This format is still a smaller corner of the fantasy space. Not everyone plays it, and there are even fewer analysts consistently putting out full devy rankings, player takes, and long-term evaluations. So when we talk about being “higher than consensus,” it is not always as simple as comparing my rankings to a massive industry average.

For this article, I’m using the word consensus a little loosely.

Really, this is more of a rankings audit against the people I talk devy with the most. That means comparing my board to Christian’s, Jay’s, and the general feel I get from the broader devy market. Sometimes that market is clear. Other times, it is just reading the room, looking at startup prices, listening to conversations, and figuring out where my conviction is stronger than most.

That is what this article is about.

These are five players I am higher on than the people around me. Not because they are perfect prospects. Not because there is no risk. But because I am betting on the ceiling. I am betting on the profile, the talent, the situation, or the development path lining up in a way that could make them look much more valuable a year from now.

Every ranking is a bet. These are five of mine.

Arch Manning, QB, Texas

My Rank: 57
Christian: 106 | Jay: 83
Difference: +19

This one might feel like a cop-out to some people because, yes, it is Arch Manning. He was the consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class. He is the grandson of Archie Manning and the nephew of Peyton and Eli. The name is always going to carry weight.

But within TDR, I do feel like I am a little bit on an island with Arch this year.

I currently have him ranked 57th overall in my devy rankings. Christian has him at 106. Jay has him at 83. So while the broader market may still be intrigued by the name, I am clearly higher than the guys I talk devy with the most.

And honestly, I am fine planting my flag here.

Manning’s 2025 season was not perfect. It was his first full year as the starter after two seasons of spot duty, and the results were streaky. He threw 26 touchdowns to seven interceptions across 13 starts, with losses to Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia. There were moments where the hype felt too loud. There were also moments where the tools looked exactly like what we expected from a former No. 1 overall recruit.

That is the bet.

The arm talent is real. The ball jumps out of his hand, especially when he is attacking vertically. He can drive throws to the field, create explosive plays, and stress defenses at every level. But what I think gets overlooked is the athleticism. Manning is not just a pocket passer with a famous last name. He is a legitimate dual-threat quarterback who can punish defenses when contain breaks. He led Texas with eight rushing touchdowns, and that rushing element gives him fantasy upside that I think the market may still be underrating.

The encouraging part is the trajectory. If you only watched the early-season film, I understand why there would be hesitation. The Ohio State game was uneven. The UTEP game was not clean. He missed too many layups, and his feet created issues with his short accuracy. When the pressure got home, his base would narrow, the release point would drift, and he would hold the ball looking for the perfect picture instead of taking the easy answer.

Those flaws are real but I also think the second half of the season told a different story. By November, Manning looked more comfortable operating the offense. He was throwing with better anticipation, showing more command at the line, and playing with more confidence. The Sam Houston, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and bowl game flashes are the type of performances that keep me buying into the ceiling.

That is what this comes down to for me. I am not ranking Arch this high because of the last name. I am ranking him this high because the profile still has everything I want to bet on. Former elite recruit. First-round caliber arm. Functional athleticism. Rushing touchdown upside. A full season of starting experience. Back-half growth. And now he returns to Texas in 2026 with a chance to turn the flashes into consistency.

The short accuracy has to improve. The footwork has to tighten. He has to stop drifting under pressure and take the easy throws more often. I am not pretending the flaws are not there. But in devy, I want to bet on players who can hit ceilings that actually matter. Manning has that kind of ceiling. If the mechanical issues clean up and the late-season growth carries into 2026, I do not think we are talking about him as a risky devy asset anymore. I think we are talking about him as a legitimate 1.01 candidate. That is where I am at with Arch. I personally think he takes the next step, becomes the QB1 of the 2027 class, and puts himself firmly in the conversation to be the first player selected in devy drafts next offseason.

Damon Ferguson, RB, Pittsburgh

Class: 2029
My Rank: 217
Jay: 304 | Christian: Unranked
Tier: 15

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

Julian Sayin’s first season ended on the lowest note. Ohio State’s championship aspirations were wiped away with elite defensive line play and lackluster play from their Heisman-hopeful quarterback against an eventual national title contender. Of course, the Heisman was already a done deal after the Big Ten Championship, but Sayin’s play through the regular season put him squarely in the conversation. Debate about Sayin’s measurables, tools, and lack of reps will persist throughout the 2026 college football season. He’s considered short for the quarterback position, standing at 6-foot-one, and he’s not very stocky, sitting at just north of 200 pounds. He doesn’t win with elite arm strength, which has led to some overblown concern about his ability to drive the ball into windows. He has just one full season of starting experience, with a poor performance at the front of everyone’s minds.

Despite this, Sayin should be viewed as one of the best prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft.

A full all-22 film breakdown will be available for Bear Tier members on our website this weekend. Please consider subscribing for access to fantasy football tools, rankings, film breakdowns, and much more!

TDR Website

How He Wins

Sayin breads his butter with supreme accuracy, advanced pocket maneuverability, and outstanding footwork, especially when he’s not dealing with pressure. He also shows off high football IQ, reading the field well and ticking through progressions faster than most first-year starters.

Footwork

I broke down Arch Manning’s film a few weeks ago, highlighting how his upper body is rarely tied with his legs.

Sayin isn’t perfect in this area, but he’s as mechanically sound as anyone in the class. He’s especially good when he’s moving from right to left in his progression, tying his feet directly to his eyes and where he’s going with the football. Here’s a great example.

This is also a master class in pre-snap recognition, leading to quick processing. Texas drops into a three-high look and packs the middle with curl zones. Ohio State doesn’t run a Cover 3 beater here, but Sayin recognizes there’s no flat defender. He quickly ticks through his progressions, landing on the dump-off to his running back in the flat for a positive gain. This is from his season-opener against Texas, a game in which he never got completely comfortable, but still out-dueled Manning.

Here’s another example of excellent footwork, leading to elite ball placement deep downfield. After Sayin rolls out across his body, he stays light on his toes, plants, and gets his hips fully rotated back to the middle of the field before throwing a dart up the seam. This is a perfectly executed play, made possible by intentional footwork.

This last example is a case of outstanding pocket movement that opens a window. Sayin makes this look easy, but shuffling to his left, keeping his hips aligned with his target, and firing an accurate ball are challenging. On this flood concept, he knew he only had one side of the field to read, and moving the pocket to the left to gain access to better throwing angles made this play possible. Some quarterbacks drift backward on plays like this, but Sayin’s intuitive decision to shift left shows off some of his excellent pocket awareness.

Accuracy

Sayin’s arm strength is slightly above-average, but nothing to write home about. That makes ball placement even more important. He was up to the challenge in 2025.

We’ll discuss Sayin’s accuracy from the pocket in a bit, but his ability to create outside of structure is something that has largely been overlooked by early evaluators. He rarely scrambles, and he doesn’t have a huge arm like many on-the-run gunslingers, but he rarely loses accuracy when rolling to his right, and he’s extremely accurate when rolling to his left, too.

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

TDR Website

Subscribe now

Read more

We have rankings. We have trade calculators. We have ADP. We have KeepTradeCut. We have FantasyCalc. We have crowdsourced values, startup drafts, trade markets, and plenty of analysts putting out content year-round. So in dynasty, consensus is a little easier to define.

But it still is not perfect. Consensus can tell us where the market is, but it does not always tell us where the market should be. Sometimes the market gets too comfortable fading a player because of age, situation, injury, role uncertainty, or a disappointing stretch of production. Other times, a player is priced closer to his floor than his ceiling, and that is where I start to get interested.

For this article, I am looking at my dynasty rankings compared to the broader market and the people I talk ball with the most. That means using a mix of rankings, value charts, market sentiment, and my own read on where players are being discussed in dynasty circles. This is not about being different just to be different.

It is about identifying players where my conviction is stronger than the room. These are players I believe the market is too low on, whether because the situation is better than people think, the talent is being overlooked, or the upside case is not being priced in properly.

Every dynasty ranking is a bet. You are betting on talent, role, longevity, scoring environment, and market movement. These are the players I am willing to bet on more aggressively than consensus.

Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts

My Rank: 38
Jay: 49 | Christian: 75
KTC: 36 | FantasyCalc: 34
Tier: 6

I am not exactly sure what Tyler Warren did to Christian, but it feels like he is mad at him.

This one is pretty simple for me. Warren is already being valued highly by the broader dynasty market, but compared to the TDR room, I am still the highest on him. I have him at 38 overall. Jay has him at 49. Christian has him down at 75. KTC has him at 36 and FantasyCalc has him at 34, so this is one of those spots where I feel like the outside market is closer to where I am than our internal rankings are.

And I am comfortable with that. Warren’s rookie season was not perfect, but it was really good. He finished with 76 catches for 817 yards and four receiving touchdowns, plus another score on the ground. That was good enough for a TE5 fantasy finish as a rookie, which is not something I am just brushing past.

The concern is that the season ended slower than it started. Over his first 10 games, Warren averaged 5.0 catches, 61.7 yards, and 11.1 half-PPR points per game. Over his final seven games, that dropped to 3.7 catches, 28.6 yards, and 5.6 half-PPR points per game.

That is a real split. But I think context matters. Daniel Jones was banged up late in the year, and the entire passing game lost some rhythm. When Jones was healthy, Warren was not just involved. He looked like one of the focal points of the offense. Before Jones got hurt, Warren was averaging 13.1 PPR points per game. That is not a random tight end streamer. That is difference-making production at the position.

Now you add in the Michael Pittman trade, and I think Warren’s 2026 target outlook gets even better.

Pittman is now in Pittsburgh, and that leaves behind 110 targets, 80 receptions, 784 yards, and seven touchdowns. I know a lot of people want to push Alec Pierce as the clear No. 1 option in this offense, but I just do not see it that way. Pierce will have a role. Josh Downs will have a role. The Colts will rotate other receivers into that WR3 spot. But if I am betting on the player who becomes the most important pass catcher in Indianapolis, I am betting on Warren.

He already led the Colts with 19 red zone targets and 11 targets inside the 10-yard line. That is the part that really matters. Pittman was a go-to player in that area of the field, and Warren is the obvious candidate to absorb a big chunk of that work. He has the size, hands, physicality, and versatility to be used in a lot of the same ways.

Warren even said it himself. Being a tight end, there are things Pittman did last year that he may now get the opportunity to do. That is exactly what I want to hear.

The other thing I love is what Warren does after the catch. He averaged 6.2 yards after the catch per reception, which led all tight ends with at least 100 targets last season. That is not normal. Tight ends who earn volume, win in the red zone, and create after the catch are the players who can actually separate in dynasty.

That is why I have him as the clear TE4 behind Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and Colston Loveland.

I know some will say that is too aggressive. I just do not think it is. Warren already produced as a rookie. The target competition got lighter. His red zone role should expand. The Colts did not make a major pass-catching addition. And if Daniel Jones is healthy, I think Warren can push for elite tight end production as soon as this season.

The gap between Warren and the top three tight ends should not be massive. Bowers, McBride, and Loveland are still ahead of him for me, but Warren belongs in that next conversation by himself. He is not just a nice young tight end. He is a real offensive weapon tied to a team that may need him to be the engine of the passing game.

At his current cost, he is two or three rounds cheaper than the names above him in a lot of formats. That is the type of dynasty value I want to chase. You are not paying for a projection with no evidence. You are paying for an elite tight end who now has a path to more targets, more red zone work, and a bigger weekly role.

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

My Rank: 41
Jay: 47 | Christian: 61
KTC: 62 | FantasyCalc: 59
Tier: 6

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

They are about trying to answer the uncomfortable questions before the market does. Who is already priced like a future star? Who is still sitting in a value pocket? Which freshmen are worth betting on before the breakout happens? Which veterans still have one more climb left in their profile?

That is the idea behind this 10-round devy mock draft.

For this episode, we went through a full 10-round devy mock and tried to capture the current landscape of the format. The top of the board is loaded with elite receiver profiles, high-end quarterback bets, and a few running backs who could quickly become cornerstone dynasty assets. But the deeper we got, the more interesting the conversation became.

Listen to the Podcast Here

The early rounds are built around names everyone already knows. Jeremiah Smith remains the type of prospect who forces you to rethink how aggressive you should be with a wide receiver in devy. Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, Bryce Underwood, and Keelon Russell give the quarterback position a fascinating mix of safety, tools, and projection. At running back, names like Bo Jackson, Savion Hiter, Ahmad Hardy, Jadan Baugh, and Kewan Lacy all bring different arguments for how to value the position in a format where running back value can spike faster than any other spot. But the real fun of a mock like this is not just the first round.

It is trying to find the players who could look underpriced by this time next year. Savion Hiter and Chris Henry Jr. were two of the more interesting freshman conversations in the episode. Hiter brings the type of size, burst, power, and contact balance that can force a coaching staff’s hand quickly. Even if Jordan Marshall is involved early, Hiter has the profile of a future feature back and a player who could become one of the most valuable devy running backs in the country. Henry is a different type of bet. The size, catch radius, and red-zone upside are obvious. He may not need immediate full-time volume to flash. If Ohio State uses him as a mismatch weapon near the end zone, the market could move quickly. He is still raw in areas, but the ceiling is massive.

At quarterback, the Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele versus Keelon Russell discussion stood out. Russell has the pedigree, arm talent, accuracy, and QB1 upside if he wins the Alabama job. Sagapolutele is more of a value play right now, but the arm talent, early production, and growth trajectory make him one of the most intriguing risers in the 2028 class. Both players could push toward the top of their class if the situation breaks right.

We also spent time on potential breakout and bounce-back profiles. Caleb Hawkins might be one of the most underrated running backs in the entire mock. His freshman production at North Texas was absurd, and now he follows Eric Morris and Drew Mestemaker to Oklahoma State. The workload may look different in a pass-first offense, but the profile is too strong to ignore. He has a real case as the best running back in the Big 12. Ousmane Kromah is another player who could be sitting in a value pocket. Florida State did not fully unleash him last season, but the size, explosiveness, and receiving flashes are there. If the Seminoles finally give him a real workload, he could become one of the bigger running back risers in devy.

