Hope everyone enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving. I did not. Amon-Ra’s injury led to a food fight at the dinner table. Here’s to clinching the playoffs with a Week 14 upset! Let’s hit the Detour.
🚘 Fast Lane Fun Facts
Speaking of Thanksgiving… here are some players that are stuffing up the stat sheet (and a few that are looking cooked). Fun facts Week 13 edition: time to dig in.
Davante Adams leads the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns; second-place Amon-Ra St. Brown (9 TDs) is the same distance from Adams as he is from Jake Tonges (4 TDs, T-41st).
Dynasty Take: Tonges catching strays, yes, I know. At least he’s getting catches (thanks, George Kittle). But this is ALL about Davante Adams, someone who is returning to vintage form. As I write this, Adams is WR6 on the season, yet KeepTradeCut values him at WR28. To those who bought him as contenders: you win. If you’re not in immediate contention, it goes without saying you should probably sell now (if your trade window is open). Adams turns 33 this month. I’d be willing to pay up to a late first for him (I think he’s got a little more value than just this season).
Alec Pierce averages more receiving yards per game (68.9) than Justin Jefferson (66.6).
Dynasty Take: I really don’t know what to make of Pierce this season. The 2022 second-round pick is really blossoming in his 4th NFL season with Daniel Jones under center. He leads the Colts in receiving and is posting a respectable 11.4 PPR PPG. That said, I wonder if long-term this Colts offense will be able to sustain this level of production. Pierce is at best 3rd on the touches pecking order behind Taylor and Pittman. And we have to expect that Tyler Warren will continue to ascend. He will be a free agent this offseason, so this is something owners should monitor. Conversely, Justin Jefferson is not having his best season. But I think this QB crisis is overblown. IMO, you cannot sell Jefferson on the basis of JJ McCarthy’s very slow start. Jefferson is 26.5 years old and still has many amazing days ahead.
There are 2 rookie tight ends that lead their teams in catches: Mason Taylor and Harold Fannin Jr. The other TEs who lead their teams are Trey McBride, Travis Kelce, Brock Bowers, Dalton Schultz and Chig Okonkwo.
Dynasty Take: Not the rookie TEs I expected. Both Fannin Jr. and Taylor are on AWFUL offenses. The difference is Fannin is the top receiver on his team. He leads the Browns in receptions, yards, and touchdowns (tied). For that reason, he’s my biggest buy in dynasty. He will stand to benefit from a new QB next season. I’m easily paying a late first for him. Taylor… I’m not sold on.
Rashee Rice is PPR WR1 on a per game basis.
Dynasty Take: Rice has been fantastic since his return. And he is averaging a stellar 21.8 PPR PPG. The guy is just 25.6 years old and is Patrick Mahomes’ top target (since his return). He’s currently ranked WR10 on KTC. In case you’re curious, he’s our consensus WR8.
Rico Dowdle played under 50% of snaps for the first time in 5 weeks.
Dynasty Take: The Panthers just had an awesome win against the Rams (the team I was thinking was the best team in the NFL). Dowdle has cooled off a bit in recent weeks, with just one game out of the last 4 weeks over 3.25 YPC. Chuba Hubbard in that span has had all 4 games over 4.6 YPC. And this week Hubbard had a massive jump in carries to 17. Looks like the Panthers will be riding the hot hand going forward. I wouldn’t be thrilled to be an owner of either of these guys.
Tucker Kraft still leads the Packers in receiving TDs. He’s been injured since week 9.
Dynasty Take: This is not just an excuse to talk about one of my favorite players, Kraft YAC & Cheese. I promise. I mostly want to talk about Jordan Love and his pass-catching weapons. I’m not really sure Love can be a fantasy kingmaker. This offense is so spread out in terms of distribution of opportunities. Wicks just had the game of his life. Doubs has been their most consistent receiver. Watson has been great coming back from injury, but how long can we count on him? Reed and Golden are returning soon from injury and should have a role. The Pack will have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. I’ll be staying away, with the exception of Kraft.
-- Dynasty Detour Jesse
📝 Traffic Report: The Biggest Bust in Fantasy?
Let’s get into some of the best and worst performances of Week 13, and what you need to do about them:
Patrick Mahomes, KC QB - 23/34, 261 YD, 4 TD
A Turkey day to forget for the Chiefs, despite a great performance from their QB. With Rashee’s return, Kelce’s inevitability, and support from Worthy, Hollywood & JuJu, the Chiefs have revitalized their passing game. Their pass first approach is back to lighting up scoreboards.
Dynasty Takeaway: Mahomes’ dynasty stock has taken a bit of a hit over the past 2 seasons. With limited weapons at his disposal, he posted QB8 & 11 seasons. This season, he has found his footing as the number 2 QB in fantasy. The community seems slow to react to his improved performance, but he’s my QB 3 (behind Allen & Maye) on track to post his 5th top 5 season in 2025.
Brian Thomas Jr., JAX WR - 2/3 REC, 28 YD
BTJ’s return from injury saw Trevor Lawrence post one of his better games of the season. Unfortunately, Thomas was not super involved in this one, nor has he been this season. Instead, Lawrence turned to Brenton Strange and new acquisition, Jakobi Meyers, to lead the way.
Dynasty Takeaway: After an amazing rookie season, BTJ has been the biggest bust in fantasy. With what seemed like little target competition, in what was hoped to be a revamped Liam Cohen passing game, nothing has gone right for Thomas Jr. He’s fallen to my WR 18 behind fellow sophomore recievers Ladd, Marv & Rome.
Kyle Monangai, CHI RB - 22 CAR, 130 YD, 1 TD
Now here’s a guy. Here’s a gai. A Monangai. Chicago’s running back room led an onslaught against Philly, posting 250 yards on the ground. Kyle has been one of the most impressive rookies this season— to the point where the Bears would be fools to phase him out.
Dynasty Takeaway: While Swift will continue to be a featured part of the offense, (keep in mind he also went off against Philly), Monangai has carved out a real role for this Chicago offense. His receiving upside is capped with Swift hanging around, but if the Bears move off Swift, Monangai could come screaming up the ranks. Ben Johnson’s offense is one that I want to attach myself to. Buy, buy, buy… Monangai.
🚑️ Injury Report
Amon-Ra suffered an ankle injury, in a play that cost me, and likely others, a potential playoff birth. He isn’t expected to be out a while, but he is questionable for their next game. Every game he misses gives potential for Jameson Williams to be a league winner. Keep an eye on Isaac Teslaa in his absence.
Justin Herbert broke a bone in his hand, but is also questionable for this week. Downgrade all LAC WR’s if he misses time, but I’d be excited to see if Trey Lance can build upon his strong preseason play.
-- Dynasty Detour Tom
Thanks for riding with us, and best of luck in the week ahead. See you on Thursday, Detourists.
We’re officially in the swing of things, so be sure you follow us for all the must see events and reactions of every week. 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 🚘️.
