Dynasty Detour 🚧

News on crazy drivers and the road to QB redemption— cruise into this week’s Detour for some major twists and turns. Can Danny Dimes do the *checks notes* impossible? Detour Country…let’s ride.

-- @dynastydetourjesse

📝 Traffic Report

Keep your eyes on the road… dynasty news chaos ahead.

• Yeah, he’ll almost certainly be suspended. Experts are predicting a wide range of outcomes for the suspension. Whether that’s 4 games or 8+… the NFL hasn’t said.

• But make no mistake — this is not going away quietly. He’s still penciled in as KC’s WR1, but that grip feels maybe a little looser.

Dynasty Quick Take:

If you’re a contender and can get a discount, I still think he’s a hold/buy. But be real with yourself — this might not just be a “he’s back in Week 5” type of deal. Legal clouds don’t clear quickly.

• Translation? Expect a 3-game suspension. It’s not official yet, but it’s coming (or something close to it).

Dynasty Quick Take:

The market on Addison hasn’t really adjusted — and honestly, I wouldn’t panic. It is possible his QB JJ McCarthy may start a bit slower than expected, though. Jalen Nailor and Tai Felton have the opportunity to win some respect & targets in his absence.

Dynasty Quick Take:

This one doesn’t move the needle much unless you were banking on a bounce-back (I truly hope not). Might open a door for a depth guy on the Chargers, but the real winners are the rookies (Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith) and Quentin Johnston — who missed the 525 yard threshold his rookie season and really needs to show something in Year 3. See our 525 Yard Rule Segment from last week for why QJ’s comeback should be an uphill battle.

• Jayden Higgins

• Burden III

• Shough

• Mason Taylor

• Terrance Ferguson

• Elijah Arroyo

• Tre Harris

• Jack Bech

• RJ Harvey

Dynasty Quick Take:

No real crazy takeaways other than one notable 2nd round omission…Quinshon Judkins. See our story last week for more on him. Yikes…

Dynasty Take: Zero drama here—just reward for elite consistency. Wilson is a true blue-chip asset locked in for the long haul. I think he outpaces last year’s WR11 (half-PPR) finish easily.

Also some other news…

• Najee Harris placed on the Non-Football Injury List following fireworks incident… still expected back before season

• Noah Fant cut by Seahawks… Elijah Arroyo stock 📈, keep an eye on Fant’s destination

• Pearsall (Hamstring), Aiyuk (Knee) headed to PUP list…Pearsall expected to be ready to go sometime during training camp, Aiyuk not likely to be back before the season starts

 -- @dynastydetourjesse

🔄 Redemption Routes

Stay with me for a second… let’s take a look at the 2024 leaders in passing yards:

1. Joe Burrow

2. Jared Goff

3. Baker Mayfield

4. Geno Smith

5. Sam Darnold

    

A few years ago, if you told me that was going to happen I would’ve laughed you out of the room. Flashback to 2022 preseason:

• Baker & Darnold were battling it out for the starting QB job… in Carolina.
  

• Geno Smith was doing the same with Drew Lock in Seattle.
  

• All 3 were once top prospects, expected to set the league on fire.
  

• Then they became massive busts.
  

• Then — redemption.
  

Now, all three have clawed their way back into fantasy relevance, ripping off top-5 seasons in passing yards. These were players you could’ve had for nothing. Now?

KeepTradeCut values:

• Baker → early to mid 2026 1st
  

• Darnold → late 2026 1st to early 2nd
  

• Geno → mid to late 2026 2nd
  

These are the redemption arcs that pay off big. So... who’s next?

📊 The Blueprint

Common threads:

• High draft capital (1st or 2nd round)
  

• Poor early-career landing spots
  

• All flashed at some point before getting replaced
  

• Breakouts came with excellent weapons & new coaching staff
  
  

🕵️‍♂️ The Candidates

🏁 The Pick: Daniel Jones

Vanilla Vick. Danny Dimes. Daniel Jones.

Jones checks nearly every box on the redemption arc blueprint:

• ✅ High draft capital (6th overall)
  

• ✅ Flashed early — 3,200 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs in 2022 with a depleted WR room
  

• ✅ Bust phase complete — run into the ground by a bad offensive line, rotating coordinators, and a front office that never gave him true weapons
  

• ✅ Now enters a legitimate situation — with Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and rookie TE Tyler Warren, a good O-Line, and a strong running game headed by Jonathan Taylor
  

• ✅ New team, new system, fresh chance — all that stands in his way is Anthony Richardson (who hasn’t played a full season since high school)
  

Let’s be clear — this is a gamble. But it's the same kind of gamble Baker, Darnold, and Geno once were — cheap, forgotten, and one training camp away from fantasy relevance. If Jones beats out Richardson in camp or takes over due to injury, he could absolutely walk into a QB2 season on rushing upside alone.

And right now? He costs less than a 3rd in most leagues. If you're in superflex, this is the kind of low-risk, high-upside depth move that can make your season.

 🟡 The Others: Zach Wilson, Kenny Pickett

My second pick in finding redemption would be Zach Wilson:

• ✅ High draft capital (2nd overall)

• ✅ Tua’s injury history leaves the door open for snaps (similar to McCarthy’s injury opening the door for Darnold)

• ✅ Who wouldn’t want to throw the ball to Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle?

I’m a little less bullish on the Pickett situation:

• ✅ High draft capital (20th overall)

• ⬜️ Lot’s of QB competition (Sanders, Gabriel, Flacco)

• ⬜️ Worst skill position group out of the 3

• ⬜️ It’s the Browns 🟤 

   

 -- @dynastydetourtom

Got any other QBs you think are primed for redemption? Let us know. Stay tuned for another Preseason Pulse newsletter this time next week, and be sure to follow us @dynastydetour on Instagram and X/Twitter to get our reactions and opinions in between issues, as well as email us with any questions at [email protected]. See you out on the road 🚘️.