The fantasy soccer season has wrapped up for some, however managers in dynasty leagues know that the motion by no means sleeps, as poring over your roster and planning for future seasons is a nonstop journey.
So, which gamers can dynasty managers depend on for years to return? And which ought to be downgraded earlier than it is too late and their commerce worth plummets?
Here are 12 notables who modified their dynasty worth essentially the most throughout the 2024 season, some for the higher and a few for the more serious.
Risers
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
We knew Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and the one participant in FBS historical past with over 12,000 passing yards and three,000 speeding yards, was going to be good on the subsequent degree, however we did not know he was going to be this good — particularly as a passer — so quickly. Daniels completed because the fantasy QB5 and have become one in every of solely two rookie quarterbacks in league historical past with 10-plus wins and over 4,000 mixed passing and speeding yards. His 864 speeding yards have been essentially the most by a rookie QB in league historical past. Any dynasty supervisor lucky sufficient to have Daniels can be well-served using it out with him so long as attainable.
Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Darnold lastly discovered the appropriate match with the Vikings, his fourth NFL crew. He thrived on account of being surrounded by receiving expertise like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and guided by offensive-minded head coach Kevin O’Connell. Taking over for the injured J.J. McCarthy, Darnold completed as QB9, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions whereas finishing 66.2% of his passes with a 102.5 passer ranking. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod and confirmed he can lead an offense. Whether he stays in Minnesota or lands elsewhere, what Darnold did in 2024 fully adjustments the trajectory of his NFL profession.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
The solely receivers who scored extra fantasy factors than Thomas this season have been Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze bought many of the rookie hype, however Thomas deserved extra consideration. He grew to become simply the fourth rookie within the Super Bowl period to prime 1,100 receiving yards and rating 10 touchdowns, and did so whereas catching passes from a number of quarterbacks. It’s thrilling to consider what he can do in Year 2 and past.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving was chosen within the fourth spherical of the 2024 NFL draft, initially projected as a passing-down again. He was anticipated to enrich Rachaad White, who averaged 19.8 touches per sport in 2023 and completed as a top-five fantasy RB. But Irving’s expertise and flexibility on the sphere, each as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher, was simple. He pressured his method onto the sphere, ending as a top-15 fantasy working again. The rookie additionally had three video games with over 150 complete yards, exhibiting he can ship huge performances. Not unhealthy for somebody drafted outdoors the highest eight RBs in most rookie drafts.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Smith-Njigba was behind veterans DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in 2023, ending outdoors the highest 40 fantasy receivers. Fast-forward to 2024, and his story took an enormous flip. He completed as a top-10 fantasy receiver and led the Seahawks in targets (100) whereas hauling in 1,130 yards and 6 touchdowns — fairly the turnaround for somebody drafted outdoors the highest 30 receivers this summer season. The Seahawks’ offense ran smoother with Smith-Njigba as the point of interest, and that development is more likely to proceed into 2025, even with the Seahawks changing Ryan Grubb at offensive coordinator.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
Many fantasy managers wrote off Young after he was benched for Andy Dalton following Week 2. It was a shocking determination by head coach Dave Canales that shocked the NFL group. Young’s resurgence after regaining the beginning nod was a sight to behold, particularly after a rookie season that fell nicely wanting expectations for the 2023 No. 1 total choose. He averaged 20.7 fantasy factors from Weeks 12 to 18, ending robust with a season-high 36.4 factors in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons. Young might be a rising star in each redraft and dynasty leagues.
Fallers
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
Stroud completed as a top-10 fantasy quarterback throughout his rookie season in 2023, resulting in lofty expectations heading into his second NFL season, particularly with the addition of Stefon Diggs. But a Texans offensive line that ranked twenty second in move block win price affected Stroud’s pocket presence, and the Ohio State product was removed from the identical participant in 2024. On prime of that, accidents to his prime three receivers did not assist, and Stroud completed because the QB18 with only one sport of 20-plus fantasy factors. It’ll be fascinating to see how he rebounds in 2025, however this season actually was cause for concern.
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
It’s straightforward to be impressed by Richardson’s speeding skill, however his lack of progress as a passer in Year 2 was a significant situation. And by main, we imply main. Richardson’s 47.7% completion share ranked final within the NFL. In reality, no different QB to look in a sport this season completed below 51.6%. Until Richardson exhibits enchancment, it is going to be troublesome to belief him or anybody within the Colts’ passing sport, together with Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. Right now, there are many higher and extra dependable quarterbacks to construct round than Richardson.
Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, San Francisco 49ers
Samuel had a disappointing, injury-plagued season, ending with simply 806 scrimmage yards and 4 touchdowns, which have been profession lows (apart from the 2020 season when he performed simply seven video games). He ended the 2024 season outdoors of the top-40 fantasy receivers, a reasonably extreme drop from earlier seasons, particularly since he was drafted inside the highest 30. Adding to the priority, Jauan Jennings broke out and rookie Ricky Pearsall closed the season robust. Samuel turns 29 on Jan. 15 and has quite a bit to show subsequent season, as a result of one other season like this one and his days as a fantasy contributor might be numbered.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua has turn out to be the Rams’ prime fantasy receiver, averaging 9.5 targets and 18.0 fantasy factors per sport since his rookie season in 2023. Meanwhile, Kupp had simply 4 receptions for 53 yards over his remaining three video games of 2024, and simply 67 complete catches in his 12 video games this season. Kupp is not the receiver he as soon as was and he shall be 32 years previous subsequent season. To put that in perspective, Davante Adams was the one receiver age 32 or older to succeed in 185 fantasy factors in 2024.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
Harrison was the primary rookie taken in practically all fantasy drafts and the highest-drafted rookie extensive receiver in ESPN leagues over the previous 20 seasons. Then he completed outdoors of the top-25 fantasy receivers, falling nicely wanting lofty expectations. The Cardinals’ teaching workers did not put him in the very best place to succeed, and his chemistry with Kyler Murray appeared non-existent at instances. In addition, Murray’s brief stature already requires a artistic playbook, one thing Arizona hasn’t absolutely discovered. Harrison had simply three video games with at the very least 10 targets and solely seven with double-digit fantasy factors.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers took Brooks within the second spherical of the 2024 NFL draft — the primary working again to return off the board — with the hope of revitalizing their working sport. Despite Brooks beginning the season on the PUP/NFI record as he recovered from a torn ACL, fantasy managers have been nonetheless optimistic, anticipating him to make an affect upon his return. Things did not work out that method, although, as Chuba Hubbard grew to become a pressure within the backfield and put up 19.5 touches and 16.1 fantasy factors per sport. That sort of efficiency earned Hubbard a four-year contract extension in early November, after which Brooks suffered one other ACL tear that might value him a lot or all of 2025. Dynasty managers must proceed to play the ready sport for Brooks, with little assure of something materializing as hoped in Carolina.
