Welcome to the Dynasty Watch. For those of you playing in deep dynasty leagues, this is where we’ll help you keep track of some bench stashes. These are players who have a small chance of becoming regular contributors, but for the few that do, we’ll try and help you beat your league-mates to the punch.
We’ll chronicle any upticks in usage or production each week, so be sure to read the previous Dynasty Watch articles to get a season-long picture.
Quarterbacks
None of note.
Running Backs
Trayveon Williams (Cin) — Williams virtually split carries with Samaje Perine after Gio Bernard was benched for fumbling. The interesting part was Williams also fumbled shortly after Bernard, but still saw enough of the field to lead the RBs in carries (12) and yards (49). He also added 3 catches for 14 yards. He’s more versatile and is the better long-term prospect than Perine, for sure.
Samaje Perine (Cin) — With their season in the tank and Gio Bernard inexplicably benched for his first fumble since before Zac Taylor was born, Perine saw plenty of action in Week 14, churning 10 carries into 32 yards. The 2017 4th-rounder has been waiting for Joe Mixon and Bernard to clear him some room, and that may have just happened.
DeAndre Washington (Mia) — Cut from an over-crowded Kansas City backfield, Washington found some playing time in Miami with Myles Gaskin a late addition to the COVID/Reserve list. Washington ran for 13/35, in what might have been his chance to add his name to the hat of a far-from-settled 2021 backfield. He’d probably need to do more than 3 YPC to move the needle, though.
Buddy Howell (Hou) — With David Johnson out, Howell finally saw a snap other than on special teams. Howell came in late for Duke Johnson and rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries. Although his action was in garbage time, he still did something with his opportunity.
Devine Ozigbo (Jax) — Ozigbo saw some action as the pass-catching back for Jacksonville. He reeled in all 4 of his targets for 30 yards (7.5 YPC). Could he be putting together a role spelling James Robinson after catching all 3 of his targets in Week 11?
Wide Receivers
Tyron Johnson (LAC) — Hey, whaddayaknow? Mike Williams is hurt again. Johnson moved into the #2 wideout role when Williams left early with a back injury and caught 6-of-7 targets for 55 yards and a TD. Williams has a quick turnaround to try and be ready for a Thursday night game, so Johnson may get more opportunities to connect with Justin Herbert and solidify his future on this team.
Lynn Bowden (Mia) — Bowden was quickly scooped up by Miami after not fitting in Las Vegas. The 3rd-round rookie saw his opportunities skyrocket when DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant left the game early. Bowden ended up leading the team in targets (9) while catching 7/82. Grant and TE Mike Gesicki may miss time, which means Bowden could continue to soak up snaps from the slot.
Mack Hollins (Mia) — Lynn Bowden wasn’t the only receiver to benefit from the loss of DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant. The former Eagle wideout caught 5-of-9 targets for 66 yards. After doing virtually nothing all season, Hollins now has 15 targets in his last four games, and the health of Parker, Grant, and Mike Gesicki may open up more targets for Hollins.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (Cle) — With KhaDarel Hodge missing another game due to a bum hammy, DPJ caught 3 of his 5 targets for 74 yards. For the two weeks Hodge has missed, Peoples-Jones - a 2020 6th-rounder - has tallied 5/168/1 across from Jarvis Landry.
Chad Hansen (Hou) — The Hansen breakout party is in full effect, as the 2017 7th-rounder Mmmbopped his way to a healthy 7/57 in Week 14. He’s put together 12/157 over the last two games, as the Texans are down their top three receivers.
Kendrick Bourne (SF) — With Deebo Samuel hurt (again), Bourne’s identity as the future WR3 was visible again. His 7 targets trailed only stud rookie Brandon Ayuik, and now gives him at least 5 targets in five straight games. Bourne posted 3/42.
Braxton Berrios (NYJ) — Berrios continued his boom/bust season with the Jets, but he’s been booming a little more often with so many WR injuries around him. Berrios caught 3 of 5 targets for 49 yards, and is averaging 10.5 YPC.
Pharoh Cooper (Car) — With D.J. Moore out, Cooper emerged as Carolina’s 3rd WR and caught all 3 of his targets for 52 yards. It’s just the second game he’s caught a pass in, but Cooper has been heavily active in the return game.
Tight Ends
Dan Arnold (Ari) — Arnold continued his red zone hot streak in Week 14, posting 2/27/1 on 4 targets. He now has 4 TDs on 16 targets in his last five games. One of the darlings of the pre-season (or whatever you want to call what happened this year before the season started), Arnold is starting to come through.
Adam Shaheen (Mia) — With Mike Gesicki injured, Shaheen is likely to see an elevated role. Shaheen - a former 2nd-round pick - caught 2 of 3 targets for 26 yards, but those numbers could be on the rise now.
Colby Parkinson (Sea) — Parkinson was drafted in the 4th round but the mammoth TE’s development took a hit when he broke his foot before setting one on Seattle’s field. Now active and catching up, Parkinson caught both of his targets for 16 yards. Parkinson can use his 6’7” frame as a massive advantage lining up in the slot.
Troy Fumagalli (Den) — With Noah Fant dealing with an illness (and Albert Okwuegbunam on IR), Fumagalli took advantage of the opportunity to haul in 4-of-5 targets for 53 yards. While he has to contend with both Fant and Albert O, Fumagalli is a talented 5th-rounder who spent his 2018 rookie season on the IR. Tight ends developing into monster players after a few years is a thing (though this needs a lot of things to go his way).
Foster Moreau (LV) — It must be cold in Darren Waller’s shadow, but Moreau saw the sun on his 47-yard TD in Week 13. It’s the 2nd TD of the year for the 2019 4th-rounder who has the potential to be relevant should the team evolve into a 2-TE offense, or Waller goes down.
