As we are now just weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft, rookie fever is in full effect. With this, the value of dynasty rookie picks is at an all-time high, making it a great time to pivot off some of those picks in exchange for veteran assets on contending dynasty rosters. We’re looking for guys to buy low on to get the biggest bang for our buck.
In today’s article, I’ll cover three dynasty wide receivers I’m most bullish on compared to their Expert Consensus Ranks (ECR). I’ll give you my dynasty rank and their ECR and name the rookie pick I’d be willing to trade away for each of these veteran players. Let’s dive right in.
Dynasty Wide Receiver Trade Targets
Jaylen Waddle (WR — MIA)
My Dynasty Rank: WR22
ECR: WR26
Jaylen Waddle is coming off his worst season as a pro, finishing with a mere 10.0 PPR points per game in 2024. Dynasty managers have grown impatient with Waddle, and understandably so. He ended the season with just a 17.1% target rate and 1.53 yards per route run (YPRR), so not only were his raw numbers disappointing, but his efficiency left something to be desired as well.
Time for some context. Waddle dealt with Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson under center for much of the early part of the season while Tua Tagovailoa was on IR. This severely affected all of the Dolphins’ playmakers from a fantasy perspective. In the games that Waddle played 50% or more of the snaps with Tua under center, he averaged 12.9 PPR points per game in 2024. That’s still not great, but it’s respectable.
The Dolphins struggled to get the train back on the tracks after the concussion to Tua. Even when he returned, things just weren’t quite in sync. I’m willing to write off the 2024 season entirely and bet on Waddle as the player he was in his first three seasons, averaging 15.4, 15.3, and 14.2 PPR points per game.
Tyreek Hill is now 31 and has shown some signs of decline, opening the door for Waddle to finally become the go-to guy in this offense. Tyreek may not even play for Miami in 2025; trade rumors have been circulating recently, suggesting that he could be on the move. I won’t let Tua’s injury concerns play into my dynasty valuation of Waddle. Sure, another concussion could be career-ending for Tua, but we can’t predict recurring head injuries. It’s random.
Superflex Trade Value: I’d be willing to pay as much as the rookie pick 1.07 for Waddle, but based on the market, I think he could be acquired for somewhere in the 1.08-1.10 range.
Chris Olave (WR — NO)
My Dynasty Rank: WR18
ECR: WR24
Like Tua, Chris Olave has dealt with a concerning number of head injuries, an issue that dates back to his Ohio State days. Olave suffered two concussions in 2024, making four total since he joined the Saints. But as I mentioned prior, injuries are not something we can project out with any sort of accuracy. The injury discount is clearly baked in, with Olave ranked as the dynasty WR24 in ECR.
What I do know is that when Olave is healthy, he produces. He finished with over a 25% target rate and 2.0 YPRR in each of his first two seasons and is the clear WR1 for New Orleans. As a rookie, Olave posted a promising 13.2 PPR points per game, followed by a 14.5 average in his second season, which was good for WR19 overall. Both these marks were significantly better than Drake London‘s first two seasons, and he’s now valued as a top 10 wide receiver in dynasty after a breakout in Year 3. I don’t expect Olave to become a top 10 dynasty wide receiver, but I think he can climb back to that high-end WR2 range. No, the quarterback situation isn’t ideal in New Orleans, but as we say in dynasty, talent over situation.
Superflex Trade Value: Similar to Waddle, I’d be willing to pay the 1.07 for Chris Olave, but I’m confident you can buy him for less.
Ricky Pearsall (WR — SF)
My Dynasty Rank: WR38
ECR: WR45
I can’t point to any peripherals with Ricky Pearsall and make a strong bull case. With just a 14.4% target rate and 1.31 YPRR, he was far from efficient as a rookie. However, Pearsall turned it on to end the season, showing us glimpses of elite weekly upside. Over his final two games, Pearsall combined for 17 targets, 14 receptions, 210 receiving yards, and a pair of touchdowns. This was good for an average of 23.8 PPR points per game.
While Pearsall had a slow start to the season, he had as good an excuse as anyone. He suffered a gunshot wound injury last offseason and was on the IR through Week 6. Unsurprisingly, San Francisco slowly worked him into the game plan following his return.
Deebo Samuel (who may have been a non-factor regardless) is now with the Commanders, giving Brock Purdy one less mouth to feed and potentially opening up some more opportunities for Pearsall. Brandon Aiyuk is coming off an ACL and MCL injury, George Kittle will be entering his age-32 season, and Jauan Jennings is entering the final year of his contract. All signs point to Pearsall being a future focal point for the 49ers. He may not post eye-popping numbers this coming season, but he should be an excellent long-term investment.
Superflex Trade Value: I’d be willing to pay the 1.12 or 2.01 for Pearsall. You may be able to package a 2025 mid-2nd and a 3rd for him, or possibly a 2025 mid-2nd with a future mid-round pick.
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