player many dynasty managers drafted as a top 5 asset at the position this offseason. New England leaning this heavily on the run is worth watching, since it caps his ceiling even when the offense is winning comfortably.

Patrick Mahomes II, Kansas City

Wood - The Chiefs haven't fielded a top-10 offense since 2022, unbelievably. And Mahomes, despite his Hall of Fame pedigree, was coming off a torn ACL with an uncertain dynasty trajectory, as his offensive line had huge questions, including no answer at left tackle. Yet two weeks into the 2026 season, things feel different. Mahomes looks like himself: confident, in rhythm, and clutch. He's clearly fully recovered from his ACL injury, and the addition of Ken Walker II has brought balance and unpredictability that the offense sorely needed. Importantly, Mahomes' early 2026 success hasn't been built on zeroing in on one game-breaking receiver, either. He's targeting the open receivers and dominating situational football.

Dynasty Movement at Running Back