5 players trending up

Including Tucker Kraft, Quinshon Judkins, and more.

September 16, 2025

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I’ve been staring at the back of the seat on my train home for 10 minutes trying to think of a clever intro for tonight’s newsletter… and I got nothing. The person sitting next to me must think I’m David Puddy.

Let’s dive into tonight’s insights.

Giddy up.

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TE - Tucker Kraft (GB)

  • Tucker Kraft delivered a breakout performance on Thursday Night Football, leading all Packers receivers with six catches on seven targets for 124 yards and a touchdown in their victory over Washington. His dominance became particularly evident after Jayden Reed's early exit with a shoulder injury.

  • The article positions Kraft as a potential top-10 tight end with top-five upside, citing his rare combination of size, speed, and opportunity in the Packers' offense. His performance suggests he could be emerging as a primary receiving option in Green Bay's passing attack.

  • The analysis gives Kraft the highest Heat Index rating of 5, indicating strong confidence in his potential to become one of the most valuable mid-to-late-round tight end selections of the season, particularly if the Packers continue to feature him prominently in their passing game.

RB - Quinshon Judkins (CLE)

  • Quinshon Judkins made a strong NFL debut with 10 carries for over 6 yards per rush and was announced as the Browns’ starter, already earning early-down and goal-line duties.

  • Despite only 19 snaps, Judkins outscored stars like Kyren Williams, Tony Pollard, Breece Hall, and Derrick Henry in Week 2, positioning him as a potential RB2 going forward.

  • Dynasty managers who bought at a discount this offseason are thrilled, with one host claiming Judkins could be a weekly lineup lock within the first half of the season.

RB - Travis Etienne Jr. (JAX)

  • Etienne Jr. has firmly established himself as the undisputed RB1 for Jacksonville, following a strong Week 1 performance that helped solidify his role. The trade of Tank Bigsby to Philadelphia further cemented Etienne's position as the lead back.

  • In Week 2 against the Bengals, Etienne continued his strong start with 16 total touches for 89 yards and a receiving touchdown, resulting in 15.9 fantasy points. His performance suggests he has regained his big-play ability after a down year in 2024.

  • The article positions Etienne as a must-start player in fantasy, noting that he should consistently see double-digit touches each week. His improved performance indicates a potential bounce-back year after struggling in 2024.

RB - Trey Benson (ARI)

  • Trey Benson has shown promising involvement in Arizona's offense, tying his career high with a 33% snap share in Week 1 while averaging 8.6 yards per attempt on eight carries for 69 rushing yards. His performance included three missed tackles forced and he finished third among all backs in explosive yards (52).

  • In Week 2, Benson's role remained substantial as he nearly matched James Conner's snap share (52%/46%) and exceeded Conner's totals in routes run (14/9), targets (6/1), receptions (4/1), and receiving yards (30/18). While he had fewer carries in Week 2, he maintained efficiency with 4.7 yards per attempt.

  • Benson is positioning himself as more than just a handcuff to James Conner, showing potential standalone value particularly in the passing game. His increasing usage on passing downs and steady approach to the threshold of standalone value makes him an attractive option for fantasy managers, especially those who roster Conner as Benson could operate as an RB1 if he becomes Arizona's primary back.

WR - Troy Franklin (DEN)

  • Troy Franklin showcased his potential in Week 2 with an impressive performance, catching eight of nine targets for 89 yards and a touchdown, resulting in 24 PPR fantasy points which ranked seventh-highest for the week. His target share was particularly notable, as he dominated the Broncos' passing game with nine targets while no other player received more than four.

  • Franklin demonstrated his versatility in the offense, making plays both downfield (including a 42-yard reception that highlighted his separation ability) and in the short passing game through screen passes. His route-running ability and physical presence have shown marked improvement from last season.

  • He has established himself as the clear No. 2 receiver for the Broncos, benefiting from his existing connection with Bo Nix from their college days. Sean Payton's offensive scheme has made Franklin a priority, utilizing him in multiple ways within the offense.

🤝 Want the latest insight on a player not featured here? Reply to this email with the player you’re interested in, and I’ll send you the newest insight we have on that player.

Yesterday’s poll results:

🥇 Best subscriber comment (BUY): “I think you need to get him at a discount now but that could work in your favor. Absolute worst case he’ll be a solid flex and Hunter becomes WR1. Most likely he’ll be a high end WR2 going forward just don’t pay the WR1 prices.”

Our take: As a BTJ manager in one league, I’m tempted to sell if I can get a WR1-type return. It’s the lack of hustle, shying away from contact, etc. that worries me most. However, all the underlying usage metrics look great, so I’m not panic selling. But if the right offer came along, I’d be okay moving on.

Today’s poll:

Which of these players are you most aggressively buying in dynasty?

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That’s all for today!

See ya pizza,

Joe

P.S. In case you missed it, catch up on our most recent newsletters below: