Are You Picking The Wrong Players? | Dynasty Fantasy Football Podcast Ep. 920
The hosts played a 'Pick Your Poison' game comparing dynasty players ranked next to each other across positions, debating Drake London vs. Malik Nabors, Mahomes vs. Jayden Daniels, Herbert vs. Fernando Mendoza, and several running back and wide receiver pairings. They closed with an 'Adjust the Ranks' segment moving players like Bryce Young, Omarion Hampton, Ladd McConkie, and Chuba Hubbard up or down based on recent usage trends.
This episode runs through Dynasty Nerds' recurring "Pick Your Poison" format—comparing players who sit back-to-back in dynasty rankings—before moving into "Adjust the Rank," where each host flags a player they're actively repricing. The throughline across both segments is that recent weeks have scrambled a lot of previously stable dynasty values, and the hosts spend most of the show talking themselves into and out of positions in real time.
The arguments
Drake London has overtaken Malik Nabors as the better dynasty hold, at least for this season. Garrett initially favored Nabors for his age, route-running polish, and recent output (112 yards and a touchdown), but Rich argued the Giants' quarterback situation (Jameis Winston, with JJ McCarthy potentially coming) is far worse than Atlanta's, where Michael Penix and Bill Callahan's offensive line are clicking. Garrett ultimately flipped to London, also citing Nabors' repeated injury history versus London's durability.
Quarterback rankings five through ten are functionally interchangeable right now. Mahomes (QB8) and Jaden Daniels (QB9) both got picked for Mahomes by all three hosts, but they admitted their personal rankings already have Mahomes higher than the show's board. Rich and Garrett revisited their preseason instinct to punt quarterback to rounds four-five (Purdy/Lawrence), noting that strategy would have paid off massively this year, and that Goff/Dak-style value plays remain the more reliable approach.
Kyle Monangai is the clear dynasty backup to own over Blake Corum. Matt and Garrett agreed Ben Johnson trusts Monangai in a committee role, pointing to D'Andre Swift's fumbling issues opening the door, while Kyron Williams' increased passing-game usage has made Corum (with the Rams) an afterthought.
Christian Watson is the better bet than Ladd McConkie for the rest of this season despite similar injury risk. Garrett reluctantly stuck with McConkie for long-term upside, but Rich moved to Watson, noting Green Bay is forced to throw constantly with a banged-up offensive line and bad defense, making Watson the de facto WR1 (currently WR5 on the year), while the Chargers' offense under Mike McDaniel looks disconnected.
Fernando Mendoza is drawing real believers over Justin Herbert, even with zero NFL stats. Garrett moved to Mendoza outright, impressed by Clint Kubiak's offensive structure in Las Vegas and skeptical of the "bad vibes" surrounding both the Chargers and Eagles this year. Rich held onto Herbert but admitted it was close, framing Mendoza's situation as a potential Mahomes-behind-Alex Smith learning curve.
Omarion Hampton has fallen hard enough that the hosts are split on his value. Rich moved him down to adjust-the-rank territory, citing a crowded Chargers backfield (Keaton Mitchell, Kamani Vidal) and tape that shows limited lateral agility. Matt countered that public consensus has Hampton even lower (RB11, roughly even with Bhayshul Tuten in a recent poll), and Rich said he wouldn't give Hampton away but would entertain moving him for a player like DeAndre Swift or Quinshon Judkins.
Chuba Hubbard deserves buy-in as a low-cost contender piece. Garrett is rising on Hubbard, arguing Carolina keeps failing to create a real timeshare and that Hubbard is outproducing Rico Dowdle's prior role with more explosive plays. He said he'd trade an early second-round pick for Hubbard if contending, framing him alongside Jameer Gibbs, Kenneth Walker, and Bijan Robinson as the only backs currently producing at an elite, reliable weekly level.
What it means for your roster
- Hold/buy Drake London over Malik Nabors in dynasty rankings right now; the quarterback situation gap (Atlanta vs. Giants) is driving the shift, not raw talent.
