Several factors go into building a consistently elite dynasty team. One of those is identifying the top player on every NFL team. Another is knowing which players you should trade away before their fantasy value decreases.
Typically the starting quarterback is the top dynasty asset on every NFL team in Superflex leagues. However, they are rarely the premier asset in 1QB leagues. To help you build the best dynasty team possible, I will identify the top dynasty asset and sell candidate for every NFL team.
Today I breakdown the NFC West teams: the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
- Top Dynasty Asset & Sell Candidates: AFC East
- Top Dynasty Asset & Sell Candidates: AFC North
- Top Dynasty Asset & Sell Candidates: AFC South
- Top Dynasty Asset & Sell Candidates: AFC West
- Top Dynasty Asset & Sell Candidates: NFC East
- Top Dynasty Asset & Sell Candidates: NFC North
- Top Dynasty Asset & Sell Candidates: NFC South
The Top Dynasty Asset
One of the biggest storylines this offseason was Kyler Murray and a potential contract extension. While a deal is still in the works, there is optimism that an extension will get worked out, and Murray will be a Cardinal for a long time. Last year, he averaged a career-high 270.5 passing yards and 1.7 passing touchdowns per game. However, his rushing production took a hit because of injuries. While they lost Christian Kirk in free agency, the Cardinals traded for Murray’s former college teammate, Marquise Brown. Furthermore, they re-signed Zach Ertz and used their first draft pick on Trey McBride. While DeAndre Hopkins is entering the latter stage of his career, Murray has the weapons and rushing ability to be a top-five quarterback for years to come.
Cooper Kupp had a 2021 season for the record books. He was the triple-crown winner, leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,917), and receiving touchdowns (16). While he averaged a historic 25.9 PPR fantasy points per game, Kupp averaged 16.9 fantasy points per game in two of the previous three years with Jared Goff. More importantly, Kupp is the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver for the Rams but not alone in the receiver room. With Allen Robinson on the other side, it will keep defenses from throwing everything at stopping Kupp. Furthermore, Matthew Stafford and Kupp are under contract for the next several years, so expect elite production from both in 2022 and beyond.
After struggling with injuries during the 2020 season, Deebo Samuel had a breakout season in 2021. His 121 targets last season were only four fewer than his total in 2019 and 2020 combined. Furthermore, he had over 1,750 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns. Samuel’s ability to play wide receiver and running back is critical to the San Francisco offense. Early in the year, the 49ers needed Samuel at wide receiver. They used him more at running back when the injuries started to pile up later in the year. While there are some concerns given his injury history, Samuel is arguably the most versatile player in the NFL and a top-10 dynasty wide receiver.
While he lost his franchise quarterback this offseason, D.K. Metcalf remains one of the top young dynasty wide receivers. He has averaged 14.4 PPR fantasy points per game or more in back-to-back seasons. Furthermore, Metcalf has scored 22 receiving touchdowns the past two years despite having under 160 receptions. Last year, he averaged six targets and 17.2 fantasy points per game in three games without Russell Wilson. Surprisingly, Metcalf was the WR8 in PPR scoring during those three weeks. While his future in Seattle is unclear, Metcalf is one of the top young wide receivers in football. Now is the time to take advantage of the dip in his value and trade for Metcalf.
The Top Sell Candidate
Last year was a disappointing one for DeAndre Hopkins. He averaged 14.7 PPR fantasy points per game, his lowest average since 2016. Furthermore, Hopkins missed seven games because of injuries and had a career-low 572 receiving yards. Unfortunately, he will miss the first six games of the 2022 season because of a PED suspension. His situation took another hit when the Cardinals traded for Brown during the NFL Draft. Hopkins recently turned 30 years old and has shown signs of slowing down. Non-contending fantasy teams should trade Hopkins away around Week 5 or 6. Contending teams will become more interested in the veteran once his suspension is in the rear view mirror.
How can Kupp be the top asset and top sell candidate? The answer is that his value will never be higher than it is right now. The Rams threw the ball 607 times, the 10th most in the NFL. They had 420 rushing attempts, the ninth-fewest in the league by comparison. Furthermore, the Rams signed Robinson in free agency to a three-year deal. There are also reports that Odell Beckham Jr. will re-sign with the Rams sometime this offseason. Kupp had 57 more targets and six more touchdowns last year than his previous career highs. While you shouldn’t trade away Kupp in a panic move, now is the time to see if you can get a haul for the veteran.
While he is one of the best tight ends in the NFL, George Kittle has been somewhat frustrating in the fantasy football world. He has played a full season only once in his career. Furthermore, Kittle has missed 33% of the games the past two years because of injuries. After back-to-back years with over 105 targets, Kittle has totaled under 95 targets for two straight years. With the emergence of Samuel and the eventual move to Trey Lance at quarterback, Kittle’s role in the offense will take a hit. He has also struggled to find the end zone in his career, averaging a touchdown once only every 23.2 targets. While Kittle isn’t a must-sell, now is the time to move the veteran for a younger tight end and some draft capital.
Tyler Lockett has always been a frustrating player for fantasy football teams. While he has averaged at least 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game for three straight years, Lockett is very inconsistent weekly. He will score under 6.5 fantasy points one week and over 30 the next. Unfortunately, things turned for the worst this offseason for the veteran receiver. When the Seahawks traded away Wilson, Lockett’s fantasy value dropped immensely. He averaged 15.9 fantasy points per game with Wilson starting last year. By comparison, he averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game with Geno Smith. Hopefully, the Seahawks will trade away Lockett before the trade deadline. However, now is the time to move on from the soon-to-be 30-year-old wide receiver.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
