NFL Dynasty Digest: 07/06/2025 - Waller Moves to Miami, Higgins Breaks Out in Camp
| Player | Rank |
|---|---|
| Josh Allen | 1 |
| Lamar Jackson | 2 |
| Jayden Daniels | 3 |
| Joe Burrow | 4 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | 5 |
| Justin Jefferson | 6 |
| Pat Mahomes | 7 |
| Jalen Hurts | 8 |
| CJ Stroud | 9 |
| Brock Bowers | 10 |
| Bijan Robinson | 11 |
| Justin Herbert | 12 |
| Kyler Murray | 13 |
| Caleb Williams | 14 |
| Sam LaPorta | 15 |
| Ceedee Lamb | 16 |
| Puka Nacua | 17 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 18 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 19 |
| Malik Nabers | 20 |
| Ashton Jeanty | 21 |
| Brian Thomas | 22 |
| Drake Maye | 23 |
| Trey McBride | 24 |
| Trevor Lawrence | 25 |
| Devon Achane | 26 |
| Jonathan Taylor | 27 |
| Drake London | 28 |
| Nico Collins | 29 |
| Jared Cook | 30 |
Each week we explore a different angle to uncover market inefficiencies dynasty managers can exploit. This time, we revisit a classic: the Year 3 Breakout — especially for WRs and TEs, where patience still pays off.
8 Dynasty Sleepers Still Worth Stashing (Plus 6 Watch List Names)
These players have flown under the radar in many dynasty leagues — but each has a real shot at carving out a role in 2025 and beyond.
Quentin Johnston – WR, Chargers
A disappointing rookie campaign turned into a late-season flicker of hope. Johnston’s vertical ability and YAC profile still fit this wide-open offense, and with Tre Harris arriving, competition remains—but so does opportunity.
2024 Stats: 55 receptions, 711 yards, 8 touchdowns
Projected 2025 Role: Starting WR
Dalton Kincaid – TE, Bills
Year 2 wasn’t the leap many expected. Still, Kincaid’s elite hands and fluid routes, paired with Josh Allen’s trust, give him a solid floor. If he’s the answer in Buffalo, we’ll find out this year.
2024 Stats: 44 receptions, 448 yards, 2 touchdowns
Projected 2025 Role: Starting TE
Michael Mayer – TE, Raiders
Mayer’s first two seasons were quiet, but he’s still a potential breakout. With blocking prowess and red-zone polish, he profiles as a potential safety blanket in a reshuffled Vegas offense.
2024 Stats: 21 receptions, 156 yards
Projected 2025 Role: Starting In-line TE
DeMario Douglas – WR, Patriots
Speedy and twitchy, Douglas flashed in a dysfunctional offense last season. With another year with Maye and a wide-open depth chart, he’s one to monitor in camp for a possible Year 3 leap.
2024 Stats: 66 receptions, 621 yards, 3 touchdowns
Projected 2025 Role: Starting WR
Marvin Mims – WR, Broncos
Mims has already made a Pro Bowl—as a returner—but his deep-threat talent and smooth separation make him a candidate for more volume. The WR room is packed, but the talent is real.
2024 Stats: 39 receptions, 503 yards, 6 touchdowns
Projected 2025 Role: Starting WR
Cedric Tillman – WR, Browns
Tillman is healthy again and making a push for WR2 status. Cleveland’s receiver room is wide open, and his contested-catch ability makes him an intriguing outside option with upside.
2024 Stats: 29 receptions, 339 yards, 3 touchdowns
Projected 2025 Role: Starting WR
Josh Downs – WR, Colts
A steady riser who fits perfectly in Shane Steichen’s system. His quicks and clean routes give him PPR value, especially as the Colts offense continues to develop under Anthony Richardson or benefits from the addition of Daniel Jones.
2024 Stats: 72 receptions, 803 yards, 5 touchdowns
Projected 2025 Role: Starting WR
Michael Wilson – WR, Cardinals
Now lined up opposite Marvin Harrison Jr., Wilson looks locked into a starting role. Arizona hasn’t made many additions behind MHJ, and Wilson’s technical route-running and reliable hands keep him on breakout watch.
2024 Stats: 47 receptions, 548 yards, 4 touchdowns
Projected 2025 Role: Starting WR
Watch List Candidates
Josh Whyle – TE, Titans
Still in the mix after an underwhelming 2024, Whyle hasn’t separated—but neither has Chig Okonkwo. The addition of Gunnar Helm complicates things, but the job is still up for grabs.
2024 Stats: 28 receptions, 248 yards, 1 touchdown
Projected 2025 Role: Backup TE
Dontayvion Wicks – WR, Packers
Green Bay’s addition of Matthew Golden pushes Wicks down the depth chart, but don’t forget his flashes from 2024. A battle for WR3 is brewing, and Wicks is still in it. He’s not someone I’m buying just yet though.
2024 Stats: 39 receptions, 415 yards, 5 touchdowns
Projected 2025 Role: Backup WR
Will Mallory – TE, Colts
Buried behind the idea of Jelani Woods and now rookie Tyler Warren, Mallory’s name rarely comes up—but if he sticks on the 53, he could emerge as a reliable pass-catcher in a TE-friendly offense.
2024 Stats: 4 receptions, 29 yards
Projected 2025 Role: Backup TE
Luke Musgrave – TE, Packers
Injuries have kept Musgrave off the radar, but when healthy, his speed and usage were undeniable. With Jordan Love on the rise, Musgrave could explode if he stays on the field.
