What a Wild Card weekend. Man, we saw banger after banger. In the first three games, the trailing teams — Rams, Bears, and Bills — all stormed back with under two minutes to go and pulled off a win. The 49ers held off the defending champs and won a back-and-forth contest, and the Chargers and Patriots beat the snot out of each other in a 16-3 slobberknocker. It wasn’t all awesome, though … we don’t really need to get into Houston’s brutal beat down of Pittsburgh in what could be Aaron Rodgers‘ last game.
Still, gotta love the playoffs!
And through it all, I watched through a dynasty fantasy football lens to keep you informed on the impact these games have. This series will continue through the Super Bowl, so keep an eye out each week for more dynasty coverage.
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Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers
WR Jalen Coker, Panthers
Cokeheads, rejoice. After Saturday night’s breakout performance in a heartbreaking 34-31 loss to the Rams, Jalen Coker had his dynasty managers dancing like Jon Hamm in the nightclub meme. The second-year pro had his coming-out party in Carolina’s first playoff game since 2017, setting career highs in catches (nine) and receiving yards (134), while adding a touchdown for good measure.
In the process, Coker joined Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad as the only Carolina receivers with 130+ receiving yards and a TD in a playoff game. You’re talking about the top two receivers in franchise history — pretty elite company.
There was a clear chemistry on display between Coker and QB Bryce Young, who targeted his young wideout 12 times. And why not? In 101 career targets (including the playoff game), Coker has never dropped a pass as a pro. He made plays at all three levels and nearly helped the Panthers pull off the upset with a gorgeous over-the-shoulder grab in the back of the end zone with under three minutes to go.
Jalen Coker‘s 3-month Dynasty Value
After this performance, Coker should be locked into the Panthers’ WR2 role heading into 2026. He’s earned it. Undrafted out of Holy Cross, Coker has shown that good things happen when the ball comes his way. Young owned a 117.9 QB rating this season when targeting him, ninth-best among all WRs.
In fact, I’ve already seen the 24-year-old hit the trade block in a few dynasty fantasy football leagues. And it’s hard to blame his managers after a game like that. As for a price? I’m selling for an early second-round pick and buying for a mid-to-late second. I don’t particularly love trusting a pass-catcher tied to an unpredictable QB like Young. But Coker could provide decent flex production with an uptick in usage, especially in full PPR formats.
TE Colston Loveland, Bears
We saw another spectacular performance Saturday night. Not to be outdone by Coker’s statement game, Colston Loveland said, “Hold my beer.” The 10th overall selection was phenomenal in his playoff debut. How good? It was the second-most receiving yards by a rookie TE in NFL history.
Loveland was targeted 15 times and finished with 137 yards on eight catches, while also hauling in a crucial two-point conversion late in the game. For context, that yardage total eclipses anything future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce has ever achieved in his 25 career playoff games (134). Not too shabby.
Colston Loveland‘s Advanced Metrics
Going into the Divisional Round, Loveland was on an absolute tear over the past three weeks. He saw target totals of 10, 13, and 15, and he racked up 322 yards with two scores in that span. I know he was hampered by some injuries in training camp and early in the season, but his recent string of performances makes you wonder just why HC Ben Johnson waited so long to unleash this beast on opposing defenses.
Unsurprisingly, the dynasty fantasy football community was in a frenzy after Loveland’s outing. Forget lumping him in a tier with fellow rookies Tyler Warren or Harold Fannin Jr. — there is talk of how close Loveland should be to Brock Bowers and Trey McBride. Those guys are still the clear top two assets at the position. But if you want to rank him at the TE3 overall, I’m not going to argue.
In fact, yours truly paid up to acquire him shortly after the game. In one league where I’m the defending champ with some firsts to play with, I sent the 1.03 in this upcoming rookie draft and a projected late 2027 first-rounder for Loveland and a projected early ‘27 second-rounder. This is TE-premium scoring, of course, and I roster Caleb Williams in that league. What can I say, I love a good stack. I still have the 1.05, the 1.12, and my own ‘27 first, so I was happy to land an ascending 21-year-old talent who’s tied to an elite play-caller for what should be years to come.
