Dynasty trending observations – Dynasty League Football

It’s the middle of the offseason, which means franchise tags, renegotiated contracts and more! Below are some of the bigger storylines on social media this week and how they could impact your dynasty plans.

In the Pitts

We have the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts Sr.https://t.co/68p41LEmmk pic.twitter.com/y55aAJXwW2

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) February 24, 2026

It’s taken several years, but Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts appears to have finally realized his potential. Pitts was taken fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and was the highest-ranked tight end in history, a record that still stands. That immediately created ridiculously high expectations for him and was literally a top three tight end in the Dynasty when it came to ADP before he took a professional snap. However, he seemed to live up to them after his rookie season, where he topped 1,000 receiving yards and made the Pro Bowl.

However, it all went downhill from there. He missed half of his sophomore season due to injury before returning to full health the following two seasons, but failed to surpass 700 receiving yards in either season. In terms of fantasy scoring, he was still in the top-12, but only because of the lack of other relevant players at the position. With his rookie contract set to expire after the 2025 season, Pitts had a lot to play for and came through. He totaled 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns and finished the season as a top-three fantasy tight end, his best finish ever. It made the Falcons’ decision to franchise him an easy one, but what does it mean for his dynasty value to spend at least another year in Atlanta?

Impact of the dynasty: Those who have had Pitts on their dynasty roster throughout his career have experienced a range of emotions.

From an elite option at the position to one on the TE1/TE2 line, Pitts is back to being a guaranteed starter in your dynasty league. However, it is also possible that he is undervalued. Remember, former Falcons coach Arthur Smith was believed to be to blame for holding back Pitts’ production. When Atlanta hired Raheem Morris as head coach, Pitts was more involved than ever. The Falcons now have Kevin Stefanski as head coach, which should benefit Pitts even more. Last year in Cleveland, Stefanski’s offense yielded 155 goals to rookie tight end Harold Fannin and veteran David Njoku, while Fannin led the team with 107. Granted, the Falcons have a much better receiving corps than the Browns, but Pitts is a big part of it.

Using our DLF Trade Analyzer, Pitts is currently valued as a low-end first-round rookie pick or even an early second. Those costs increase in TE premium leagues. Both should be considered worthwhile for Pitts, who was an elite tight end option despite the back and forth at quarterback last year.

Rags to Rich(es)

NEWS: The Indianapolis Colts have allowed QB Anthony Richardson to seek a trade given his uncertain future in Indy, ESPN has learned.

Story coming soon https://t.co/5nxkndQ3MZ.

— Stephen Houder (@HouderStephen) February 26, 2026

In what has become an annual tradition, we have another highly skilled quarterback who failed to live up to the hype and will leave his original team. In this case, it’s Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson – the former fourth overall pick – who coincidentally was replaced by another highly ranked quarterback in Daniel Jones. Jones was brought in after his own failure in New York, with a brief stop in Minnesota, and promptly won the starting job in Indianapolis, where he led the Colts atop the AFC standings before tearing his Achilles tendon. Jones’ injury could have led to another opportunity for Richardson, except he was already on IR thanks to an injury suffered weeks earlier during pre-game warmups.

Injuries were a common theme for Richardson in Indianapolis, as he played in only seventeen games in three years (the most in one full regular season). It also prevented him from gaining any momentum as a pro, where he had dismal fantasy stats: 11 passing touchdowns to 13 interceptions and only four games in which he threw for more than 200 yards. He rushed for ten touchdowns, but also lost four fumbles.

It’s good for Richardson’s fantasy managers that he’ll get a chance elsewhere, now that the door seems closed in Indianapolis. But what does it do for his dynasty value?

Impact of the dynasty: Unlike Kyle Pitts’ dynasty value above, Richardson’s is pretty much in a straight line downward.

But like the previous examples of highly touted quarterbacks finding success elsewhere, Richardson’s future value will depend on where he ends up. The reason quarterbacks like Jones or even Super Bowl-winning quarterback Sam Darnold ultimately regain their dynasty value is the team and coaches they end up with. That’s unknown at this point for Richardson, but at the same time his value is so low that you might be able to pick him up for nothing and take the chance of him bouncing back.

According to our DLF Trade Analyzer, Richardson is worth a late-round rookie pick even in super-flex leagues. If your league has bigger rosters and you have the space or even a taxi squad, Richardson would be a good flyer.

To be (a Cowboy) or not (a Cowboy)… that is the question.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met with George Pickens in Dallas on Thursday before flying to Indy for the Scouting Combine on Friday. Jerry Jones wanted to let Pickens know firsthand about the tag and how much the Cowboys valued him and wanted to keep him, according to vice president Stephen… pic.twitter.com/lm5GtnO1lZ

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 27, 2026

Finally, George Pickens’ potential was unleashed in fantasy leagues. After being traded to Dallas before the 2025 season, Pickens finally found himself in an offense that could maximize and take advantage of his talent (while also benefiting from a brief CeeDee Lamb injury). Pickens obliterated his highs from last season by totaling 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns and finishing as a top-five wide receiver.

It was the kind of season his dynasty managers envisioned when he was in Pittsburgh, but couldn’t quite come up with. Lacking a quarterback on Dak Prescott’s level and an offense that wasn’t exactly vertical, Pickens would never break out for the Steelers. It’s partly the reason he was traded, as his rookie deal expired after 2025 and Pittsburgh wanted to get the most out of him. In retrospect, giving up a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick for Pickens (and a sixth-round pick) was a steal. And with the news of the franchise tag above, Dallas will (probably) be able to benefit from his services for at least another season. So how does being a Cowboy in 2026 impact his dynasty value?

Impact of the dynasty: Even with the news that the 2026 salary cap for the NFL would exceed $3 trillion, the cost of having both Pickens and Lamb on your team is high. Together, and assuming Lamb’s contract isn’t amended and Pickens isn’t extended, the receivers’ combined cap hit will be a staggering $65 million, or more than 20% of the full cap for two players at the same position.

For that reason, and for the managers of Picken’s dynasty, it would be better if the two were separated. Despite being hurt for a few games and apparently taking a back seat in the passing game to Pickens, Lamb topped 1,000 yards but was hardly a top-25 fantasy receiver. Something has to give.

If you are currently a Pickens manager, now is a good time to sell high. His future is uncertain, and his current Dynasty ranking of 14, according to our DLF rankings, appears to be a top ranking. Using our DLF Trade Analyzer, Pickens can get you a high rookie pick in the first round (where you can draft a premium rookie receiver) and then some.