Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)
by Bryan Rockwood
Dynasty is a game where you need to forecast a player’s potential and make moves accordingly. And if I’m being honest, it’s pretty hard to get it right! Dynasty managers often make bets on late-round rookies because they provide the biggest return on investment. Sadly, those lottery tickets don’t always cash out.
When a player does start to gain some steam, however, those are the signals we want to follow.
The regular season is right around the corner, and we have seen a few names begin to swirl around socials as fun fantasy options. Some of those players may be off the market as the hype train continues to roll. But it never hurts to check in with the owners of these players to see if they are willing to move them. After all, now is the last time to get these guys before a potential breakout.
“Might be Too Late” (But Go Ask Anyway) Buys
These are players who have garnered considerable buzz over the past few weeks, significantly inflating their value. They are most likely off the table in most leagues, or if not, will cost a bit more than they are worth. Send over that trade request anyway! Never know until you ask.
Jacory “Bill” Merritt-Croskey, RB, Washington Commanders
The big name going around is 7th-round running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt. His name is gaining traction as former starting RB Brian Robinson was recently traded to the San Francisco 49ers. With a chance to win the starting job, managers are betting Croskey-Merritt can overcome the remaining incumbents in Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez. We won’t know the real breakdown in splits between the three until we see them on the field, making Croskey-Merritt an interesting speculative buy.
Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions
Isaac TeSlaa won’t stop scoring.
3rd TD of the preseason and pairs it with a legendary celebration!— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) August 23, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Isaac TeSlaa may only be the WR4 on the depth chart, but has jumped functionally to the WR3 role on this offense after a recent trade sent Tim Patrick to Jacksonville. He’s someone that owners will likely want to hold on to due to his spot on a strong Detroit offense.
Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Tory Horton, like TeSlaa, is a player whose stock is rising thanks to the departure of the veteran ahead of him. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was released before the roster cutdown deadline, kicking the door wide open for Tory Horton to see the field. I think we’ll see Horton become an every-week player sooner rather than later.
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
The surprise story from the Panthers last season was Jalen Coker’s unlikely rise as a reliable receiving option. The second-year man out of Holy Cross now has a clear path to playing the slot full-time with the recent trade of Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings. We’ve seen the connection between QB Bryce Young and Coker blossom into something towards the end of 2024. I’m confident these two will continue to grow together and be fantasy producers moving forward.
“Beat the Breakout” Candidates
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans
There was plenty of excitement surrounding Elic Ayomanor, a 4th-round selection from Stanford, during the draft season, which has long since calmed down. Fortunately, the drumbeat surrounding Ayomanor’s role in this offensive is getting louder by the day. Ayomanor is a big target with a strong rapport with QB Cameron Ward.
For those brave enough to watch pre-season games, you saw how Ayomanor could make a splash as a regular feature in the offense. A young wide receiver tied to a rookie QB could spell dynasty greatness for years to come. I would be happy to send over a future pick to get a share of Elic Ayomanor. If we see him heavily involved in Week 1, that price will jump from an early 3rd/2nd round pick to a first pretty quickly.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
KeAndre Lambert-Smith may have been a day-three pick for the Chargers, but he is certainly much more than that to this offense. KLS represents an additional outside option at receiver with both Tre Harris and Quentin Johnston dealing with injuries. With a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash, Lambert-Smith has the speed necessary to threaten big plays down the field.
If the season were to start today, Lambert-Smith would be on the field for three wide receiver sets. This is a player worth rostering, and one with some intriguing upside, as he is expected to see more snaps than his competition. Lambert-Smith should still be a relative value. Having Ladd McConkey on this roster should keep his price low and within a good buying range for most managers.
Ollie Gordon, RB, Miami Dolphins
Ollie Gordon this preseason:
26 attempts
126 rushing yards
4.8 YPC
1 TD
Jaylen Wright averaged 1.5 YPC this preseason.— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) August 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
While Ollie Gordon joined the Dolphins as their fourth running back on the depth chart, he might end up suiting up in Week 1 as their starter. Injuries to Jaylen Wright and Alexander Mattison have propelled Gordon to backup status. But the really interesting development in all this is the calf injury that starting RB De’Von Achane is battling before the season.
If Achane misses any sort of time, Gordon suddenly becomes the de facto starter. The starting running back for this offense, and any offense really, is in immediate “start” consideration in any format. We absolutely want that on our dynasty rosters. Better yet, if Gordon impresses in that scenario, he could carve out a much bigger role for himself throughout the year.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
Much like Ollie Gordon, Woody Marks is a backup running back who can very quickly find himself in the starting role. Marks is a running back with true three-down capabilities. He’s a far more electric pass-catcher than fellow RBs Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce, giving us the upside we love to see in fantasy.
