With free agency winding down and the NFL Draft upcoming, there’s still a lot of change coming to the fantasy football landscape. The key to winning dynasty deals is to trade for someone when their value is relatively low and send them away when their value is near or at its apex. With the league’s roster situation still in flux, you have the added dynamic of making speculative moves based on what you think might happen, which adds another fun layer of complexity.
That said, it can be tough to decide who you’re targeting and selling, considering the generally uncertain state of each team and player’s situation right now. Fortunately, our featured analysts have come to offer their suggestions on which trade candidates you’d be wise to buy or sell in dynasty fantasy football leagues.
Which player are you buying now in dynasty leagues and why? Also, what are you willing to give up to get him?
Najee Harris (RB – PIT)
“Some managers may not be willing to sell, but it’s worth inquiring about Najee Harris. First, it’s important to remember that Najee was the RB14 or better in 50% of his games since week 7 last year. Now, with Arthur Smith’s run-heavy scheme in place and few receiving weapons to speak of in Pittsburgh, Harris is set to lead a backfield that will profit from capable QB play and a ground-and-pound mentality. I’m gonna have Harris locked in for double-digit TDs this season, and I’ll take the over on the 285 touches he had last year. It’s possible he can be had for a mid 2nd round pick at this point, so go find out.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)
“Sell the farm to get Brandon Aiyuk. There’s a good chance that either Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel gets dealt in a trade, putting Aiyuk into a real-life WR1 position in more ways than one. In the FantasyPros trade value chart, Aiyuk is at 58 value points as the WR15. Equivalent or less than the values of Puka Nacua, Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle, Drake London, and DeVonta Smith. I’d move any of those WRs for Aiyuk after he finished inside the top-5 in yards per route run in 2023.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)
“Jaylen Waddle is coming off a relatively disappointing WR33 PPR finish last year. But he missed three games and parts of a few more. His 2.52 yards per route was actually a career-high and ranked eighth among 84 qualifying WRs — just behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and right ahead of Keenan Allen and Mike Evans. Waddle is tied to an offensive mastermind in Mike McDaniel. And 30-year-old Tyreek Hill won’t be around forever. Now’s a rare chance to potentially acquire an elite, 25-year-old WR to anchor your dynasty team for the next 5+ seasons.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)
Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL)
“Darnell Mooney had a breakout season in 2021, ending the year as the WR24, averaging a career-high 10.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Despite playing with Justin Fields, Andy Dalton, and Nick Foles, Mooney had over 1,000 receiving yards. While his production fell off a cliff the past two years, Mooney is prime to bounce back in Atlanta. Kirk Cousins has been outstanding for his wide receivers, producing two top-12 guys in the same season twice over the past six years (2018 & 2020). Mooney likely won’t be a top 20 wide receiver but easily could finish as a WR3 next season. I would happily trade a third-round rookie pick for Mooney.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
“The Falcons ponied up for the best QB in free agency when they went out and signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a huge deal. Captain Kirk will be the best QB Kyle Pitts has ever played with, and the upgrade should help the Falcons’ offense boldly go where no man has gone before: The end zone ha ha! Atlanta also changed the coaching staff (new head coach Raheem Morris and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson), which should lead to a more pass-oriented offense. Pitts was unstoppable in college, and as long as he and Cousins can stay healthy, it’s logical to think that Pitts will not only dominate this season but for many years to come. “Helm, lock phasers on Kyle Pitts (Ringo’s favorite dynasty target in 2024)…..Fire Mr. Sulu!” WHO AM I WILLING TO GIVE UP FOR HIM? Mark Andrews, Trey McBride, Jordan Addison, Brandon Aiyuk, James Cook, D’Andre Swift, Kenneth Walker III, or Sam LaPorta (*note- for LaPorta, I’d try to get Pitts plus a throw-in player).”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Jayden Reed (WR – GB)
“Jayden Reed is coming off a rookie season in which he totaled 64 receptions for 793 yards on 94 targets. All that production came while battling his way up the Packer’s depth chart. Heading into his second season, it’s now clear that he is the Alpha in the wide receiver corps and will be the number-one target for breakout quarterback Jordan Love. Despite totaling just under 800 receiving yards and finishing as WR25 as a rookie in a crowded receiving room, he finds himself sitting at WR30 overall in ECR. Reed will finish as a top-20 receiver in 2024, and I would gladly take him straight up over the majority of the receivers in his tier, which is populated mostly by aging veterans. Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, Mike Evans, and Amari Cooper are just a few of the aging receiving I would look to move on from before the second-year Reed breakouts and his value skyrockets.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Football Universe)