Then there are the deeper names. Bowe Bentley is exactly the type of late quarterback stash who makes devy fun. He is not likely to start right away with John Mateer ahead of him, but the production profile, creativity, mobility, and long-term fit in Ben Arbuckle’s offense make him a worthwhile patience play. Damon Ferguson is another under-the-radar true freshman worth knowing. The verified track speed pops immediately, but he is not just a straight-line athlete. He has real toughness, contact balance, two-way production, and the kind of athletic profile that could earn him early work at Pittsburgh. Makhi Hughes is more of a bounce-back bet. The Oregon stop did not work out, but his Tulane production was legitimate. Now he reunites with Willie Fritz at Houston and should have a path back to volume. If the workload returns, he has a chance to re-enter the conversation as one of the more productive backs in the Big 12. Evan Stewart is another fascinating value discussion. The talent has never been the question. After missing 2025, he returned in the spring game and immediately reminded everyone why he once carried first-round buzz. If the explosiveness is fully back, Stewart could be one of the biggest values in devy and dynasty-adjacent formats.

That is what this episode is really about. Not just ranking players, but trying to identify where the market may be too confident, too slow, or too cautious.

A 10-round devy mock forces you to think through every layer of the player pool. The elite assets. The freshman bets. The quarterback swings. The running back breakouts. The wide receiver values. The late-round stashes. Some of these players will miss. That is part of devy. But the goal is to take calculated swings before the rest of the market feels comfortable doing the same.

In this episode, we break down the full board, talk through the biggest decisions, and highlight the names who could make a major value jump by this time next year. If you are building a devy roster, preparing for a C2C draft, or just trying to stay ahead of the dynasty market, this mock is a good snapshot of where the next wave of fantasy football talent stands right now.

Watch the full episode

TDR Subscribers Only: Two 2027 Sleepers (based on this Mock) I’m Targeting Before the Market Catches Up

Read more

We’re starting to see who’s running with the ones, which freshmen are flashing early, where quarterback battles stand, and which players are building real momentum heading into fall camp. Not every spring takeaway matters, but some absolutely do, especially when it comes to projecting future value and identifying market shifts before the rest of your league catches on.

For Devy, CFF, and C2C managers, this is one of the most valuable checkpoints of the offseason. The spring won’t tell the full story, but it gives us actionable information on usage, development, opportunity, and how staffs are viewing these rosters heading into the summer.

Here’s what we’re hearing out there as we move deeper into offseason draft season.

Are We Too Low on Duce Robinson?

There’s a real chance the market still hasn’t fully caught up to what Duce Robinson could become in 2026. At 6-foot-6 and 223 pounds, Robinson already looks like one of the most physically imposing receivers in college football, but last season proved he’s much more than just a traits bet. He erupted for 1,081 receiving yards on 56 catches during the regular season, finishing with the ninth-most receiving yards in Florida State Seminoles history and becoming the program’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 2019.

The bigger takeaway? The usage profile screams alpha WR1. Robinson posted five games over 120 receiving yards, including a three-game stretch last November where he completely took over. This wasn’t manufactured production either. Florida State consistently fed him down the field and outside the numbers, the exact areas where elite NFL-caliber receivers win. According to camp reports, 65 of his 95 targets came at or outside the numbers, with 59 of those arriving 6+ yards downfield.

That matters for Devy, C2C, and even future dynasty projection because it tells us Robinson isn’t just compiling volume underneath. He’s winning in valuable areas of the field. Now here’s where the conversation gets interesting.

A lot of the hesitation around Robinson this offseason has centered around the quarterback situation and overall concerns with the offense. That’s fair. The report paints a pretty clear picture that the offense may not be elite overall, particularly with concerns about passing efficiency. But buried in the data is something that should absolutely matter to fantasy managers. The offense may actually be built specifically to maximize Robinson’s strengths.

The report highlights that Ashton Daniels has quietly been effective throwing outside the numbers and 6-20 yards downfield, exactly where Robinson thrives. Daniels ranked in the 83rd percentile in passer rating attacking that area and the 73rd percentile in inaccuracy rate. That creates a very real pathway for Robinson to remain one of the highest-volume perimeter receivers in the country. You don’t need Florida State to suddenly become a top-10 offense nationally for Robinson to smash value.

You just need:

• Consistent perimeter volume

• Red-zone opportunities

• Vertical targets

• WR1 market share

• NFL traits

He already checks almost every box. The other factor that matters here: Florida State clearly views him as foundational. Getting Robinson back instead of losing him to the NFL was massive for the future of the offense and arguably for Mike Norvell’s trajectory moving forward.

If you’re drafting right now in CFF, C2C, or Devy formats, this feels like one of those players the market may still be slightly hesitant on because of broader offensive concerns. But sometimes elite players overcome imperfect environments, especially when the offense is designed around them. The upside here is still enormous.

Cory Butler Jr. Could Be One of the Sneakier Sleepers in the Big 12

If you’re looking for a deeper-name stash in C2C or Devy formats before the market catches up, Arizona State freshman slot receiver Cory Butler Jr. is exactly the type of profile worth monitoring heading into the summer. The production obviously isn’t there yet. Butler played just 25 total snaps last season and was buried on a veteran-heavy depth chart. But this is one of those situations where the long-term indicators are significantly more interesting than the current box scores.

The first thing that jumps out is the athletic profile. Butler clocked a 10.55 in the 100 meters and a 21.43 in the 200 as a high school junior, giving him legitimate high-end movement skills for the slot position. What makes him more intriguing, though, is that he’s not just a straight-line speed athlete. The report consistently highlights his short-area quickness, ability to rapidly change directions, natural feel for leverage, and smooth hands, all traits that tend to translate extremely well in modern spread offenses.

Honestly, the stylistic comparison to former Arizona State Sun Devils slot receiver Melquan Stovall makes a lot of sense. Butler appears to offer a very similar underneath separator profile, but potentially with more explosive vertical speed.

And that matters in this offense. Arizona State continues building an offense that values spacing, motion, quick-hitting slot usage, and yards-after-catch ability. Butler already projects as a dangerous screen-game weapon and potentially the future punt returner, which is usually one of the earliest indicators that staffs want to manufacture touches for a player.

The deeper C2C/CFF takeaway here is the combination of traits and intangibles.

The report repeatedly emphasizes:

• Advanced football IQ

• Route feel

• Coverage recognition

• Reliable hands

• Strong work ethic

• High academic profile

• Clean developmental trajectory

Those things matter more than people realize for slot receivers trying to carve out long-term roles. The biggest obstacle right now is simply opportunity. Arizona State has older receivers ahead of him, and Butler likely enters the season outside the top 5-6 options in the room. That may limit immediate CFF value in 2026 unless injuries occur or he forces his way into rotational snaps early.

But for deeper C2C and Devy leagues, this is exactly how future breakout slot receivers often start:

• Limited freshman snaps

• Strong camp buzz

• Special teams involvement

• Athleticism that eventually becomes too difficult to keep off the field

At 5-foot-9, size will always create some NFL projection questions, especially when it comes to handling physicality and contact through routes. But if Butler continues adding strength while maintaining this level of explosiveness, there’s a very real path toward becoming a multi-year Power Four starter. This is probably still an “acquire before the buzz” window. And in deeper formats, those are usually the bets worth making.

Hunter Andrews Could Be Utah’s Next Breakout Tight End

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start on your league, whether that’s dynasty, devy, or C2C, consider joining either our Substack or Patreon. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content designed to help you stay ahead of the field.

For those who want everything in one place, Patreon gives you full access to all content, including everything published on Substack, plus exclusive tools, rankings, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Patreon

Subscribe now

Read more

Every round creates a different type of decision. Early on, you are trying to decide between elite positional value, youth, and long-term insulation. In the middle rounds, you start weighing production against upside. Later in drafts, it becomes about finding pockets of value before the market catches up.

For this article, we are using 12-team Superflex, TE Premium ADP from Dynasty Data Lab to look at some of the tougher decisions managers are currently facing in startup drafts. The goal is not to compare the same group of obvious names everyone already talks about. Instead, I wanted to pull out unique on-the-clock decisions from each round and talk through where I would lean.

Some of these calls are going to come down to roster construction. Some are going to come down to market value. And some are simply going to be about conviction. That is what makes dynasty startups so fun and so difficult at the same time.

So, round by round, let’s look at a tough dynasty startup decision, why it is close, and where I would go if I were on the clock.

1st Round

This is the kind of decision that makes the first round of a dynasty startup so difficult. There really is not a wrong answer here.

Jahmyr Gibbs and Ja’Marr Chase are both elite dynasty assets. They are difference-makers. They are young enough to still hold long-term value, productive enough to help you win now, and insulated enough where you feel good building around either one. This is a win-win decision.

Chase is special. Since entering the league, he has been one of the safest elite wide receiver bets in fantasy football. When Joe Burrow is healthy, Chase is arguably the best wide receiver in the game. The volume is ridiculous. Since 2024, no player in football has seen more targets or run more routes. He has already proven he can carry elite fantasy production year after year, and even when Burrow has missed time, Chase has still remained productive.

The Bengals continue to be one of the most pass-heavy offenses in football, and that matters. Chase is not just an elite talent. He is attached to the exact type of offensive environment we want. He has the target volume, the quarterback, the weekly ceiling, and the long-term market value. Taking Chase here is never something I would push back on.

But I lean Gibbs.

The reason is simple: true difference-makers at running back are harder to find.

The elite wide receiver tier after Chase is still strong. You can make a case that the next group of receivers is closer to Chase than the next group of running backs is to Gibbs. That is where this decision starts to tilt for me. In dynasty, we have become so conditioned to chase wide receiver value that sometimes we forget how big of an advantage an elite running back can still be.

Gibbs has been one of the most explosive players in football through the first three years of his career. He has been a home-run hitter, a tackle-breaker, a receiving weapon, and one of the most efficient backs in the league. Now the workload ceiling appears to be changing. With David Montgomery out of the way, Dan Campbell has already called Gibbs their bell cow. That matters.

This was always the one thing holding Gibbs back from being viewed in that untouchable fantasy running back tier. It was never the talent. It was never the offense. It was never the efficiency. It was the fact that Montgomery was always there to cap the weekly touch ceiling.

That cap may be gone now.

Detroit remains one of the best running back environments in football. The offensive line is strong, the offense scores points, Jared Goff is not stealing rushing production, and this system consistently creates easy touches for backs. Gibbs has already shown he can be elite on a limited workload. If he pushes into that 300-touch range, the ceiling is outrageous.

I also think “bully RB” is still a very real dynasty startup strategy when you are landing the right type of running back. I am not talking about chasing replaceable volume backs. I am talking about locking in a player who can break fantasy weeks and give your roster a weekly advantage that is hard to recreate later.

Chase is the safer dynasty archetype. He is the elite wide receiver with long-term insulation. I get it. But Gibbs gives me the positional hammer. When I look at the board, I feel better about the wide receivers I can find after Chase than the running backs I can find after Gibbs. That is the tiebreaker.

Lean: Jahmyr Gibbs

2nd Round

This is another one where I understand both sides, but the injury context really changes the conversation for me.

Malik Nabers is still one of the best young wide receivers in dynasty. Nothing about the injury changes the talent. Nothing about it changes the prospect profile. Nothing about it changes what he showed as a rookie when he looked like a future cornerstone fantasy asset. If you are rebuilding or reloading, Nabers is still exactly the type of player I want to be targeting.

But in a startup, especially when we are talking about the second round, I have to factor in the full picture. The knee injury is a real concern. This was not described as a simple ACL situation. The meniscus involvement, the cleanup surgery, and the way people have talked about his rehab make it hard for me to just brush it off. There is a very real chance Nabers starts slow, misses early time, opens the year on PUP, or needs a long ramp-up before he looks like himself again.

That matters.

When you are spending a premium startup pick, that player is supposed to be one of the foundations of your roster. If I am trying to contend right away, I do not love the idea of using a second-round pick on a wide receiver who may not give me elite production until late in the season, or possibly until 2027. I hope I am wrong on that, because Nabers is special, but it has to be part of the decision. The other part of this is positional depth. Wide receiver is still deep. It is not easy to replace Nabers, but you can find strong receivers later. You can build around other productive young wideouts. You can tier down and still feel good about the direction of your roster.

Running back is different. Ashton Jeanty was not perfect as a rookie. The raw numbers were solid, but the week-to-week production was uneven. He finished with 266 carries, 975 rushing yards, 55 catches, 346 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns. That is a strong season, but it was not always smooth. He had too many games where the efficiency was not there, and the Raiders offense did him very few favors.

The offensive environment was rough. The Raiders were near the bottom of the league in yards, plays, scoring, run blocking, and adjusted line yards. Jeanty was constantly being hit before he had a real runway. So when you see the yards per carry and the efficiency metrics, I think you have to add context. Some of that was on him, but a lot of it was on the offense around him.

What keeps me interested is the usage.

Jeanty walked into the league and was immediately treated like a feature back. He ranked near the top of the league in carry share, snap share, red-zone carry share, and inside-the-10 usage. That is not easy to find. The Raiders drafted him sixth overall, gave him a massive workload, and everything coming into 2026 points toward him remaining the centerpiece of that backfield.

The offensive line should also be better. Health up front matters, and the Raiders have made moves to improve the interior. Add in Klint Kubiak, who has shown a willingness to feature backs like Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara, Ken Walker, and the usage case becomes pretty easy to buy into.

That is why I lean Jeanty.

Nabers is the better long-term dynasty archetype if everything breaks right. He is the elite young wide receiver, and those players are usually the safest bets in dynasty. But this specific situation is not clean. The injury risk, timeline uncertainty, and possible delayed production make this a tougher pick than it would have been a year ago. Jeanty gives me the safer 2026 contribution, the premium running back workload, and the chance to grab one of the few true bell-cow profiles left in dynasty.

If I am rebuilding, I am completely fine taking the discount on Nabers and waiting it out. But in a startup where I want to build a roster that can compete right away and still hold value, I am taking the running back.

Lean: Ashton Jeanty

3rd Round

This one is a really interesting dynasty decision because it feels like a fork in the road between proven elite production and the younger ascending profile.

Emeka Egbuka is the youth play here. I completely understand why dynasty managers would want to lean that way. He flashed early as a rookie and looked like he was on the verge of a true breakout before the season got messy. The hamstring issue slowed him down, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin came back into the offense, and the role became a little less clean than it looked early in the year.

Now the situation looks much better heading into 2026.

Mike Evans is gone. Chris Godwin is another year older and coming off a brutal injury stretch. Tampa Bay needs a new engine in the passing game, and Egbuka has a real chance to become that guy. The WR1 role is there for him to take. If Baker Mayfield bounces back even a little from an accuracy standpoint, Egbuka could make a real second-year jump.

