As the fantasy season races toward the playoffs, Week 13 delivered plenty of shakeups and storylines for dynasty managers to digest. From unexpected breakouts to frustrating injuries, this week had it all. Whether you're contending for a title or plotting your offseason rebuild, now’s the time to evaluate players and strategies with a sharp eye.
In this week’s dynasty takeaways, we’ll break down the key performances, trends, and shifts that could impact your roster decisions moving forward. Let’s dive into what we learned and how it could shape the dynasty landscape for years to come.
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Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams Is A Dynasty Buy!
Chicago’s decision to fire Matt Eberflus wasn’t surprising, given his 14-32 record and inability to maximize the offense. For fantasy managers, though, the one constant bright spot amid the Bears’ struggles has been rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Despite the team’s losing streak, Williams has taken significant strides, showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick.
Williams has been a fantasy standout in recent weeks, ranking as the QB8 in PPR leagues during Weeks 11-12. His three-touchdown performance against Detroit marked one of his best games of the season, and his connection with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen has been a revelation since Thomas Brown took over as offensive coordinator. The interim play-caller has brought a fresh approach that’s allowed Williams to thrive, with the rookie tallying 827 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, and 142 rushing yards in his last three games.
Looking ahead, Williams is set to benefit from major upgrades in 2025—a likely offensive-minded head coach, a rebuilt offensive line, and elite weapons in Moore, Rome Odunze, D’Andre Swift, and Cole Kmet.
The biggest reason I’m buying Williams in dynasty is that his current ranking is simply too low. Grouping him with players like Bo Nix, Brock Purdy, and Baker Mayfield doesn’t reflect his upside. With the right coach and system, Williams has a legitimate shot to crack the top-five fantasy QBs, making him a bargain for dynasty managers right now.
Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)
Caleb Williams FOR Bo Nix
Caleb Williams/Bucky Irving FOR Jordan Love
Caleb Williams FOR 2025 1st/J.J. McCarthy
Caleb Williams FOR DK Metcalf/2025 2nd
Caleb Williams FOR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Dallas Cowboys TE Luke Schoonmaker Making Waves
Luke Schoonmaker’s rookie season with the Cowboys didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Injuries and inconsistent play plagued his first year, and even in training camp this season, questions about his reliability persisted. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer made it clear Schoonmaker needed to step up if he wanted to see the field. Now, with Jake Ferguson sidelined for three games due to a concussion, Schoonmaker has finally started to carve out a role in Dallas.
Over the past three games, Schoonmaker has put together performances of 56, 55, and 33 receiving yards, including a five-catch outing against the Giants. His increased involvement, particularly on passing downs, highlights his potential to stay in the rotation even after Ferguson’s return. While Ferguson remains the likely TE1, his history of injuries and inconsistent production opens the door for Schoonmaker to get meaningful snaps down the stretch.
Considering Schoonmaker’s second-round draft capital and recent flashes of productivity, he’s a sneaky stash in dynasty leagues. If the market hasn’t adjusted to his upward trend, now might be the time to grab him before his role solidifies further.
Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)
Luke Schoonmaker FOR Jalen McMillan
Luke Schoonmaker FOR Stefon Diggs
Luke Schoonmaker FOR 2025 4th
Luke Schoonmaker/2025 3rd FOR Cooper Rush
Luke Schoonmaker FOR Jalen Nailor
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Bryce Young Emerging As A Franchise Quarterback
Bryce Young is starting to show why the Carolina Panthers drafted him first overall in 2023. Over the last few weeks, the young quarterback has turned in a series of impressive performances, building momentum as he grows into a potential franchise player. His most recent outing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while ending in a tough overtime loss, highlighted his poise and ability to deliver in clutch moments. Young led a 60-yard drive in the final minutes to give the Panthers a 23-20 lead, although the defense couldn't hold it, allowing Tampa Bay to tie the game and eventually win. Still, it was a solid performance that left Panthers fans optimistic about the future.
Young has been consistently getting better, with a season-high 298 passing yards and a touchdown in this game. He also added a rushing touchdown, showing his ability to contribute in multiple ways. Despite a few missed deep shots and some missed opportunities due to penalties or errors, Young has been mistake-free for the most part. His performance against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers was another step forward, as he outplayed Mayfield in a game that could have seemed impossible earlier in the season.
For dynasty managers, those who took the risk on Young after he was benched earlier in the season could soon be rewarded. He’s looking more like the quarterback the Panthers hoped for, and his steady improvement over the last month suggests he could develop into a reliable QB2 for fantasy leagues. There’s reason for optimism as Young gains confidence and continues to grow into his role as the Panthers’ leader.
Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)
Bryce Young FOR 2026 2nd
Bryce Young/2025 2nd FOR 2025 1st/Trey Benson
Bryce Young FOR 2025 1st
Bryce Young/Noah Gray FOR Mike Evans
Bryce Young FOR Russell Wilson
Bucky Irving Continues His Strong Season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made waves in the 2024 NFL Draft when they selected Oregon’s Bucky Irving in the fourth round. At just 5’9” and 192 pounds, Irving didn’t fit the mold of the bruising back many expected Tampa to pair with Rachaad White. But Irving has quickly silenced any doubts, emerging as one of the most dynamic and elusive rookie running backs in the league.
Irving’s unique skill set is on full display this season. Despite his smaller frame, he plays bigger than his size, showcasing impressive power, quickness, and the ability to shed tacklers. In Sunday’s overtime win against the Carolina Panthers, Irving was the engine of the Bucs’ offense, racking up 185 total yards on 28 touches and scoring a crucial touchdown in the fourth quarter. His eight touches on a single drive accounted for nearly all of the offense’s yardage, highlighting his ability to take over when it matters most.
This game wasn’t an outlier. The week prior, Irving needed just 18 touches to amass 152 yards and a touchdown against the Giants. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen has leaned into Irving’s versatility, using him as a dual-threat weapon while complementing him with White and Sean Tucker. Together, this trio has transformed Tampa’s once-struggling ground game into one of the NFL’s most effective rushing attacks.
For fantasy managers, Irving’s ceiling is sky-high. His explosiveness and usage in both the run and pass game make him a reliable RB1 option. With just 12 games under his belt, he’s already looking like one of the top 12 backs moving forward and could be one of the biggest steals in dynasty formats. Not to mention, next season, his role could expand even more.
Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)
Bucky Irving FOR 2025 1st
Bucky Irving FOR Courtland Sutton/2025 1st
Bucky Irving/2025 3rd FOR Ricky Pearsall/2025 1st
Bucky Irving FOR Brandon Aiyuk/Will Levis/2026 2nd
Bucky Irving/2027 1st FOR Breece Hall
Upcoming Free Agents To Monitor At Wide Receiver
With the 2025 NFL season winding down, all eyes will start to turn to the offseason and the highly anticipated free agency period. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the top receivers set to hit free agency, explore their potential landing spots, project how their moves might play out, and break down the dynasty fantasy football implications.
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