Dynasty Analysis
Wrapping up the SEC, @DffFrankPanthro covers his top 10 tight ends heading into the 2026 season from a Campus 2 Canton perspective.
Welcome back for Part 2 of my “Roster Clogger” series! In this article, we’ll be discussing some hard-hitting questions that are worth asking to identify those roster cloggers on your dynasty roster. Then, we’ll finish things up with some warning signs by position.
If you missed Part 1, you can check that article out here. Let’s dive back in.
The Roster Clogger Test
The best way to identify roster cloggers is to stop asking whether a player has any possible value and start asking sharper questions.
Almost every player has some possible value. That standard is too low.
Instead, ask these questions.
Can I Start This Player Confidently?
This does not mean, “Could I technically put him in my lineup?”
You can start almost anyone in a deep enough league.
The real question is whether you would feel good about it. If injuries hit and you need points, can this player realistically help you? Does he have a stable role? Does he have a path to volume? Can he get you something more than a desperation floor?
If the answer is no, he may not be actual depth.
He may just be a name on your bench.
Can I Trade Him for Anything Meaningful?
This is where dynasty managers need to be honest.
If no one in your league wants the player, his value might only exist in your head.
That does not mean you should blindly let your league determine every player’s worth. Dynasty managers can be early on players. Sometimes your league is wrong. Sometimes you should hold a player before the value shows up publicly.
But if a player has no production, no market, no clear role, and no rising value, you need a good reason to keep holding.
“Someone might want him someday” is not enough.
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Welcome back to my One Question series, and thank you to everyone who read last week’s Washington Commanders edition — which Commanders running back are you drafting this season? We’ve now asked the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders their questions. That only leaves one team — the one and only Philadelphia Eagles!
After a drama-filled 2025 season and early playoff exit, it’s been quite the offseason for the Eagles. It feels like so long ago when Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) and his teammates were celebrating their Super Bowl LIX victory. Fast forward to today, and the Eagles have traded away three-time All-Pro receiver A.J. Brown (WR – NE), and Hurts’ future with the team is in question. With a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion — who just so happens to be Hurts’ 11th offensive coordinator dating back to his time in college — trading up to draft Makai Lemon (WR – PHI), what looks to be a prove-it year, and this being the final year of guaranteed money on his contract, all of the off-field drama, questions about his leadership, and his ability as a passer, in addition to an uncertain future in Philadelphia, has led fantasy managers to unload him off of their rosters before the 2026 season.
My question for the Philadelphia Eagles is: Is now the time to BUY Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) in fantasy?
No Stranger to Adversity
Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) is no stranger to adversity. He was the first true freshman to start a game for the Alabama Crimson Tide, leading the team to consecutive National Championship game appearances in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, he would have his first real experience with adversity when he was benched in the second half in favor of Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA), and Alabama would go on to win the game without him.
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very dynasty manager has that guy.
You won’t start him. You cannot trade him. You don’t really want to cut him. But every time you look at your roster, you convince yourself there is still something there.
Maybe he is young. Maybe he was a good prospect. Maybe he is one injury away from a major role. Maybe he had a few usable weeks two seasons ago (where you probably still regret sitting him). Maybe you remember liking him during rookie draft season and have not fully accepted that the bet is probably dead.
That’s not depth.
That’s what is called a roster clogger.
Roster cloggers are not always bad players. That is what makes them dangerous. The obvious bad players are easy to cut. The real problem is the player who gives you just enough hope to keep holding, but not enough production, trade value, or upside to help your dynasty team.
In dynasty, roster spots are assets. Every bench spot you use on a dead-end player is a bench spot you cannot use on a backup running back with real contingent upside, a young receiver gaining steam, a tight end earning routes, or a waiver player whose value could change quickly.
The question is not, “Can I make a case for this player?”
You can make a case for almost anyone in July.
The better question is this: is this player helping me win, helping me rebuild, or gaining value?
If the answer is no, he might be quietly killing your roster and therefore your season.
What Is a Roster Clogger?
A roster clogger is not simply a bad player. A bad player is easy to drop. A true roster clogger is a threat because he gives you reasons to keep holding.
He might have youth on his side.
He might have draft capital invested in him.
He might have flashed once.
He might be tied to a good offense.
He might be one injury away.
He might be a tight end who “just needs time.”
There is always a story.
That’s the trap.
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1. Cam Coleman, Texas
Why He’s Ranked Here
Cam Coleman is my WR1 in the SEC because he gives you the best mix of production, size, talent, and long-term upside.
He already showed he can play at a high level in the SEC, and now he gets a fresh start at Texas. That matters. When a receiver with his size and playmaking ability gets paired with Arch Manning, gets me excited.
What I like most about Coleman is that he is not just a big receiver who wins because he is bigger than defensive backs. He creates separation, attacks the football, and makes plays down the field. He has the size, ball skills, and body control that translate to C2C, Devy, and the NFL while still giving you immediate CFF production.
For me, Coleman is the cleanest wide receiver profile in this SEC group. He has already produced, he has NFL traits, and now he has a chance to become the featured weapon in one of the best offenses in the country.
Verified Stats
In 2025 at Auburn, Coleman caught 56 passes for 708 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 12.6 yards per reception.
Supplemental Draft Outlook
In almost every supplemental draft, Coleman is already going to be on a roster, and you’ll likely have to acquire him through a trade.
Startup Draft Outlook
In startups, Coleman is a cornerstone wide receiver. He gives you production today with the upside to become one of the most valuable receivers in C2C and Devy.
Strengths
Size and ball skills
Proven SEC production
Downfield playmaker
Red-zone threat
Long-term NFL upside
Biggest Question
How quickly does Coleman become the clear No. 1 target at Texas? The talent isn’t the question. The target share will determine just how high he climbs this season.
Always Be Scouting Take
Coleman is the type of wide receiver I want to build around. He has the size, production, and playmaking ability to win in multiple ways. If he becomes the guy at Texas, I think his value can take another jump. I also see a big year coming for Coleman now that he has Arch Manning throwing him the football. That combination has a chance to be one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the SEC. He is my WR1 in this group for a reason.
Draft Grade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Must Draft
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Running back is one of the toughest positions to evaluate in C2C, Devy, and CFF. Talent matters, but opportunity matters too. You can love a player’s skill set, but if he is buried on a depth chart or stuck in a bad situation, the value can take longer to show up.
This SEC running back group is loaded. You have elite freshmen, proven college producers, transfer portal risers, three-down backs, and players who can help you win right away. Some of these backs are built for long-term Devy value, while others are the type of CFF producers who can carry your lineup on Saturdays.
These rankings are based on my own board. I’m not just ranking these guys by stats or recruiting stars. I’m looking at the full picture: vision, patience, contact balance, burst, pass-catching ability, CFF production, C2C value, Devy upside, roster insulation, and how aggressive you should be in supplemental or startup drafts.
The goal is simple. I want to help you know who to target, when to be aggressive, and where the value might be.
Let’s get into my Top 10 SEC running backs.
1. Ezavier Crowell, Alabama
Why He’s Ranked Here
Ezavier Crowell is my RB1 overall, not just in the SEC, and I’ll be honest, he is my guy in this running back group.
When I evaluate running backs, vision and patience come before speed. Crowell checks those boxes. He runs with a plan, stays square, lets blocks develop, and then gets north when it is time to go. That is what I want from a real running back.
The part I love most is how complete the profile feels. He has the size, burst, balance, and power to finish runs. He can create explosive plays, but he is not just a highlight runner who needs everything blocked perfectly. He can fight through contact and turn ugly runs into positive yards.
Recruiting Profile
According to 247Sports, Crowell is an Alabama running back from Jackson High School in Alabama. He is listed at 5-foot-11 and around 215 pounds. 247Sports describes him as a back with excellent bend, vision, and burst for his size, while also noting his ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield and slot. His profile also points to a bell-cow type skill set with the size and ability to handle every-down work.