That is the case for Egbuka, and it is a good one.

But I lean George Pickens.

At some point, we have to stop treating Pickens like just a projection. He is no longer only the talented flashes guy. He went to Dallas and produced like a true difference-maker. In 2025, he caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. That is not a small sample. That is not just an upside bet. That is elite wide receiver production.

The contract situation makes this interesting, but I do not view it as a major negative. Yes, Pickens is on the franchise tag. Yes, Dallas wants to see him do it again before committing long-term. But whether he stays in Dallas or hits the market, a player with his profile is going to command a major role. He is 25 years old, just posted a monster season, and has the type of vertical, contested-catch, alpha skill set NFL teams pay for.

Even with CeeDee Lamb demanding volume, Pickens still has a path to a massive ceiling in this offense. Dallas is going to throw the ball. The environment is good. The quarterback play is good enough. And Pickens has already shown he can win at a level that puts him in the low-end WR1 conversation.

Egbuka may end up being the cleaner long-term dynasty asset if everything hits. He is younger, attached to a vacated target tree, and has the second-year breakout narrative working in his favor.

But Pickens is already there.

This is where I am willing to side with the player who has already shown the elite fantasy ceiling. I like Egbuka, but I do not want to pass on a 25-year-old receiver coming off a 1,400-yard season just because the dynasty market is more comfortable betting on the younger name.

Pickens has become an elite asset. And even if he is not with the Cowboys long term, I believe he will be valued and used like a WR1 wherever he goes next.

Lean: George Pickens

4th Round

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

We walk through our personal rankings from 10 to 1, comparing where we agree, where we differ, and which quarterbacks have the clearest paths to gaining value. Names like Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, Darian Mensah, LaNorris Sellers, Drake Lindsey, Drew Mestemaker, Jayden Maiava, and Josh Hoover all bring different profiles to the table. Some offer elite traits and QB1 upside. Others bring accuracy, processing, production, or developmental intrigue that makes them worth monitoring closely.

This episode is not just about ranking quarterbacks. It is about understanding the profiles. We discuss each player’s strengths, concerns, statistical context, devy value, and what they need to prove this season to move up the board. Whether you are trying to get ahead in devy drafts, C2C leagues, dynasty rookie prep, or just want to know which quarterbacks could be next, this is the starting point for the 2027 QB conversation.

If you want to go even deeper, everything we do lives on the site: rankings, ADP, tools, guides, articles, and much more at The Devy Royale. That’s the full TDR ecosystem.

The Devy Royale Website

And if you want access to everything we’re building, live shows, rankings updates, articles, Discord access, and direct interaction with us, consider subscribing right here on Substack and becoming part of the TDR community.

The Royale is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is only Episode 3. We’re just getting started. If you want to watch the full episode, you can find the video below. Let us know your biggest takeaway from the show.

Leave a comment

2026 NFL PR/KR Depth Chart Watchlist

Before we jump into the targets, let’s work through each team’s projected return depth chart entering the summer. We are going to focus on both kick returners and punt returners, identifying the players currently projected for those roles while also highlighting situations that could shift throughout training camp and preseason. Some of these names already have established return jobs, while others are rookies, depth pieces, or explosive athletes who could gain sneaky fantasy value if they secure consistent special teams work heading into the 2026 season.

Arizona Cardinals

PR: Devin Duvernay, Xavier Weaver, Michael Wilson
KR: Devin Duvernay, Jalen Brooks, Xavier Weaver

This one appears fairly straightforward. Arizona signed Devin Duvernay this offseason, and he immediately projects as the favorite to handle both punt and kick return duties. Duvernay remains one of the league’s most accomplished return specialists, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod during his time with Baltimore. He ranked third in the NFL in total return yardage last season and has over 4,500 combined return yards in his career. While his offensive role is likely limited behind Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, and Trey McBride, return-yardage leagues could give Duvernay weekly flex value if he locks down both jobs throughout the season. Xavier Weaver and Jalen Brooks currently appear to be the primary backups if Arizona decides to rotate return duties.

Atlanta Falcons

PR: Zachariah Branch, Deven Thompkins
KR: Zachariah Branch, Tyler Goodson, Deven Thompkins

Few rookies enter the league with a clearer path to immediate return duties than Zachariah Branch. Atlanta’s return game was one of the worst units in football last season, finishing near the bottom of the league in both punt and kick return production. That’s exactly why the Falcons invested in one of the most dynamic open-field playmakers in college football. Branch led the nation in punt return average during his time at USC and has the type of elite acceleration and lateral quickness that can change field position in a single touch.

What’s even more intriguing for fantasy managers is that Branch isn’t competing for just return work. He is also pushing for snaps in the slot, where Atlanta struggled to find consistency throughout 2025. If he can carve out an offensive role alongside Drake London and Jahan Dotson while maintaining return duties, his value in return-yardage leagues could skyrocket. Deven Thompkins and Tyler Goodson provide depth behind him, but entering the summer this looks like Branch’s job to lose, making him one of the most interesting return specialists to monitor across the entire league.

Baltimore Ravens

PR: LaJohntay Wester, Adam Randall
KR: Rasheen Ali, LaJohntay Wester

The Ravens may have one of the more interesting return situations in the league entering training camp. LaJohntay Wester handled primary punt return duties as a rookie and performed well enough to put himself in the driver’s seat heading into 2026. Wester averaged 12.4 yards per punt return while adding nearly 250 kick return yards, flashing the explosiveness that made him such an intriguing late-round pick. His roster spot is also helped by the fact that he brings value as both a receiver and return specialist.

The kick return role feels less settled. Rasheen Ali currently sits atop the depth chart, but Baltimore drafted Adam Randall, a versatile athlete who could push for both offensive and special teams work this summer. Ali looked comfortable in limited action as a rookie and has the inside track today, though this feels like a battle worth monitoring throughout camp. For now, Wester appears to be the safest bet for return-yardage production, while Ali carries a bit more uncertainty as competition for touches and roster spots heats up.

Buffalo Bills

PR: Mecole Hardman Jr., Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman
KR: Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Mecole Hardman Jr.

Buffalo’s return situation is one of the more interesting ones to monitor because there are multiple players with legitimate claims to these jobs. Ray Davis enters 2026 as the favorite on kick returns after leading the NFL with a 30.4-yard average in 2025. While that production was impressive, fantasy managers should be cautious about chasing return-only value here. Davis has carved out a role in the offense, but not one large enough to create a meaningful fantasy edge outside of return-yardage formats.

The more intriguing battle may be at punt returner. Mecole Hardman brings an extensive return résumé and remains one of the league’s most dangerous open-field players when healthy. However, he is far from guaranteed a roster spot and will need a strong summer to secure a place on the 53-man roster. Khalil Shakir also remains in the mix and could retain the role if Buffalo prefers a more stable option. For now, Davis looks like the safest bet to maintain kick return duties, while the punt return battle between Hardman and Shakir is one worth following closely throughout training camp.

Carolina Panthers

PR: Trevor Etienne, David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr.
KR: Trevor Etienne, Chuba Hubbard, Jimmy Horn Jr.

Trevor Etienne appears to have a strong hold on Carolina’s return duties entering 2026, and that role may ultimately be what secures his roster spot. Despite limited offensive opportunities as a rookie, Etienne accumulated nearly 900 combined return yards and established himself as the Panthers’ primary special teams weapon. With Carolina likely carrying only three running backs, his value on kick and punt returns gives him a clear advantage over some of the other depth options competing for a roster spot.

From a fantasy perspective, however, Etienne feels more like a floor play than a ceiling play. Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks remain ahead of him in the backfield pecking order, making it difficult to project meaningful offensive volume without injuries. The return production is certainly useful in leagues that reward return yardage, but unless his offensive role grows significantly, Etienne’s fantasy value will likely remain tied almost exclusively to special teams usage. He’s worth monitoring in deeper return-yardage formats, but the upside appears somewhat limited compared to some of the other names on this list.

Chicago Bears

PR: Zavion Thomas, Kalif Raymond, Luther Burden III
KR: Zavion Thomas, Kalif Raymond, Josh Blackwell

Zavion Thomas is one of the more intriguing rookie returners to monitor entering training camp. The Bears drafted the explosive LSU product in the third round, and early OTA reports have already generated buzz after Thomas showcased his speed on a 50-plus-yard connection with Caleb Williams. While his path to offensive snaps may be complicated by a crowded receiver room and the complexity of Ben Johnson’s offense, his route to playing time on special teams is much clearer.

Thomas returned both punts and kickoffs throughout his college career and earned All-SEC honors as a return specialist during his final season at LSU. The Bears coaching staff has already highlighted his fearless running style, and he appears to be the early favorite to handle both return jobs. While Kalif Raymond remains a veteran option, Thomas offers significantly more upside in return-yardage leagues. If he can secure the return role while gradually earning offensive touches, he could become one of the more valuable rookie return specialists in fantasy football this season.

Cincinnati Bengals

PR: Charlie Jones, Mitch Tinsley, Ke’Shawn Williams
KR: Charlie Jones, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks

Charlie Jones continues to hold a firm grip on Cincinnati’s return duties and remains one of the more accomplished return specialists in the league. He has already made NFL history under the league’s new kickoff rules, becoming the first player to return two opening kickoffs for touchdowns. Over his three-year career, Jones has accumulated more than 2,200 combined return yards while contributing as both a punt and kick returner. Entering 2026, he remains the clear favorite to handle the majority of return opportunities for the Bengals.

The more interesting name to watch here is rookie running back Tahj Brooks. While Jones appears safe atop the depth chart, Brooks is already listed as one of the primary kick return backups and could carve out a larger role as the season progresses. Cincinnati has historically been willing to use running backs in the return game, and Brooks’ physical running style and contact balance could translate well to kickoff returns. He’s unlikely to challenge Jones immediately, but among the backup returners on this roster, Brooks is the player worth monitoring most closely from a fantasy perspective. If he earns return duties while simultaneously working his way into the offensive rotation, his value in return-yardage formats could rise quickly.

Cleveland Browns

PR: Gage Larvadain, Isaiah Bond, Tylan Wallace
KR: Malachi Corley, Dylan Sampson, Tylan Wallace

This is one of the most important return battles to monitor this summer. Cleveland’s special teams unit was a disaster in 2025, struggling in both the return game and coverage units. With a new special teams coordinator in place, the Browns appear committed to finding explosive playmakers who can flip field position. Early reports from OTAs indicate that Gage Larvadain and first-round rookie KC Concepcion are currently the leading candidates for punt return duties, with the coaching staff describing them as “1A and 1B” in the competition.

For fantasy managers, Concepcion is the name that stands out. Not only was he one of the most dangerous punt returners in college football, averaging 20 yards per return and producing multiple explosive plays, but he also has a legitimate chance to become one of Cleveland’s top receiving options immediately. That’s what makes him potentially a cheat code in return-yardage leagues. Most return specialists are fighting for offensive snaps, while Concepcion could realistically emerge as the Browns’ WR1 or WR2 while also handling return duties. If he wins the punt return job outright, his value in return-yardage formats could be significantly higher than the market currently realizes. The kick return battle remains more open, with Malachi Corley and Dylan Sampson currently leading the race, but Concepcion is easily the most intriguing fantasy asset in this entire return room.

Dallas Cowboys

PR: KaVontae Turpin
KR: KaVontae Turpin, Jaydon Blue

This one starts with KaVontae Turpin, who has quietly built one of the best return résumés in the NFL. A three-time Pro Bowler and one of the league’s most dangerous open-field weapons, Turpin remains locked into both return duties heading into 2026. While his kick return average dipped slightly last season, he continues to provide explosive-play potential every time he touches the football. Dallas has increasingly incorporated him into the offense as well, where he posted a career-best 15.2 yards per reception in 2025.

The player fantasy managers should be watching, however, is Jaydon Blue. Blue’s speed and return ability make him a natural candidate to earn more special teams opportunities, and there is a realistic path for him to emerge as Dallas’ RB2 entering the season. The Cowboys have already shown interest in getting the ball into his hands in multiple ways, and the new kickoff rules only increase the value of explosive athletes like Blue. While Turpin remains the clear favorite for return duties today, Blue is exactly the type of player who can become a sneaky return-yardage asset if his offensive role and special teams opportunities grow simultaneously throughout the season.

Denver Broncos

PR: Marvin Mims Jr., Michael Bandy, Riley Moss
KR: Marvin Mims Jr., RJ Harvey, Tyler Badie, Kolbe Katsis

Few players bring more value to return-yardage leagues than Marvin Mims Jr. Entering his fourth NFL season, Mims has already established himself as one of the league’s premier return specialists. He is a two-time Pro Bowler, multiple-time All-Pro selection, and led the NFL in punt return yardage in 2025. Across his career, Mims has accumulated more than 2,400 combined return yards while adding offensive production as both a receiver and occasional rushing threat. Simply put, he is one of the safest return-yardage assets in fantasy football.

What makes Mims particularly valuable is that he is no longer just a return specialist. Denver continues to find ways to get him involved offensively, and even after acquiring Jaylen Waddle, Mims should maintain a meaningful role in Sean Payton’s offense. Barring injury, this is Mims’ return room. Unlike many players featured in this article, there is very little uncertainty surrounding his role, making him one of the most reliable return-yardage options in fantasy football entering the 2026 season.

Detroit Lions

PR: Greg Dortch, Kendrick Law, Tom Kennedy
KR: Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy, Jacob Saylors

The departure of Kalif Raymond leaves a significant opening in Detroit’s return game, and the Lions appear to have found their replacement in Greg Dortch. Signed away from Arizona this offseason, Dortch brings extensive experience as both a slot receiver and return specialist. He averaged over 26 yards per kick return in 2025 while also posting a career-best 11.6 yards per punt return. His familiarity with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing should help him transition quickly into Detroit’s offense and special teams units.

From a fantasy perspective, Dortch is one of the more underrated return specialists in the league. Unlike many players who contribute exclusively on special teams, Dortch has proven he can earn offensive snaps and targets when called upon. While he is unlikely to become a major fantasy contributor through receiving volume alone, the combination of return opportunities and rotational offensive usage gives him a relatively safe floor in return-yardage leagues. Kendrick Law and Tom Kennedy remain names to monitor throughout camp, but Dortch enters the season as the clear favorite to handle both return duties for the Lions.

