Hey Nerds! After an exciting start to the season, some players’ fantasy stock is on the rise due to injury opportunities while others’ have fallen due to poor performance. In this article, we dive into some “stock up” and “stock down” players from Week 5.
Running Back Fantasy Stock Up
Tank Bigsby 📈 | 8.6 FPPG | RB36 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #156 | Current Value – 2025 Early 2nd
In a shocking turn of events, Tank Bigsby out-snapped Travis Etienne 40% to 38%. The increased snaps were warranted as Bigsby was the more efficient back. Bigsby rushed for a career-high 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Bigsby is more than just a handcuff to Etienne managers as he now has stand-alone value. Bigsby continues to eat into Travis Etienne’s production and currently can be looked as a viable option for running back-needy teams
Wide Receiver Fantasy Stock Up
Brian Thomas Jr.📈 | 16.2 FPPG | WR9 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #64 | Current Value – Multiple 1st Rounds
Brian Thomas Jr. has been extremely impressive in his rookie year. Thomas Jr. has immediately stepped into the WR1 role for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He leads the Jaguars in receptions (22), receiving yards (397), and receiving touchdowns (3). Thomas leads all rookie wide receivers in receiving yards, and his 16.2 fppg is second only to Malik Nabers.
A main concern of Thomas’ coming into the NFL was his limited route tree at LSU. Thomas has silenced those concerns, and his expanded route tree has made him very difficult (and unpredictable) for opposing team’s defense.
Wide Receiver Fantasy Stock Up
Jalen Tolbert 📈 | 11.3 FPPG | WR31 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #N/A | Current Value – 2025 Late 2nd
Jalen Tolbert shined bright under the Sunday Night lights with a career night. Tolbert caught the game-winning touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers and led the Cowboys in targets (10) and receiving yards (87). Dallas is in desperate need of some playmakers outside of Ceedee Lamb and Jake Ferguson.
Tolbert saw his role elevated when Brandin Cooks was placed on injured reserve. Tolbert is an interesting option for fantasy managers as his production has already out produced Cooks’. There is a good chance that even when Cooks returns, Dallas will stay with Tolbert as their second receiving option.
Quarterback Fantasy Stock Down
Gardner Minshew 📉 | 11.1 FPPG | WR25 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #192| Current Value – 2025 4th
The Las Vegas Raiders are a mess. Las Vegas currently has a record of 2-3 and superstar wide receiver Davante Adams has asked to be traded. Their quarterback room also appears to be going through a makeover with Gardner Minshew being benched for Aidan O’Connell in the third quarter after throwing his second interception against the Denver Broncos.
Minshew has been less than spectacular, touting a stat line of 1,014 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions thru 5 games. Minshew also never had a weekly finish higher than QB19. After the game, head coach Antonio Pierce was less than committed to either quarterback. When asked if O’Connell would start against the Steelers next week, Pierce’s response was “I don’t know.”
Running Back Fantasy Stock Down
Ezekiel Elliott 📉 | 5.1 FPPG | RB54 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #216 | Current Value – Any 4th
Ezekiel Elliott has had a fantastic fantasy career. Elliott finished the season as a top 12 running back in 5 of his first 6 seasons. Unfortunately, those days are long gone. Since 2021, Elliott’s rushing numbers have decreased, including a career-low 3.4 yards per carry this year.
Ezekiel Elliott has not had a weekly finish higher than RB24 and has failed to rush for over 40 yards. His role in the Dallas offense appears to be diminishing as Rico Dowdle was granted the starting job against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Per Fantasy Points , Elliott has failed to have double-digit carries in 4 straight games and his 9.3% of snaps was the lowest of the season.
Running Back Fantasy Stock Down
Eric Gray📉 | 1.4 FPPG | RB80 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #N/A | Current Value – Any 5th
Fantasy managers were shocked to see Eric Gray receive the first snaps of the game while filling in for an injured Devin Singletary. However, Gray was very ineffective in his role, rushing for 4 yards on 4 carries which also included a fumble. Gray’s fumble which opened up an opportunity for 5th-round rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Tracy Jr. turned that opportunity into a 129 rushing-yard performance. Gray has had his issues with fumbling. During Gray’s 18-game NFL career, he has fumbled 5 times. Eric Gray also looks to have fumbled away the backup role in New York.
If you want a fun read, check out our First Round Rookie Mock for the 2025 NFL Draft presented by the Dynasty Nerds’ Film Room:
