Tue Sep 9th 2025

Week One Review

Football is finally back! What an incredible week of football watching while cheering for our dynasty teams. I had a blast watching and following all the games this weekend, and I closed out the weekend watching the game with my neighbor at his Buffalo Bills' bar in downtown Austin. Needless to say, it was a raucous end and a fantastic day of football.

Now it's time to get back to my weekly rhythm, posting an article on the week's games and the takeaways I took when watching from a dynasty perspective. Here are my dynasty thoughts from week one. As always, the article serves as an opportunity to discuss dynasty players and their evolving values. I hope you enjoy!

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Dynasty News

1. New Contracts

Several players made news this week by agreeing to new contracts, including the last rookie to sign a deal, Quinshon Judkins.

• Quinshon Judkins
  • Judkins finally signed his contract with the Browns and will have a hearing this week regarding any suspensions following his July arrest. Though it took some time, no files were charged in the case, so it will be interesting to see if the NFL still punishes Judkins. At least he's signed with the team and is now in a position to play sometime this season. After how terrible the Browns' running game looked on Sunday, they need Judkins on the field sooner rather than later. It will likely take a few weeks before he plays, and he may get worked in slowly, but he will be the Browns' lead back before too long and become a reliable starter for dynasty managers this season. I have two shares of Judkins, and, like his other dynasty managers, I have hope for the first time in months.
• Jaylen Warren
  • Last week, I predicted that Warren would sign a new contract by the end of the season, but I would never have expected him to get extended before the first game. That's what happened last week, though, when the Steelers not only signed him but called him their bell-cow back. That was music to my ears, as I had predicted all offseason that he would hold off Kaleb Johnson. As one of my most rostered players, I was thrilled that the Steelers extended him and gave him the vote of confidence. However, I was less than thrilled to see how much time he split with Kenny Gainwell on Sunday. His role was anything but a bell-cow role. I was pleased that he scored a touchdown, but disappointed that he split time with Gainwell. Kaleb Johnson took a backseat to them both, but I hoped Warren would dominate snaps and touches. Still, he will be a consistent RB-2 in dynasty lineups this season. I just wanted more, but the Steelers don't think he's built for it.
• Jauan Jennings
  • Jennings suddenly recovered from his injury after signing an incentive-laden deal with the 49ers. Upon hearing the news, I was eager to get him back in my lineups as a WR-3 in the one league I have him. Still, now he's on the injury report for real with a shoulder injury, moving him to the bench for a time in that league and making it less likely that he will hit the new incentives in his contract. At least he has serious motivation to get back on the field. The 49ers have to be the unluckiest team in the league. I expected Jennings to become a receiver with a reliable floor in PPR leagues this season, as he was expected to end the season last year and was eager to have him on one of my teams. However, one week of good news has turned into the next week of bad news for Jennings.
• Jameson Williams
  • Williams is thought by most dynasty managers to be on the verge of a breakout season, but I've consistently ranked him lower than consensus. His new contract in Detroit does not move the needle for me either. Even though he signed with the team long-term, he'll never be the focal point of the offense, who has at least two starters ahead of him in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs, if not three when counting Sam LaPorta. All three were targeted more than Williams in week one. Williams adds a lot to the Lions' offense and scheme, but not a lot to dynasty rosters. Though it was in garbage time, Isaac TeSlaa made the catch of the day. While he's a blast to watch and root for, William's new contract limits the future role for TeSlaa, much to the disappointment of his dynasty managers.

2. Offensive Surprises

• Daniel Jones and the Colts
  • I have to give myself props. If you've followed me all year, you know that I predicted Jones to win the job because he's a far better quarterback than Anthony Richardson. I expected Jones to be able to move the offense and keep things running smoothly within their system. That's one thing, but to lead the team to seven consecutive scoring drives is quite another. Daniel Jones and the Colts offense was by far the biggest surprise of the week. I thought he could elevate the offense and bring back to life the fading dynasty value of his pass catchers. He did that for Michael Pittman this week. Hopefully, Josh Downs will benefit too in future weeks. Making Tyler Warren his top target was music to the ears of dynasty managers who drafted Warren, who is the obvious candidate to be this year's Brock Bowers. What a showing by the Colts' offense and defense as they destroyed the Dolphins and silenced every fan or dynasty analyst blasting their decision to name Jones as their starter.
• Justin Fields and the Jets
  • If Jones was the biggest surprise of the week, Justin Fields and the Jets were the runner-up, even though they could not pull out the game against the Steelers. The Jets vs. Steelers game had by far the lowest over-under in week one, but it turned into an epic shootout. Everyone knows what Fields can do with his feet, but his passing was impressive in this game, too. I expected Fields to dampen the production of his star receiver, Garrett Wilson, but they showed incredible chemistry throughout the game. Breece Hall was also a huge surprise. While Braelon Allen did vulture a red-zone touchdown, Hall looked fantastic. I was among the doubters this year in Hall, expecting Allen to overtake him this season, but I looked stupid on Sunday when Hall's burst and versatility shined. He looked like his old self, and the Jets' offense looked like one to have this season instead of one to avoid, as I expected. It's only one game, but they proved me wrong this week. I'm willing to reconsider my expectations for the Jets offense this year.

3. Injuries

• Xavier Worthy
  • Worthy's injury on the third play of the game cost me two of my dynasty games this week, as I am losing by the slightest of margins. Worthy was set to be the focal point of the passing game to start the season after Rashee Rice's suspension. Now everything is up in the air in Kansas City while dynasty managers wait to see how long they have to wait to consider playing Worthy again this season.
• George Kittle
  • Kittle dominated on the first drive of the game and capped it with a touchdown catch, but then was never seen on the field again. His pulled hamstring should keep him off the field for several weeks. Kittle managers are sick about this one because he was poised to be the first or second most targeted pass catchers on the team this season. This year could have been his most productive fantasy season in his career, but now it's derailed, and his replacement, Jake Tonges, scored the game-winning touchdown instead of him. Kittle's manager went from having an every-week starter who was sure to finish as a top three tight end in the league this season to whatever second- or third-tier depth piece they have on their roster. That's a huge blow. 
• Brock Bowers
  • Bowers was doing Bowers things in game one before he left the game with a knee injury. So far, reports say that it is nothing serious. Dynasty managers hope so, because losing two of the top three tight ends would be a terrible way to start the season.
• Drake London
  • Apart from his touchdown drop at the end of the game on Sunday, London was tearing it up with Michael Penix, like he did at the end of last season, but after that play, he left the game with a shoulder injury. As of this writing, it is not serious. If it is, the already weak Falcons' wide receiver depth chart will take a huge blow, and so will their passing game.

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Stock Up

Kyle Pitts

• There's almost nothing less popular to say in dynasty circles than "I believe in Kyle Pitts," but I think I am willing to say it. Pitts looked great in game one and was second on the team in targets behind London. If London's injury keeps him away for a few weeks, Pitts will earn even more of the target share. Only Juwan Johnson had more tight-end targets this week. There's no questioning Pitts's athleticism. He has not seemed to fit in the Falcons' offensive schemes over the last few years, but it's not too late for them to figure it out. Week one gives me reason to believe they can. Pitts is a player worth trying to trade for, especially since many dynasty managers have soured on him and would like to get him off their rosters.

Jakobi Meyers

• Meyers has to be the least recognized WR-1 on any team in the league. He's constantly underrated by dynasty managers who need to wake up and realize he's one of the most reliable fantasy-producing wide receivers in the league. He led the Raiders again this week in targets (10) and catches (8) for 97 yards receiving. He gets no respect. Only Hollywood Brown (because of Worthy's injury), Puka Nacua, and Jaxson Smith-Njigba had more receptions than Meyers this week. Meyers has one of the safest wide receiver floors in the league. A dynasty team with only one hole in its starting lineup would be wise to trade for Meyers, who can fill that hole with absolute consistency.

Kayshon Boutte

• Better late than never, the saying goes, and it holds true for Boutte, who was once the top devy receiver in many dynasty managers' rankings. Boutte held off all of the competition this offseason to earn the starting wide receiver role for the Patriots, even though he was inherited by the new coaching staff instead of one of the guys they drafted or added in free agency. In week one, he led the team with 103 yards receiving and was the downfield threat Drake Maye looked to throughout the game. Boutte was on the waiver wire in several of my leagues this offseason, but was wisely added as it became clear that he had won the starting job. His week-one performance was a delight to managers who added him. He's far from being a player worth trusting in starting lineups, but it would not be out of the question ot see him develop into a starter. Keep an eye on Boutte!

