5 Dynasty Takeaways From Week 3

Kevin Coleman breaks down his top 5 dynasty takeaways from Week 3.

Welcome to my top five dynasty takeaways from Week 3! With three weeks of football in the books, we've seen significant shifts in dynasty value, and it's becoming clearer which players are trending up and which ones are fading. Now that we have three weeks of data points, we can start identifying key trends, breakout performances, and potential long-term assets that dynasty managers need to keep an eye on. Whether you’re looking to make a trade or adjust your rankings, these insights should help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of dynasty fantasy football. Let's dive in!

Drake Maye Dynasty Outlook

The Patriots are taking a wise, long-term approach with Drake Maye, allowing him to sit and learn behind Jacoby Brissett. In a season where their offensive line has been a revolving door, protecting a young, inexperienced quarterback like Maye is essential. Throwing him into the fire too soon could lead to damaging results, much like what we've seen with Bryce Young and the Panthers. By letting Maye develop at his own pace, the Patriots are avoiding that fate and setting him up for a brighter future.

Maye’s brief taste of regular-season action in the final minutes of their loss showed he’s not quite ready yet. It’s clear the Patriots are giving him time to grow, all while avoiding the brutal hits that Brissett has been taking. This approach, similar to the development paths of Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, and others. It gives Maye the chance to absorb the playbook and understand NFL defenses without the immediate pressure to perform. While the cries for him to start may grow louder as the team struggles, this developmental startegy could pay off in a big way for both Maye and a rebuilding team willing to invest in his future. The Patriots are playing it smart.

As a dynasty asset, Drake Maye is a perfect target for rebuilding teams or dynasty managers eager to pounce on an inpatient owner who expected him to play earlier. His current situation provides a prime buy-low opportunity, especially with the Patriots focused on developing him behind the scenes. There’s also reason to be optimistic about his future outlook—New England could potentially add more offensive weapons in next year’s draft, with Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan already high on their radar.

Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)

• Drake Maye FOR Justin Fields

• Drake Maye/2025 3rd FOR Daniel Jones

• Drake Maye/2026 1st/2027 1st FOR Baker Mayfield/Travis Etienne

• Drake Maye/Jonathan Taylor FOR Kirk Cousins/Derrick Henry/D.J. Moore

• Drake Maye FOR D.J. Moore

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Is Still A Buy-Low

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is still very much a buy-low candidate in fantasy football, and now is the perfect time to make your move. While his Week 3 stat line of just three catches for 39 yards may look underwhelming, it's crucial to note that his snap rate has increased each week, and his 20.4% target share is right behind DK Metcalf's 22.3%. This steady rise in involvement signals that Smith-Njigba is trending in the right direction. He’s set up for success, especially with a favorable matchup against the Lions. There are opportunities for him to shine, and this is a passing offense you want a piece of.

Geno Smith has already shown improvements as a passer in this offense, currently ranking third in the NFL in passing yards. Under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, it’s clear this Seattle passing attack is primed for big things. Smith-Njigba, with his growing role, should soon cement himself as the clear WR2 alongside Metcalf. The one number I love seeing is that JSN is currently second on the team with a 21.2% first-read share over Tyler Lockett (18.2%). This is the first time in his career that he has a higher first-read share and target share. Lockett is currently sitting at a 14.6% target share. Week 3 was a low-output game as Seattle cruised past a depleted Dolphins squad, but don’t let that fool you into losing faith. With the offense opening up and his involvement increasing, JSN is a prime candidate to break out. If you're looking for a long-term asset with high upside, now is the time to trade for him before his stock takes off.

Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba FOR Brandon Aiyuk

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba FOR 2025 1st

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba FOR Quentin Johnston/2025 1st

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba/Braelon Allen FOR DeVonta Smith/2025 3rd

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba/Bo Nix FOR Tyreek Hill

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba FOR Rashid Shaheed

TuTu Atwell Resurgence?

Tutu Atwell is still a sneaky buy-low candidate in fantasy football, especially with both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp sidelined. With Nacua on injured reserve and Kupp out due to an ankle injury, Atwell has been given the chance to step up as a featured piece in the Rams' offense. In Week 3, he put up a strong performance with four catches for 93 yards, including a huge 50-yard grab that set up a game-tying touchdown. Atwell also contributed in less obvious ways, drawing a key 48-yard pass interference penalty that swung momentum. Sean McVay even admitted after the game that Atwell should’ve gotten more opportunities earlier, which signals potential for continued usage moving forward.

Atwell's role as the Rams’ most productive and efficient receiver against the 49ers should cement his place in the lineup, even after Kupp and Nacua return. That being said, Atwell could be an ideal sell candidate for a rebuilding/middling manager dealing with WR injuries and a team needing immediate production. If you are sitting in that position with injuries, he can offer your team a short-term boost with his speed, opportunity for targets, and big-play ability. But if you're rebuilding, it might be wise to capitalize on his current value and sell as high as possible. Given his usage spike and the Rams' injury woes, now is the perfect window to buy for the next few weeks or sell to a team in need.

Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)

• TuTu Atwell FOR 2025 3rd

• TuTu Atwell FOR Javon Baker

• TuTu Atwell FOR 2025 2nd

• TuTu Atwell/Michael Pittman FOR Terry McLaurin/2025 2nd

• TuTu Atwell/2025 2nd FOR Andy Dalton

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