The final week of NFL Preseason has concluded, and with it behind us, we can now draw our final conclusions before the beginning of the 2025 regular season. Many players have risen and fallen in terms of dynasty value, so make sure to check out the previous two installments of this series!
Many transactions shaped this list, including trades and cuts. The landscape of the NFL is shifting rapidly at the moment due to roster cuts, creating constant change in the dynasty community.
Some deep sleepers will be hitting free agency, while others find more permanent homes with their respective teams. Preseason football is important because it gives coaches a view of players on the roster bubble, allowing them to earn roles ahead of the regular season.
Some of these players could end up being vital to their offenses, so it’s important to keep tabs on the most productive players. Let’s get into a list of the top three risers for dynasty fantasy football after Week 3 of the NFL Preseason! To find out the top risers from Week 2 of the 2025 NFL Preseason, check out this article!
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB, WAS)
Chris Rodriguez Jr. is one of the direct beneficiaries of the Commanders’ decision to trade starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Austin Ekeler are two players set to take on the lead role in the backfield in 2025, but Rodriguez could present sneaky value to dynasty managers.
Rodriguez is the heaviest player in this backfield at 224 lbs, meaning that he could be an early candidate for goal-line work to start the season. It would make sense to give him goal-line touches because his profile should allow him to get into the end zone more easily than some of the other members of this backfield.
If he’s given a chance to earn this type of role, the touchdowns he scores could end up driving up his dynasty value, making him a huge sleeper candidate to finish as a top-30 running back in 2025.
It’s best to take a proactive approach when targeting sleepers, adding them as the first spark of hype is formed. This way, they’ll already be on your roster by the time they settle into a true role. Now is the perfect time to buy into Chris Rodriguez in dynasty leagues. Everyone is understandably focused on Jacory Croskey-Merritt, making the other members of this backfield underrated.
If Rodriguez becomes a regular contributor, you’ll be glad you added him off of waivers this early in the offseason.
R.J. Harvey (RB, DEN)
R.J. Harvey is now one step closer to receiving starter-level volume after Denver’s release of 2024 fifth-round pick Audric Estime. While this isn’t a huge move, that’s one less young running back to be given carries, especially on the goal line.
Harvey was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and will likely see a healthy amount of volume this season after a strong showing over the past three weeks. I would be surprised if Harvey isn’t the starter for this team by the end of the season, considering the investment Denver spent to bring him in.
The only other running back who will get significant volume on this team is J.K. Dobbins, who was brought in on a one-year, cheap contract late into the offseason. While the veteran may split carries with Harvey out of the gate, I expect the second-round pick out of UCF to separate himself sooner rather than later in this backfield and establish himself as one of the top playmakers on a rapidly ascending offense in Denver.
R.J. Harvey is set up for success in 2025, and Estime’s release and a strong preseason showing should help secure a solid debut campaign. I could see him developing into at least a dynasty RB2 for teams very quickly. He just needs the volume, and I think he’ll get it.
Isaac TeSlaa (WR, DET)
A surprise selection in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Isaac TeSlaa has had one of the best preseasons of any rookie over the last three weeks. The Arkansas product has logged 10 receptions, 146 receiving yards, and three touchdowns across three weeks of action for Detroit so far. If he continues to impress, he could become the Lions’ WR3 quicker than most expect.
TeSlaa has flashed as a deep threat, something that could earn him snaps early on in his rookie season. The Lions aren’t afraid to throw the ball downfield, and this offensive tendency should benefit the rookie wideout.
I was confused by this draft selection at first, but it’s hard to see TeSlaa not developing into a productive receiver in some capacity, even if he’s not a high-volume option right away. A third-round pick is decent capital for a receiver, showing that Detroit is hoping that the rookie will be a difference-maker down the road.
Overall, TeSlaa has been one of the most impressive rookies throughout the 2025 NFL Preseason, earning a role in Detroit’s offense in the process and making himself a massive sleeper in dynasty leagues in 2025.
Mason Tipton (WR, NO)
After not being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, former Yale wideout Mason Tipton signed with the New Orleans Saints ahead of last season. During his rookie year, Tipton registered 14 receptions for 99 yards in 11 games, which isn’t extremely impressive. However, Tipton is having perhaps the best offseason of any receiver in dynasty fantasy football.
Tipton has emerged as a big-play threat and could make waves in a wide-open Saints wide receiver corps. If he’s given opportunity and volume, New Orleans could end up seeing if Tipton is able to compete for a starting spot.
It’s a low-risk, high-reward move to add him to the end of your bench, which is a similarity shared by many of the players on this list. Even with what will undoubtedly be bad quarterback play, Tipton will have the chance to carve out a role as the team’s WR3 in competition with veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Overall, Tipton is in a bad situation, but could earn a spot this year.