Crowell enters college with over 6,000 rushing yards at the high school level while averaging well over 10 yards per carry. He also has verified track background, including a 10.74 in the 100 meters.
Supplemental Draft Outlook
Crowell is exactly the type of player freshman supplemental drafts are made for. If I’m sitting in a freshman draft and Crowell is on the board, I’m not trying to get cute. He is one of the first names I want.
Startup Draft Outlook
In startups, Crowell is a player I’m willing to be aggressive on. You may have to wait for the full workload, but that is part of playing C2C and Devy the right way. You draft the talent before everyone else sees the box scores.
Strengths
Vision and patience
Bell-cow frame
Contact balance
Burst through the hole
Pass-catching ability
Biggest Question
How quickly does Alabama give him meaningful touches? The talent is not the concern. The only question is how fast the opportunity comes, especially with the wrist injury in the spring.
Always Be Scouting Take
Crowell is my favorite running back in this article. He fits everything I look for at the position: vision, patience, size, burst, contact balance, and receiving upside. Sometimes people chase speed. I want the complete back. Crowell is my RB1 overall, and if I have the chance to draft him, I’m taking him.
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Over the past couple of years, you’ve probably heard NFL and fantasy analysts discussing a shift in the offensive meta, specifically the rise of 12 and 13-personnel packages. But what does it actually mean, and does it have any real impact on your dynasty teams?
The short answer is yes. In today’s article, I’ll break down the “why” behind it, but first, let’s make sure we’re all speaking the same language.
If you’re unfamiliar, here’s what it means when someone refers to “X-personnel”:
11 personnel — 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR
12 personnel — 1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR
13 personnel — 1 RB, 3 TE, 1 WR
21 personnel — 2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR
22 personnel — 2 RB, 2 TE, 1 WR
These five groupings make up the majority of NFL play-calling year over year, and the balance between them is shifting in ways that matter for how you build your roster and prioritize certain fantasy players.
For this article, I pulled NFL leaguewide data dating back to 2022 from sumersports.com, and have confirmed that TE-heavy packages are steadily increasing, while 11 personnel is decreasing across the league.
Below, you’ll see a graph breaking down how the five most popular formations have trended from 2022 to 2025:
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Will someone take Ja’Marr Chase’s crown as the dynasty WR1 overall in 2027? @jim_DFF aims to answer that question in this FREE article.
There may not be a more important position in C2C, Devy, and CFF than quarterback. If you hit on the right quarterback, he can carry your roster for multiple years. If you miss, especially in deeper formats, it can set your build back fast.
This SEC quarterback group is loaded. You have future NFL upside, proven college production, high-end freshmen, dual-threat fantasy ceilings, and quarterbacks who could become major risers once they get the full job.
These rankings are based on my own board. I’m not just ranking these guys by college stats. I’m looking at the full picture: CFF production, C2C value, Devy upside, roster insulation, and how aggressive you should be in supplemental or startup drafts.
The goal is simple. I want to help you know who to target, when to be aggressive, and where the value might be.
Let’s get into my Top 10 SEC quarterbacks for Campus to Canton.
1. Arch Manning, Texas
Why He’s Ranked Here
Arch Manning is my QB1 in the SEC because he gives you the best mix of name value, talent, production path, and long-term insulation.
When you are drafting in C2C or Devy, you are not just drafting what a player is today. You are drafting what he can become. Arch gives you the type of ceiling that can change a fantasy roster. He has the arm, the pedigree, the athletic ability, and the system around him to become one of the most valuable quarterback assets in these formats.
From a fantasy standpoint, the exciting part is that he is not just a statue in the pocket. He can move, extend plays, and add enough with his legs to matter. That matters in C2C, and it matters even more when you are betting on long-term upside.
Verified Stats
In 2025 at Texas, Manning completed 248 of 404 passes for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
Supplemental Draft Outlook
In almost every supplemental draft, Manning is already going to be on a roster, and you’ll likely have to acquire him through a trade.
