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
DeeJay Dallas (Sea) — Dallas was mentioned in the Week 5 and Week 6 editions of Dynasty Watch, and this is precisely why: with Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde, and Travis Homer all banged up Dallas may get his shot. This offense asks a lot of Carson, and Dallas fits the Carson mold. He caught 2 targets for 18 yards in late relief.
Jason Huntley (Phi) — Huntley was originally selected by the Lions in the 5th round, but was a roster size casualty, and the Eagles quickly scooped him up. Stuck behind Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Corey Clement, Huntley finally saw the field last week with Sanders injured, rushing 2 times for 13 yards. A smaller, shifty back, Huntley could be their new Darren Sproles in the next few years.
Wayne Gallman (NYG) — With Saquon Barkley done for the season, and veteran Devonta Freeman dealing with an ankle injury, Gallman is like that ex you always call up after your more interesting options don’t pan out. Gallman put up 10/34/1 (3.4 YPC) on the ground, and 5/20 through the air. Pedestrian numbers, yes. But if Freeman misses time, this should be Gallman’s backfield.
Wide Receivers
Donovan Peoples-Jones (Cle) — The season-ending injury to Odell Beckham, Jr. will open up targets for Rashard Higgins, but also for DPJ. The 2020 6th-rounder was already an impact player as a returner (over 85 return yards in each of his first three games since taking over as the primary returner in Week 4), and will now see elevated usage both outside and in the slot. Peoples-Jones caught all 3 of his targets for 56 yards and a TD after OBJ went down.
Tyler Johnson (TB) — The recent signing of Antonio Brown sure puts a damper on Johnson’s 2020 value, but he’s already done enough to warrant a longer look in the future. He also might not be finished seeing meaningful snaps, as he was involved again in Week 7, with 2 catches and a TD.
Jalen Guyton (LAC) — Guyton added to his highlight reel of long TD catches, posting a 2/84/1 line in Week 7. He has 3 TDs in his last five games, and has at least 49 yards in each of the last three games. An absolute burner, Guyton wouldn’t be the first player to go from “just” a deep-ball guy to a featured asset in the passing game.
Deonte Harris (NO) — Harris has been heavily involved as a returner, but usually picks up a few receiving targets each week. With both Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders out, Harris actually took center stage in the Saints passing attack, seeing a team-high 5 targets, catching 4/46/1.
Marquez Callaway (NO) — Callaway has seen his usage - and production - climb with Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders missing time. After catching 4 of 6 targets for 34 yards (and adding 57 return yards) in Week 5, Callaway came out of the bye with 8/75 on 10 targets. Callaway is averaging 9.4 YPC in limited action, but with Thomas creating drama and Sanders long in the tooth, Callaway might be part of the post-Drew Brees Saints.
Jakobi Meyers (NE) — Look, we’re not happy about it, either. But somebody has to catch the ball in New England for the next few years. Julian Edelman is on the wrong side of Brady, and N’Keal Harry has yet to show he’s the guy to build your pass game around. So Meyers - a 2019 UDFA - is staring at an opening with Harry’s latest injury. Meyers led the team in targets in Week 7 (Harry went down in the 1st quarter), catching 4 passes for 60 yards.
Cam Sims (Was) — Sims hadn’t made much of an impact since being a UDFA out of Alabama in 2018, but part of that was due to an ankle injury that landed him on IR and eventually led to his release. Re-signed to the practice squad, Sims recovered and is now starting to pick up snaps on a team trying to find their identity. It’s not much yet, but Sims posted identical 1/22 lines in Weeks 6 and 7 (adding a TD in Week 6). There’s not much set behind Terry McLaurin, so the 6’5” Sims could work his way into a solid role down the road.
Tight Ends
Albert Okwuegbunam (Den) — With Noah Fant out in Week 6, we caught a glimpse of the athletic prowess of Okwuegbunam. The rookie TE went 2/45/1 in Fant’s stead. But “Albert O” didn’t disappear with Fant returning in Week 7, hanging 7/60 against Kansas City. There are likely too many weapons on this offense to keep this up, but it certainly bodes well for Okwuegbunam’s status as a future offensive cog.
Jace Sternberger (GB) — With all the focus on Robert Tonyan’s breakout a few weeks ago, we’re here to remind you that it’s Sternberger who has the higher upside. The 2019 3rd-rounder had a setback this training camp, as he was placed on the COVID/Reserve list, but has been picking up steam over the last few weeks. After catching all 3 of his targets in Week 3, Sternberger caught a TD in Week 7 on a season-high 20 snaps.
Drew Sample (Cin) — Sample caught all 5 of his targets for 52 yards in Week 7. He’s building a rapport with Joe Burrow, but needs fewer WRs in his way to become reliable. That might not be until 2021-2022.