2024 Stats: 7 receptions, 45 yards
Projected 2025 Role: Backup TE
Kayshon Boutte – WR, Patriots
Once a blue-chip prospect, Boutte’s path has narrowed—but the slot role is up for grabs. If he can show consistency and earn trust, there's still some dynasty stash appeal here.
2024 Stats: 43 receptions, 589 yards, 3 touchdowns
Projected 2025 Role: Backup WR
Xavier Gipson – WR, Jets
An undrafted gem who carved out a gadget role immediately in Year 1. Gipson’s explosiveness gives him weekly upside if he earns more snaps, especially in a rebuilt Jets offense that’s searching for answers behind Garrett Wilson.
2024 Stats: 6 receptions, 39 yards, 1 touchdown
Projected 2025 Role: Backup WR
Trending Topics
Early reactions from fantasy managers have been overwhelmingly positive—and it’s easy to see why. If Waller still has gas in the tank, this could be a strong bounce-back year in an explosive offense.
Waller is currently the most added player on Sleeper, with over 1 million adds today—nearly 975,000 more than the next hottest name, Jaylin Conyers. I’ve seen him scooped up aggressively in deep dynasty formats as well as shallow 12-team leagues. If you want in, prepare to pay up. I will be.
Darren Waller - 2023 Stats:
- Games Played: 12
- Receptions: 52
- Receiving Yards: 552
- Touchdowns: 1
He wasn’t the fantasy force of old, but in Miami’s system—surrounded by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle—he may find more open looks and red zone opportunities than he did in New York.
Jayden Higgins Flashing Early — Time to Re-Rank?
ESPN recently ran a feature highlighting the biggest surprise players on each NFL team this offseason (link). One standout name was Houston Texans rookie WR Jayden Higgins:
The Texans’ on-the-field work for OTAs were pretty quiet as quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t throw for most of spring football practices outside of minicamp. But one player who did make noise was second-round rookie wideout Higgins. The big-body receiver (6-4, 215) flashed his down-field ability by beating multiple cornerbacks throughout the spring, including starting cornerback Kamari Lassiter. When the Texans return to the field on July 23 for training camp, Higgins is squarely positioned to compete for a starting role.” — DJ Bien-Aime, ESPN
Many dynasty managers assumed Higgins would slot behind veteran Christian Kirk in Houston’s pecking order. But it’s worth noting: Kirk was acquired for a 7th-round pick, while Higgins cost the team an early 2nd-round pick in April. We already know what Kirk is — a solid but unspectacular receiver. Higgins, on the other hand, has the pedigree, size, and upside of a freshly-minted top-40 NFL draft pick.
In our Superflex rookie rankings, we currently have Higgins at 17, and 16 in 1-QB formats. But after his impressive spring and the positive camp buzz, those spots are starting to feel too low. Of the second-round receivers in rookie drafts, Higgins may have the best chance to produce right away in year one — which could see his dynasty value jump from a mid-2nd rookie pick to the fringe of the 1st round.
As a result, we’ll be moving Higgins up to 15 in Superflex and 14 in 1-QB in our next rookie rankings update — putting him ahead of both Tre Harris and Luther Burden.
Dynasty managers: don’t sleep on Jayden Higgins. He may already be climbing the Texans’ depth chart and your league’s trade block.
Calvin Austin: Rodgers’ WR2 in Pittsburgh?
ESPN recently ran a feature highlighting the biggest surprise players on each NFL team this offseason (link). For the Steelers, reporter Brooke Pryor quoted Pittsburgh’s wide receivers coach with this telling remark about Calvin Austin:
“I think that ‘2’ spot is all Calvin’s right now.”
After a quiet start to his career, Austin has earned praise for his growth heading into 2025. He wrapped up the 2024–25 season with 36 receptions, 548 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Previously used primarily as a gadget player, Austin’s yards per touch jumped from 5.5 in his second season to an impressive 9.5 last year as he took on more traditional wide receiver duties.
The Steelers’ offense enters 2025 with Aaron Rodgers under center, a quarterback still capable of producing multiple fantasy-relevant pass catchers even at his advanced age. DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith are expected to lead the team in targets, but that third role appears to belong to Austin—at least for now.
So what does this mean for dynasty managers?
I’m not moving future draft capital to go acquire Austin. His price in most leagues likely doesn’t justify the risk of a major breakout. That said, if I can move an aging, proven-but-declining piece like Austin Ekeler or Tyler Lockett to secure a share of Austin in best ball leagues, I’d strongly consider it. In standard dynasty formats, I’m not as motivated to pursue him unless my WR depth is truly poor.
If you already have Austin rostered in dynasty, here’s my take:
- Best Ball: Hold. He could pop for big weeks as Rodgers’ WR2.
- Standard Dynasty: Shop him. Market him as “Rodgers’ WR2” and see if you can extract a second-round rookie pick—or even a pair of thirds.
There are a few positive signs here. Austin essentially lost his rookie season to injury, so 2025 will feel like his true Year 3—a classic breakout year for many receivers. Still, these are the kinds of situations I usually bet against in the long run.
Is this selling too soon? Maybe. But with Metcalf entrenched, Jonnu commanding targets, and Rodgers on a ticking clock, I’m more inclined to cash in on the hype while it’s here.
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