Startup Draft Outlook
In startups, he is a cornerstone pick. You can build around him for both Campus and Canton value. He gives you immediate excitement and long-term trade insulation.
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The tight end position is a tough one to pin down in fantasy. You either have one of the elite options who helps you stand above your league mates — just ask anyone who has had Travis Kelce for the past decade — or you’re stuck playing roulette with a bunch of middling options.
Unfortunately, Kelce’s run is over. The top shelf tight ends are now guys like Brock Bowers, who caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards as a rookie in 2024, and Trey McBride, who set an NFL record for tight ends with 126 receptions last year. Those two stand alone at the top, although some are trying to push Colston Loveland up into that tier. I just don’t think he’s there yet. We need to see more from last year’s No. 10 overall pick before we start anointing him.
A little further down the rankings, though, sits a very intriguing player — one who, at 26 years old, should be entering his prime. I’m talking about Dalton Kincaid.
Buffalo took Kincaid in the first round in 2023, and as a rookie, he looked the part. He reeled in 73 catches for 673 yards and two scores in Year 1. The future looked insanely bright. Dynasty managers thought they had the next big thing.
After that promising start, though, things haven’t been quite as rosy. Kincaid has dealt with several injuries, including a troublesome PCL issue that has been lingering since 2024. That has caused Kincaid to miss nine games and limited him in several others over the past two seasons.
Last year, he had just a 38.3% snap share (TE70) and ran only 189 routes (TE47), which resulted in career lows in both targets (49) and receptions (39). He still managed 571 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 10.5 fantasy points per game in PPR scoring, good for TE13.
So why am I talking about this guy?
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When we look at the Giants, it’s easy to get excited, concerned, and confused. When will Malik Nabers (WR – NYG) be back? How good of a season can Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG) have without his number one wide receiver? Is Isaiah Likely (TE – NYG) the best bet to make in the Giants’ offense? Can both Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG) and Tyrone Tracy (RB – NYG) be fantasy viable this season? Is John Harbaugh the missing link to the Giants’ return to glory?
Those are all legitimate questions, concerns, and reasons to be optimistic about the Giants’ offense in fantasy.
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Earlier this offseason, I wrote a similar piece, breaking down the biggest gaps between my devy rankings and those of DFF ranker @Evan_Kerr_. Today, I’m covering the dynasty players where I’m furthest from consensus here at DFF, which averages my rankings with those of Evan and @force_fantasy. Some of these might not seem like huge discrepancies, but keep in mind my rankings make up a third of what consensus spits out, so the value differences are bigger than they may seem.
As always, these rankings are based on dynasty, Superflex, and Tight End Premium scoring. I’ll provide my positional ranking for comparison with the consensus.
Players I’m Above Consensus On
Luther Burden III – (WR – CHI)
My dynasty rank – WR14
DFF consensus – WR18
Here’s my bull case for Burden, plain and simple. He and Loveland were hand-selected by HC Ben Johnson. Rome Odunze was not.
It took some time for Burden to get fully acclimated, but we saw his upside in the latter part of his rookie year. Through the final seven weeks of 2025, Burden finished third in the NFL in yards per route run with 2.92 (min. 20 targets). He posted a robust 26.8% target rate during that span, confirming he was a focal point in Chicago’s passing attack.
Exptrapolate that kind of efficiency over a 17-game sample and a full route share now that D.J. Moore is gone, and you have a guy who could finish top 10 at his position in fantasy. I think there’s a very good chance Burden is a consensus WR1 (top 12) in dynasty by this time next year.
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Welcome back to my One Question series, and thank you to everyone for reading my first installment. I’d love to know what you’ve done or plan to do with George Pickens (WR – DAL) this year. This week, we’re staying in the NFC East.
