Dynasty News: Week 17

Dynasty News has been a part of Footballguys for well over a decade. Our Jeff Tefertiller combines strategy with relevant NFL news to help dynasty managers excel with their teams. It examines some of the larger happenings of the week from a dynasty perspective. The news may be injury- or performance-related.

Dynasty News: Atlanta QBs

Last Tuesday, Ian Rapoport broke the news about the Atlanta Falcons quarterback change, “The #Falcons are making a major change, as Michael Penix Jr. is expected to take over at QB, with Kirk Cousins going the bench. Atlanta is still in the thick of the playoff hunt, and Cousins has struggled mightily. Now, Penix takes over.” Tom Pelissero chimed in, “#Falcons coach Raheem Morris: ‘After review we have made the decision Michael Penix Jr.. will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward. This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.’” Pelissero added, “The #Falcons are paying Kirk Cousins $62.5 million this season as part of the four-year, $180M deal he signed in March. He's due $27.5M fully guaranteed in 2025. He also has a no-trade clause. But today's decision makes clear: The Michael Penix Jr.. era has begun in Atlanta.” He also tweeted, “The #Falcons' options with Kirk Cousins after today's benching in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr..:

• Release him before March 16, 2025 (no-post June 1 designation): They'd still owe him $27.5 million fully guaranteed cash and carry a $65M dead cap hit in 2025.
• Release him before March 16 (post-June 1 designation): Same cash, but they'd spread the dead cap hit over two years: $40M in 2025 (his scheduled number) and $25M in 2026.
• Trade him before June 1, 2025 (which he'd need to agreed to): They'd carry a dead cap number of $37.5M in 2025, but save $27.5M in cash and $2.5M in cap.

If Cousins remains on the Atlanta roster as of March 16, another $10M in 2026 would become fully guaranteed -- not impossible, but practically unfathomable after the decision today. Benching him now also avoids a situation where Cousins could get hurt in the final three games and lock in that additional $10M, which is guaranteed for injury. The venerable Andrew Brandt added more context, “Most likely to happen with Cousins:

• He will be released in March with a post-June 1 designation.
• He will make $27.5M next year from Falcons or other team, after making $62.5M this year.
• He will not make $10M guarantee in 2026.
• Falcons will have paid $90M for a partial season.”

Adam Schefter agreed with Brandt, “Kirk Cousins' divorce from the Falcons is expected to be finalized before his $10 million roster bonus is due March 17, with executives across the league fully expecting Atlanta to have to release him by then.” The Michael Penix Jr. era has started. He had a great matchup in his first start but the defenses will be stronger, especially if the Falcons make the playoffs. Penix was shaky against the New York defense. The team that signs Cousins this offseason will give him the league minimum since the Falcons will still be paying him the full salary, minus the amount his new team gives him. Some are wondering if he will reunite with Kyle Shanahan. No matter what you think of Cousins’ 2024 performance, he will have several options for 2025.

Dynasty News: Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

Last Wednesday, Jets beat reporter, Zack Rosenblatt, started tongues to wag when he tweeted, “Aaron Rodgers said he’ll take some time after the season to decide what he wants to do future-wise ‘unless I get released right away.’ But even then, he plans on taking some time to decide his NFL future.” Later in the week, Rodgers was interviewed on ESPN and said he was open to mentoring a rookie. He said, “When they drafted Jordan, I felt like I was one bad stretch from being benched — and I won MVP a couple of years, so that’s the way the league is. You have to prove you can play every single week and through stretches. So if [the Jets] asked me back and they drafted a guy, I’d mentor the hell out of him if I was playing and I’d try to play as well as I could to keep him on the bench.” We expect Rodgers to play in 2025 and this discussion creates a buying opportunity for SuperFlex Dynasty Managers seeking quarterback depth for next season. Given Rodgers’ age and mercurial personality, his fantasy managers will not be asking for a lot in return. But, the past few weeks have proven that the veteran still has the ability to put up fantasy points.

Dynasty News: Derek Carr, New Orleans

Mike Florio brought up an interesting aspect regarding the Derek Carr injury. Florio indicated in a ProFootballTalk article that Carr’s hand injury might prevent the Saints from parting ways with their quarterback due to injury guarantees. Dr. David Chao weighed in and said, “Interesting point. However, not likely that a hand fracture (even if in 2 places) isn't healed in time to pass a March physical.” We tend to side with Dr. Chao on this topic but it is an interesting thought that New Orleans might make a quarterback change in the offseason, especially with the reported weak quarterback rookie class. But, a new coaching staff may want to bring in their own quarterback.

Dynasty News: Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas

Rookie Sincere McCormick was beginning to take possession of the Raiders backfield before he injured his ankle in last Monday’s game against Atlanta. McCormick posted on Instagram that he would "be back next season." McCormick was placed on injured reserve last Wednesday. He will battle Alexander Mattison for lead-back duties while Ameer Abdullah and Zamir White fill out the depth chart. With so many holes to fill on both sides of the ball, we do not anticipate Las Vegas investing a valuable pick on the running back position, even given the deep class at the position. McCormick is a player dynasty managers should target this offseason. He will be very inexpensive and looked great in limited action.

