With all eyes on the NFL playoffs, players’ dynasty fantasy football values can exponentially soar. Look no further than Xavier Worthy last season, who climbed from WR27 on KeepTradeCut at the end of the regular season to WR20 by the conclusion of the playoffs. This series will profile three players each week who have a chance to skyrocket up the dynasty rankings with great performances in the NFL playoffs. This week, for the Championship Round we focus on Kenneth Walker, Kayshon Boutte, and Sam Darnold.
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Dynasty Fantasy Football Players To Watch: Championship Round
RB Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker was in a frustrating time share all season with teammate Zach Charbonnet. The backs essentially had a 50/50 split in opportunities, with Walker posting a 51.3% Opportunity Share compared to Charbonnet’s 44.5% Opportunity Share. Both backs also finished in a dead heat in fantasy points per game: They each averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game. Charbonnet functioned as the team’s primary goal-line back, seeing 54 red zone touches compared to Walker’s 36. However, Walker was much more efficient during the season, averaging 3.37 Yards Created per Touch, compared to Charbonnet’s 2.99 Yards Created per Touch.
In Seattle’s first playoff game, the backs continued to split the workload evenly until the second quarter, when Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL. This allowed Walker to see a season high with 22 opportunities, posting 145 total yards and three touchdowns. With Charbonnet hurt, Walker is set to be a bell cow back from the Seahawks for as long as their playoff run continues. He should also feed off a Rams opponent whom he has scored at least 20 fantasy points against in both of their prior meetings this season. Even if the Seahawks lose to the Rams this weekend, Walker’s dynasty value is set to soar as previously discussed by Wolf Trelles-Heard. He is a free agent after this season, and he will either find himself back on the Seahawks as a bell cow with Charbonnet still recovering or potentially in an even more lucrative fantasy situation next season.
WR Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots
Kayshon Boutte has functioned as the Patriots’ downfield threat all season long. He is fifth among qualified receivers with a 17-yard ADOT and has been extremely efficient with his opportunities, posting a +21.2 Production Premium which ranks second among qualified receivers. He also tops the league with a 133.2 QB rating when targeted and 2.7 fantasy points per target. Boutte cashed in on another long ball opportunity this past week, catching a 32-yard touchdown pass and leading the Patriots in receiving with 75 yards.
Kayshon Boutte Efficiency Metrics
Boutte draws a tough matchup against a stout Broncos secondary this weekend in the Championship round. However, if he can overcome this tough matchup, his dynasty value will continue to creep upward. It was only four seasons ago that a stellar playoff performance from a similarly used player in Gabriel Davis made Davis a trendy early redraft pick and a player dynasty managers were clamoring to acquire. This weekend will tell if Boutte can follow in Davis’ footsteps as a huge playoff riser.
QB Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold was left for dead by dynasty players after a horrific end to his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings last season. Per KeepTradeCut’s Crowdsourced Dynasty Rankings, Darnold was valued as the QB25 in March of this year, just before signing a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks to take over as the team’s starting quarterback. Darnold has parlayed this opportunity into both real-life success — with the Seahawks on the precipice of a Super Bowl berth — and fantasy success. While he finished as just the QB22 in fantasy points per game, he was the QB13 overall. He was extremely efficient as a passer with a 102.3 True Passer Rating (10th among qualified quarterbacks) and 7.8 Adjusted Yards per Attempt (fifth among qualified quarterbacks). His fantasy production likely would have been better if the Seahawks weren’t consistently in positive game scripts and overly reliant on running the football.
Darnold is now only two wins away from hoisting a Lombardi trophy. If he is able to play well this week, he will likely insulate his dynasty value as the Seahawks ‘ long-term starting option. Darnold is a player to get ahead on in Superflex and 2-QB formats as he will likely provide consistent floor-level production through his contract. However, if his value skyrockets due to a Super Bowl berth, he could be a smart player to trade away for a higher ceiling asset.
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