After a disappointing season following their appearance in the 2024 NFC Championship Game, Jayden Daniels (QB – WAS) and the Commanders didn’t live up to the hype due to an injury-riddled season. After firing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and promoting David Blough, the offense is headed in a new direction — and there is genuine excitement within the organization about the new offensive style.
My question to the Commanders is: Who is the RB1?
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WAS)
Jacory Croskey-Merritt — aka “Bob” — was a Twitter darling last offseason with only Brian Robinson Jr. in his way, playing alongside 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. What’s not to like? He was primed to take over the Commanders’ backfield and be a league-winner, or so we thought.
Daniels got injured early in the season, tried to fight through it, and ultimately played just seven games. However, even on a bad team with a struggling offense, Croskey-Merritt played all 17 games, totaled almost 900 yards from scrimmage, and scored eight touchdowns — all while playing second fiddle to Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez for most of the season.
Robinson is now with the Atlanta Falcons, and Rodriguez took his talents to Jacksonville. Surely Croskey-Merritt is the favorite to finally make good on his promise as the Commanders’ lead back, right?
One would think. But with Washington adding veteran running backs Rachaad White (RB – WAS) and Jerome Ford (RB – WAS), then drafting sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen (RB – WAS), the question becomes: is Croskey-Merritt the running back on this roster we should trust — or should we take a deeper look at the competition?
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*Positional rankings in this article were pulled from Dynasty Football Factory’s Consensus Rankings
AFC East
Buffalo Bills – Dalton Kincaid (TE14)
Dalton Kincaid is a frustrating player to have in fantasy. He’s uber-efficient on a per-route and per-touch basis, yet he gets on the field an exasperatingly low amount due to injuries and a somewhat one-dimensional profile.
Despite a measly 38.3% snap share (TE70) in 2025, Kincaid finished as the TE13 on average, putting up 10.5 fantasy points per game. He accomplished that with some insane per-touch output, ranking first at the position in yards per route (3.02), first downs per route (0.143), yards per target (11.7), and QB rating per target (149.2). If his knee ever allows him to handle a full workload, Kincaid could break fantasy. Sadly, that may never happen.
Miami Dolphins – Caleb Douglas (WR133)
Expected to be a late-round selection, Caleb Douglas was a shocking pick when Miami selected him in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. Looking at his measurables, though, it’s easy to see why the Dolphins liked him. He’s 6’4”, 206 pounds and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine — numbers that will turn some heads.
Douglas can burn past defenders, and he uses his height effectively to high-point the football. Those skills helped him rack up 845 yards and seven scores at Texas Tech last season. Given his draft capital, Douglas will have a chance to carve out a role in a receiver room bereft of playmakers. Anytime after Round 20 of startups or Round 3 in rookie drafts is a perfect time to take a swing on him.
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In this ~FREE~ DFF article, @jim_DFF wraps up his C2C startup series by covering his favorite late-round picks, as well as his favorite ADP value from the other 11 teams.
As the offseason progresses and news from OTAs enters the echo chamber that is the fantasy community on Twitter (or X, if you’re weird and literal) not all news is good news, unless you’re a Parker Washington stan and more importantly, not all news is relevant for fantasy, and should always be taken with a grain of salt.
We must remember, these guys are running around without pads on, playing seven on seven. We’re all excited for news updates and with the latest trades of A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots and Myles Garrett going to the Los Angeles Rams (my favorite team to win the Super Bowl, fyi) it’s hard not to get excited about any and all NFL news, especially for us fantasy guys.
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*Positional rankings in this article were pulled from Dynasty Football Factory’s Consensus Rankings
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens – Zay Flowers (WR22)
At least here at DFF, we have Zay Flowers priced a little more appropriately. For some reason, last season’s WR7 in total fantasy points is currently sitting at WR27 over at KeepTradeCut. Still, I’m more aggressive than nearly everyone in the industry, with him at WR15 in my personal rankings.