If you want Loveland, you’re going to have to pony up. But as Rich Dotson from Dynasty Nerds likes to say, “An overpay today is an underpay tomorrow.” If Loveland keeps this up, the cost will have been well worth it.
WR Matthew Golden, Packers
After a disappointing rookie campaign where he didn’t score a single TD, Matthew Golden found the end zone in his first postseason game. Maybe he only shows out for the playoffs (see: his 2024 CFB box scores). He finished with four receptions for 84 yards and a score.
If the Packers don’t re-sign Romeo Doubs, Golden could see increased opportunities in 2026. Regardless, this sign of life was a step in the right direction.
WR Parker Washington, Jaguars
A major beneficiary of Travis Hunter going down, Parker Washington continued his hot streak in Sunday’s loss to the Bills. On 12 targets, Washington hauled in seven catches for 107 yards and a fourth-quarter score. From Weeks 16-18, Washington was the WR3, averaging 21.3 PPR points per game.
QB Trevor Lawrence has long favored attacking the interior areas of the field, which is where Washington thrives. If the Jaguars deploy Hunter more at cornerback in 2026, Washington could settle in as a weekly WR2/3 option.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Fallers
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots
This was not the playoff debut dynasty managers hoped for — or expected — from their explosive rookie back. After all, the second-round pick had two games with 140+ rushing yards and four multi-TD outings in his first season.
Instead, we got a dud. One TreVeyon Henderson will need to put in the rearview mirror and rebound from if he wants to help the Patriots keep advancing in the playoffs. He finished with a measly 27 rushing yards on nine carries and chipped in one catch for nine yards. That’s only 3.6 yards per touch. Gross. And honestly, it wasn’t even that good — Henderson was sitting on just 12 rushing yards before he sprung his final carry for 15 as New England ran out the clock with under two minutes remaining.
You know it’s a night to forget when your best highlight is a blitz pickup that allows QB Drake Maye to hit TE Hunter Henry for the game’s only touchdown.
TreVeyon Henderson‘s Advanced Metrics
Meanwhile, teammate Rhamondre Stevenson looked like the more explosive and complete back — for the second week in a row. He finished with 53 yards on 10 carries and caught three balls for 75 yards. That came just a week after Stevenson torched the Dolphins in the season finale, posting 153 total yards and three scores on just nine touches.
Despite what dynasty managers want, Henderson is not going to suddenly take over this backfield and become a 20-touch workhorse. HC Mike Vrabel won’t allow it. And Stevenson isn’t going anywhere, either, since he’s under contract for two more seasons.
If you want to buy, you might have a tiny opening. If the Henderson owner in your league is discouraged after this performance, I’d be happy to acquire him for the 1.07 or less. That said, if I already rostered Henderson, I’d be holding unless I received a clear overpay. He’s still young and tied to an on-the-rise MVP-caliber quarterback.
TE George Kittle, 49ers
What a bummer for George Kittle. Sadly, I knew what had happened the moment I saw his calf pop on the replay. Sure enough, the 49ers confirmed the two-time first-team All-Pro tore his Achilles. He’ll have a tough recovery, and at 32 years old, it’s fair to assume that Kittle’s days as an elite producer are now behind him.
However, if I’m a contender, I’d be okay floating a pair of third-round picks to acquire him. Kittle still has three years remaining under contract, so he’s not going anywhere as long as this injury doesn’t turn into a career-ender. Just make sure you have a pivot option for early in the season — or stash Jake Tonges — because there’s a high probability Kittle opens 2026 on the PUP list.
RB Rico Dowdle, Panthers
The end of the season was humbling for Rico Dowdle. He finished his 2025 regular-season campaign with a whimper, carrying the ball only seven times for 10 yards in the finale against Tampa Bay. His production didn’t rebound in the Wild Card round, either, as he managed only nine yards on five carries.
Dowdle is a free agent heading into 2026. Unfortunately, finding a starting job won’t be easy with several big-name backs also potentially hitting the market, including Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, and Travis Etienne. If you’re looking to buy in the hope he lands somewhere fruitful, start with a third-rounder and see if that gets it done. Just don’t overpay for the soon-to-be 28-year-old — production is not guaranteed next year.
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Wolf Trelles-Heard is a fantasy football contributor for PlayerProfiler. Find him on X at @DynastyFFWolf.
