Week 10 Dynasty Notebook: Updated Dynasty Rankings On Second-Year Players
Sam Wallace takes a look at the sophomore NFL player class and re-ranks them for dynasty leagues based on what we know now.
We are officially over halfway through the NFL regular season. That means it's time to reflect on the current sophomores. Let's re-rank them in dynasty leagues based on what we know right now and what we expect of them moving forward.
No. 1 - Brock Bowers - TE, Raiders
Since 2017, Brock Bowers has the second-highest score in the entirety of our Rookie TE Model. His score of 91 trails only Kyle Pitts, and I doubt you'd find a single fantasy manager who would rather have Pitts over Bowers right now.
Needless to say, if I can secure a unicorn, generational talent at a onesie position, you better believe I'm taking him with the first overall pick, (almost) regardless of the rest of the draft class.
If you need additional context, here's how Year 1 went for Bowers last season:
- 153 targets
- 112 receptions
- 1,194 yards
- 5 TDs
If there's any nitpicking his profile, it's his offensive environment. However, the Raiders (or their QB) don't have to be all that good as long as they keep feeding Bowers, and that's exactly what they've been doing. He's going to be the focal point of that passing attack for as long as he's there, so all we need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.
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No. 2 - Malik Nabers - WR, Giants
Year 1 for Malik Nabers was pretty exciting. He reached 170 targets, 109 receptions, and topped 1,200 yards to go along with seven TDs.
Unfortunately, this season was cut short by a torn ACL in Week 4.
Looking ahead, assuming a full recovery, I am still taking Nabers second in this class, especially since the Giants seem to have found their franchise QB in Jaxson Dart. The sky is the limit for this young, talented wideout.
For what it's worth, now is likely the only time you can acquire Nabers at a "discount" if there's a dynasty manager looking for immediate production this season. Either way, don't be afraid to spend up on elite talent.
No. 3 - Ladd McConkey - WR, Chargers
A stellar rookie campaign had fantasy managers' hopes high coming into this season, but it's been a bit of a bumpy ride for Ladd McConkey through nine weeks.
He only topped 10 fantasy points once in his first four games, but then averaged 18.6 PPR over his next four games.
There are two reasons for his lack of consistency:
- Keenan Allen returned to LA after a one-year stint in Chicago. The chain-moving maven is back for Justin Herbert, which has put a dent in McConkey's role.
- Quentin Johnston is having a classic Year 3 breakout; he's hauled in six TDs this season, with four of them coming in the first four games.
Long-term, I'm solidly taking McConkey over both Allen and Johnston. He's talented enough to dominate targets on this offense for a long time. Stay patient.
No. 4 - Bucky Irving - RB, Buccaneers
The 2024 RB class was pretty bad, so bad that the RB11 per our Rookie RB Model has risen to the top as the premier option from his class.
This isn't a knock on Bucky Irving; he's a legit talent who earned every last carry and yard a season ago. Unfortunately, injuries have derailed Year 2 as managers wait for a hopeful return in Week 10.
Tampa Bay is excellent, and Baker Mayfield has ample weapons in all three phases of the offensive attack. So long as Irving is sidelined, he represents a "trade for" candidate that every dynasty manager should be looking into.
No. 5 - Xavier Worthy - WR, Chiefs
Something something about a fast wideout playing for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.
In all seriousness, Xavier Worthy is more than just a field-stretcher. Yes, his speed is undeniable, and he unlocks an element of this offense that they have not had since prime Tyreek Hill. Even so, fantasy managers may need to be patient with his true potential.
Similar to how I'm waiting out the likes of Allen for McConkey to truly rise, I'm feeling the same way about Travis Kelce in Kansas City. I'm on the record saying that this offense runs through Rashee Rice, but Worthy is too talented to not be involved in different facets of the game.
Yes, there will be some feast/famine weeks, but I'm betting on the talent and offensive environment.
No. 6 - Rome Odunze - WR, Bears
Most young players tend to get better after their bye weeks. That has not been true for Rome Odunze this season:
Weeks 1-4
- 8.7 targets
- 74 receiving yards
- 19.9 PPG
Weeks 6-9
- 6.0 targets
- 44 receiving yards
- 7.2 PPG
That's…not great. Even so, from a dynasty perspective, I'm still taking Odunze in the middle of the first round. They have DJ Moore and brought in Luther Burden, but I believe in talent and the long-term relationship of Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson.
No. 7 - Brian Thomas Jr. - WR, Jaguars
Just a year after a stellar rookie campaign that saw him finish as the WR4, thanks to 87 receptions for over 1,200 yards and 10 TDs, Brian Thomas Jr. has been an absolute bust this season.
Through Week 9, he has just one game with more than 12 PPR, and that was the one time he scored a TD. Had this season looked even close to last season, I would have had a hard time keeping him out of the top-three in this class. We'll see if Thomas can get back on track with Trevor Lawrence over the second half of this season; otherwise, we're going to forget about his Year 1 breakout very quickly.
No. 8 - Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Cardinals
For as bad as the 2024 RB class was, the WR class has been pretty impressive. The top option was none other than Marvin Harrison Jr., tied with Ja'Marr Chase as the highest-rated prospect in the history of our Rookie WR Model (2017-2025).
Unfortunately, Harrison's rookie season was relatively disappointing relative to expectations and draft capital (No. 4 overall).
Year 2 hasn't gone much better, yet. He has just two TDs and has reached double-digit PPR in just three of eight games.
No. 9 - Braelon Allen - RB, Jets
I might take a little heat for this pick, but #OnWisconsin and their history of producing solid RBs. Braelon Allen is unique because of how young he is. He's in his second NFL season and is still only 21 years old.
That matters more than you think for an RB.
He's going to miss a big chunk of this season with a knee injury, but he's an enticing dynasty stash right now. Things could look much different with the Jets next season. We'll see what happens with Breece Hall and what impact that could have on Allen.
No. 10 - Ricky Pearsall - WR, 49ers
Despite having never really done anything of significance for the 49ers, I find myself gravitating toward Ricky Pearsall. I think it's because this offense finds ways to make seemingly everyone fantasy relevant at some point or another.
I don't care if it's Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, or someone else throwing the ball, this offense finds creative ways to get its playmakers the ball.
Pearsall, much like the final two players on this list, remains an intriguing dynasty stash/trade option.
No. 11 - Troy Franklin - WR, Broncos
Second-year wideout Troy Franklin has already surpassed his rookie season marks in targets, receptions, yards, and TDs in half as many games.
The Sean Payton/Bo Nix combination has been money for fantasy managers everywhere, and I hope we get to enjoy this ride for a long time.
While Courtland Sutton currently holds down the No. 1 spot in the passing game, young guys like Franklin are quickly making their names known. Over his last three games, Franklin has 28 targets and three TDs.
There are even bigger performances coming soon.
No. 12 - Keon Coleman - WR, Bills
I really wish Keon Coleman were playing better football because A) he's a great guy and is easy to root for, and B) Buffalo still needs a true No. 1 option for Josh Allen in the passing game.
Through Week 9, Coleman has just one game with double-digit PPR, and that was back in Week 1 when he also scored his lone TD of the year.
He won't cost you much to acquire right now, but there may not be much value left if he doesn't start turning things around in a big way, and soon.
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