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA)
“Kenneth Walker III was a beloved prospect in 2022, but the market seems to have cooled on him, and I’m not sure why. When Walker came into the league, there were some NFL Draft and fantasy analysts who liked him as much as Breece Hall. Walker has averaged just under 80 scrimmage yards per game in his first two NFL seasons and has scored 18 touchdowns in 30 games. Maybe the presence of Zach Charbonnet in the Seattle backfield has people nervous about Walker’s workload, but Walker averaged 16.5 touches a game last year — about twice as many as Charbonnet. Seattle was the fifth pass-heaviest team in the league last year and could seek a healthier run-pass balance under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. I’d be willing to give up Rashee Rice, Tee Higgins or Jaxon Smith-Njigba for Walker.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Alex Singleton (LB – DEN)
“In IDP Dynasty leagues, I am targeting Denver Linebacker Alex Singleton. Singleton signed a three-year contract last season and could be a Bronco until 2025. The Broncos are rebuilding, and I don’t expect their offense to have the ball much this season. The opportunities for the tackling machine that is Alex Singleton should be phenomenal these next two seasons. Since arriving in Denver in 2022, Singleton has 160+ combined tackles in his last two seasons.”
– Mason “Mase” Riney (Fantasy Six Pack)
Jaleel McLaughlin (RB – DEN)
“I’m trying to get Jaleel McLaughlin tossed into any dynasty trade I’m making right now. Last year, he was electric with every touch he earned. Among all running backs with at least 50 rushing attempts or 20 targets, McLaughlin ranked 14th in explosive run rate, fifth in missed tackles forced per attempt, fourth in yards after contact per attempt, and fourth in yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Yes, Javonte Williams remains in Denver and will factor into this backfield, but McLaughlin is an explosive player who could easily own the passing downs this season (if he can prove himself as a pass protector) while also factoring in on early downs. If he can earn Payton’s trust, don’t rule out him leading the backfield in touches this season. I’d trade a 2024 third-round rookie pick for him straight up or try to get him tossed into a trade. ”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Which player are you selling now in dynasty leagues and why? Also, what kind of return are you looking for?
Javonte Williams (RB – DEN)
“If I had any shares, I’d be getting out from under Javonte Williams immediately. Though it’s not clear who will be under center for the Broncos this season, it’s currently a competition between Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. We also know that Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin are set to steal touches from Williams in an offensive mess orchestrated by Sean Payton and Joe Lombardi. Do I think Williams will get plenty of work? I do. But if he’s getting it in an offense run by Stidham or a non-top 4 rookie QB, I’ll happily sell him for an early 2nd or a veteran back, like Aaron Jones+ to try and recoup some of his still-falling value.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
“Jaxon Smith-Njigba disappointed as a rookie, but the hope is he will get more opportunities in 2024. However, there’s still a lot of target competition on this offense between DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. while Seattle also brought back tight end Noah Fant. Even in a newer offensive scheme, should we just assume JSN is going to breakout…feels like a expected breakout is already baked into his WR20 dynasty ADP (WR41 in 2024 best ball ADP), when it still looks like a challenge for him to get over. There are still enough believers that you can get a decent return on youthful Smith-Njigba and not risk him falling flat in Year 2. Young players in his redraft ADP range who are much cheaper dynasty assets include Zay Flowers, George Pickens, Jayden Reed, Brian Thomas Jr., and Christian Watson. Easily would move JSN for a top-7 pick in this year’s rookie class.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC)
“Quentin Johnston looked like a boom-or-bust prospect coming into the league and has slid clearly over to the bust side after mustering just 0.88 yards per route as a rookie (79th among 84 qualifiers). The departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams should have at least one owner in your dynasty league excited to acquire “the Chargers’ No. 1 WR.” Unload him now.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)
Josh Jacobs (RB – GB)
“Josh Jacobs signed a massive four-year deal with the Green Bay Packers in free agency, improving the veteran running back’s dynasty trade value. However, the Packers can easily get out of his contract after the 2024 season, essentially making it a one-year deal with three team options. Jacobs was outstanding in 2022 but severely regressed last year, seeing his yards per rushing attempt decline by 29%, his explosive run rate slip by 52%, and his yards after contact per attempt drop by 29% (per Fantasy Points Data). If you can acquire a short-term veteran like Joe Mixon or James Conner and a second-round rookie pick for Jacobs, that’s a smash-accept offer.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
