We made it!
Through all the speculation and analysis, we have reached the point where the Dynasty calendar flips from the non-point-scoring season to weekly matchups. While we do not have results to overreact to yet, we can take a chance to set the stage for key value movers early in the 2026 season.
The 2027 Draft Class
If you have consumed any Dynasty content in the last 18 months, you have likely heard about the 2027 draft class. Most of the players we are tracking made their season debuts this week, and the results didn't disappoint.
Ohio St. wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the early favorite as the 1.01 in rookie drafts, dropped an 8-151-2 line on overmatched Ball St. Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who went for 305-4, connecting with receivers Ryan Wingo (7-121-1) and Cam Coleman (3-70-2) in a blowout over Texas St. Multiple first-rounders share the field as Texas hosts Ohio St. in Week 2.
The news just found Lane Kiffin: his new LSU quarterback, Sam Leavitt, threw for 230-1 and rushed for 113-2 in a primetime blowout over Clemson, while his old Ole Miss quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, went for 336-3 and 60-1 in the best game that did not involve a clock controversy.
Mike Kashuba joined me on The Footballguys Dynasty Show ahead of Week 1 to do a “Way Too Early 2027 Mock Draft” and run through many of the players to watch. Mike will be tracking the class closely with his can’t-miss weekly Big Board feature.
While the value window on acquiring 2027 draft picks may have snapped closed, it is always worth trying. Unprecedented levels of tanking for pick position may be ahead in your leagues.
Backfield Ambiguity
Our staff has closely monitored training camp to provide all the news you need during your draft season, and Joe Bryant summarizes the key points weekly. If you prefer audio, Dave Kluge and I highlight the stories you need to know weekly.
Week 1 brings the big reveal.
Key situations:
Jacksonville: Bhayshul Tuten vs. Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The Jaguars open with Cleveland in the second-largest point spread of the week (Jacksonville -8). The backfield should have plenty of opportunity after the Browns moved on from Myles Garrett in their 20+ year rebuilding project. Rodriguez played for coach Liam Coen at Kentucky and has earned constant praise. Tuten is the promising young player and RB24 in Dan Hindery’s Dynasty Trade Value Chart + tool. Rodriguez is RB56 and could fly up the chart.
No backfield has merited as much conversation during the season lead-up.
New England: Rhamondre Stevenson vs. TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson was one of the 2025 Dynasty rookie darlings. His debut season proved to be a Rorschach Test. He was RB19 in 0.5 PPR scoring. He also did not create separation from Stevenson. Early reports indicate he may be in a worse position this season. Henderson is working through an injury, and our Adam Hutchison will continue to monitor the situation in his Injury Roundup. Henderson is holding on as RB19 in value, while Stevenson is way too close for comfort at RB26.
Las Vegas: Ashton Jeanty vs. Mike Washington Jr.
Jeanty, the prize jewel of the 2025 rookie class, is working through his own injury situation. He gave everyone a scare and sparked a Sunday night of panic in late August, but he's working his way back and holds at RB4. Missing time allowed 2026 rookie Washington to leap onto the fantasy radar as RB38. The two backs' complementary skill sets really crystallize when we remember how new coach Klink Kubiak rotated Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in Seattle. This could be a situation that was always trending toward a split, with Jeanty’s scare opening our eyes to what could be a potentially vicious Week 1 reveal.
Arizona: Jeremiyah Love vs. Tyler Allgeier
Stop me if you have heard this, but Allgeier appears poised to lower the ceiling of one of the most anticipated young running backs. Love is working through his own injury, and there is optimism he can play Week 1. While he has been out, the coaching staff has been featuring Allgeier daily in practice. Love is the RB3 in value, and Allgeier is RB47. At least early, Allgeier looks like a player who can provide flex value and rescue some ZeroRB rosters.
Other situations to watch:
- Seattle: Jadarian Price vs. George Holani, with Zach Charbonnet looming.
- Denver: J.K. Dobbins vs. RJ Harvey vs. Jonah Coleman
- LA Rams: Kyren Williams vs. Blake Corum
- Carolina: Jonathon Brooks vs. Chuba Hubbard
- Tampa Bay: Bucky Irving vs. Kenny Gainwell
- Green Bay: MarShawn Lloyd vs. Chris Brooks vs. Kaleb Johnson / Josh Jacobs vs. the law
- Washington: Rachaad White vs. Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs. Kaytron Allen
- Houston: David Montgomery vs. Woody Marks
Dave Kluge and Joey Wright previewed the 2026 Fantasy Running Back Landscape on the Footballguys Fantasy Show.
Old Faces In New Places
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