Chardee MacDynasty - Volume I
Chew shares his thoughts on dynasty as the 2024 fantasy football season comes to an end. To the game of games!
Welcome fellow dynasty degenerates and Happy New Year! This is the first of many articles from a father who loves talking dynasty fantasy football while not so subtly referencing his favorite tv shows and movies. I cannot be the only one!
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Chardee MacDynasty begins as our collective fantasy football seasons are ending. Hopefully the season has ended with your game pieces intact or you went out in a blaze of glory to earn the 1.01 rookie pick in 2025. But as dynasty players, the season never really ends does it?
Who Impressed In 2024
Sometimes the fantasy team we have in December doesn’t match the expectations we had when we drafted them in August, for better or worse. Here are two players to keep in mind for next year’s fantasy draft at each position that impressed in 2024:
ADP taken from FantasyPros and PPG stats through Week 17.
QUARTERBACK
Baker Mayfield (Drafted as QB-21 — Fantasy PPG: QB-4)
Mayfield has been well worth the new contract he received ahead of the 2024 season. Despite Chris Godwin going down in Week 7, the QB has worked with new weapons in Jalen McMillan and Bucky Irving; as well as, familiar faces in Mike Evans, Rachaad White, and Cade Otton.
Bo Nix (Drafted as QB-23 — Fantasy PPG: QB-10)
Despite being drafted as the fourth QB among the 2024 draft class (in dynasty), it didn’t take Nix much time to get rolling under Sean Payton’s system. Former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy was traded prior to the 2024 season but that hasn’t stopped Nix spinning it to Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Devaughn Vele.
RUNNING BACK
Chase Brown (Drafted as RB-36 — Fantasy PPG: RB-14)
Brown was not the starter entering the 2024 season with free agent acquisition Zack Moss sharing touches. Once Moss went down in Week 8, Brown never scored fewer than 13 fantasy points. Look for Brown to enter the 2025 season with a strong case for the lead back in Cincinnati.
JK Dobbins (Drafted as RB-41 — Fantasy PPG: RB-17)
Dobbins’ career can be explained in one word, “Ow!” An ACL tear in the 2021 preseason with additional rehab time in early 2022 coupled with an Achilles tendon tear in Week 1 of 2023. The RB has been productive when healthy is set to be an unrestricted free agent entering his aged 27 season.
WIDE RECEIVER
Brian Thomas Jr. (Drafted as WR-48 — Fantasy PPG: WR-12)
Thomas was drafted as the WR-5 in the 2024 rookie class (in dynasty) in the shadow of NFL Hall of Fame lineage and fellow LSU royalty. Despite only nine full games played with Trevor Lawrence, Thomas logged six Top-10 fantasy weeks with nearly 1,200 receiving yards and 10 receiving TD’s through Week 17. The future is bright for BTJr.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Drafted as WR-40 — Fantasy PPG: WR-15)
JSN has been a PPR darling, finishing the 2024 fantasy season Top-10 in targets, receptions and receiving yards. It is unclear what the future looks like at QB in Seattle but with Tyler Lockett entering his aged 33 season his succession plan is JSN.
TIGHT END
Brock Bowers (Drafted as TE-11 — Fantasy PPG: TE-2)
There was no doubt that Bowers was the best TE in the 2024 rookie class. But to finish the fantasy season as the TE-1 in overall fantasy points on the Raiders is another story entirely. Through Week 17, Bowers broke records with the most rookie TE receiving yards and rookie receptions. The Raiders have an absolute weapon in Bowers for their next QB.
Jonnu Smith (Drafted as TE-24 — Fantasy PPG: TE-6)
Smith served as the anti-hero for many fantasy managers during his time in Atlanta behind Kyle Pitts (thanks Arthur Smith). Enter season 2024, where Smith is first on the Dolphins in receptions (tied) and TD’s and second in receiving yards. Smith begins the second of his two-year deal in Miami in 2025 and time will tell if the magic is still there.