James Cook (RB – BUF)
“James Cook’s currently ranked around the RB11-RB14 range. That’s pretty high for a running back who only scored two rushing TDs in seventeen games in 2023. Here’s the thing: Ringo just doesn’t see it getting much better. Josh Allen vultures too many TDs at the goal line and even if Cook were to be traded, he’s still only 190 lbs. Short yardage isn’t his strength. Add in the fact that Allen is likely to run if under duress rather than pass it to his running back, and the only apron Ringo is wearing this summer for grilling season is “Kiss the Cook Goodbye,” ha ha! WHAT KIND OF RETURN ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I would trade James Cook straight up for any of the following players: Kyle Pitts, Brock Bowers, Isiah Pacheco, or George Pickens. I’d also consider a package deal…something like: James Cook for RB Trey Benson and a throw in player (for ex. WR Jermaine Burton, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, WR Brendan Rice, or WR Luke McCaffrey); or a similar package offer for RB Jaylen Wright and a throw in player.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Christian Watson (WR – GB)
“Doubling down on my buying low on Jayden Reed is my selling high on Christian Watson. During his first two injury-plagued seasons, Watson has finished as WR68 and WR41. Despite never finishing anywhere near as high as Reed did in 2023, he sits only in the same tier as Reed at WR39. If you go by Fantasy Pros Dynasty ECR, I would have to go all the way down to WR61 and Elijah Moore to find a receiver that I wouldn’t trade straight up for Christian Watson. Reed is the star in Green Bay, it’s time to sell of Watson before his value fully craters.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Football Universe)
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND)
“Michael Pittman has averaged 10.0 yards per catch and 7.0 yards per target over the last two years. He’s scored four touchdowns in each of his last two seasons, and he has 15 touchdowns in 62 career games. The heavy target volume is nice, but he doesn’t hit on a lot of big plays, and he doesn’t score many TDs. We probably shouldn’t count on heavy passing volume for a Colts offense that features a dynamic running QB in Anthony Richardson and one of the best pure runners in the game in Jonathan Taylor. Also, the Colts are most likely taking a wide receiver or — if he falls that far — TE Brock Bowers with the 15th pick in the NFL Draft, so Pittman is going to have additional target competition. I’d happily take pick 1.07 or 1.08 in a Superflex rookie draft for Pittman. If I had Pittman on a roster with WR firepower to spare, I’d be willing to swap him for Kenneth Walker.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Patrick Queen (LB – PIT)
“I want to trade away newly signed Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Patrick Queen in IDP Dynasty leagues as I feel his fantasy football value hasn’t ever been higher. Queen was inked to a three-year deal with the Steelers. However, there is a potential out in Queen’s contract for the team after the 2024 season, as Queen’s contract goes from a six million dead cap this season to $17 million in dead cap in 2025 & 2026. This season will be Queen’s shot to prove his abilities without a star linebacker aside from him, and the Steelers haven’t had a top-10 fantasy finishing linebacker not named T.J. Watt since before 2016.”
– Mason “Mase” Riney (Fantasy Six Pack)
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)
“Put Calvin Ridley on the block now. As the ink was drying on his new deal with Tennessee, I was attempting to move him everywhere. Ridley enters his 30-year season with two years of certainty regarding how his contract is structured. The positive selling points for Ridley are his WR27 finish last year and the fact that he closed the season with WR1 weekly scoring outings in four of his final eight games. The reality is that last year, among 105 qualifying wide receivers, he ranked 52nd in yards and first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). I would auto-accept a mid-2024 second-round rookie pick or a random 2025 second-round rookie pick unless I was a contending team for 2024.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Two Rounds (10-Team, 1QB)
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Two Rounds (12-Team, 1QB)
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Superflex, 5-Round
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 10-Team, Superflex
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 12-Team, Superflex
Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice
- 2024 Dynasty Superflex Rookie Draft Rankings: Fitz’s Top 40 Pick
- Erickson’s Top Dynasty Rookie Wide Receivers
- Erickson’s Top Dynasty Rookie Running Backs
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings & Tiers: Wide Receivers
- How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft: Feb |
- 3 Overvalued Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Avoid
- 3 Undervalued Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Target
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