The good news for us buyers – Marks has not yet separated himself from the pack in this running back room. The hope is that as the season progresses, Marks will gain the confidence of his coaching staff and begin to see more snaps. This is one of the more “wait and see” players on this list. The Texans’ offense can be great, and we want to get a cheap piece of that good offense by way of Woody Marks.
Older Player Buys for Contenders
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
We know exactly who Adam Thielen is at this point in his career. He’s a reliable target with sure hands that can easily find space to get open. In Carolina, he helped both Andy Dalton and Bryce Young consistently move the chains in an otherwise rough offense. Now he heads back to Minnesota, where it all started, to help JJ McCarthy do the same. The Vikings’ wide receiver room is pretty banged up, allowing Thielen to soak up the majority of targets. From age alone, he should be a cheap buy in dynasty.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders
While managers are scrambling to grab Bill Croskey-Merritt, now could be the time to get a discount on Austin Ekeler. Ekeler was good for fantasy rosters last year despite splitting time with Brian Robinson. With Robinson now gone, Ekeler projects to be the starter for an exciting Commanders offense. He still has that explosive step that made him the RB1 overall all those years ago. As long as he’s healthy, he should be a weekly start on your roster.
Bryan Rockwood is an Analyst with Optimus Fantasy who’s always on the lookout for the next deep dynasty sleeper. You can find him putting out articles here, on Fantrax, or FantasyNow+!
Dynasty is a game where you need to forecast a player’s potential and make moves accordingly. And if I’m being honest, it’s pretty hard to get it right! Dynasty managers often make bets on late-round rookies because they provide the biggest return on investment. Sadly, those lottery tickets don’t always cash out.
When a player does start to gain some steam, however, those are the signals we want to follow.
The regular season is right around the corner, and we have seen a few names begin to swirl around socials as fun fantasy options. Some of those players may be off the market as the hype train continues to roll. But it never hurts to check in with the owners of these players to see if they are willing to move them. After all, now is the last time to get these guys before a potential breakout.
“Might be Too Late” (But Go Ask Anyway) Buys
These are players who have garnered considerable buzz over the past few weeks, significantly inflating their value. They are most likely off the table in most leagues, or if not, will cost a bit more than they are worth. Send over that trade request anyway! Never know until you ask.
Jacory “Bill” Merritt-Croskey, RB, Washington Commanders
The big name going around is 7th-round running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt. His name is gaining traction as former starting RB Brian Robinson was recently traded to the San Francisco 49ers. With a chance to win the starting job, managers are betting Croskey-Merritt can overcome the remaining incumbents in Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez. We won’t know the real breakdown in splits between the three until we see them on the field, making Croskey-Merritt an interesting speculative buy.
Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions
Isaac TeSlaa won’t stop scoring.
3rd TD of the preseason and pairs it with a legendary celebration!— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) August 23, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Isaac TeSlaa may only be the WR4 on the depth chart, but has jumped functionally to the WR3 role on this offense after a recent trade sent Tim Patrick to Jacksonville. He’s someone that owners will likely want to hold on to due to his spot on a strong Detroit offense.
Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Tory Horton, like TeSlaa, is a player whose stock is rising thanks to the departure of the veteran ahead of him. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was released before the roster cutdown deadline, kicking the door wide open for Tory Horton to see the field. I think we’ll see Horton become an every-week player sooner rather than later.
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
The surprise story from the Panthers last season was Jalen Coker’s unlikely rise as a reliable receiving option. The second-year man out of Holy Cross now has a clear path to playing the slot full-time with the recent trade of Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings. We’ve seen the connection between QB Bryce Young and Coker blossom into something towards the end of 2024. I’m confident these two will continue to grow together and be fantasy producers moving forward.
“Beat the Breakout” Candidates
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans
There was plenty of excitement surrounding Elic Ayomanor, a 4th-round selection from Stanford, during the draft season, which has long since calmed down. Fortunately, the drumbeat surrounding Ayomanor’s role in this offensive is getting louder by the day. Ayomanor is a big target with a strong rapport with QB Cameron Ward.
For those brave enough to watch pre-season games, you saw how Ayomanor could make a splash as a regular feature in the offense. A young wide receiver tied to a rookie QB could spell dynasty greatness for years to come. I would be happy to send over a future pick to get a share of Elic Ayomanor. If we see him heavily involved in Week 1, that price will jump from an early 3rd/2nd round pick to a first pretty quickly.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
KeAndre Lambert-Smith may have been a day-three pick for the Chargers, but he is certainly much more than that to this offense. KLS represents an additional outside option at receiver with both Tre Harris and Quentin Johnston dealing with injuries. With a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash, Lambert-Smith has the speed necessary to threaten big plays down the field.
