Usually, it’s not a good thing when you get into the weeds. Thankfully, this is dynasty fantasy football, where the best managers live in the weeds. That’s right, we’re talking deep dynasty trade targets for the 2026 offseason.
Last week, I published an article listing four of my favourite sell candidates, where I highlighted the negative influence that uncertain offseason change can have. In this article, we see the otherside of the coin, with players’ uncertainty leading to untapped potential. In this article, I highlight five deeper players who can be attained in all leagues.
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Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB – WSH)
Probably the deepest name in this article, and unsurprisingly, the most unattractive of the bunch for fantasy. However, if you squint and tilt your head, there is a surprising path for Chris Rodriguez Jr. to be a weekly fantasy option in 2026.
Washington drafted Rodriguez with the 16th pick of the sixth round in the 2023 draft. Unfortunately, his draft stock was hampered by a driving under the influence (DUI) charge in 2022. The Kentucky prospect was touted as a powerful downhill runner with limited burst and pass-catching ability. So far in his NFL career, this has been consistent with what he has shown.
The Commanders entered last season with the oldest roster in the league. Unsurprisingly, that backfired in 2025. Jayden Daniels suffering multiple injuries didn’t help, but the defense was a mess from the start. Plus, they shipped off Brian Robinson Jr. right before the season, and committed to riding dynasty darling Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols and Rodriguez.
If you read that list and thought “that’s gross,” you’re not wrong. Still, after Ekeler tore his Achilles, they stuck with the other three. As a result, we saw Rodriguez win the lead role, having double-digit carries or a touchdown in each of his last seven games.
The most glaring issue is whether the Commanders draft a running back. More specifically, picking seventh overall, they may be in a prime spot to draft star running back prospect Jeremiyah Love. Although any offense would be immediately upgraded by selecting Love, there are several areas where the Commanders need to improve.
However, many of the players spoke highly of the team’s culture and lockerroom despite their 4-11 record. So far, the biggest change has been Kliff Kinsgbury stepping away as the team’s offensive coordinator. The team also needs to pay star offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil, as well as shore up the defense. All in all, there may not be a lot of money to spend on the running back position. As a result, Washington could easily head into 2026 with the same trio of backs.
If that’s the case, we saw how this played out at the end of this season. It may not be the prettiest move, but shipping a third-round pick at this time could land you the starting running back for a Jayden Daniels-led offence. That’s a shot I’d be willing to take, especially with how shallow the 2026 draft class looks.
Rico Dowdle (RB – FA)
As a whole, this was a very successful season for the veteran back. The fact that we are talking about Rico Dowdle for fantasy is a testament to who this player is, both on and off the field. Signing with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) in 2020, his first three seasons were destroyed by injuries.
Still, the Cowboys kept signing Dowdle to the active roster. Whatever they were seeing behind the scenes, they clearly felt that Dowdle had potential. We saw that potential in 2024, leading the backfield with over 1,000 rushing yards and over 1,300 total yards. This led to the Cowboys surprisingly letting him walk after that season and signing with his hometown team, the Panthers. Which leads us to today, where he is a free agent.
After a hard-fought playoff loss to the Rams, Dowdle hinted that he was unhappy with his usage down the stretch. Ultimately, he alluded that he will look for a team this offseason where he can see the majority of work. With Chuba Hubbard around, a return is unlikely. It may also be unlikely that he signs with a team and doesn’t have to compete for the starting role in camp. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of being a UDFA. Considering he had a two-week stretch where he combined for 471 total yards and two scores, Dowdle can clearly be a lead back in this league.
Free agency is a true gamble for fantasy managers. We truly have no idea where these players may land, but we can speculate which teams may be interested. With other free agent backs including J.K. Dobbins, Travis Etienne and Breece Hall, there may be some enticing jobs up for grabs. If Dowdle is searching for a lead role, the Jets, Texans and Chiefs could be potential suitors. In my opinion, these would be the best-case scenarios.
What is more likely is that Dowdle signs to complete the thunder and lightning dynamic for a team. Based on what we saw last year, Dowdle is taking over for either Dobbins or Etienne and sharing with RJ Harvey or Bhayshul Tuten. This could be an enticing role for fantasy. All in all, we have seen that Dowdle deserves to be a lead back in the league, yet his value does not reflect that.
Dowdle is currently valued as a committee back. Based on how his usage dropped off last year, I believe this is a great buy-low opportunity. For any contending dynasty team struggling with the salary cap, he could be a cheaper option than Etienne or Hall. It’s a gamble, but I think even his worst-case scenario (a committee back who is a Flex play) is still better than his perceived value at this moment.
Brenton Strange (TE – JAX)
In Liam Coen we trust. As someone who got into football after the legendary Maurice Jones-Drew retired, the best Jaguars team I’ve seen was led by Blake Bortles and Leonard Fournette. No disrespect to 2014 third overall pick, Blake Bortles, but that’s not a great sign for a franchise. The Jaguars have found their leader at head coach and have turned into a well-rounded team that should continue to improve. As a result, you’re going to want pieces of this offense.