Green Bay Packers

PR: Skyy Moore, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed
KR: Skyy Moore, Savion Williams, Bo Melton

The Packers entered the offseason needing answers in the return game after finishing near the bottom of the league in both punt and kick return production. Their response was signing Skyy Moore, who quietly developed into one of the NFL’s better return specialists during his stint with San Francisco. Moore averaged 27.5 yards per kick return and 11.6 yards per punt return in 2025, showcasing the explosiveness that made him a second-round pick coming out of college.

What makes Moore particularly interesting for return-yardage leagues is that he may offer more than just special teams production. Green Bay’s wide receiver room has opportunities available behind Matthew Golden, Christian Watson, and Jayden Reed, and Moore brings the type of speed and versatility that Matt LaFleur has historically found creative ways to utilize. Whether it’s as a rotational receiver, gadget player, or occasional backfield weapon, Moore has multiple avenues to earn touches. The Packers also know Christian Watson’s injury history makes receiver depth critical, creating even more opportunities for Moore to carve out a consistent role. If Moore wins both return jobs while earning offensive snaps, he could become one of the better values in return-yardage formats. The combination of return production, big-play ability, and a realistic path to offensive involvement makes him a sneaky target for fantasy managers looking for hidden edges. Among the names we’ve covered so far, Moore is one of the more underrated return specialists with legitimate upside beyond special teams.

Houston Texans

PR: Jaylin Noel
KR: Jaylin Noel, Tremon Smith

This is one of my favorite return situations for fantasy managers because Jaylin Noel has a realistic path to contributing both on offense and special teams. Noel enters 2026 as the favorite to handle Houston’s return duties, but more importantly, he appears poised for a significantly larger offensive role. With Christian Kirk departing in free agency, Noel is expected to step into the primary slot receiver role in an offense led by C.J. Stroud. That’s a massive development for a player who already flashed playmaking ability whenever given opportunities as a rookie.

The appeal here is simple: most return specialists are fighting just to make the roster, while Noel could be a full-time offensive contributor who also handles returns. He should remain on the field in Houston’s three-receiver sets, and there’s a legitimate argument that the fantasy community is sleeping on his upside. If he locks down both the slot role and return duties, Noel could become one of the most valuable players in return-yardage formats. Tremon Smith remains a veteran option on kick returns, but Noel is the clear name fantasy managers should be focused on here. He has the profile of a player whose value could significantly outpace his current cost.

Indianapolis Colts

PR: Anthony Gould, Josh Downs
KR: Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin

Anthony Gould appears locked into Indianapolis’ return duties entering 2026 and is one of the more underrated return specialists in the league. The former Oregon State standout quickly flashed his explosiveness after being drafted in 2024 and eventually secured the Colts’ primary return role in 2025. Before a foot injury ended his season, Gould handled both punt and kickoff duties while producing multiple 100-plus return-yard performances. His speed and ability to create chunk plays in space make him a natural fit for the role.

The challenge from a fantasy perspective is finding a path to meaningful offensive volume. Josh Downs remains entrenched as the Colts’ primary slot receiver, and Indianapolis has several established pass-catching options ahead of Gould on the depth chart. That likely keeps much of his fantasy value tied to special teams production. Still, in leagues that reward return yardage, Gould offers a relatively safe weekly floor because of his projected workload on both punts and kickoffs. While he may not possess the offensive upside of some of the names we’ve discussed earlier, few players seem more secure in their return responsibilities entering the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

PR: Parker Washington, Ameer Abdullah
KR: Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen Jr., Ameer Abdullah

Parker Washington quietly put together one of the most impressive return seasons in the NFL last year. Not only did he lead Jacksonville with 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns, but he also added 341 punt return yards and two punt return touchdowns. Washington became the first player in franchise history to score multiple punt return touchdowns in a single season and joined an exclusive group of NFL players to eclipse 750 receiving yards while also scoring multiple return touchdowns in the same year. Given that level of offensive involvement, Washington already carries significant value in return-yardage formats.

The name that jumps off the page, however, is Bhayshul Tuten. Tuten is currently projected to handle kick return duties and has a legitimate chance to emerge as Jacksonville’s RB1. That’s where things get exciting. Most return specialists are fighting for offensive snaps, but Tuten could potentially lead the Jaguars’ backfield while also accumulating return yardage. If that happens, he becomes one of the biggest cheat codes in fantasy football formats that reward kick and punt return production. It’s a major reason why his value should be considerably higher in these leagues than in traditional scoring settings. Even if the Jaguars eventually scale back some of his return work as his offensive role grows, the early-season combination of touches and return opportunities could provide a substantial edge for fantasy managers

Kansas City Chiefs

PR: Nikko Remigio, Brashard Smith, Cyrus Allen
KR: Nikko Remigio, Brashard Smith, Cyrus Allen

This is one of the more competitive return battles in the league entering training camp. Nikko Remigio returns as the incumbent after handling the majority of Kansas City’s return duties last season. The Chiefs clearly value him, bringing him back for another year despite having opportunities to look elsewhere. Remigio has earned the trust of both the coaching staff and special teams coordinator Dave Toub, making him the early favorite to retain a significant role. However, his return efficiency dipped with increased volume in 2025, opening the door for competition.

The player I’m most interested in here is Cyrus Allen. While Remigio currently holds the inside track, Allen has the type of athletic profile and explosive traits that could quickly force his way into the conversation. Kansas City is searching for more playmaking ability across its roster after a disappointing season, and Allen could provide exactly that. Brashard Smith is also firmly in the mix, making this a legitimate three-way battle rather than a situation with a clear-cut winner.

For fantasy managers in return-yardage leagues, this is a camp battle worth tracking closely. Remigio may open the season atop the depth chart, but Allen feels like the sleeper. If he can earn return duties while simultaneously carving out an offensive role in one of the league’s best quarterback situations, his value could rise quickly. Among the lesser-known names in this article, Allen is one of my favorite deep stashes to monitor throughout the preseason.

Las Vegas Raiders

PR: Tre Tucker
KR: Dareke Young, Dylan Laube

Tre Tucker enters 2026 as one of the more interesting players in return-yardage formats because his value may ultimately come more from offense than special teams. The former Cincinnati standout has steadily improved each season and is receiving glowing reviews from new head coach Klint Kubiak during offseason workouts. With questions surrounding the Raiders’ wide receiver room, Tucker has a legitimate chance to emerge as one of Kirk Cousins/Fernando Mendoza’s’ top targets alongside Brock Bowers. If that happens, the return production becomes a bonus rather than the primary source of his fantasy value.

From a pure return perspective, Tucker has been serviceable but not spectacular. His career punt return numbers are relatively modest, and there is a chance his offensive role grows to the point where the Raiders eventually limit some of his special teams usage. That’s why the kick return battle may be more important for fantasy managers to monitor. Dareke Young was specifically brought in from Seattle to improve the Raiders’ return game after averaging more than 32 yards per kickoff return in 2025. His special teams experience and explosive play ability make him the early favorite for kickoff duties. For return-yardage leagues, Tucker remains the most valuable asset because of his offensive upside, but Young could quietly become a useful deep-league option if he secures the primary kick return role. This is a situation where the offensive value and return value may end up belonging to two different players.

Los Angeles Chargers

PR: Derius Davis, Tarheeb Still, Ladd McConkey
KR: Keaton Mitchell, Derius Davis, KeAndre Lambert-Smith

The Chargers have one of the most established return situations in the league thanks to Derius Davis. Since entering the NFL, Davis has consistently been one of the better return specialists in football, accumulating nearly 2,800 combined return yards across kick and punt returns. His rookie season was particularly impressive, averaging 16.0 yards per punt return while scoring a touchdown. Even with a slight decline in punt production over the last two seasons, Davis remains the favorite to handle primary punt return duties entering 2026.

The more interesting development is at kick returner, where Keaton Mitchell enters the season as the projected starter. Mitchell has been highly effective whenever given return opportunities, averaging nearly 27 yards per kick return in both 2024 and 2025. Unlike many return specialists, Mitchell also carries offensive upside as a running back, which makes him particularly appealing in return-yardage formats. If he can carve out a meaningful role behind the Chargers’ lead backs while maintaining kick return duties, he could become one of the more valuable dual-purpose assets in these scoring formats. Davis remains the safest bet for pure return production, but Mitchell is the player fantasy managers should be paying close attention to. Return-yardage leagues reward players who can contribute on offense and special teams, and Mitchell checks both boxes entering training camp.

Los Angeles Rams

PR: Xavier Smith, Kyren Williams
KR: Ronnie Rivers, Jordan Whittington

The Rams entered the offseason determined to improve their special teams unit, but it remains unclear whether they actually found answers in the return game. Xavier Smith returns as the favorite for punt return duties after handling the role throughout most of 2025. While Smith produced respectable numbers, averaging 8.3 yards per return, his season will unfortunately be remembered for a costly muffed punt in the NFC Championship Game. Despite that mistake, he still appears to have the inside track for the job entering training camp.

The kick return battle is less exciting from a fantasy perspective. Ronnie Rivers and Jordan Whittington both handled return duties last season, but neither separated themselves as a difference-maker. Rivers was the most effective of the group, averaging nearly 26 yards per return, but the Rams’ overall return production remained below league average. Unless someone unexpected emerges during camp, this feels like a situation where the Rams are simply hoping for competence rather than explosive production.

For fantasy managers, there isn’t a clear target here. Xavier Smith likely offers the safest return volume, but his offensive role remains minimal. Whittington is probably the most intriguing name because he has a better chance of carving out offensive snaps while maintaining return duties. Still, compared to many of the teams we’ve discussed so far, the Rams’ return situation lacks both stability and upside, making this one of the less appealing return rooms in fantasy football.

Miami Dolphins

PR: Malik Washington, Kevin Coleman Jr., Tahj Washington
KR: Malik Washington, Ollie Gordon II

This is one of the more intriguing return situations in the league because Malik Washington offers both return production and potential offensive upside. Washington has been Miami’s primary return specialist over the last two seasons, accumulating nearly 1,400 kick return yards while averaging an impressive 27.9 yards per return. He also took a punt return to the house in 2025 and has steadily improved his offensive production, posting 46 receptions, 317 receiving yards, and three touchdowns last season.

The biggest question is roster security. Miami brought in additional competition at wide receiver, and the new coaching staff did not draft or sign Washington. However, if he secures a roster spot, there is a legitimate opportunity available on the depth chart behind the starters. That combination of offensive snaps plus return work is exactly what fantasy managers should be looking for in return-yardage leagues. Washington may not be a lock to make the final roster, but if he does, he could provide one of the safest weekly floors among return specialists while offering enough offensive involvement to become a sneaky fantasy asset. Kevin Coleman Jr. and Tahj Washington are also names worth monitoring throughout camp as they battle for depth receiver roles and potential return opportunities.

Minnesota Vikings

PR: Myles Price, Jeshaun Jones
KR: Myles Price, Tai Felton

Myles Price quietly put together one of the most productive return seasons in the NFL as a rookie and may be one of the more overlooked assets in return-yardage formats. After Rondale Moore suffered a preseason injury, Price stepped into both return roles and never looked back. He finished third in the NFL with 1,479 kick return yards while adding another 298 punt return yards, handling an enormous workload throughout the season. Under the league’s kickoff rules, Price consistently generated positive field position and ranked among the league leaders in explosive returns.

The biggest question entering 2026 is whether Price can carve out a larger offensive role. He played sparingly at wide receiver as a rookie, but the Vikings clearly trust him on special teams. If he can earn additional snaps on offense while maintaining both return jobs, his fantasy value could climb substantially. Even if that offensive role never materializes, the sheer volume of return opportunities gives him one of the safer floors among players featured in this article.

For return-yardage leagues, Price is exactly the type of player managers should be targeting. He may not be a household fantasy name, but few players are projected to receive more return volume entering the season. Sometimes the best return-yardage assets aren’t the stars, they’re the specialists who quietly rack up 1,500-plus return yards over the course of a season, and Price fits that description perfectly.

New England Patriots

PR: Marcus Jones, Efton Chism III
KR: Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III

The Patriots offer one of the more fantasy-friendly return situations because both primary returners have paths to contributing on offense. Marcus Jones remains one of the NFL’s most dangerous punt returners, coming off a 2025 season where he averaged 17.3 yards per return and scored two touchdowns. His ability to flip field position makes him the clear favorite to retain punt return duties, and few players in the league have been as explosive in that role over the last several seasons.

The kick return job currently belongs to rookie Kyle Williams, which is where things get interesting for return-yardage leagues. Williams already contributed on offense last season while adding nearly 300 kick return yards, and New England’s wide receiver room remains wide open behind the top options. If Williams can earn a larger offensive role while maintaining kick return duties, he could become one of the more valuable return-yardage assets in deeper formats. Efton Chism III also remains in the mix for both jobs, but entering training camp, Jones appears locked into punt returns while Williams has a chance to provide both return production and offensive upside.

New Orleans Saints

PR: Barion Brown, Mason Tipton
KR: Barion Brown, Mason Tipton, Kendre Miller, Ty Chandler

Barion Brown might be one of the most exciting return specialists in this entire article. The Saints drafted the former LSU and Kentucky playmaker with the expectation that he would immediately compete for return duties following the departure of Rashid Shaheed. Brown leaves college as one of the most accomplished kick returners in recent memory, finishing his career with six kickoff return touchdowns, an SEC record and one of the best marks in NCAA history. His elite speed, highlighted by a 4.40 forty and GPS-tracked speeds over 22 MPH, gives him game-breaking ability every time he touches the football. What elevates Brown above many return specialists is the potential offensive role. New Orleans has made it clear they view him as more than just a returner. Head coach Kellen Moore has already emphasized that Brown was drafted as both a receiver and return specialist, and the Saints’ receiver room remains relatively open behind Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson. Brown led LSU in receptions and receiving yards last season and has consistently shown the ability to create explosive plays both as a receiver and ball carrier.

For fantasy managers, this is exactly the profile we’re chasing in return-yardage formats. Brown has a realistic path to handling kick returns, potentially earning punt return work, and carving out offensive snaps as a rookie. If he secures a meaningful role in all three phases, he could quickly become one of the biggest values in return-yardage leagues. Among the rookie returners we’ve covered so far, Brown belongs firmly near the top of the watchlist.

New York Giants

PR: Xavier Gipson, Jevón Holland
KR: Deonte Banks, Devin Singletary

The Giants’ return situation became significantly more interesting after Gunner Olszewski suffered what is feared to be a season-ending Achilles injury. Olszewski was expected to handle both punt and kick return duties while also competing for a role in the offense, leaving New York searching for answers heading into training camp. That opens the door for several players, but Xavier Gipson appears to be one of the early favorites to take over punt return responsibilities. Gipson built a reputation as an ascending special teams weapon with the Jets and offers more offensive upside than many traditional return specialists.