If the season were to start today, Lambert-Smith would be on the field for three wide receiver sets. This is a player worth rostering, and one with some intriguing upside, as he is expected to see more snaps than his competition. Lambert-Smith should still be a relative value. Having Ladd McConkey on this roster should keep his price low and within a good buying range for most managers.
Ollie Gordon, RB, Miami Dolphins
Ollie Gordon this preseason:
26 attempts
126 rushing yards
4.8 YPC
1 TD
Jaylen Wright averaged 1.5 YPC this preseason.— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) August 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
While Ollie Gordon joined the Dolphins as their fourth running back on the depth chart, he might end up suiting up in Week 1 as their starter. Injuries to Jaylen Wright and Alexander Mattison have propelled Gordon to backup status. But the really interesting development in all this is the calf injury that starting RB De’Von Achane is battling before the season.
If Achane misses any sort of time, Gordon suddenly becomes the de facto starter. The starting running back for this offense, and any offense really, is in immediate “start” consideration in any format. We absolutely want that on our dynasty rosters. Better yet, if Gordon impresses in that scenario, he could carve out a much bigger role for himself throughout the year.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
Much like Ollie Gordon, Woody Marks is a backup running back who can very quickly find himself in the starting role. Marks is a running back with true three-down capabilities. He’s a far more electric pass-catcher than fellow RBs Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce, giving us the upside we love to see in fantasy.
The good news for us buyers – Marks has not yet separated himself from the pack in this running back room. The hope is that as the season progresses, Marks will gain the confidence of his coaching staff and begin to see more snaps. This is one of the more “wait and see” players on this list. The Texans’ offense can be great, and we want to get a cheap piece of that good offense by way of Woody Marks.
Older Player Buys for Contenders
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
We know exactly who Adam Thielen is at this point in his career. He’s a reliable target with sure hands that can easily find space to get open. In Carolina, he helped both Andy Dalton and Bryce Young consistently move the chains in an otherwise rough offense. Now he heads back to Minnesota, where it all started, to help JJ McCarthy do the same. The Vikings’ wide receiver room is pretty banged up, allowing Thielen to soak up the majority of targets. From age alone, he should be a cheap buy in dynasty.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders
While managers are scrambling to grab Bill Croskey-Merritt, now could be the time to get a discount on Austin Ekeler. Ekeler was good for fantasy rosters last year despite splitting time with Brian Robinson. With Robinson now gone, Ekeler projects to be the starter for an exciting Commanders offense. He still has that explosive step that made him the RB1 overall all those years ago. As long as he’s healthy, he should be a weekly start on your roster.
Bryan Rockwood is an Analyst with Optimus Fantasy who’s always on the lookout for the next deep dynasty sleeper. You can find him putting out articles here, on Fantrax, or FantasyNow+!
Dynasty is a game where you need to forecast a player’s potential and make moves accordingly. And if I’m being honest, it’s pretty hard to get it right! Dynasty managers often make bets on late-round rookies because they provide the biggest return on investment. Sadly, those lottery tickets don’t always cash out.
When a player does start to gain some steam, however, those are the signals we want to follow.
The regular season is right around the corner, and we have seen a few names begin to swirl around socials as fun fantasy options. Some of those players may be off the market as the hype train continues to roll. But it never hurts to check in with the owners of these players to see if they are willing to move them. After all, now is the last time to get these guys before a potential breakout.
“Might be Too Late” (But Go Ask Anyway) Buys
These are players who have garnered considerable buzz over the past few weeks, significantly inflating their value. They are most likely off the table in most leagues, or if not, will cost a bit more than they are worth. Send over that trade request anyway! Never know until you ask.
Jacory “Bill” Merritt-Croskey, RB, Washington Commanders
The big name going around is 7th-round running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt. His name is gaining traction as former starting RB Brian Robinson was recently traded to the San Francisco 49ers. With a chance to win the starting job, managers are betting Croskey-Merritt can overcome the remaining incumbents in Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez. We won’t know the real breakdown in splits between the three until we see them on the field, making Croskey-Merritt an interesting speculative buy.
Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions
Isaac TeSlaa won’t stop scoring.