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Stock Down

Tyreek Hill

• Within a few minutes of Miami's disastrous game, Hill was seen frustrated and yelling on the sideline. He likes to blame others, but it might be time for him to point the finger at himself. I only have Hill in one dynasty league, and like most managers I have seen, I have chosen to ride him until the end rather than trade him away. The end may be sooner than I thought. I hoped for one more bounce-back year, especially since he's on one of my most dominant rosters and I am obviously not rebuilding in that league. If he and the Dolphins offense play like they did on Sunday, he'll become a dying benchwarmer on my squad and make my run a third-straight Super Bowl appearance less likely. I benched him in the Super Bowl last year. Sadly, he could see the bench a lot earlier this year.

Kenneth Walker

• The Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet splits were shocking this week, and Charbonnet was used on the goal-line and in passing downs instead of Walker, who looked terrible every time he touched the ball.  The Seattle run offense, which looked fantastic in the preseason, looked awful on Sunday. Charbonnet did not look great either, but he looked better than Walker and was used more often. Walker, in the last year of his contract, needs to prove something this season or his dynasty stock will plummet. Charbonnet may already be moving into the leading role.

Mark Andrews

• I likely had Andrews on a similar list early last season before he turned things around super late in the season, but I will add him here again. He's not a focal point of the passing game anymore. Zay Flowers is a superstar and has taken the leading role in the passing game, which no longer needs to rely on tight ends like it did for years. Andrews had just one target and one catch Sunday night. He can't be trusted as a starter in dynasty lineups any longer. Targets provide the floor and upside for tight ends, especially, and he's not going to get them. It's time ot move on from Andrews if you still can.

Young Guns

Emeka Ebuka

• Oh my!  What a debut for Ebuka with two touchdowns, including the game-winner. All he lacked was a little more volume, but when the game was on the line, he made the play to win the game. He was the talk of camp for weeks leading up to the game, and he's the highlight of game one. What a fantastic breakout game. I missed out on Ebuka so many times this year, as I drafted from the 8 to 12 spot in so many of my leagues. I passed on him once, selecting Colston Loveland in a tight end premium league with old man Mark Andrews as my starter. The process seemed right, but now I have some regrets. He strangely fell to me at 11 in a salaray cap league where running backs tend to get drafted ahead of receivers, and I started him in that league this week. In my recent super-flex start-up draft, I selected him at the four-five turn and started him this week, too. All who drafted Ebuka are smiling this week. It's not out of the question at all that he'll become the best wide receiver in this class ahead of Tetairoa McMillan and Travis Hunter. Time will tell, but he's the top rookie in week one.

Harold Fannin

• My goodness! Who would have thought that Fannin would lead the Browns in targets and more than double the fantasy points of David Njoku in week one of his rookie season? The Browns have proven that they are not taking a developmental approach to their rookie tight end. They want him on the field immediately because they see him as one of their best weapons in the passing game. He had almost the exact same stat line as Tyler Warren, with the same number of targets and catches, with just 13 fewer yards receiving. Dynasty managers expected Warren to hit the ground running, but thought they'd have to wait a year or more on Fannin. Now they don't.  What a huge surprise and a great find in the third round of rookie drafts. I'd want to see it for one more week before starting him, but one more week would be enough for me to do so. 

Michael Penix

• Penix was one of the most significant question marks heading into this season, as he started so few games last season and not until the very end of the season. He answered the bell fine, giving dynasty managers confidence in starting him in superflex leagues and consideration in one-quarterback leagues. He threw a touchdown and ran for one, and almost hit the 300-yard mark in passing with 298 yards. He wisely targeted his playmakers, Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, the most, giving them a combined 30 of his 41 targets. He looked confident and didn't make mistakes, even though he faced a lot of pressure from the Tampa Bay pass rush. He passed the test and led the team down the field for a game-tying drive, but his kicker missed the field goal to send it to overtime. He looked great, proving that his few stellar games at the end of last season were not a fluke.

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Old-Man Strength

Keenan Allen

• Allen could not have landed with a better team than the Chargers. He stepped right in as if he had never left and became a prime target of Justin Herbert and the surprisingly pass-happy offense. The old man led the team in targets (10) and catches (7) and scored a touchdown in his second debut with the team. Allen knows how to get open and is a quarterback's best friend. He's one of the all-time greats. Although most rebuilding teams have sold him by now, including myself several times, he continues to produce for contending teams. What a marvel he is.

