Several factors go into building a consistently elite dynasty team. One is knowing which players you should trade away before their fantasy value decreases. Let’s take a look at dynasty fantasy football wide receivers to trade away now.
DeVante Parker (WR – NE)
The Patriots traded for Parker, sending Miami a 2023 third-round pick for the veteran receiver and a 2022 fifth-round pick this offseason. However, that trade to New England doesn’t make Parker a fantasy superstar. He has struggled with injuries, missing 17.7% of the games in his career. Furthermore, he has only one year in his career with over 800 receiving yards or four receiving touchdowns. More importantly, Parker has finished outside the top-36 wide receivers every year but once in his career. Now is the time to trade away Parker while the hype around him still exists.
Tyler Boyd (WR – CIN)
Cincinnati lacks a clear sell candidate as most of their core is in their prime or haven’t entered it yet. However, the one player you should look to trade away is Boyd. The veteran receiver has been a solid PPR player for years, averaging 13.5 fantasy points per game since 2018. However, his fantasy points per game average have decreased by at least one point per game each of the past four years. With Chase and Tee Higgins as the clear top two weapons on the offense, Boyd’s long-term future with the Bengals is in doubt. Now is the time to trade him away before Boyd becomes a cap casualty next offseason.
Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
The Steelers have been one of the best teams at developing wide receivers in recent memory. However, they have typically let those wide receivers leave in free agency instead of re-signing them to long-term deals. Unfortunately, Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Furthermore, the Steelers used two picks in the 2022 NFL Draft on wide receivers. Not only is Johnson’s future in Pittsburgh in doubt, but he is also likely heading towards a regression 2022 season. After averaging 10.1 targets per game over the past two years, Johnson should see that number drop with the changes at quarterback and the new additions at wide receiver. Now is the time to trade Johnson, especially if you can land a 2023 first-round pick in return.
Kenny Golladay (WR – NYG)
Golladay was labeled an up-and-coming star wide receiver after averaging 15.5 PPR fantasy points and scoring 11 touchdowns in 2019. He then played only five games in 2020 with an injury. Rumor was Golladay was holding out as contract talks with the Detroit Lions were going nowhere. After signing a massive free-agent deal with the Giants, Golladay was expected to have a breakout 2021 season. Instead, he struggled with injuries and posted career lows in several areas, including zero touchdowns on 76 targets. While he could turn things around, those odds are low, and the Giants know it. Since giving Golladay a $72 million contract, the Giants have used two prime draft picks on wide receivers. Sell while you can.
Velus Jones Jr. (WR – CHI)
The Bears don’t have the most appealing offense on paper. Yet, they have several good young players, including Justin Fields, Darnell Mooney, and Cole Kmet. Thus, Chicago lacks a clear sell candidate. However, Velus Jones Jr. is the best option. He will see a high volume of targets as a rookie to warrant a late-round dart throw selection. However, the Bears have a projected $97.2 million in cap space next offseason. Short of a terrific rookie season, Jones could find himself buried on the depth chart next year. If you grabbed Jones in your rookie draft, be sure to trade him by the end of the year for a better draft pick in the 2023 rookie draft.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – DET)
Last year was a season of two halves for Amon-Ra St. Brown. Over the first 11 games, he averaged 4.7 targets and 7.6 PPR fantasy points per game. Then St. Brown averaged 11.2 targets and 25.2 fantasy points per game over the final six games of the year. While he improved as the year went on, St. Brown was force-fed targets to close out the season. The Lions lost T.J. Hockenson for the year in Week 13, while Swift missed time with an injury. Furthermore, the Lions added DJ Chark and Jameson Williams this offseason. St. Brown is a solid dynasty asset, but now is the time to sell high if possible.
DeAndre Hopkins (WR – ARI)
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.
Adam Thielen (WR – MIN)
Adam Thielen has been one of the better wide receivers the past five seasons, averaging at least 15 PPR fantasy points per game in four of them. Furthermore, he has averaged 947.5 receiving yards per season over the past six years. However, Thielen turns 32 years old before the start of the 2022 season. He has missed 22.5% of the games the past three years because of various injuries. With Jefferson becoming the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver on the team, Thielen has seen his target share drop the past two years. Thielen has also turned into a touchdown-dependent player recently. His touchdown rate in 2020 was 18.2%, while it was 14.7% last year. Now is the time to move on from the veteran receiver.
Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR)
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.
Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA)
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.
FantasyPros Staff Consensus Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