- Don't overpay at quarterback in startups; the hosts treat QB5-10 (Mahomes, Daniels, etc.) as roughly equivalent value, reinforcing a late-round or cheap-veteran (Goff/Dak-style) approach.
- Prioritize Kyle Monangai over Blake Corum as a speculative add in any Bears or Rams-adjacent handcuff situation—Ben Johnson's trust matters more than raw opportunity.
- Start Christian Watson over Ladd McConkie this season if you own both; McConkie is a longer-term hold, not a current-year lineup lock.
- Consider selling high on Omarion Hampton if you can still get a notable asset back (DeAndre Swift, Quinshon Judkins range); the backfield crowding concern is shared across the hosts even as they disagree on severity.
- Buy low on Chuba Hubbard if you're contending—Garrett's willing to spend an early second-round pick, arguing he's a cheap RB3/4 piece given Carolina's lack of a clear timeshare answer.
“Stop trying to make Blake Corum a thing. It's just not a thing.” — Garrett Price
Players in this episode
↓ Host significantly down on him, saying he doesn't look special in a messy three-headed Chargers backfield with Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal; close to even in a 50-50 dynasty poll vs. Bhayshul Tuten.
↑ Noted as heavily involved in the passing game, pushing Corum further down the pecking order.
↑ Preferred over Jalen Waddle despite injury, since hosts believe even at worst he'll match Waddle's production and likely exceed it once healthy.
↑ Hosts ultimately preferred London over Nabors this year due to QB uncertainty for Nabors, London's health/consistency, and strong route-running as a true alpha WR1.
→ Mentioned as returning with an arm brace; ranked right behind Mahomes but hosts leaned toward Mahomes anyway.
→ Seen as having a higher long-term ceiling and more age/draft capital value, but hurt by Giants' run-heavy offense and shaky QB situation (Jameis Winston/JJ McCarthy) plus injury history concerns.
↓ Named 'ugly player of the week' candidate's backfield mate situation—he was vultured in the red zone by Sean Tucker and Kenneth Gainwell, who scored the touchdowns instead.
↓ Hosts debated him vs. Fernando Mendoza; one host stuck with Herbert citing long-term belief despite Chargers' struggles, while another flipped to Mendoza due to concerns about Herbert's supporting cast and offensive environment.
↓ One host still likes him long-term and is 'buying the dip,' but another dropped him significantly (from WR15 to WR23) citing durability concerns and a disconnected Chargers offense.
→ Hosts chose Mahomes over Jayden Daniels, though one host now has Mahomes as low as QB5 in his own updated rankings, showing QB5-10 are close.
↓ Seen as not providing much difference-making production this season, part of a Dolphins offense hosts called full of 'bad vibes.'
↑ Hosts prefer him over Blake Corum, citing strong usage trust from Ben Johnson and ability to produce in both limited and heavy-workload roles; compared to David Montgomery's old role with Jameer Gibbs-type offense.
↑ Praised as the clear de facto WR1 in Green Bay alongside Golden, playing well and staying healthy, making him preferred over McConkie by one host.
↑ Rising in rankings as the clear lead back in Carolina every week; host would give up an early second-round pick to acquire him as a reliable RB3/4 for contenders.
↓ Called an afterthought behind Kyren Williams, with hosts joking 'stop trying to make Blake Corum a thing.'
→ Also named ugly player of the week for vulturing a receiving touchdown in the red zone from Bucky Irving.
↑ Praised for playing in a fun, well-coached offense under Clint Kubiak with Kirk Cousins mentoring him, drawing Herbert-comp optimism from hosts.
↑ Noted as currently QB3 in fantasy scoring and leading the NFL in passing yards, prompting a ranking bump.
→ Nearly out-touched Hampton, further muddying the Chargers backfield picture.
→ Led the Chargers backfield in carries and targets this past week, cutting into Hampton's role.
→ Named ugly player of the week for vulturing a rushing touchdown from Bucky Irving.