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
Jacob Eason (Ind) — Neither the fading Philip Rivers nor the less-than-spectacular Jacoby Brissett are signed past the 2020 season, so Eason is in a good position for the Colts to give him a shot. The 2020 4th-round pick has the physical tools most NFL teams covet, but needs developing. The Colts may let him develop on the field in the next few years.
Brett Rypien (Den) — In his first start over Jeff Driskel with Drew Lock still out with a shoulder injury, Rypien completed 19-of-32 passes for 242 yards, 2 TDs and 3 INTs. Rypien was under siege all game from Jets DC Gregg Williams’ blitz-heavy schemes, so he took a beating but held his own. He’s worth considering as Lock’s backup, but nothing else.
Running Backs
D'Ernest Johnson (Cle) — When Nick Chubb went down, the Browns kept their thunder-and-lightning offensive philosophy intact, simply installing Johnson into the Chubb role. The UDFA out of USF rushed 13 times for 95 yards, and should be the guy to replace Chubb over Dontrell Hilliard. Kareem Hunt should see the most action, but with Chubb on IR with an MCL injury, Johnson should see significant usage for several weeks.
Justin Jackson (LAC) — Austin Ekeler is likely to miss 3-6 weeks with a hamstring injury, so while dynasty owners have likely invested in rookie Joshua Kelley, Jackson could still be out there on waivers. Kelley has 2 fumbles in 2 weeks, so Jackson will not only be in line for a split role, he’s another Kelley fumble or injury away from a massive role.
Travis Homer (Sea) — Homer saw some action with Chris Carson not 100%, and Carlos Hyde and Rashaad Penny injured (as they seemingly always are). The 2019 6th-rounder had 4 carries for 5 yards, and a 3-yard TD reception. With all 3 RBs ahead of him carrying an injury list longer than a drugstore receipt, Homer’s potential for snaps is easy to see.
DeeJay Dallas (Sea) — Dallas was drafted in the 4th round and the team really likes him. He finally saw the field in Week 4, with 2 carries for 8 yards and 2 catches for 15 yards. Currently 4th on the RB depth chart, veteran age and injuries should eventually clear a path for him in the next few years.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn (TB) — Vaughn finally saw some playing time in Week 4, as injuries to Leonard Fournette, LeSean McCoy, and Kenjon Barner left just Ronald Jones and Vaughn as healthy options. Vaughn isn’t likely to work his way above Jones or the veterans this season, but long term we think he’s got more upside than Jones.
Wide Receivers
Darnell Mooney (Chi) — Mooney’s 9 targets in Week 4 were second only to Allen Robinson. He posted 5/52, and may have a more accurate QB tossing him the football going forward. Mooney’s targets are trending upward (3, 3, 5, 9).
Justin Watson (TB) — Watson saw another 6 targets, catching 4 for 40 yards. With the Bucs playing this Thursday, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin banged up, and O.J. Howard (Achilles) on IR, Watson could be heavily involved this week.
Devin Duvernay (Bal) — Duvernay could be the future option at the slot for the Ravens, posting 3/11 on 5 targets over the last two games. Operating as their primary returner, the 2020 3rd-rounder has 248 return yards and a return TD so far. Dynamic rookie returners are a great place to find future breakout players (Tyreek Hill, T.Y. Hilton, Antonio Brown, etc.)
Isaiah Ford (Mia) — Operating exclusively out of the slot, Ford out-snapped every WR except DeVante Parker. Ford caught 4 passes for 48 yards and has 26 targets in four games, including 10 in Week 4 and 9 in Week 2.
Jalen Guyton (LAC) — As long as Mike Williams struggles with his health, Guyton will see some targets. After posting 3/37 combined in Weeks 2 and 3, Guyton reeled in his only target for a 72-yard TD. Developing chemistry with Justin Herbert could produce long term benefits for Guyton.
Tim Patrick (Den) — At 6’4” and 212 pounds, Patrick has a great combination of size and speed. We saw him flash last season in limited duty, and he flashed again on TNF. Patrick posted 6/113/1 on 7 targets. With Noah Fant banged up and K.J. Hamler unable to stay healthy enough to be a factor, Patrick could see more work.
Cedrick Wilson (Dal) — Wilson continues to see action, catching 3-of-6 targets for 34 yards. With the Dallas D continually putting Dak Prescott in positions to throw it 1.5 Million times a game, Wilson is staying involved in 4-WR sets.
Noah Brown (Dal) — See: Wilson, Cedrick. The Cowboys keep getting in shootouts, as they have both the high-powered offense and the Downy-soft defense that produces high-volume passing games. Brown’s 4 targets in Week 4 gives him 8 over the last three weeks.
Isaiah Wright (Was) — Wright caught 4-of-5 targets for 20 yards, and has turned 11 targets into 8/44 over three games with Steven Sims banged up. The UDFA out of Temple is getting valuable reps with Sims missing time.
Tyron Johnson (LAC) — On a team with a rookie QB and an aging/ailing WR corps, there exists room for a rookie WR to make a connection that helps him cement his future on the team. Johnson - the UDFA out of Oklahoma State - took that first step in Week 4, with a 53-yard TD on his lone target. It needs to be the first of many steps, but it was a helluva first step.
Jeff Smith (NYG) — Smith soundly introduced himself after missing the first three weeks on IR. The UDFA speedster out of Boston College caught 7-of-9 targets for 81 yards, and could be a good fit for this Jets team.
John Hightower (NYG) — Hightower now has 4 catches for 41 yards over the last two weeks. With injuries mounting for the Eagles, the 2020 5th-rounder is logging precious snaps that could help his future in Philadelphia. The future WR corps outside of Jalen Reagor is completely up for grabs.
Tight Ends
Albert Okwuegbunam (Den) — With Noah Fant sidelined with an ankle injury, Okwuegbunam will see a large increase in playing time. A potential red-zone target monster, the 2020 4th-rounder was Drew Lock’s go-to TE during their time together at Missouri.
Drew Sample (Cin) — Sample has made his presence known in his sophomore season, posting 7/45 on 9 targets in Week 2 and 3/57 on 4 targets in Week 4. With C.J. Uzomah on IR, Sample will continue to get shots to produce.