The bigger fantasy storyline may be Deonte Banks. While Banks has struggled to fully establish himself as a starting cornerback, he was surprisingly effective as a kick returner in 2025, averaging 32.7 yards per return and scoring a touchdown. Those numbers earned him Second-Team All-Pro votes and may have helped him carve out a long-term role on special teams. The challenge, of course, is that defensive backs rarely provide fantasy value outside of the deepest return-yardage formats. Overall, this feels like one of the more fluid return situations in the league. Gipson is probably the player fantasy managers should monitor most closely because he offers at least some path to offensive involvement. Banks appears to be the safest bet for kick return duties, but unless your league heavily rewards return yardage, his value remains limited compared to some of the offensive players we’ve discussed throughout this article.

New York Jets

PR: Isaiah Williams, Jamaal Pritchett, Arian Smith
KR: Kene Nwangwu, Isaiah Davis, Devin Singletary

The Jets may have one of the strongest return tandems in the league entering 2026. Isaiah Williams emerged as one of the NFL’s most explosive return specialists last season, scoring multiple return touchdowns while also carving out a role on offense. His 26 receptions may not jump off the page, but his late-season usage increased, and he earned the respect of the locker room by being voted the team’s Curtis Martin Team MVP. Williams appears to have a strong grip on punt return duties while also providing enough offensive versatility to justify an active roster spot.

Kene Nwangwu remains the favorite on kick returns and is arguably one of the best pure return specialists in football. He averaged an incredible 33.6 yards per kick return in 2025 and added another return touchdown to a résumé that already includes multiple kick-return scores throughout his career. The Jets re-signed him this offseason despite ongoing roster competition, which speaks to the value he provides on special teams. While neither player projects for massive offensive volume, Williams and Nwangwu both have secure return roles entering camp, making this one of the more stable return situations for fantasy managers in return-yardage formats.

Philadelphia Eagles

PR: Britain Covey, Makai Lemon
KR: Will Shipley, Dameon Pierce, Tank Bigsby

The Eagles have one of the more straightforward return situations entering training camp. Britain Covey remains the favorite for punt return duties and is arguably the best pure punt returner on the roster. The only concern is roster security. Philadelphia’s receiver room is crowded, and Covey will need to continue proving his value on special teams to secure a spot on the final 53-man roster. If he makes the team, he should handle the majority of punt return opportunities.

The more interesting fantasy discussion centers around Will Shipley. Shipley led the Eagles in kick returns last season and enters 2026 as the clear favorite to retain that role. Unlike many kick returners, Shipley also has a pathway to offensive touches as a rotational running back. That combination makes him one of the more intriguing return-yardage assets on the roster. Tank Bigsby handled kick returns last season but struggled in the role, making it unlikely Philadelphia leans on him heavily again unless injuries force their hand. For fantasy managers, Shipley is the name worth monitoring. Covey may provide return volume, but Shipley offers the combination of return production and offensive upside that we’re looking for throughout this article. If he can maintain the kick return role while earning additional touches in the offense, he could quietly provide useful value in return-yardage formats.

Pittsburgh Steelers

PR: Kaden Wetjen, Donte Kent
KR: Kaden Wetjen, Rico Dowdle, Jaylen Warren

The Steelers drafted Kaden Wetjen with a very specific role in mind. One of the most decorated return specialists in recent college football history, Wetjen arrives in Pittsburgh after totaling nearly 2,500 combined return yards and six return touchdowns during his career at Iowa. He was a two-time Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year winner and was widely viewed as one of the top return prospects in the 2026 draft class. The Steelers’ coaching staff has already praised his ability as a dual-threat returner, suggesting he could immediately take over both punt and kick return duties.

From a fantasy perspective, however, Wetjen is a bit different than many of the players we’ve discussed throughout this article. Unlike players such as Jaylin Noel, Bhayshul Tuten, or Barion Brown, Wetjen currently projects as a pure return specialist. Pittsburgh drafted him primarily for his special teams value, and there isn’t an obvious path to significant offensive snaps given the depth chart in front of him. That doesn’t mean he lacks value in return-yardage leagues. In fact, his projected return volume could be among the highest in the league. The question ultimately comes down to league format. In leagues that heavily reward return yardage, Wetjen could become a weekly contributor based on volume alone. In formats where offensive production still drives the majority of scoring, his ceiling may be capped unless he unexpectedly earns a larger offensive role. He’s one of the safer bets to secure return duties, but one of the lower-upside names from a traditional fantasy perspective.

San Francisco 49ers

PR: Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins, Ricky Pearsall
KR: Isaac Guerendo, Jacob Cowing

The 49ers enter 2026 with one of the most wide-open return battles in football. After moving on from Skyy Moore and receiving inconsistent results from the return game last season, San Francisco appears ready to let several young players compete for the jobs throughout training camp. Based on prior experience and roster projection, Jacob Cowing currently looks like the early favorite for punt return duties. Cowing handled 28 punts as a rookie before missing the 2025 season with a hamstring injury, and he remains one of the few players on the roster with meaningful NFL return experience. Jordan Watkins is the name worth monitoring closely. The rookie has experience returning punts in college and enters a crowded receiver room where special teams could be his quickest path to earning a roster spot. The same can be said for Junior Bergen, although Watkins appears to have a clearer path to contributing offensively. Ricky Pearsall also has return experience, but if he develops into the offensive weapon the 49ers expect, it’s hard to imagine San Francisco exposing him to regular return duties.

On kick returns, Isaac Guerendo remains the projected favorite despite the team exploring other options throughout 2025. Guerendo has the size and speed profile teams covet under the new kickoff rules, and the 49ers seem comfortable utilizing him there if needed. However, this is far from a settled situation. For fantasy purposes, this is a battle worth monitoring rather than aggressively targeting today. Cowing appears to have the strongest chance of securing a return role, but the player with the most upside may actually be Watkins if he can earn both return duties and offensive snaps. Until camp clarifies the pecking order, this remains one of the murkier return situations in the league.

Seattle Seahawks

PR: Tory Horton, Jaxon Smith-Njigba
KR: Tory Horton, Kenny McIntosh

Tory Horton is one of the more intriguing return specialists entering 2026 because he offers legitimate upside both on offense and special teams. Before a shin injury ended his rookie season, Horton flashed exactly why Seattle drafted him. He became just the third rookie in franchise history to score both a receiving touchdown and a punt return touchdown in the same game, while also setting a Seahawks franchise record with a 95-yard punt return score. In only eight games, Horton showcased the explosive playmaking ability that made him a favorite of the coaching staff throughout training camp.

What’s particularly interesting is how Seattle views him moving forward. The Seahawks have openly discussed Horton as a potential replacement for some of the vertical field-stretching ability they previously received from Rashid Shaheed. While they may not view him as quite the same caliber of return specialist, they believe he offers more upside as a complete receiver. That’s important for fantasy managers because return-yardage leagues are won by players who contribute on offense and special teams, not specialists alone.

If Horton is fully healthy by training camp, he has a realistic chance to secure both return duties while carving out a meaningful role in Seattle’s receiver rotation. Kenny McIntosh remains in the mix on kick returns, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is talented enough to handle punt returns if needed, but the Seahawks would likely prefer to keep their star receiver focused on offense. Among the players we’ve discussed so far, Horton is one of the better upside bets because he has a legitimate pathway to both return production and offensive relevance.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

PR: Kameron Johnson, Keionte Scott, Trey Palmer
KR: Kenneth Gainwell, Bucky Irving, Trey Palmer

This is a return room that could look very different by the time Week 1 arrives. Kameron Johnson handled the majority of Tampa Bay’s punt return duties in 2025 and performed well enough to remain in the mix entering camp. The problem is roster security. Johnson isn’t guaranteed a spot on the final roster, which is why the Buccaneers may have quietly added some insurance during the draft. Fourth-round pick Keionte Scott is a name fantasy managers should know. While he was drafted primarily as a defensive back, Scott has a strong return background and was one of the SEC’s most dangerous punt returners during his time at Auburn. His 4.33 speed and special teams experience give him a legitimate chance to challenge for return duties if Tampa Bay decides to utilize him in that role. If Scott settles into a starting defensive role, the Buccaneers may choose to protect him from return work, but the possibility remains on the table.

The kick return situation is equally interesting. Kenneth Gainwell and Bucky Irving currently appear to be the leading candidates, with Irving carrying the most fantasy appeal. Unlike most return specialists, Irving already has a meaningful offensive role and could see his value receive a small boost if Tampa Bay entrusts him with kickoff duties. That said, teams are often hesitant to expose key offensive weapons to excessive return work, making Gainwell a strong candidate to ultimately handle a larger share of those opportunities. Overall, this feels like one of the more unsettled return rooms in football. Irving remains the most valuable fantasy asset, but his value is driven primarily by offense. Scott is probably the most interesting sleeper because he could emerge as the primary punt returner while also contributing on defense. This is definitely a camp battle worth monitoring.

Tennessee Titans

PR: Chimere Dike, Xavier Restrepo
KR: Chimere Dike, Kalel Mullings

If you played in a return-yardage league last season, there’s a good chance Chimere Dike helped win you some matchups and maybe even leagues. Dike was arguably the biggest cheat code in the format during his rookie campaign, producing a historic all-purpose season that combined elite return production with meaningful offensive involvement. He finished with an NFL rookie record 2,427 all-purpose yards, including nearly 2,000 combined return yards. His 1,588 kick return yards and 398 punt return yards made him one of the most productive return specialists in football while also contributing 48 receptions, 423 receiving yards, and four touchdowns on offense.

What separates Dike from many return specialists is that he isn’t simply a special teams player. Tennessee consistently found ways to get him involved offensively, and there is reason to believe that role could continue growing entering his second season. The only concern for fantasy managers is whether Tennessee chooses to preserve Dike by shifting some kick return duties to Kalel Mullings or another player. Even if that happens, Dike should remain heavily involved in the return game and projects as one of the safest return-yardage assets in fantasy football. Unlike many players on this list who are battling for roster spots or return jobs, Dike has already shown he can thrive as both a receiver and return specialist. That’s exactly the profile fantasy managers should be chasing in these formats.

Washington Commanders

PR: Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane
KR: Jaylin Lane

Jaylin Lane quietly emerged as one of the better return specialists in football during his rookie season and could be poised for an even bigger role in 2026. Lane averaged 13.7 yards per punt return while scoring two touchdowns, including a franchise-tying 90-yard return that showcased the explosiveness Washington hoped they were getting when they brought him into the organization. His ability to consistently create field position and generate big plays quickly made him a favorite on special teams.

What makes Lane particularly appealing in return-yardage formats is that he isn’t limited to special teams. He also contributed offensively as a rookie, posting 16 receptions for 225 yards while flashing the downfield playmaking ability that made him an intriguing prospect coming out of college. Among the players we’ve discussed, Lane is another example of the profile fantasy managers should target in return-yardage leagues. He has already secured a meaningful return role, has proven touchdown upside on special teams, and offers enough offensive involvement to raise his weekly ceiling. If his role in the offense expands even modestly in Year 2, he could once again outperform expectations in formats that reward return production.

Under-the-Radar Return Yardage Targets I’m Actively Acquiring

The obvious names like Chimere Dike, Marvin Mims Jr., Bhayshul Tuten, and other established return stars are already valued appropriately in most return-yardage formats. Instead, let’s focus on a few under-the-radar players whose combination of return opportunities and offensive upside could create a significant edge before the rest of your league catches on.

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

May is always one of the most active trading stretches of the offseason because managers are trying to get ahead of what comes next. Rookie fever is still alive, veterans are being revalued, and depth chart battles are starting to take shape. This is where uncertainty creates movement.

As always, we’re tapping into real deals from FantasyCalc to see what’s actually happening in your leagues, not just what people are saying on the timeline. Let’s dive into the five most moved assets in May and what their trade volume tells us about the current dynasty market.

How to Use This Article

This isn’t a buy/sell list.

It’s a market map.

As you read through each player, ask:

• Am I holding this asset or chasing it?

• Does this player give me flexibility in future trades?

• Is this a consolidation piece or a piece I should consolidate out of?

Because dynasty isn’t about being right once. It’s about staying liquid, leveraged, and in control long enough to win repeatedly.

Josh Downs — WR, Indianapolis Colts

Josh Downs has been one of those players sharp dynasty managers have been buying all offseason, and I still think the price is worth it. He has been efficient through three NFL seasons, averaging 1.74 yards per route run, but the fantasy ceiling has been capped by his role. Downs has lived in the slot, running 81.5% of his routes from inside, and that has kept him from becoming a true full-time player. His route rates have sat at 75%, 75%, and 67% over his first three seasons, which is why the production has never fully matched the talent. But now the situation has changed. Michael Pittman Jr. is gone, Alec Pierce is recovering from surgery, and Downs is the most proven receiver left in this offense.

That is why he is getting moved so much right now. Some managers are still treating him like a solid slot-only WR3, while others are betting on the role expanding in 2026. I am in the second group. Tyler Warren is going to matter in the short and intermediate areas, but Downs is too good to be priced like a limited asset if his routes finally climb. He caught 58 passes for 566 yards and four touchdowns last year on just 5.5 targets per game, and that came in a down season. If the target volume jumps back closer to his 2024 usage, there is real weekly PPR value here. At market price, Downs is still a buy because the cost has not fully caught up to the opportunity.

Dynasty Trades - 12 Team SF/TE Premium

• Josh Downs FOR Quentin Johnston/2027 3rd

• Josh Downs FOR Kenneth Gainwell

• Josh Downs FOR 2028 2nd

• Josh Downs FOR David Montgomery

• Josh Downs FOR Chris Bell/Cyrus Allen

• Josh Downs FOR Mike Evans

• Josh Downs FOR Parker Washington

• Josh Downs/2026 Pick 1.06 FOR Marvin Harrison Jr.

• Josh Downs FOR Michael Pittman

• Josh Downs FOR Terry McLaurin

Brian Thomas Jr. — WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

That disconnect is exactly why he stands out as one of the better sleeper buys in dynasty right now. Because while Robinson may never fit the traditional “alpha WR” mold, his fantasy profile is far safer than the market wants to admit. Players do not accidentally earn 140 targets in the NFL. They do not accidentally catch 92 passes for over 1,000 yards. And they certainly do not stumble into consistent weekly PPR usability. Robinson quietly took another step forward in 2025, turning volume into legitimate production while continuing to operate as one of the league’s better underneath weapons. Now he enters a new offense, a fresh situation, and still remains priced like a replaceable depth piece in dynasty startups and trades.

