(Almost End of) Preseason Pulse

NFL action kicks of THIS THURSDAY. The long, long offseason is about to be over. We’ll have one last Preseason Pulse newsletter this Thursday, but in the meantime we have some news, takes, and last minute actionables for y’all to kick the week off. This could be your last chance to make certain moves before it’s too late… Let’s hit the Detour.

-- Dynasty Detour Ryan

📝 Traffic Report

Micah ‘Michael Parson’ Parsons may be heading to Green Bay (nice one Jerrah) — but as a dynasty newsletter we care much more about a 35 year old wide receiver’s homecoming. Plus, a young running back in New York might be preparing for a breakout 👀 

↪️ Adam Thielen Returns Home

In a move that shocked the NFL World, Micah Parsons Adam Thielen was traded from Carolina back to Minnesota, where he had previously spent 9 seasons. Who has the most to gain?

⚫️ On the Panthers side…

• This clears space on the depth chart at exactly the right time. With Jalen Coker (quad) on IR, rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. suddenly has a path to meaningful snaps behind Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and David Moore. Horn was already a summer standout, and now his speed gives him a shot to earn early opportunities. He’s a priority dynasty stash and the clearest benefactor from this move.

• Based on KTC’s rankings, Horn could be had for a 2026 4th rounder, if he isn’t just sitting on your waivers. With opportunities opening up in Carolina, that’s a move I’d be willing to make. Get him if you can.

🛡️ On the Vikings side…

• For the Vikings, Thielen is more of a depth and locker room piece. It doesn’t change the outlook for Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison, who remain locked into elite target shares. Thielen may see the field in spurts, especially with Addison sidelined for the first 3 weeks, but his dynasty value is negligible at this stage of his career.

   

🍏 Jets Backfield Buzz: Breece v Braelon?

Reports out of Jets camp have stirred the pot, with The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt noting that Breece Hall “wasn’t the team’s best running back in training camp.” Instead, it’s second-year back Braelon Allen who has been turning heads, with some suggesting he could even “overtake Hall completely as the lead back at some point.”

So what do we make of it?

I’m not convinced Allen is going to leapfrog Hall in 2025. Hall is still one of the most talented all-purpose backs in football, and even if his workload leans more pass-catching heavy this year, he’s still the focal point of the offense. This feels more like preseason hype being blown out of proportion than a full-on changing of the guard.

That said, dynasty is about the long view. Hall has not extended with the Jets, and his contract situation looms large. If the team decides running back is not their ideal position to invest in as they try and build a core, Allen could find himself in line to take over as the starter in 2026 and beyond.

Dynasty Takeaway:

• Breece Hall: Still a top talent, but it’s never fun to hear that your guy is getting outplayed in training camp. I do think this signals he may be out of New York in 2026, which is probably not a bad thing— depending on where he lands.

• Braelon Allen: One of my favorite dynasty values at this point in time. While I don’t think he will be a stud in 2025, with Breece on his way out he may find himself in a lead back role in 2026. At only 21 years of age, I’ll move a 2nd rounder to get Braelon on my team.

-- Dynasty Detour Tom

💰️ Buys at the Buzzer

Early reads on players’ prices that will rise the fastest league-wide. Buy ‘em now before it’s too late 📈 

Some opportunities out there are clear as day, and the prices of the players involved has risen and fallen accordingly. There are also some out there that have not. Here are my favorite guys to buy right now for teams in all different situations that could carry much different price tags even just a week or two from now ⬇️ 

🔵 George Pickens

• Current Price (KeepTradeCut) - Late 2026 1st

• Why to Buy:

  • Dallas attempted 614 passes in Dak’s last healthy season. Then OC, now HC Brian Schottenheimer is going to air this ball out.

  • Pickens has been top 20 in average depth of target and top 10 in deep targets all three years in the league, but only inside the top 60 in catchable target rate once (25th in 2023). He finally has a QB that can get him the ball downfield and a team that likes to throw in the red zone, playing into his best attributes.

  • Lamb will pull opposing CB1s and some double teams, Pickens is going to be a constant mismatch for opposing secondaries.

You should buy Dak Prescott for all the same reasons, but let’s focus on GP for now. Pickens matches up with a Philly secondary week one that has struggled to find a second outside corner all offseason, then sees a porous New York Giants secondary week two. His stock is going to rise quickly and he is likely to finish this year better than any of his career, despite now being the second option in the passing game. Where he heads after a contract year this year is to be determined, but I could see a number of good offenses investing. He should be an easy flip for profit a year from now anyway if you don’t want to ride that rollercoaster long term, but get on the ride now.

⚔️ Elic Ayomanor

• Current Price (KeepTradeCut) - Late 2028 2nd

• Why to Buy:

  • Appears to be Tennessee’s eventual outside WR2. Lockett will work more out of the slot, and is rapidly approaching washed territory anyway.

  • HC Brian Callahan finally has a QB that may be able to install his heavy volume passing attack from the Cincinnati days (attempted 33+ passes in 4/8 games with Jake Browning at QB). The second option in this offense will be flex-able.

  • Size and skillset factor in perfectly as Z receiver to compliment Calvin Ridley. We’re looking at a high average depth of target and considerable red zone involvement.

It is not a lock that Ayomanor lands this opportunity. I think he has squarely beaten out fellow fourth round pick Chimere Dike and Tyler Lockett, but Van Jefferson still looms. Jefferson is a bit more dynamic than Ayomanor, but struggled with drops this preseason, and is a much worse fit for the Z wide receiver archetype I think Callahan is after (think Tee Higgins). Ayomanor’s rise won’t be as instant as Pickens’, but by season’s end you will wish you had a piece.

⚫️ Chuba Hubbard

• Current Price (KeepTradeCut) - Late 2028 1st, maybe less

• Why to Buy:

  • Won’t be the heaviest rushing team, but Hubbard will be seeing almost every touch the backfield gets

  • Carolina is definitely investing in the passing game, but the rush will still be a frequent go to in the red zone

  • Receiving work will give him a solid floor in PPR leagues, and I don’t see him ceding a lot to the likes of Trevor Etienne or Raheem Blackshear

As I mentioned in a piece much earlier in the off-season, I think we’ve seen about what Chuba’s ceiling is at 16.1 points per game last year. That said, I’m coming around much more to the idea that he will hang near that mark. His slow end to last year and an influx of running back talent via this year’s draft dipped his value some, and I am a big fan of purchasing a low end RB1/high end RB2 with serious long term stability at this price tag. You can probably even get him for a 2nd + a flex rotation guy.

-- Dynasty Detour Ryan

A lot to digest, but we’re happy to chew it up for you. Stay tuned for another Preseason Pulse newsletter this Thursday, and definitely make sure you’re keeping an eye out for our regular season programming. Follow us @dynastydetour on Instagram and X/Twitter to get our reactions and opinions in between write-ups, as well as email us with any questions at [email protected]. See you out on the road 🚘️.