He’s the top target for Lamar Jackson and in his prime as he enters his age-26 season. In addition to the top-notch raw stats, Flowers also posted some elite efficiency metrics in 2025: first in juke rate (22.9%), fourth in explosive plays (21), fifth in yards per route run (2.62), and sixth in target separation (2.15) among all wideouts. As long as I can get him for low-end WR2, high-end WR3 prices, I’m picking Flowers all day long.
Cincinnati Bengals – Tee Higgins (WR25)
While he’s never going to be the first option in Cincinnati’s passing attack, Tee Higgins is still a highly productive fantasy receiver. Even while missing seven games over the past two seasons, he’s racked up back-to-back campaigns with over 800 yards and double-digit touchdowns. Playing second fiddle to Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins ranked second in the league in receiving scores (11) and 13th in fantasy points per game (14.1) last season.
Like Flowers, I’m higher on Higgins than most. He’s my WR16 since he’s tied to Joe Burrow in an offense that loves to sling the rock. As long as he stays healthy, Higgins should flirt with WR1 output once more, making him an attractive add at cost for any manager playing for a championship this season.
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In this week’s episode of Always Be Scouting, @DffFrankPanthro and @John_mancuso5 invite DFF analysts @jim_DFF and @Evan_Kerr_ back on to break down an expert C2C startup draft.
Continuing my Redraft series, I’m now going to look at the average draft position (ADP) for tight ends in 2025. My goal is to identify the ideal ADP windows for targeting the TE position versus other positions.
I looked at the top 96 players in 2025, and 10 tight ends were taken in that range. I looked to see how the player did based on their draft position. I am using Sleepers’ ADP for this exercise.
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Continuing my Redraft series, I’m now going to look at the average draft position (ADP) for wide receivers in 2025. My goal for this is to identify the ideal ADP windows for targeting the RB position versus other positions.
I looked at the top 96 players in 2025, and 43 wide receivers were taken in that range. I looked to see how the player did based on their draft position. I am using sleepers’ ADP (average draft positions).
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Within the Dynasty Fantasy Football community, most die-hard Dynasty enthusiasts have heard the name Eli Heidenreich. But the main question is: does he have potential? After being selected by his hometown Steelers in the seventh round (230th overall), he’s a very underrated player who would have gone a bit higher if he had played at a larger college football program and gotten more national recognition. Heidenreich will land on the Philadelphia Eagles schedule on November 22 and is an intriguing hybrid offensive player with elite pass-catching ability. When digging deeper into the analytics on Heidenreich, he’s actually an intriguing prospect who has all the talent to become a hidden gem of Dynasty rookie drafts. Let’s dive in!
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Continuing my Redraft series, I’m now going to look at the average draft position (ADP) for running backs in 2025. My goal is to identify the ideal ADP windows for targeting the RB position versus other positions.
I looked at the top 96 players in 2025, and 32 running backs were taken in that range. I looked to see how the player did based on their draft position. I am using Sleepers’ ADP for this exercise.
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With today’s article, I’m going to look at the average draft position (ADP) of quarterbacks for 1QB leagues in 2025. My goal is to find the ideal ADP windows to target the quarterback position in this particular format.
I looked at the top 96 overall players in 2025, and 14 quarterbacks were taken on average in the top 96. I looked to see how each player did based on their draft position. I am using Sleepers’ ADP for this exercise.
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@Paul_Ryan15 makes his DFF debut, breaking down the 2026 rookie class. Find out which rookies are worth buying before the market catches up in this ~FREE~ DFF article.
You mean to tell me I can get a 26-year-old bell-cow, tied to a long-term contract, in an explosive offense at only RB19 prices? Sign me up all day. Javonte Williams averaged 15.2 fantasy points per game last season, good for RB11. After racking up 1,338 total yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season with the Cowboys, Williams re-upped with Dallas, and he’s now locked in as the unquestioned RB1.
He’s not the most electric back in the game, but volume is king, and he should get plenty of it again in 2026. With only Malik Davis and Jaydon Blue behind him, Williams could push for 300 touches this season. Low-end RB1 output is in play once again, and you only have to pay a low-end RB2 price to get him.
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