The reality? Robinson may have one of the highest floors among receivers currently being valued outside the top tiers at the position. And that’s where the conversation starts.

The Market Has Completely Forgotten the Volume

Somewhere along the way, dynasty managers convinced themselves that Wan’Dale Robinson is just another replaceable slot receiver. The problem with that logic? Replaceable players do not command 140 targets in back-to-back seasons.

Robinson has quietly become one of the better volume earners in football, posting a 0.26 targets per route run rate in 2025 after posting 0.25 the year prior. That level of target earning places him among the NFL’s elite separators and underneath weapons. Targets are earned, not gifted, and Robinson consistently demanded them despite playing in dysfunctional offensive environments.

When Malik Nabers missed time last season, Robinson’s role exploded. In 11 games without Nabers, he posted eight games with at least a 30.6% target share. That type of workload is absurd regardless of offensive system or quarterback play. The Giants leaned on him because they had to. He consistently created separation, worked himself open, and gave the offense easy completions. And while many still view him as purely a gadget or underneath option, Robinson quietly evolved in 2025.

His efficiency improved across the board:

• 1,014 receiving yards

• 92 receptions

• 1.88 yards per route run

• 0.26 targets per route run

• 9.0-yard average depth of target

• 622 slot yards, leading all NFL wide receivers

• Only a 2.3% drop rate

The most important development was how his route tree expanded. In 2024, much of his workload came near the line of scrimmage. In 2025, Robinson earned 22 targets beyond 20 yards after seeing only five the year before. He was no longer operating solely as a checkdown option. The Giants trusted him to attack deeper portions of the field while still functioning as the offense’s primary chain mover. At 5-foot-8, Robinson will never win with prototypical size or overwhelming catch-radius traits. That’s part of why the dynasty market keeps discounting him. But fantasy football does not care how a player wins. It cares whether he earns volume. And Robinson earns volume at one of the highest rates in football. That’s exactly why the fit with the Tennessee Titans makes so much sense.

Why the Titans Fit Makes Sense

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

That’s where The NFL Pulse comes in.

We’ll break down the news that actually matters for dynasty and redraft managers, while also filtering out the fluff that tends to dominate this time of year. From rookie usage and quarterback battles to injury updates, scheme changes, and camp risers, we’ll focus on the stories that could truly shift player value heading into the summer.

Josh Jacobs Situation Could Shake Up Green Bay’s Entire Fantasy Outlook

This is obviously a situation we need to let play out legally first, but from a fantasy football perspective, this is now one of the biggest offseason stories to monitor. If Josh Jacobs misses any time, the ripple effects could completely change how we view the Packers offense heading into the season.

As far as dynasty goes, nobody currently sitting in that Packers backfield really moves the needle for me. Yes, Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd will immediately get steamed up in rankings, ADP, and waiver conversations, but realistically, it’s hard to imagine Green Bay entering the season fully comfortable with those two carrying the load if Jacobs were unavailable long term. Brooks barely saw meaningful work last year, and Lloyd has essentially no NFL resume to this point outside of flashes as a prospect coming out of college.

Lloyd is probably the upside swing if you’re forcing the issue. The athleticism and explosive profile were always intriguing, and he did show legitimate big-play ability at USC. But relying on him as anything more than a speculative stash feels aggressive considering the injury history and lack of NFL reps. Honestly, the bigger fantasy takeaway here may be what happens to the passing game.

If Jacobs were to miss time, there’s a very real chance Green Bay leans more heavily on Jordan Love and the passing attack overall. That could create bumps for guys like Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and rookie Matthew Golden. Reed especially becomes interesting because of how creative Green Bay already gets with him around the line of scrimmage and in manufactured touches. We could realistically see his role expand in a pretty meaningful way.

The other thing dynasty managers need to understand is this: Green Bay would almost certainly explore adding another running back if they believed Jacobs could miss significant time. Whether that’s through a veteran signing, trade, or camp addition, it would be surprising if they simply handed this backfield to Brooks and Lloyd without competition. That’s why I’m not aggressively buying either player right now.

If you already roster Lloyd or Brooks, sure, enjoy the temporary value spike. But paying inflated prices for uncertain volume in a backfield that likely changes again within weeks feels dangerous.

As for Jacobs himself, dynasty managers are in a rough spot. The market is going to panic. Some managers will immediately try to sell low just to get out. Personally, unless I’m getting a strong return, I’m probably holding through the uncertainty. Selling a proven producer for cents on the dollar rarely works out long term. Now if another manager is willing to send a future first because they believe this blows over quickly, that’s where I’d seriously consider moving him. At that price, you’re insulating yourself from both the legal uncertainty and the age curve that starts creeping in for veteran running backs.

12 Team SF/TE Premium Trades

• Josh Jacobs FOR Christian Kirk/2028 1st

• Josh Jacobs FOR 2027 3rd

• Josh Jacobs FOR 2027 2nd/2027 3rd

• Josh Jacobs FOR Chuba Hubbard

• Josh Jacobs FOR Rashee Rice

Terry McLaurin Could Be Headed for the Biggest Volume Season of His Career

There’s still a lot we don’t know about David Blough as an offensive coordinator, but one thing has already become very clear this offseason: the Commanders want to funnel this passing game through Terry McLaurin.

Blough reportedly told McLaurin back in February that he wants to get him 10 targets per game. That isn’t just random coach speak either. McLaurin immediately responded positively to it, and everything coming out of Washington points toward this offense becoming more intentional about creating volume for their WR1.

For fantasy purposes, that matters. McLaurin has quietly been one of the safest producers in football despite dealing with some of the worst quarterback play and offensive instability in the league for years. Now he gets tied to one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the NFL in Jayden Daniels on a team that should continue ascending offensively.

That combination is exactly why McLaurin feels like one of the smartest buys for contenders right now. The market still treats him more like a low-end WR2 or aging asset instead of a player who could realistically push for elite target volume in an offense built around him. If Washington truly shifts toward more play-action, more movement, and more designed opportunities to isolate McLaurin, we could easily see one of the best fantasy seasons of his career.

The biggest thing here is role clarity. While the Commanders have a lot of names competing behind him, nobody on this roster seriously threatens his alpha status. Antonio Williams is interesting. Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane still need development. Treylon Burks remains more projection than production at this point. Dyami Brown has chemistry with Daniels, but he’s still likely more complementary than featured. This passing game runs through McLaurin.

For dynasty contenders, these are the types of veterans you target aggressively. The market gets scared off because of age, but elite volume tied to ascending quarterback play is exactly how you win titles. McLaurin feels like one of the better win-now buys in dynasty before the market fully catches up if the OTA reports continue trending this direction.

12 Team SF/TE Premium Trades

• Terry McLaurin FOR 2026 2nd

• Terry McLaurin FOR Ted Hurst/2027 3rd

• Terry McLaurin FOR 2026 Pick 2.03

• Terry McLaurin/2027 3rd FOR Jordan Addison

• Terry McLaurin FOR Cam Skattebo

Ashton Jeanty Looks Ready for a True Workhorse Role in 2026

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

No position in fantasy football changes faster than running back. One injury, one disappointing veteran season, or one unexpected training camp performance can completely reshape a backfield overnight. We see it every year. Players who were waiver-wire afterthoughts in June suddenly become league-winning assets by October because opportunity at running back moves faster than perception.

That volatility is exactly why dynasty managers should pay attention to depth-chart backs before the market catches up. Wide receivers can take years to develop into fantasy starters. Tight ends often require patience. Quarterbacks usually need long-term organizational commitment. Running backs, however, can become relevant instantly. Volume is king at the position, and NFL teams have consistently shown they are willing to rotate, replace, or phase out backs quickly when production slips.

Veteran contracts also create hidden windows for younger runners to emerge. Teams are becoming increasingly hesitant to invest long-term money into the position, which means many current starters are operating on borrowed time. Behind them sit younger, cheaper backs waiting for an opportunity. Sometimes that opportunity comes through injury. Sometimes it comes because a coaching staff simply prefers the explosiveness or versatility of the younger option.

Coaching tendencies matter as well. Certain offenses consistently create fantasy production regardless of who lines up in the backfield. Smart dynasty managers target ambiguity and instability because those situations often produce the fastest value spikes. A strong preseason report or depth-chart promotion can send an RB3’s value soaring multiple rounds in startup ADP almost immediately.

That is what this article is about. These are the backs currently hidden on depth charts who may not carry immediate value today, but possess realistic paths to meaningful workloads and potentially starting roles, sooner than dynasty managers expect.

Second Year Running Backs

One of the most important dynasty lessons at the running back position is understanding just how quickly situations can change. A player can spend most of his rookie season buried on the depth chart, barely touching the football, only to suddenly find himself one injury, coaching change, or strong training camp away from meaningful snaps.

That is especially true for second-year running backs.

Year 2 is often where the game begins to slow down for young backs adjusting to the NFL. Rookie mistakes start fading, trust with coaching staffs grows, and opportunities begin opening up behind veterans with short-term contracts or uncertain futures. Some of these players may never become full-time starters, but dynasty managers do not always need that outcome to gain value. Sometimes all it takes is a role increase, a few explosive weeks, or climbing from RB3 to RB2 on the depth chart for the market to react.

The backs in this section are not players dynasty managers should be aggressively building around today. Instead, these are deeper stash candidates, second-year running backs who still possess intriguing traits, draft pedigree, or situations that could quietly lead to larger opportunities as the season unfolds. And at running back, opportunity changes everything.

Cincinnati Bengals — Tahj Brooks

Sometimes, dynasty value is less about immediate production and more about identifying the next man up before the rest of the market notices. That is exactly where Tahj Brooks fits entering 2026. A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Brooks barely saw offensive usage as a rookie, totaling just 54 yards from scrimmage on 17 touches across 16 games. On the surface, that production looks insignificant. But dynasty managers chasing RB3s with realistic paths to value should not ignore what is sitting underneath the depth chart here.

Chase Brown is firmly locked in as Cincinnati’s RB1 after handling nearly 600 touches over the past two seasons combined. The Bengals clearly trust him, and barring injury, he is going to lead this backfield again in 2026. Veteran Samaje Perine also remains involved after posting 469 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns last season while continuing to operate as one of the better pass-protecting backs on the roster.

That is the obstacle for Brooks right now. But like many backs on this list, the path only takes one opening. Brooks entered the league as one of the more intriguing late-round “backup running back” stashes in dynasty circles last offseason. That hype never fully materialized during his rookie year, but the underlying profile still makes sense. At 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds, Brooks brings a physical downhill running style that fits well in short-yardage and inside-zone situations. He consistently breaks tackles, runs with leverage, and offers reliability coaches tend to trust once injuries begin piling up throughout a season.

What quietly keeps him roster-worthy in deeper dynasty formats is everything beyond the box score. Brooks earned praise internally for his pass protection, processing, and special teams value. Those traits matter for RB2 battles. Coaches trust backs who can protect the quarterback, handle assignments, and avoid mistakes. That trust often leads to snaps before pure explosiveness does. There is also a realistic scenario where Brooks overtakes Perine as the true RB2 this season. Perine remains steady, but he is the veteran placeholder profile teams often phase out as younger backs develop. Brooks is younger, cheaper, and arguably offers more long-term upside if given an expanded workload.

And if Chase Brown were to miss time, this backfield suddenly becomes very interesting. The Bengals offense is still attached to one of the better passing environments in football, which naturally creates scoring opportunities for whichever back earns touches. Brooks may never become a featured long-term starter, but dynasty managers do not necessarily need that outcome for profit. They simply need a temporary window where volume appears and the market reacts. That is why Tahj Brooks remains one of the better hidden RB depth-chart stashes heading into training camp.

12 Team SF/TE Premium PPR

• Tahj Brooks FOR 2027 4th

• Tahj Brooks FOR Kyle Williams

• Tahj Brooks FOR 2026 Pick 3.12

• Tahj Brooks FOR Jaylin Noel

• Tahj Brooks FOR Savion Williams

Pittsburgh Steelers — Kaleb Johnson

This one feels gross on the surface, but those are often the exact types of cheap dynasty running back bets worth making. Kaleb Johnson enters 2026 buried in a crowded Pittsburgh backfield behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle after an almost invisible rookie season. A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Johnson managed just 78 scrimmage yards on 29 touches across 10 games while struggling to carve out consistent offensive snaps. His most memorable rookie moment unfortunately came on special teams, when he mishandled a kickoff against Seattle that resulted in a defensive touchdown. From there, Johnson largely disappeared from meaningful usage.

And yet… the Steelers have not moved on. Despite the disappointing rookie year, Johnson has quietly remained involved throughout offseason activities, including reportedly receiving reps with the first-team offense during OTAs. It is important not to overreact to May practice rotations, especially with veterans occasionally absent or limited, but the bigger takeaway is that Pittsburgh still appears interested in developing him rather than burying him completely.

That should at least catch the attention of deeper dynasty managers. Jaylen Warren emerged as an effective complementary option the last few years, while Rico Dowdle now enters the mix after Kenneth Gainwell departed in free agency. It is a functional room, but not necessarily one locked down by an elite long-term answer.

That creates a small opening for Johnson if he can capitalize. What makes him intriguing in this type of article is the combination of pedigree and uncertainty ahead of him. Third-round running backs rarely get abandoned after one quiet season, especially by a new coaching staff that did not draft the veterans currently ahead of him. Fresh staffs often reevaluate depth charts from scratch, and preseason usage could go a long way toward determining Johnson’s role moving forward.

There is also a scenario where Pittsburgh wants more physicality and early-down power within the rotation. Johnson still possesses the downhill profile that made him intriguing coming out of college. At his best, he runs with patience, vision, and enough size to handle interior work. The explosiveness may never be elite, but he does not necessarily need to become a superstar to gain dynasty value.

He simply needs opportunity. And opportunity at running back changes fast. If Warren or Dowdle misses time at any point during the season, Johnson suddenly becomes one of those backs dynasty managers rush to pick up after the fact. That is why these RB3 stash bets matter. You are not paying for certainty. You are paying for contingent upside tied to instability in front of them. Johnson is still firmly a deep stash and not someone managers should aggressively prioritize in shallow formats. But in deeper dynasty leagues, particularly formats where running backs become scarce quickly, he remains one of the more interesting forgotten names to monitor throughout training camp and preseason action.