Aaron Rodgers

• No one expected old man Rodgers to throw four touchdowns in a comeback win over his former team, the Jets, but that's precisely what the 41-year-old did. I expected a very conservative offensive approach in Pittsburgh, but the Steelers let it all hang out and gave Rodgers the reins in the passing game. Calvin Austin was the biggest surprise, becoming the clear WR-2 behind D.K. Metcalf and a recipient of Rodgers' game-winning touchdown. To my surprise, Jonnu Smith was targeted twice as often as Pat Freiermuth. The Steelers have new and different weapons this season, and Rodgers brought them to life. We'll see if he has one more playoff run in him in what he says will be his final season in the NFL.

Javonte Williams

• Going all the way back to Thursday night, we cannot forget the surprising bounce-back performance by Williams, who scored two touchdowns and solidified the RB-1 role for the Cowboys with his performance. He doesn't truly fit the old-man category. Still, I'm giving myself some leeway to write about a player whose dynasty value fell significantly over the last two years and seemed unrecoverable even after signing with his second team, the Cowboys. He's just 25 years old, having played four years in Denver. He has plenty of time to reestablish himself as an NFL starter and a starter in dynasty lineups. I want to see it for one more week in the only league where I have a share of him, but so far, I am pleased to have traded Cedric Tillman for him in that league, especially since I am weak at running back and my wide receiver depth chart is very strong. 

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Waiver Watch

As a reminder, I play in leagues that roster 300 to 392 players, so these are players available in leagues as deep as mine - true dynasty leagues.

Hollywood Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster

• Brown is only available in one of my leagues, so I still list him here. While Juju is available in almost all of them. Both will benefit from an extended absence from Xavier Worthy, as they did Friday night. Neither is worth breaking the bank over, though I would put a decent amount of FAAB down on Brown in the only league where he is available. I can imagine starting him in deep lineups when Worthy is out, but it would have to be a really deep league to trust in Juju again.

Dyami Brown

• Brown is not available in many of my leagues because he is on my roster in most. He was used by the new Jaguars' offense as I expected, as a gadget player, but one who is on the field almost every play. He had two carries and three catches on Sunday. He's only startable in deep leagues and likely in a bye week, but if you have to start him, you can be sure that he will get touches, which is more than you can say for most guys on the waiver wire in dynasty leagues. His upside will skyrocket if Travis Hunter ever gets injured or moves to play defense more often.

KaVontae Turpin

• As I said of Brown, I will say of Turpin. He will get touches in Dallas as he did in their season opener, where they used him as a runner and pass catcher. He's only rosterable in the deepest of leagues, but he's a player worth considering after week one.

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Dynasty Trades

Kenneth Walker <=======> Jarquez Hunter and a 2026 1st round pick

• A manager in one of my leagues decided it was time to enter rebuild mode, so he made these first two trades to acquire young prospects and draft picks in exchange for veterans. This trade is a prototypical trade for a rebuilding team, giving up a running back for a rookie and a first-round draft pick. It's a reasonable trade that will take time to evaluate. It's just week one, but given Walker's performance in week one, this looks like an excellent deal for the team aiming to rebuild. If Charbonnet steals the leading role in Seattle, the rebuilding team will win this trade. Hunter was inactive on Sunday, proving again that the Rams trust Blake Corum as Kyren Williams's backup. I understand why some dynasty managers still hold onto hope for him, but his opportunities will likely be limited. The future first, however, will be a player more likely to help the rebuilding team.

Keenan Allen <=======> Ja'Tavion Sanders and 2026 3rd

• The same manager sent Allen away for a young tight end and a third-round pick. The team receiving Allen is a top-two roster in the league and could easily afford to make this trade. Allen will see his starting lineup often this season, especially after his week-one performance. We'll see if Sanders can break out this season. If so, the rebuilding team will be pleased with this trade. A third-round pick is hard to bank on, though. That was about the best he could get for Allen, but had he waited until after Friday's game to make the trade, he could have gotten a lot more for him, I'm sure.

Ladd McConkey <=======> Joe Flacco and Emeka Ebuka

• This trade was a fun one between two teams with differing evaluations of their first- and second-year receivers. Flacco is a wash in this trade.  It's really about the young receivers. I've yet to update my rankings as of this article, but before week one, I had McConkey ranked 13th and Ebuka 17th, so they were already close before Ebuka's awesome first game. This is a fair trade with top young stud wide receivers. Each manager placed their bets on one above the other. Time will tell, though I expect they will always be ranked closely together.

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