Brenton Strange is the most intriguing and attainable in most leagues. The 2023 second-round pick has all the makings of a breakout tight end. Coming out of Penn State, Strange was a classic hyper-athletic tight end who needed to evolve his game for the NFL. In his three seasons, we have seen a steady increase in productivity.
Considering he was stuck behind Evan Engram to start his career, Strange’s 46 receptions, 540 yards and three scores in 12 games as the lead tight end were impressive to see in 2025. Despite playing two fewer games, Strange only had two fewer receptions than Brian Thomas Jr. on the season.
The concern is that this is a crowded offense with Jakobi Meyers signing an extension, the breakout of Parker Washington, the return of Travis Hunter and the overhyped Thomas. There have also been rumblings of the Jaguars potentially moving Thomas in a deal. This would only further benefit Strange as the clear tight end on an offense that should be electric. Unless you are one of the top fantasy tight ends, being on a great offense is the best place. Strange checks a lot of the boxes of a promising tight end and is the kind of player you want to take a shot on.
Strange may never be Brock Bowers or Trey McBride, but he could be a steady upside play each week. His top-end upside comparison is Tucker Kraft, who is also in a crowded offense but has the athleticism to be hyper-efficient.
Jalen McMillan (WR – TB)
The Bucaneers are not the most attractive team to buy into right now. However, that’s where fantasy values can be created. After an electric 2024 season, this team crashed back to Earth in 2025. Whether this was a result of Liam Coen leaving or the natural course of regression, it was not a great year for the fighting Baker Mayfields. Having said that, some aspects can generate optimism for the future.
First, we know Mayfield is a better quarterback than the one we saw in the second half of the season. With the combination of Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and McMillan all missing substantial time to injury, it seemed every week he was working with a different combination of wideouts. Thankfully, we saw an early breakout from Emeka Egbuka when he was being utilized as a complementary piece to Evans.
As the season went on, though, and he became the focal point of this passing attack, teams were able to scheme against Egbuka. In the end, it was clear this team needs another weapon outside of Egbuka. With both Evans and Godwin aging, McMillan’s time could be near. Evans is a free agent this offseason (I expect he’ll return for one more season), and Godwin is still under contract. As a result, this may be jumping on McMillan a year early and taking advantage of the discount.
Selected in the back of the third round in 2024, McMillan has flashed big-play ability and a nose for the end zone. In his rookie year, he closed the regular season with seven touchdowns over his last five games. His second season was derailed by a scary neck injury that he suffered in the preseason.
Thankfully, McMillan returned for four games and had a seven-catch 114-yard performance in Week 17. McMillan is far from a surefire thing, but the flashes have been bright, and the situation could easily turn into a great opportunity. With the combination of Egbuka, McMillan and Tez Johnson, the Buccaneers should be able to rely on these three young wideouts in the future.
In dynasty, I’m always looking for upside. A big-play receiver that is primed to eventually take over the Evans role is a perfect player to trade for. As a result, look to move a known commodity that has limited upside for McMillan. For example, trade Khalil Shakir for the upside of McMillan. In terms of picks, in this draft class (which seems shallow), you can move a late second or early third for McMillan.
Alec Pierce (WR – FA)
Alec Pierce is a more established version of Jalen McMillan. Selected 53rd overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, it was not a pretty start to his NFL career. The former Cincinnati Bearcat was touted for his high-end athletic ability and big-play threat. His 17.5 yards per reception in college were among the best in the 2022 class. Although it took a while to translate to the NFL stage, Pierce’s career average of 18.7 yards per reception outlines his ability to operate as a true X receiver.
Particularly, over his last two seasons, Pierce has grown as a receiver. In 2024, despite subpar quarterback play, he tallied over 800 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, despite Daniel Jones missing most of the second half of the season, Pierce had 1,000 yards on the eighth fewest receptions in NFL history (47). He also came down with six touchdowns and finished as the WR24 in half-PPR leagues. This skill set should appeal to plenty of teams as he enters free agency.
Early reports allude to Pierce’s return to the Colts. His success with Jones makes this a decent landing spot for fantasy (assuming Jones re-signs with the Colts). However, even without Jones, Pierce managed a WR4 and WR1 performance in Weeks 16 and 18, respectively. This was with Philip Rivers and Riley Leonard, providing confidence to fantasy managers if he stays. Additionally, if the Colts were to cut or trade Michael Pittman Jr., they would be on the hook for $5 million and save nearly $20 million.
The real upside is the potential teams that could use a true X receiver. The most glaring vacancy that would be great for fantasy is the Bills. An established big-play threat that can win contested catches could provide the Bills with everything they had hoped to get out of Keon Coleman.
Another option could be the Titans. Although less enticing, Cam Ward is a gunslinger willing to shoot the ball downfield on a team perpetually playing from behind. All in all, Pierce should continue to improve as a receiver, and whether he stays on the Colts or finds a new home, the arrow is pointing up for the 25-year-old wideout.
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