12 Team SF/TE Premium PPR

• Kaleb Johnson FOR 2027 4th

• Kaleb Johnson FOR 2027 3rd

• Kaleb Johnson FOR Keon Coleman

• Kaleb Johnson FOR Pat Bryant

• Kaleb Johnson FOR Trey Benson

Dallas Cowboys — Jaydon Blue

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

First Step

The first thing that pops on Simmons’ film is his elite first step. As a former five-star recruit, the elite athleticism isn’t necessarily shocking, but his basketball background regularly appears (more on this later). His get-off is reminiscent of the NFL’s best edge rushers, and when he combines the rest of his skill set with the ready-made advantage he creates with his quick jumps, he’s lethal as a pass rusher.

Here, he nearly beats the running back to his spot and has an easy shed opportunity because of how quickly he’s able to get upfield. Many of Simmons’s snaps come from wide alignments, utilizing his elite speed to get around the outside shoulder of the tackle. Here, he lines up as a true 5-technique and utilizes that same explosiveness to capitalize and make a tone-setting play. This actually started him on a heater, too. We’ll revisit that in a bit.

Simmons combines a few of the traits we’ll discuss here on this one, but he wins this one immediately with an explosive burst off the line of scrimmage. He then displays excellent turn while utilizing elite strength to fend off the left tackle’s attempt at a recovery. This was a game-wrecking rep at a time when Texas needed some momentum.

We’ll discuss Simmons’ elite ball production later, but he’s just too explosive off the line of scrimmage for college tackles to handle. Choosing not to chip and release on this play is a mistake by the Arkansas playcaller, but Simmons creates such an advantage that he likely could have won this rep anyway. His burst off the line of scrimmage makes him an immediate-impact NFL Draft prospect, but that just scratches the surface of his talents.

Closing Speed

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start on your league, whether that’s dynasty, devy, or C2C, consider joining either our Substack or the Website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content designed to help you stay ahead of the field. For those who want everything in one place, the website gives you full access to all content, including everything published on Substack, plus exclusive tools, rankings, and community access. However you choose to support us, we appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

Every season we see backup quarterbacks gain sudden dynasty value due to injuries, preseason buzz, trades, poor quarterback play ahead of them, or unexpected opportunities. Managers who are proactive with these roster spots often create leverage before the rest of the league reacts. Sometimes, all it takes is one start, one strong preseason performance, or one coaching staff believing in a player for the market to shift dramatically.

In this article, we’re looking at backup QBs worth stashing in dynasty leagues right now. Not because they are guaranteed future stars, but because they carry pathways to gaining value over the next year. In deeper dynasty and Superflex formats, those are exactly the types of bets worth making.

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

I’m still not giving up on Anthony Richardson yet, and honestly, this might be the exact type of dynasty buy-low window sharp managers should be attacking. There’s no denying how ugly things have looked over the past two seasons. Among quarterbacks with at least 350 dropbacks between 2023 and 2024, Richardson ranked 41st out of 43 in PFF passing grade (56.3) while finishing dead last in uncatchable throw rate at 31.1%. The passing efficiency simply has not been there, and at this point, most dynasty managers have mentally moved on from him entirely.

That said, where there’s panic in dynasty, there’s usually opportunity. Richardson’s value is now at an all-time low in both real-life NFL circles and fantasy football. That’s exactly what makes him interesting. We are no longer paying for the dream version of Anthony Richardson. We are buying the uncertainty, the athletic traits, and the possibility that another organization or even Indianapolis itself gives him another opportunity to start.

And despite all the struggles, we’ve still seen flashes. During his injury-shortened rookie season, Richardson still managed to produce low-end QB2 numbers early in the year because of his rushing upside alone. That matters in fantasy football. Quarterbacks with elite athleticism continue to get chances in today’s NFL, especially former top-five picks with rare physical tools. Richardson still has the arm talent. He still has the size. He still has the rushing ability that can create fantasy relevance quickly if he ever gets back on the field consistently.

The reality is there’s absolutely a chance he never develops into a reliable NFL starter. The accuracy concerns are real. The turnovers are real. The inability to consistently operate within structure has been a major issue. But that’s exactly why the acquisition cost has cratered. You are no longer paying a premium for Richardson, which dramatically lowers the risk attached to the bet.

And there are still pathways to value. Whether it’s with the Colts or another team eventually looking to take a swing on upside, Richardson is the type of quarterback archetype that tends to get multiple opportunities around the league. We’ve already seen players like Malik Willis regain value after changing situations and getting additional developmental time. Richardson is still young, still talented, and still carries fantasy-friendly traits that can create temporary spikes in value with even a small stretch of starts.

If he remains in Indianapolis, there’s also an avenue there. Daniel Jones is coming off a torn Achilles, and while the Colts clearly feel more comfortable with Jones operating the offense right now, quarterback situations can change quickly in the NFL. Richardson doesn’t need to suddenly become a franchise quarterback for this stash to pay off. He simply needs another opportunity. That’s the bet here. Not certainty. Not safety. Just upside at a dramatically discounted price.

12 Team SF/TE Premium Trades

• Anthony Richardson FOR 2027 3rd

• Anthony Richardson FOR 2028 3rd

• Anthony Richardson FOR Joe Milton

• Anthony Richardson FOR Kirk Cousins

• Anthony Richardson FOR 2027 4th

Cade Klubnik, New York Jets

I’ll be honest, Cade Klubnik is not one of my priority dynasty adds right now, but he still deserves mention in deeper Superflex formats because of the pathway backup quarterbacks can take around the league. The New York Jets selected Klubnik in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after a four-year career at Clemson where he showed flashes but never fully developed into the elite prospect many expected coming out of high school.

The production was solid at times, but it never truly took off. In 2025, Klubnik threw for 2,943 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions while operating in a Clemson offense that leaned heavily on RPO concepts and quick-game structure. The issue that continued to show up on film was the lack of high-end arm talent and downfield creation ability. Even statistically, the profile felt more stable than explosive. Among quarterbacks invited to the NFL Combine, Klubnik ranked 10th in Big Time Throw rate and outside the upper tier in most efficiency metrics that translate to fantasy upside.

Still, there are some things working in his favor. The Jets clearly targeted him in the draft and have already spoken highly about his intelligence and ability to process information early in camp. Aaron Glenn and the coaching staff seem to value his composure and willingness to operate within structure, which is exactly the type of trait that can keep a quarterback employed in the NFL for a long time. And honestly, that may ultimately be Klubnik’s path: a reliable backup quarterback who bounces around the league and occasionally gets opportunities to start.

That type of player still carries value in deep dynasty Superflex formats. The problem for me is the long-term ceiling. Everyone knows I’m not exactly the biggest Geno Smith believer, but I also don’t think the Jets view Klubnik as their future franchise quarterback either. If the Jets struggle this season, which is likely, it would not be surprising at all to see them aggressively pursue a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft.

That makes Klubnik more of a watchlist/deep stash player than a major target. There’s still a chance he develops into a quality NFL backup capable of spot starts, and quarterbacks who can simply function in an offense tend to stick around longer than people think. But from a dynasty perspective, I’m not chasing major upside here. This feels more like a player who could provide temporary value spikes during injuries or short-term opportunities rather than someone likely to develop into a long-term fantasy starter. Those value spikes would be expected this season when Smith most likely gets benched.

12 Team SF/TE Premium Trades

• Cade Klubnik FOR Bryce Lance

• Cade Klubnik FOR 2027 4th

• Cade Klubnik FOR Jack Bech

• Cade Klubnik FOR 2028 3rd

• Cade Klubnik FOR Shedeur Sanders

Jameis Winston, New York Giants

Jameis Winston is one of those backup quarterbacks that dynasty managers continuously overlook until he’s suddenly forced into the lineup and throwing the ball 40 times a game. At this stage of his career, we know exactly who Winston is as a player: volatile, aggressive, turnover-prone, but also capable of putting up usable fantasy production whenever he gets an opportunity to start.

There’s still a realistic avenue to Winston seeing the field this year. Dart has already dealt with injuries early in his career, and second-year quarterbacks often experience growing pains even when healthy. If the Giants are forced to turn back toward Winston for stretches of the season, we’ve already seen the type of fantasy production he can provide in spot starts. Last season, Winston stepped in for two starts and threw for 567 yards with two touchdowns while adding value as a runner and even catching a touchdown pass. It wasn’t perfect, it never is with Winston, but fantasy points tend to follow volume, and Winston has never been afraid to push the ball downfield aggressively. That matters for dynasty managers searching for emergency QB2 production.

There’s obviously very little long-term insulation here. Winston is 32 years old and likely nearing the final stage of his NFL career. He’s not someone you’re adding expecting future franchise-quarterback upside. But for contenders or deep Superflex rosters, there’s still value in quarterbacks capable of stepping into starting roles and producing usable fantasy weeks on short notice. Sometimes, the goal with these backup quarterback stashes is not finding a long-term QB1. Sometimes it’s simply surviving bye weeks, injuries, or flipping short-term production into future value. Winston still offers that pathway whenever he’s thrust into action.

12 Team SF/TE Premium Trades

• Jameis Winston FOR 2027 4th

• Jameis Winston FOR 2027 5th

• Jameis Winston FOR Will Howard

• Jameis Winston FOR Quinn Ewers

• Jameis Winston FOR 2027 3rd

Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

Miami didn’t just land Mensah; they aggressively targeted him as the quarterback they believed could keep this program operating at a national championship level. After Carson Beck moved on following a 13-3 season and College Football Playoff National Championship appearance, the Hurricanes needed more than just a replacement. They needed someone capable of stepping into one of the biggest spotlights in college football and sustaining momentum immediately. Multiple names were floated as potential options, but Mensah ultimately became Miami’s top priority.

And it’s easy to see why.

At 6-foot-3, Mensah already looks the part of the modern NFL quarterback. The arm talent jumps off the screen. He can attack every level of the field, create outside structure, extend plays, and generate velocity without needing perfectly clean pockets. There’s confidence to his game, but also controlled aggression as a passer that NFL evaluators tend to gravitate toward. The traits are there, and now the production is starting to catch up in a major way.

Mensah is coming off a massive 2025 season at Duke Blue Devils football where he threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns while leading Duke to a 9-5 record, an ACC Championship, and a Sun Bowl victory over Arizona State Sun Devils football. And this wasn’t a one-year flash from nowhere either. Before Duke, Mensah flashed at Tulane Green Wave football, throwing for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024. The trajectory here matters. Every season the game has slowed down more for him, and every season the production ceiling has climbed.

The other thing devy managers need to pay attention to is what Miami represents for quarterback value. This is a program built to amplify national perception. The exposure is different. The expectations are different. The NFL attention is constant. If Mensah produces in this offense while competing for playoff positioning, his value is going to rise rapidly. Right now, the market still prices him below the elite devy quarterback tier. That may not last much longer.

And that’s where this becomes interesting. Because while the production is impressive, it’s the combination of physical tools, creation ability, developmental upside, and situation that makes Mensah one of the more fascinating quarterback bets in devy right now.

What Makes Him Intriguing

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

The sharpest devy managers understand something bigger: timing matters just as much as player evaluation.

Devy is one of the most emotional markets in fantasy football. Player values constantly fluctuate throughout the year based on hype cycles, spring practices, camp reports, recruiting buzz, NFL Draft declarations, transfer portal movement, and early-season production swings. A player can gain an entire tier of value without ever playing a meaningful snap simply because the market becomes overly optimistic during certain parts of the calendar.

That creates opportunity. The managers who consistently stay ahead in devy aren’t just “hitting” on players. They understand when the market is inflating value, when panic starts to set in, and when to capitalize on both. They know when to move future picks, when to cash out on offseason hype, and when to aggressively buy talented players after disappointing stretches or uncertainty hits the market.

That’s the real edge, because devy isn’t just about identifying talent. It’s about maximizing asset value over time. It’s understanding that player values move in cycles every single year, and if you can recognize those cycles before the rest of your league does, you can build stronger rosters, accumulate more value, and create long-term advantages that compound over time. Understanding the calendar is one of the biggest edges in devy. That’s why I created the TDR Devy Calendar: to help managers better understand value windows throughout the year, identify peak buy and sell opportunities, and take advantage of the market before the rest of their league catches up.

In this article, we’re going to break down the first three months of the devy calendar, January, February, and March, and explain how market behavior begins to shift heading into peak hype season. The remainder of the calendar, including the most important buy and sell windows from April through December, will be available for subscribers below.

January: Fresh Start

January is one of the more interesting months in the devy market because managers are still processing everything that happened during bowl season while simultaneously trying to project forward into the next cycle. This is where emotion starts driving the market again.

Big bowl performances create immediate value spikes. Freshmen and sophomores who flash late in the year suddenly become “must-have” assets overnight, while disappointing finishes can cause managers to cool on players far too quickly. On top of that, NFL Draft declarations begin rolling in, depth charts start opening up, and the first wave of offseason optimism starts building across college football.

This creates a market that feels active, but still somewhat unsettled. At this point in the calendar, most managers are trying to figure out who the next breakout is going to be before everyone else catches on. You’ll start seeing early rankings shifts, devy startup discussions, and the beginning of incoming freshman excitement. Coaching changes and transfer movement also start influencing player perception, which can create both buying and selling opportunities depending on how aggressive your league mates are reacting.

The biggest mistake managers make in January is overreacting to small sample sizes. One bowl game or one offseason narrative can dramatically shift perception despite very little actually changing long term. This is why January is more of a “hold and evaluate” month for me rather than an aggressive buying or selling window.

There are still opportunities to capitalize on hype spikes if your league heavily reacts to bowl performances, but overall this month is about positioning yourself for the bigger value swings that begin arriving later in the offseason.

TDR Strategy:

Hold strong assets, monitor market movement, and avoid making emotional decisions based solely on bowl season or early offseason narratives. Patience matters here.

February: Combine Buzz

February is where the devy market really starts heating up.

The NFL Combine dominates the football world during this month, but what makes February so important in devy isn’t just the incoming draft class — it’s what happens psychologically across the entire market. As NFL prospects rise up boards and player comparisons start flying around, managers immediately begin shifting their attention toward the next wave of talent. This is where the “next class is loaded” narrative starts taking over leagues.

