The first two weeks of the 2025 season have already given dynasty fantasy football managers plenty to think about. Before making any knee-jerk reactions it’s important to consider and review key lessons we’ve learned from the opening stretch of the season.

If dynasty managers were expecting fireworks from this year’s rookie running back class, the early returns have been sobering. The biggest takeaway so far is that talent alone doesn’t guarantee usage.

Omarion Hampton has landed in a Chargers offense determined to let Justin Herbert air it out. Through two weeks, Los Angeles has been among the league’s most pass-heavy teams, and Hampton has been more of a complementary piece than a featured runner. The workload isn’t bad, but the ceiling is capped until the offense commits to a balanced approach.

On the other side of the spectrum is TreVeyon Henderson in New England. After a preseason filled with hype about his burst and versatility, his role has been minimal through two games. The Patriots are still leaning on veterans while easing Henderson in, leaving dynasty managers frustrated by the lack of opportunity.

Even Ashton Jeanty, another highly touted rookie, has had trouble turning touches into consistent production. And yet, the rookies leading all backs in yards from scrimmage through two weeks aren’t Hampton, Henderson, or Jeanty — they’re Dylan Sampson and Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Both were stashed as afterthoughts in many leagues, but they’ve outperformed the “headliners” early.

The dynasty lesson here is clear: rookie RBs are rarely plug-and-play, even when the talent is obvious. Patience is needed for the big names, but managers who act quickly on surprise producers can gain an edge before the rest of the league catches up.

Running back handcuffs have always been a dynasty staple, but in today’s league, backup quarterbacks might be just as important. Through just two weeks of 2025, the fragility of the position has been on full display: Jayden Daniels may miss time, J.J. McCarthy is sidelined for a few weeks, and both Joe Burrow and Brock Purdy are already out for extended stretches.

In superflex formats, these injuries create ripple effects across entire leagues. Suddenly, quarterbacks who were sitting on waivers a week ago are worth legitimate trade capital. Depending on league depth and scoring, even a short-term starter can be flipped for a second or third-round rookie pick. That’s the kind of arbitrage opportunity savvy dynasty managers live for.

Not every QB2 is worth stashing, though. Zach Wilson doesn’t move the needle much in dynasty, but other backups have both the opportunity and talent to make a difference. Mac Jones, now in San Francisco, stepped in and finished Week 2 as a top-10 fantasy quarterback — the kind of plug-and-play production that can swing matchups. Jake Browning remains an important handcuff behind Burrow, while deeper stashes like Tyson Bagent in Chicago and Joe Milton, with his cannon arm and rushing upside, are the exact types of lottery tickets that can pay off big if injuries persist.

The dynasty lesson is simple: in superflex, quarterback scarcity turns select backups into real assets. The right ones aren’t wasted bench spots — they’re insurance, trade leverage, and sometimes the difference between surviving the season or falling apart.

If there’s one thing dynasty managers struggle with, it’s overreacting to small sample sizes. Two weeks of football can feel like a lifetime when you’re staring at your lineup or trade offers, but history shows us how dangerous it is to write narratives too early.

Just rewind to 2024. After Week 2, the league was buzzing about the “high-octane” New Orleans Saints offense. That didn’t last. The Panthers were supposedly in dire straits with Bryce Young looking overwhelmed — only for him to rebound under Dave Canales and finish the year strong. Even the Bears weren’t viewed as a complete trainwreck… yet. None of those early storylines told the real story of how the season played out.

The same lesson applies now. Rookie running backs struggling out of the gate doesn’t mean they won’t be difference-makers by November. A veteran wideout who looks washed in September could be posting WR1 numbers by December. And a quarterback who’s the butt of jokes in Week 2 might be leading playoff pushes by Week 10.

Dynasty is about zooming out. The truth of a season is told over months, not fortnights. Smart managers stay patient, avoid selling low in a panic, and use league overreactions to their advantage. Two weeks may light up Twitter, but they don’t define careers — or dynasty rosters.

Dynasty success is about staying one week ahead, not one year behind. Week 3 is where smoke signals turn into fires — whether that’s rookie RB patience, QB handcuff stashes, or resisting early-season overreactions. Take these lessons to the chalkboard and adjust your game plan before the rest of your league does.