Welcome to the Week 9 Dynasty Risers & Fallers. I highlight which players have had a huge rise or fall in their fantasy value this week.
Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers is one of the biggest topics in dynasty every season. It’s quick & easy to understand, translates to several different league formats beyond dynasty, and, most of all, it’s SEO-friendly. This season, Fantasy Sports Advice Network has allowed me to cover the biggest movers of our beloved fantasy football space each week! So without further ado, why don’t we talk about the players that made a splash (both good and bad) in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL Season!
Week 9 Dynasty Risers
Tucker Kraft, TE (Green Bay Packers)
Tucker Kraft has officially arrived as a fantasy football star, claiming both the Week 8 TE1 finish and the overall TE1 spot on the season. In a dominant performance, Kraft erupted for 9 targets, 7 receptions, 143 yards, and 2 touchdowns, cementing his role as the alpha in Green Bay’s offense. Once a promising prospect, the third-year tight end has now blossomed into a full-fledged playmaker, displaying elite chemistry with his quarterback and the ability to win at all levels of the field. His blend of size, athleticism, and reliable hands has made him the go-to option for the Packers.
The numbers back up his breakout — Kraft ranks second on the team in targets but leads Green Bay in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Across the league, he sits top 10 in nearly every meaningful category for tight ends, including targets, red zone usage, receptions, yards, touchdowns, yards after catch, points per game, yards per target, yards per reception, and even target separation. This all-around dominance shows he’s not just benefiting from opportunity — he’s creating his own production. With the Packers clearly building their passing game around him, Tucker Kraft is emerging as one of fantasy football’s true breakout stars of 2025.
Breece Hall, RB (New York Jets)
After a quiet start to the season with no 20-point fantasy performances, Breece Hall finally exploded in Week 8, putting up 30 fantasy points and finishing as the RB3 on the week. Hall dominated the Jets’ offense in their first win of the season, racking up 20 touches for 147 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and even a passing touchdown. With Garrett Wilson sidelined, the offense flowed entirely through Hall, showcasing his versatility and ability to carry the load as both a runner and a playmaker. It was a reminder of the elite talent that once made him a Dynasty RB1.
Statistically, Hall’s usage and efficiency have quietly been among the best in the league, even before his breakout. He ranks top 10 in carries, targets, rushing yards, yards per touch, and breakaway runs, evidence that the underlying metrics have been pointing toward a surge. Though he currently sits at RB15 in points per game, Week 8 could be the turning point that propels him back into fantasy stardom. With his combination of athleticism, volume, and proven big-play ability, Hall is a clear fantasy riser and could easily finish the season as a top-10 back if the Jets continue to feed him as their offensive centerpiece.
Troy Franklin, WR (Denver Broncos)
Troy Franklin has officially announced himself as a fantasy playmaker, exploding in Week 8 to finish as the overall WR1. Facing a Cowboys defense that’s been vulnerable through the air all season, the Broncos’ rookie wideout took full advantage, posting 6 receptions for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns while out-targeting and out-producing Courtland Sutton. His chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix—a connection that dates back to their Oregon days—is clearly translating to the NFL level, and it’s starting to look like Franklin is becoming the go-to option in Denver’s passing attack. With his blend of speed, route-running, and trust from his quarterback, Franklin’s breakout performance may be just the beginning.
Looking beyond the box score, Franklin’s season-long metrics suggest there’s even more upside still to come. Despite having just two fewer targets and four fewer receptions than Sutton, he already has one more touchdown, highlighting his growing red-zone role. He also ranks #6 in Unrealized Air Yards and #3 in Red Zone Targets, showing that his opportunities for big plays and scoring chances are both elite and still underutilized. As his rapport with Nix continues to blossom in Year 2, Franklin looks poised to emerge as a consistent fantasy asset with true WR2 potential for the rest of the season.