Every year it happens. Managers convince themselves that the upcoming freshman class or future devy class is going to completely change the landscape of fantasy football. Incoming freshmen become overhyped before they ever step on a college field, future picks start gaining value simply because of the mystery attached to them, and optimism reaches another level across the market. That’s what makes February such an important month to understand.

Future picks become premium assets during this stretch because every manager believes they’re one pick away from landing the next superstar. The uncertainty actually helps the value of those picks because managers can project anything they want onto them. Nobody is thinking about bust rates or development timelines in February. They’re thinking about ceilings, recruiting rankings, highlight clips, and “what if.”

That creates inflated value. You’ll also see sophomore breakout hype begin ramping up heavily during this month. Managers start projecting bigger roles, depth chart jumps, and future NFL Draft risers before spring practices even begin. Recruiting rankings become gospel again, and incoming freshman excitement pushes certain assets far beyond what they realistically should cost.

This is one of the first major “move hype assets” windows of the year. If your league is aggressively chasing the future, this can be an excellent time to capitalize on inflated pick values, incoming freshman hype, or players gaining steam simply because the market is starving for optimism during the offseason cycle.

TDR Strategy:

Move hype assets (Quarterbacks especially) before values peak. Future picks and incoming freshman hype begin gaining serious steam during February, and sharp managers can use that optimism to create value advantages before the market reaches full offseason irrationality later in the spring.

March: Spring Practice Season

March is where devy hype officially starts accelerating. Spring practices begin opening up across the country, beat reports start flooding timelines, and every practice clip suddenly turns into a massive market mover. This is the month where offseason optimism starts turning into full-blown projection season.

And in devy, projection season drives value.

You’ll constantly hear phrases like:

• “Best shape of his life”

• “Uncoverable in practice”

• “Running with the ones”

• “Staff is extremely high on him”

• “Expected to have a massive role”

Some of these reports matter. Some absolutely don’t. The challenge is figuring out the difference before your league mates react emotionally to every headline that hits social media. This is also where understanding where information is coming from becomes one of the biggest edges in the format.

A lot of creators, accounts, and even beat writers are racing to be first during spring ball season. The problem is many are recycling information from each other, pushing incomplete narratives, or amplifying reports without context simply because offseason engagement is at its highest point. One practice clip or one quote can suddenly create an entire player value swing overnight.

Sharp devy managers pay attention to the source. Knowing which reports carry actual weight, which coaching staffs leak meaningful information, and which creators consistently provide grounded takes versus hype farming can create a distinct advantage during this part of the calendar. Because once the market latches onto a narrative, values move fast.

March is also where position battle hype begins exploding. Managers start projecting depth chart jumps before spring practices are even complete. Sophomore breakouts gain steam, incoming freshmen generate buzz before taking meaningful snaps, and future draft capital conversations begin surfacing for players who haven’t fully proven themselves yet. This creates one of the more aggressive hype-building months in the entire devy cycle.

The important thing to remember is that very little actual football has happened yet. Most of the market is operating almost entirely on projection, optimism, and offseason excitement. That creates opportunities for managers willing to stay disciplined while everyone else chases headlines.

TDR Strategy:

Sell narratives before they fully peak. March is one of the best months to capitalize on offseason hype, rising practice reports, and projected role increases before actual games force the market to recalibrate.

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

But at TDR, we’ve always believed that traits, opportunity, development, and situation matter more than stars next to a player’s name. Last June, we put that philosophy to the test when we wrote our first “Three-Star Players to Watch” article. And because accountability matters here at TDR, we wanted to revisit some of those names before diving into this year’s group.

Not every call was a smash hit, and that’s part of the process. Kansas quarterback David McComb ended up transferring after failing to carve out a long-term role with the Jayhawks, but he now lands at Miami RedHawks where he has a legitimate shot to compete for a starting job. Illinois quarterback Carson Boyd is currently battling transfer QB Katin Houser, and the physical tools continue to flash. Illinois coaches have openly praised Boyd’s arm talent, mobility, and growth within the offense. It would not be shocking if he forces his way onto the field sooner rather than later.

At running back, there were flashes as well. D’Shaun Ford saw action in six games at ULM and is currently in the portal, while Jaylen McGill started earning more opportunities late in the season and now has a chance to carve out a bigger role in Bobby Petrino’s offense. Tyvonn Byars quietly impressed at Rice, averaging explosive chunk plays in limited touches and now competing for the RB2 role heading into 2026. Meanwhile, Javin Gordon turned into one of the better calls from the group after showing real promise at Tulane before transferring to Tennessee Volunteers. Gordon already flashed versatility, contact balance, and pass-catching ability during Tulane’s CFP run, and the upside is obvious in Knoxville.

The biggest wins, though, came at wide receiver. Malachi Toney exploded into one of the top young receivers in the country and now looks like a future top-five Devy asset. Lotzeir Brooks immediately made an impact at Alabama, contributing as both a receiver and returner while flashing the explosiveness we believed in coming out of high school. Jayvan Boggs showed enough as a freshman to keep the breakout hype alive heading into next season, and even deeper names like Jaivon Solomon and Eli Johnson still have developmental paths worth monitoring. Johnson may have redshirted, but he’s also an Iowa tight end, and history tells us that position group deserves patience. If you want to read last year’s breakdowns, you can find them here.

That’s the fun of this exercise. Some of these players will transfer. Some will disappear. Some will become league-winning assets before the market fully catches up. But identifying these profiles early is where real edges are created in Devy and C2C. So with that in mind, let’s dive into this year’s crop of three-star prospects who could be next.

Quarterbacks

Quarterback is easily the hardest position to project when hunting for three-star gems in Devy and C2C. The hit rate is low, the development curve is longer, and most of these players are already fighting uphill battles the second they arrive on campus. Unlike running backs or wide receivers, quarterbacks usually need both talent and timing to break through. They need coaching, reps, opportunity, and in many cases a little chaos in front of them on the depth chart.

That’s why with these quarterbacks, I’m not chasing polished products. I’m chasing traits and pathways to early playing time. Arm talent. Mobility. Playmaking ability outside structure. The flashes that make you stop and think, “If this guy ever gets a real shot, there might be something here.” These are still longshots, and that’s important to acknowledge upfront. Most three-star quarterbacks won’t become meaningful Devy assets. But when you do hit on one early, the payoff can completely shift the trajectory of a roster in C2C formats.

The two quarterbacks in this section fit that exact mold. Both have intriguing physical tools, developmental upside, and potential opportunities to see the field earlier than people expect. They’re not safe bets. They’re swings on upside, traits, and situations worth monitoring before the market catches up.

Terry Walker III, QB, Duke Blue Devils

Terry Walker III is exactly the type of quarterback bet I like making late in deep Devy and C2C formats. The production profile is raw, the completion percentage is ugly in spots, and there’s still a ton of development needed. But when you dig deeper into the traits, tools, and overall upside, it’s easy to see why Duke took a chance on him.

Walker is a legit athlete at the quarterback position with real dual-threat upside. He’s an Elite 11 finalist with a live arm, impressive pocket mobility, and the ability to create outside of structure when plays break down. His background as a basketball player shows up constantly on tape with the way he moves, changes direction, and extends plays. He’s dangerous once he escapes the pocket, and there are flashes where he looks like a completely different level of athlete than the defenders around him.

What makes Walker especially intriguing in Devy and C2C is the ceiling if the mechanics and consistency ever come together. He can drive the football vertically, flick throws to the perimeter with ease, and create explosive plays both through the air and on the ground. The accuracy still comes and goes, and he’s absolutely a feast-or-famine passer right now, but the upside traits are hard to ignore for a three-star quarterback.

The path to playing time is also worth monitoring. Duke’s quarterback room is far from settled after Darian Mensah unexpectedly entered the portal. Walker Eget was brought in, but injuries limited him throughout spring, while Dan Mahan reportedly took a large share of first-team reps. That leaves the long-term future of the room fairly open, especially if Duke struggles to find consistency at the position over the next year or two.

Walker is still a long-term developmental swing. The torn ACL slowed momentum entering his senior season, and there’s a realistic chance he never develops into a major fantasy asset. But in deep formats, these are the exact quarterback profiles I want to stash early. The athleticism, arm talent, off-script ability, and upside are all there. If the game slows down for him and the accuracy stabilizes, Terry Walker III has the tools to eventually emerge as a multi-year starter with fantasy upside.

Mike Mitchell Jr., QB, Stanford Cardinal

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

I dove into the film to determine whether Manning should be in those conversations as a locked-and-loaded top-five selection.

All-22 Breakdown

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start on your league, whether that’s dynasty, devy, or C2C, consider joining either our Substack or the Website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content designed to help you stay ahead of the field. For those who want everything in one place, the website gives you full access to all content, including everything published on Substack, plus exclusive tools, rankings, and community access. However you choose to support us, we appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more

Episode 2 of The TDR Draft Show is here, and Christian and I are diving into the topics that actually matter as we head deeper into the offseason. This week, we’re hitting NFL schedule takeaways, fantasy risers and fallers, depth chart questions, and the coaches already starting to feel the pressure heading into 2026.

This isn’t surface-level analysis or headline chasing. We’re breaking down situations through a dynasty, devy, and C2C lens, focusing on actionable takes, player movement, roster construction, and the shifts that can give you an edge before the market fully catches up. From the Rams’ crowded TE room to Eli Stowers’ role in Philadelphia, to fantasy winners and losers after the schedule release, we’re covering the angles that matter most for long-term value.

Christian continues to bring elite film and scouting insight to the table while we build out what we believe will become one of the go-to shows for serious dynasty and devy players.

If you want to go even deeper, everything we do lives on the site: rankings, ADP, tools, guides, articles, and much more at The Devy Royale. That’s the full TDR ecosystem.

The Devy Royale Website

And if you want access to everything we’re building, live shows, rankings updates, articles, Discord access, and direct interaction with us, consider subscribing right here on Substack and becoming part of the TDR community.

This is only Episode 2. We’re just getting started. If you want to watch the full episode, you can find the video below. Let us know your biggest takeaway from the show.

Leave a comment

Fast forward to now, and the perception surrounding Stroud has completely changed.

While Stroud has still shown flashes in big moments, including solid playoff performances early in his career, last January felt different. The ball security issues became impossible to ignore, culminating in a disastrous divisional round loss to the Patriots where he threw four interceptions. The confidence and rhythm that defined his rookie season never consistently showed up in 2025, and the results reflected it. Stroud finished as the QB21 in fantasy football, averaging just 15.55 fantasy points per game while totaling only 216.5 fantasy points on the season. He barely eclipsed 3,000 passing yards and threw a disappointing 19 touchdowns in what became one of the most frustrating sophomore campaigns from a young quarterback in recent memory.

So what happened?

Was 2023 simply an outlier season that fantasy managers chased for too long? Or did the market overreact to a season where almost everything around Stroud went wrong?

Before we talk about why I still believe Stroud is one of the cheapest QB1 bets in dynasty, we first need to understand exactly why we saw such a significant decline in 2025.

From Franchise Savior to Question Mark

C.J. Stroud has been viewed as a franchise quarterback long before he ever stepped foot in the NFL. A five-star recruit and top-50 player nationally coming out of Rancho Cucamonga High School in California, Stroud dominated at every level he played. After sitting behind Justin Fields at Ohio State in 2020, he took over the Buckeyes offense in 2021 and immediately exploded onto the national stage.

Over two seasons as the starter, Stroud threw for over 7,500 yards and 85 touchdowns while completing nearly 70% of his passes. He finished as a Heisman finalist twice, won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors, and led one of the most explosive offenses in college football. What stood out most wasn’t just the production, it was the way he played the position. Stroud consistently showed elite ball placement, calmness under pressure, progression reading ability, and the natural accuracy that made many evaluators believe he was the best pure passer in the 2023 draft class.

That talent immediately translated to the NFL. Stroud’s rookie season felt like the arrival of the next superstar quarterback. He threw for over 4,500 yards with 26 touchdowns against just five interceptions while playing with maturity, anticipation, and confidence well beyond his years. He looked poised, controlled, and surgical operating from the pocket. The Texans believed they had found their franchise cornerstone, and dynasty managers quickly valued him as one of the untouchable young quarterbacks in fantasy football.

Then came 2025. The easy explanation would be to blame Houston’s offensive line, and to be fair, there were issues there. The Texans ranked 27th in the NFL as an offensive line unit, Stroud dealt with constant pressure throughout stretches of the season, and Houston never consistently established balance offensively. Nico Collins missed time, Tank Dell dealt with injuries again, and the offense under Nick Caley often looked disjointed and out of rhythm.

But if we’re being honest, the decline cannot entirely be blamed on the situation around him. Stroud simply did not look like the same quarterback at times in 2025.

The composure and decisiveness that defined his rookie season began to disappear. Instead of taking what defenses gave him, Stroud started forcing throws into tight windows and trying to create explosive plays that simply were not there. His postseason collapse against New England perfectly captured the issues that followed him throughout the year. Even when kept clean, Stroud struggled with decision-making, accuracy, and ball security. The numbers were ugly, but the tape may have been even more concerning.

At times, it felt like Stroud stopped playing within structure and started hunting splash plays. The quick processing and rhythm passing that made him elite as a rookie turned into hesitation, late throws, and unnecessary risks. The ball security issues became impossible to ignore, especially in the playoffs where he threw five interceptions and lost five fumbles across two games. Still, this is where things get important.

We have already seen Stroud operate at an elite level before. We’ve seen the processing, the anticipation, the accuracy, and the ability to elevate an offense. Quarterbacks do not accidentally produce the type of rookie season Stroud had. The flaws showed up in 2025, and some of the criticism is absolutely fair, but it is also important not to completely erase everything we saw before the collapse. The question now becomes whether 2025 was the beginning of who Stroud truly is, or simply a young quarterback pressing too hard in a dysfunctional offense that slowly unraveled around him.

The Texans Are Giving Stroud Every Chance to Rebound

Dear Readers,

If you’re looking to get a real head start in your dynasty, devy, or C2C leagues, consider joining either our Substack or the website. Both provide actionable, edge-driven content built to help you stay ahead of the field.

Substack is our most affordable option at just $7/month and gives you access to all of our written content.

For those who want everything in one place, the website offers three membership tiers ($8/$12/$16) and includes all written content plus exclusive tools, rankings, features, and community access.

However you choose to support us, we truly appreciate you being part of what we’re building and trusting us to help you win.

The Devy Royale Website

Subscribe now

Read more