3rd TD of the preseason and pairs it with a legendary celebration!— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) August 23, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Isaac TeSlaa may only be the WR4 on the depth chart, but has jumped functionally to the WR3 role on this offense after a recent trade sent Tim Patrick to Jacksonville. He’s someone that owners will likely want to hold on to due to his spot on a strong Detroit offense.
Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Tory Horton, like TeSlaa, is a player whose stock is rising thanks to the departure of the veteran ahead of him. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was released before the roster cutdown deadline, kicking the door wide open for Tory Horton to see the field. I think we’ll see Horton become an every-week player sooner rather than later.
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
The surprise story from the Panthers last season was Jalen Coker’s unlikely rise as a reliable receiving option. The second-year man out of Holy Cross now has a clear path to playing the slot full-time with the recent trade of Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings. We’ve seen the connection between QB Bryce Young and Coker blossom into something towards the end of 2024. I’m confident these two will continue to grow together and be fantasy producers moving forward.
“Beat the Breakout” Candidates
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans
There was plenty of excitement surrounding Elic Ayomanor, a 4th-round selection from Stanford, during the draft season, which has long since calmed down. Fortunately, the drumbeat surrounding Ayomanor’s role in this offensive is getting louder by the day. Ayomanor is a big target with a strong rapport with QB Cameron Ward.
For those brave enough to watch pre-season games, you saw how Ayomanor could make a splash as a regular feature in the offense. A young wide receiver tied to a rookie QB could spell dynasty greatness for years to come. I would be happy to send over a future pick to get a share of Elic Ayomanor. If we see him heavily involved in Week 1, that price will jump from an early 3rd/2nd round pick to a first pretty quickly.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
KeAndre Lambert-Smith may have been a day-three pick for the Chargers, but he is certainly much more than that to this offense. KLS represents an additional outside option at receiver with both Tre Harris and Quentin Johnston dealing with injuries. With a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash, Lambert-Smith has the speed necessary to threaten big plays down the field.
If the season were to start today, Lambert-Smith would be on the field for three wide receiver sets. This is a player worth rostering, and one with some intriguing upside, as he is expected to see more snaps than his competition. Lambert-Smith should still be a relative value. Having Ladd McConkey on this roster should keep his price low and within a good buying range for most managers.
Ollie Gordon, RB, Miami Dolphins
Ollie Gordon this preseason:
26 attempts
126 rushing yards
4.8 YPC
1 TD
Jaylen Wright averaged 1.5 YPC this preseason.— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) August 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
While Ollie Gordon joined the Dolphins as their fourth running back on the depth chart, he might end up suiting up in Week 1 as their starter. Injuries to Jaylen Wright and Alexander Mattison have propelled Gordon to backup status. But the really interesting development in all this is the calf injury that starting RB De’Von Achane is battling before the season.
If Achane misses any sort of time, Gordon suddenly becomes the de facto starter. The starting running back for this offense, and any offense really, is in immediate “start” consideration in any format. We absolutely want that on our dynasty rosters. Better yet, if Gordon impresses in that scenario, he could carve out a much bigger role for himself throughout the year.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
Much like Ollie Gordon, Woody Marks is a backup running back who can very quickly find himself in the starting role. Marks is a running back with true three-down capabilities. He’s a far more electric pass-catcher than fellow RBs Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce, giving us the upside we love to see in fantasy.
The good news for us buyers – Marks has not yet separated himself from the pack in this running back room. The hope is that as the season progresses, Marks will gain the confidence of his coaching staff and begin to see more snaps. This is one of the more “wait and see” players on this list. The Texans’ offense can be great, and we want to get a cheap piece of that good offense by way of Woody Marks.
Older Player Buys for Contenders
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
We know exactly who Adam Thielen is at this point in his career. He’s a reliable target with sure hands that can easily find space to get open. In Carolina, he helped both Andy Dalton and Bryce Young consistently move the chains in an otherwise rough offense. Now he heads back to Minnesota, where it all started, to help JJ McCarthy do the same. The Vikings’ wide receiver room is pretty banged up, allowing Thielen to soak up the majority of targets. From age alone, he should be a cheap buy in dynasty.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders
While managers are scrambling to grab Bill Croskey-Merritt, now could be the time to get a discount on Austin Ekeler. Ekeler was good for fantasy rosters last year despite splitting time with Brian Robinson. With Robinson now gone, Ekeler projects to be the starter for an exciting Commanders offense. He still has that explosive step that made him the RB1 overall all those years ago. As long as he’s healthy, he should be a weekly start on your roster.
Bryan Rockwood is an Analyst with Optimus Fantasy who’s always on the lookout for the next deep dynasty sleeper. You can find him putting out articles here, on Fantrax, or FantasyNow+!
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