In the ever-evolving world of fantasy football, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for long-term success, especially in dynasty leagues. Dynasty leagues require a unique blend of foresight and adaptability, as managers must not only consider the present but also anticipate future player performances. With this in mind, it’s time to identify valuable trade targets and determine which players to acquire and which to move on from in your leagues. To help you navigate these crucial decisions, we asked our featured analysts to break down a list of players to consider buying and selling in dynasty formats.
Whether you’re a seasoned dynasty manager or a newcomer looking to build a winning roster, our comprehensive analysis will provide you with the tools and insights needed to make informed decisions in your dynasty league.
- Thor Nystrom’s 2023 NFL Draft Primer: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Inside Offensive Linemen | Offensive Tackles | Inside Defensive Linemen | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties
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- NFL Draft Needs for Every Team
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Players to Buy and Sell in Dynasty Leagues
1. Which player are you looking to buy before the NFL Draft in dynasty fantasy football leagues and why?
Juwan Johnson (TE – NO)
“2022 was a big breakout year for Juwan Johnson with seven touchdowns, which at tight end was only beaten by George Kittle and Travis Kelce. Johnson scored most of his touchdowns with Andy Dalton under center, but we shouldn’t be worried that Derek Carr is the new Saints quarterback, as we’ve seen him keep Darren Waller productive during their time together in Las Vegas. The Saints are looking to have Michael Thomas back if he can stay healthy, along with the excellent Chris Olave, but outside of that there’s not incredible depth on this roster, and Johnson should retain his role and likely never see large amounts of defensive attention. His current value is a mid-first, which feels like a bargain compared to some tight ends who we’ve never seen produce. Given the choice of Johnson or the likes of Sam Laporta or Zack Kuntz, I’m taking the one who just scored seven touchdowns. ”
– Tom Strachan (NFL Best Ball)
Michael Pittman (WR – IND)
“The Colts are almost definitely upgrading at QB in the draft, and when they do, Pittman will see a value bump. What’s strange is that everyone knows the Colts are adding a QB, but they’re not bumping Pittman yet. I’m happy to buy him now before the draft and maybe even flip him once the community gets on board with his new higher value.”
– Andrew Hall (Dynasty Dorks)
Alexander Mattison (RB – MIN)
“This is a good time to deal for Alexander Mattison before everyone in your league realizes that the Vikings are likely to release Dalvin Cook and open the season with Mattison starting in the backfield. Cook is due to earn a base salary of $10.4 million, and the Vikings could save $9 million in salary-cap space by releasing him. Mattison, meanwhile, recently agreed to a team-friendly deal worth $7 million over two years. The Vikings will probably draft a running back if they release Cook, but with some extreme needs on both sides of the ball, they’re not likely to draft one before Day 3. Mattison is no star, but he’s a solid, well-rounded back, and opportunity is often more important than talent at the RB position. Mattison is about to come into a nice opportunity in Minnesota.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Jahan Dotson (WR – WAS)
“Last year’s draft class had several talented wide receivers. While Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Drake London got most of the attention, Jahan Dotson quietly led all rookies in receiving touchdowns (seven) despite missing five games and playing several others limited. Removing his first three games back from a nagging hamstring injury (where he played under 67% of the snaps in every contest), Dotson would have averaged 12.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game last year. Over a 17-game pace, he would have been the WR11. While the former Penn State star won’t be a WR1 next season, Dotson has massive upside that no one is talking about.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Cam Akers (RB – LAR)
“Los Angeles Rams RB Cam Akers is someone I am just buying in general. Akers went from the doghouse to the trade block to the RB4 in fantasy over the last six weeks of the season. And he accomplished that with a skeleton Rams offense around him. I don’t suspect L.A. will add too much competition in the backfield, if any at all, given the needs across the roster. And I am confident Akers has restored trust with Sean McVay. With a healthy Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp by his side, Akers could be a sneaky buy-low with upside. ”
– Matt Barbato (BettingPros)
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
2. Which player are you looking to sell before the NFL Draft in dynasty fantasy football leagues and why?
Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC)
“Going back as far as Week 16, Isiah Pacheco out-touched and outproduced Jerick McKinnon through the playoffs with 77 touches to McKinnon’s 43, with the team clearly wanting Pacheco to be the lead back. For the Super Bowl, Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a healthy scratch, even though he had been activated off IR days before. Unfortunately for Pacheco, the Chiefs have few holes on their roster, and if they are truly out on Edwards-Helaire. then it seems likely that they look to add another back in a draft where there is plenty of depth at the position. Pacheco has proven he deserves a role in this offense, but at pick 251 last year, he won’t preclude the team from upgrading should they get the chance. Pacheco’s current value is an early second-round pick, which feels like a good chance to move off a player with uncertainty facing him.”
– Tom Strachan (NFL Best Ball)
Tony Pollard (RB – DAL)
“It really worries me that the Cowboys let Ezekiel Elliott go because that frees them up to take another running back in the draft. That running back will likely be as good as or better than the aging Elliott and therefore could drastically cut into Pollard’s upside. I’m trying to get out before it’s too late wherever I can.”
– Andrew Hall (Dynasty Dorks)
Rashaad Penny (RB – PHI)
“I considered Rashaad Penny a sunk cost before the Eagles salvaged his dynasty value by signing him in free agency. There weren’t many landing spots that could have reinvigorated Penny’s value, but the oft-injured former Seahawk joins a top-drawer offense in Philadelphia and will operate behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. But Penny is going to be more of a supporting cast member than a lead actor if the Eagles draft a running back early, and it seems like a good bet they will. I think there’s a strong chance Eagles GM Howie Roseman grabs top RB prospect Bijan Robinson with pick No. 10, in which case Penny’s dynasty value turns to dust. Even if Roseman passes on Bijan, the Eagles would be likely to draft a running back with pick No. 30 or on Day 2, and that rookie RB would project to have a substantial role right away. If you have Penny on your dynasty roster, cash out now before the NFL Draft diminishes his value.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)
“Joe Mixon was the RB12 last year, averaging 15 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite missing three contests. However, the veteran running scored 25.4% of his fantasy points and 55.6% of his touchdowns in the Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Therefore, Mixon averaged only 12 fantasy points per game and had only four touchdowns in the other 13 games. More importantly, he played fewer than 60% of the snaps in all but one of the final seven games to end the year. While the Cincinnati Bengals lost Samaje Perine in free agency, expect them to use an early draft pick on a running back. Mixon will be in a split backfield next season and is a year away from being a salary cap casualty.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL)
“Rashod Bateman is a player I’d be looking to sell before the NFL Draft for a handful of reasons. The first being the obvious: There’s at least a small chance Lamar Jackson isn’t Baltimore’s quarterback by the end of night one of the draft. While it’s unlikely, I could see a scenario where Baltimore parts ways with Jackson to land a top-10 pick to draft their next franchise QB, and that would hurt Bateman’s already shaky fantasy stock. Even if Jackson remains, the Ravens already gave Odell Beckham $15 million guaranteed and could look to add more help at wide receiver in the draft. Combine that with Bateman’s inability to stay healthy and lack of production, and he’s someone I’m off of entirely.”
– Matt Barbato (BettingPros)
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