We are just arriving at the time when training camp hype will have you questioning your player values on an hourly basis. There is nothing like seeing your favorite 4th round rookie pick making an unbelievable catch versus the air, wearing nothing but shorts and cleats. Fantasy football is all about finding dynasty risers before they happen. The Hall of Fame is a sure thing, and your league mates will speak in awe of your fantasy acumen for years.
This is the time to make your bets and acquire players before the everyday news cycle overvalues your “super sleeper.” Some of your league mates may still be enjoying piña coladas on the beach while you are reading Louie Gee’s dynasty stock-riser articles. You are not built the same. Here are 3 guys who will be huge dynasty risers in the coming weeks:
Justin Joly-Denver Broncos
Forgive me, as I am in many start-two, tight-end leagues with premium scoring. But Joly is a good target to overpay a bit for in any format, in my opinion. I always start with coach speak. Listen to the way Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Davis Webb talk about him. Payton has repeatedly stated that he fits the “Joker” role he has always seemed to favor. This is why Joly is one of my favorite dynasty risers to date.
Cutting Evan Engram would save 6.47 million against the cap. After a very disappointing first year with the Broncos, that seems to be on the table, even if unlikely. Even if Engram stays on the roster, his spot on the depth chart is not some insurmountable hill to pass for Joly. He was already one of my favorite late-round rookie profiles, and he couldn’t have landed in a much better spot.
Jonathon Brooks- Carolina Panthers
You won’t find too many articles of this type that don’t mention Brooks. I hate going along with the crowd, as is obvious with my wardrobe decisions. But the reasoning behind the Brooks steam is a lot more reasonable than me wearing ripped jean shorts at age 42. Chuba Hubbard is one of the least explosive starting running backs in the league. Sometimes, it’s about looking at who’s ahead of a player to find true dynasty risers.
Brooks, on the other hand, came into the league as one of the most exciting rookie prospects, even though he was coming off major knee surgery. Brooks appeared in only three games in the 2024 season before tearing the same ACL, which sidelined him for the 2025 season. Finally healthy, Brooks has the opportunity to gain valuable touches in an offense that took some strides last year under Bryce Young.
Zachariah Branch- Atlanta Falcons
I am quickly getting disappointed with not owning enough Branch in my portfolio. He was being drafted in rookie drafts in a tier of guys I felt similarly about, so I purposely spread out my exposure to avoid missing out on the “breakout” player from that tier. Chris Bell, Ted Hurst, Chris Brazzell II, Skyler Bell, and Malachi Fields all joined Branch as players I wanted some exposure to. But Branch is separating himself from the rest of the group for me. Why? Mostly opportunity. He walks in with a clear path to the WR2 position in Atlanta, with only Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus currently “in front” of him on the depth chart.
I’m a little bullish on the Falcons’ offense this year. I like the Kevin Stefanski hire a lot and think that Tua Tagovalioa couldn’t have found a better spot to try to revive his career. In fact, Tua could have found himself on this list. Branch was a screen merchant in college, and that doesn’t necessarily fit in a Stefanski offense, as he was ranked last in wide receiver screens called during his time with the Browns. Still, opportunity presents itself, and Branch has the skill to take advantage of it.