Looking Ahead To 2025
Heading into the final week of the 2024 NFL season the Top-10 picks in the 2025 draft are shaping up to be:
New England Patriots (3-13)
Drake Maye needs a line to protect him, weapons to throw to, and a pass rush to slow down opposing offenses. The Patriots could very well enter the offseason with the #1 draft pick and most cap space, so the possibilities are endless.
Tennessee Titans (3-13)
The law firm of Levis & Rudolph will no longer be retained but will the QB position be addressed in the draft or free agency? Only time will tell. Regardless, both lines need to be revamped and if the Titans can access a time machine to undo the A.J. Brown trade that would be helpful.
Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Deshaun Watson’s contract continues to be, how you say, an albatross. And experts tell me scoring the second fewest points and allowing the sixth-most points is not a good formula. Best player available and Saints-level salary cap gymnastics.
New York Giants (3-13)
The post-Eli era has been a rocky one but the Giants will take another swing at QB as long as they quit all that pesky winning. Thankfully the new QB will have a few weapons in Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
A healthy Trevor Lawrence would welcome a bolstered offensive line but the draft focus for Jacksonville should be on the defensive side of the ball.
Carolina Panthers (4-12)
Bryce Young is the future and no one ever second-guessed it. After a hefty investment in two guards last offseason, the focus should be either at receiver or, more likely, help along the swiss cheese defensive line.
New York Jets (4-12)
Who knows what the Jets are going to look like in 2025 with rumors regarding Aaron Rodgers/Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson; all while the Jets are in search of a new head coach. Regardless of who is under center, Gang Green will look to improve both lines.
Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
The Raiders have a number of needs but it is universally understood that a new QB is expected in Las Vegas in 2025. Rookie phenom Brock Bowers and steady veteran Jakobi Meyers will be the trusted targets of the new QB with draft help also needed on the defensive side of the ball.
Chicago Bears (4-12)
After “winning” the Bryce Young trade, Bears fans likely did not expect to have a Top-10 draft pick following Caleb Williams’ rookie season. Williams has been the most-sacked QB in 2024 by a country mile so an improvement of the offensive line is a must. Otherwise, a bolstering of the defensive line would be welcomed.
New Orleans Saints (5-11)
Derek Carr ends the fantasy season on the sideline following a confusing mosh pit-style leap that resulted in an injury to his non-throwing hand. An improvement of the rush defense would do wonders for a Saints team that looks to heal up and shed salary cap heading into 2025.
A deeper look at the 2025 rookie class will unfold throughout the offseason but here are a few names to to look out for at the fantasy-relevant positions (barring certain players returning to school):
QUARTERBACK
Cam Ward - Miami
Shedeur Sanders - Colorado
Jalen Milroe - Alabama
Quinn Ewers - Texas
Carson Beck - Georgia
Jaxon Dart - Ole Miss
RUNNING BACK
Ashton Jeanty - Boise State
Omarion Hampton - UNC
Kaleb Johnson - Iowa
Quinshon Judkins - Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson - Ohio State
Nicholas Singleton - Penn State
Cam Skattebo - Arizona State
Dylan Sampson - Tennessee
Jordan James - Oregon
Ollie Gordon II - Oklahoma State
Devin Neal - Kansas
Trevor Etienne - Georgia
WIDE RECEIVER
Tetairoa McMillan - Arizona
Travis Hunter - Colorado
Luther Burden III - Missouri
Emeka Egbuka - Ohio State
Isaiah Bond - Texas
Tre Harris - Ole Miss
Evan Stewart - Oregon
Xavier Restrepo - Miami
Elic Ayomanor - Stanford
Jalen Royals - Utah State
Kyren Lacy - LSU
Tez Johnson - Oregon
TIGHT END
Tyler Warren - Penn State
Colston Loveland - Michigan
Harold Fannin Jr. - Bowling Green
Gunnar Helm - Texas
Mason Taylor - LSU
Which NFL-er?
Each week I give three clues to an active or retired NFL player. Comment below with your guess! If you are interested in the answer tune in for the next article for the answer; as well as, a fresh trio of clues.
Retired RB
Undrafted free agent in 2010
Led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2016
Three-time Super Bowl champion
Which NFL-er am I? (comment below)
So you made it this far and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow dynasty degenerates I would greatly appreciate it!