Week 9 Dynasty Risers- Honorable Mentions
Chase Brown, RB (Cincinnati Bengals)
RJ Harvey, RB (Denver Broncos)
Tyjae Spears, RB (Tennessee Titans)
Week 9 Dynasty Fallers
Matthew Golden, WR (Green Bay Packers)
After entering the season with plenty of hype as a first-round rookie, Matthew Golden has struggled to make a meaningful impact in Green Bay’s passing attack. In Week 8, he recorded just 4 receiving yards, ranking 10th among Packers pass-catchers, and was out-targeted by four other receivers, including Christian Watson, who just returned from injury. This year, Golden sits third on the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, but still hasn’t found the end zone. He’s also yet to post a game with more than 5 receptions or 90 yards, leaving fantasy managers frustrated as he’s fallen out of weekly relevance.
Part of Golden’s struggles stems from the Packers’ offensive structure — Jordan Love spreads the ball around too much for any one receiver outside Tucker Kraft to truly dominate. While the rookie has shown flashes of talent, ranking #7 in target separation and even #1 in contested catch rate, the volume simply isn’t there to support a breakout campaign. The underlying metrics hint at long-term upside, but for now, Golden looks more like a dynasty stash than a redraft contributor. His rookie season isn’t without promise, but it’s safe to say his fantasy breakout will have to wait.
Tony Pollard, RB (Tennessee Titans)
Tony Pollard’s fantasy stock continues to fall, as his 2025 campaign has been defined by inconsistency and a lack of explosiveness. Despite expectations that he’d be the clear lead back in Tennessee, Pollard has yet to post a single 15+ point game or even surpass 90 total yards in a contest this season. He currently sits at RB31 in points per game, a far cry from the mid-round fantasy value managers were hoping for. Week 8 was another disappointment — while Pollard saw 12 touches for just 53 yards, his teammate Tyjae Spears outperformed him with 12 touches for 82 yards and a touchdown, despite only recently returning from injury.
Perhaps most concerning for Pollard managers, Week 8 marked the first game where Spears played over 50% of the snaps, signaling that the Titans’ running back committee is officially back. Spears’ explosiveness and efficiency stand in stark contrast to Pollard’s lack of big plays, and if this usage trend continues, Pollard’s weekly floor and ceiling both take a hit. Once viewed as a solid RB2 with upside, he’s now looking more like a touchdown-dependent flex option in fantasy lineups. Unless he can regain his burst and reestablish himself as the clear lead back, Tony Pollard is trending in the wrong direction for the rest of the season.
Deebo Samuel, WR (Washington Commanders)
Deebo Samuel’s fantasy value has taken a noticeable hit in recent weeks, as the dynamic playmaker has struggled to produce in the Commanders’ offense. Over his last two games, Samuel has managed just 7 receptions for 26 yards and no touchdowns, a shocking downturn for a player known for his after-the-catch explosiveness. In Week 8, he mustered only 4 touches for 12 yards, with six different Commanders posting more receiving yards than him. The absence of Jayden Daniels has certainly played a role in the offensive slowdown, but Samuel himself has looked a step slower and less involved in the game plan. To make matters worse, Washington has removed him from kickoff return duties, limiting his fantasy upside in leagues that reward special teams production.
While Samuel has shown flashes of his old self earlier this season — including three games of 20+ fantasy points — the underlying numbers paint a concerning picture. He currently sits outside the top 32 wide receivers in key categories such as routes run, air yards, average depth of target, red-zone targets, receiving yards, yards per reception, and QB rating per target. Those metrics suggest his role has become increasingly shallow and inconsistent, making it difficult to rely on him as anything more than a boom-or-bust flex option. If the Commanders’ offense stabilizes once Daniels returns, there’s room for a rebound, but for now, Deebo Samuel is trending firmly in the fantasy faller category.
Week 9 Dynasty Fallers- Honorable Mentions
Will Shipley, RB (Philadelphia Eagles)
Cam Skattebo, RB (New York Giants)
Isiah Pacheco, RB (Kansas City Chiefs)
For more articles from FSAN, check out the Fantasy Football Home Page. If you loved this article, head over to FSAN Twitter and tell us what you think. Follow me on X and Instagram @JFootballtrell. You can also check out our Buy-Low & Sell-High video for more dynasty strategies.
You can also check out Corey Dozier & Kyle Dozier‘s Buys & Sells on this week’s episode of Fantasy Wall Street, available on the FSAN YouTube Channel.