Dynasty News: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, New Orleans

The Kansas City Chiefs invested a first-round pick on Edwards-Helaire, but the former LSU Tiger never really lived up to his potential. Edwards-Helaire announced on social media of his release, thanking the Kansas City fans. It was unsurprising for him to pass through waivers as no team was willing to assume his former first-round contract. He signed with the New Orleans Saints practice squad and will try to prove himself on a team lacking tailback depth. The team signed the ex-Chief because of the groin injury to Alvin Kamara, leaving just Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams in the backfield.

Dynasty News: Tank Dell, Houston

Saturday's game gave us another gruesome Tank Dell injury as Dell injured his knee catching a touchdown pass. Dell bypassed the x-ray facilities at Arrowhead stadium and went straight to the hospital. Ian Rapoport tweeted, "#Texans WR Tank Dell suffered a dislocated knee cap, sources say, as doctors are working to determine the damage. Surgery is possible, but has not yet happened. Dell’s injury is significant, as coach DeMeco Ryans said. Not clear how significant." He dislocated the kneecap and injured at least his ACL ligament in the process. We do not expect Dell back on the field in 2025 unless it is very late in the season. Dr. Deepak Chona tweeted this prognosis, "#Texans Tank Dell - Dislocated kneecap. Suspect additional ligaments (ACL/MCL) also. If so, avg return ~15 months. Lean towards missing '25 season." This is a brutal outcome for a promising player. Dynasty managers are not encouraged to "buy" until the full extent of the injuries are known. Some players never fully return to their previous athleticism after similar injuries. The Texans have a great trio of receivers with Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Dell, but Diggs and Dell are now lost for the season. 

Dynasty News: Chris Olave, New Orleans

Beat reporter, Nick Underhill, broke the news that Chris Olave might make it back this season, “Chris Olave got cleared by a specialist on Tuesday to resume practicing. He's going to get some practice reps in, see how things feel and go from there.” Last Thursday, coach Darren Rizzi told reporters that the team opened Olave’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve. The star receiver is close to returning. Even with a disappointing season, Olave will have a healthy offseason.

Dynasty News: Diontae Johnson, Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens finally had enough of receiver Diontae Johnson and waived him late last week. Tom Pelissero chronicled the receiver’s 2024 year, “In 2024, Diontae Johnson has been...

• Traded from #Steelers to #Panthers on March 12
• Traded from #Panthers to #Ravens on Oct. 29
• Suspended by #Ravens on Dec. 4
• Waived by #Ravens today

He's set to be a free agent in March.”

Johnson was claimed Monday by the Houston Texans, a playoff team seeking to add to a thin receiving corps. Make no mistake, Johnson will have an active market for his services this offseason in free agency. Johnson is talented and could be the missing piece on several offenses.

Dynasty News: New York Jets WRs

This past week brought us the humorous anecdote of the New York Jets dysfunctional leadership. The Athletic ran an article stating that the Broncos and the Jets had agreed on a trade, sending Jerry Jeudy to the Jets, but owner Woody Johnson nixed the deal because Jeudy’s rating in the Madden video game was not high enough. This is humorous on many levels and Jeudy’s recent strong play adds another level of context to the conversation. Broncos beat reporter, Benjamin Allbright, tweeted, “The Jeudy to Jets deal that wasn’t would have netted the Broncos Lazard and a 3rd.” The “madden” comment is unusual given Johnson is 77 years of age and probably is not a Madden player. The Broncos ended up trading Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for fifth- and sixth-round picks. The Jets ended up trading for Davante Adams, giving up a conditional third-round pick. With the Rodgers’ situation brewing, and a new coach coming in, this is a New York team ready for the reset button.

Dynasty News: Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

Last Tuesday, the Rams announced that Higbee was activated from injured reserve. He had been practicing for a couple of weeks and Los Angeles is happy to have their starting tight end back in the lineup as the team eyes a playoff run once again. Higbee even caught a touchdown in the victory over New York. His teammates surrounded him to celebrate with him. Heartwarming. The Rams offense is finally healthy and could be a dangerous playoff opponent.

Dynasty News: Hayden Hurst, Los Angeles Chargers

Last Thursday, Ian Rapoport tweeted an update regarding the Chargers ever-evolving door at the tight end position, “The #Chargers plan to activate TE Hayden Hurst from Injured Reserve to play in tonight’s game against the #Broncos, source says. Hurst went on IR with a hip injury in late November, but he’s practiced fully since having his window opened this week.” Hurst steps into the void created by the injury to Will Dissly. Stone Smartt filled in Week 15 and had a sizable role this past Thursday night, but Hurst will see his role grow since he is a better player who adds value as a blocker and receiver.