Fifteen Untradeable Players in Dynasty Leagues
When you hear the words “untradeable” and “dynasty leagues,” you likely think of young players like AJ Green, Andrew Luck, Doug Martin or Trent Richardson. You may even think of the veteran pillars like Arian Foster, Aaron Rodgers or Calvin Johnson. All those players are extremely valuable in dynasty leagues and would be tough to acquire in any trade at this point.
There’s always another group of players who are also very much untradeable  – this is the group who have either underperformed to expecations, have major character baggage or seem to be as unbreakable as an egg teetering on a spoon you’re carrying with your mouth. Fact is, you’re likely stuck with them and trying to get anything close to worthy for them at your trading deadline is going to be like squeezing blood from a turnip. Realistically, you shouldn’t even try because nobody really wants to give up much to get this group on their roster, either.
Michael Vick, QB PHI
Just two years ago, Vick was being considered in the first round of dynasty start-up drafts. After all, he looked dynamic, controlled and poised for the first time in his career after taking over for Kevin Kolb in Philadelphia. Now, he’s looked at as a turnover machine with major injury risk to boot. Remember that epic Monday night performance where he looked like the best player on the planet? Just two years later, he has yet another injury and is being replaced by a rookie quarterback in Nick Foles.
Vick’s days are numbered in Philadelphia and there won’t be too many dynasty owners looking to acquire him. Do you really think he’s going to put up monster numbers next year in a place like Buffalo?
Steven Jackson, RB STL
After posting seven straight 1,000 yard seasons, Jackson is on pace for just over 850 yards and three scores. After being an absolute workhorse for the Rams, he’s been relegated to a time share with Daryl Richardson. He likely won’t be back in St. Louis next year, but there aren’t too many teams who would want him to be a featured back, either. We’ve seen the best we’re ever going to see with him and everyone in your league knows it.
Michael Turner, RB ATL
Turner was playing pretty well early in the season, but this week’s fifteen yard performance throws a bunch of cold water back on his value. Atlanta simply wore him down during his time there and he’s a shell of his former self. Jacquizz Rodgers is going to be seeing more and more work as the season moves on and Turner offers little in the passing game. There just isn’t much heat left in the burner.
Antonio Gates, TE SD
Gates has posted a couple of good games back-to-back, so you may be able to get some value for him, but he doesn’t look the same this season. He’s proclaiming himself to be healthy and the Chargers offense has left a lot to be desired. However, Gates is starting to show his age. He could be a good piece for a contender, but getting anything but peanuts is going to be next to impossible.
Darren McFadden, RB OAK
When he plays, he’s typically dominant. The problem is those games seem to be few and far between. The Raiders offense also doesn’t seem suited to his talents, either. When you combine those two problems, there’s little choice but to stay the course with the oft-injured McFadden. After all, it’s not worth moving him for a rookie pick or an aging veteran just to see him get healthy and start to put up RB1 numbers again.
Mark Ingram, RB NO
Ingram has also looked better in recent weeks, but it’s obvious the Saints are never going to feature him as their lead back. At best, you have a goal line and early down option to help give Darren Sproles a break from his passing down work. When you add in the existence of Pierre Thomas and a resurgent Chris Ivory, even that best case scenario looks next to impossible. While he’s not quite the best that Knowshon Moreno has been, owners who took him first in their rookie drafts have to be kicking themselves.
Jahvid Best, RB DET
Yes, he may have played his last down in the NFL, but what if he hasn’t? Nobody in their right mind is going to give up any significant piece for Best and there’s a chance he could return next season. The best course of action would be to see if he comes back and posts a couple of good games, then move him as fast as you can before he takes another hit.
Greg Jennings, WR GB
With Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and James Jones in the fold, there’s little chance the Packers are going to give Jennings the money he wants this off-season. Jennings is a great player, but lining up with Aaron Rodgers instead of, say, Ryan Tannehill has its advantages. It’s unlikely the other owners in your league don’t see the writing on the wall here.
LeGarrette Blount, RB TB
He’s a restricted free agent at the end of the year and it’s unlikely he’ll be back in Tampa Bay after losing his job to Doug Martin. The real problem has been his production – he’s looked average at best since that breakout rookie season. For a guy his size to struggle so much in short yardage situations is just a bad sign for his future in Tampa or anywhere else.
Peyton Hillis, RB KC
It’s safe to say he’ll never be on the cover of Madden again.
Roy Helu, RB WAS
There are still those out there who believe Helu will again be starting for the Redskins in the near future. The problem with that theory is that he lost his job to Alfred Morris before getting hurt. We’ve covered this a ton lately, but Morris is not going to lose that job to Helu or anyone else unless he starts being careless with the football or starts being unproductive – neither of those seems imminent.
DeAngelo Williams, RB CAR
He’ll likely be released by the Panthers in the off-season, but it’s going to be tough for him to find a job as a true featured back again. The Dolphins could have interest if they cut ties with Reggie Bush, but he’d still have to contend with Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas for carries in that situation. There are a number of other teams who could have interest (Denver with John Fox, for example), but his days as a bell cow are likely over.
Cam Newton, QB CAR
You could get some value for Newton, sure. However, every owner would be in a position to buy low on him at the moment. We’ve seen what he can do and it’s pretty phenomenal. The whole idea with trades is to “sell high” and “buy low” if you’re an owner – the buying owner would certainly be the one winning in a deal with Newton right now. At worst, they would be buying at market value since this is likely Newton’s floor. If you don’t like his attitude or demeanor, wait until the off-season or the beginning of next year to move him.
Mark Sanchez, QB NYJ
You can go ahead and throw Tim Tebow on this list as well. This ultra-dynamic quarterback tandem has combined to get the Jets to 3-6 and look terrible in the process. Sure, there are no great receivers on this team, but Sanchez simply makes too many mistakes. Gone are the days of him being a solid young quarterback prospect – don’t expect owners in your league to see him as that, either.
Philip Rivers, QB SD
When Norv Turner is defending your play and saying you’re not the problem, you have, well, a problem. Rivers hasn’t looked the same in nearly two years now and it’s safe to start wondering if we’ve seen the best he’s ever going to produce. He’s a marginal QB1 now after being close to an elite option just a couple of seasons ago.
Players like these are most likely stuck on your roster. You may have to just swallow your pride, cross your fingers and hope for the best with this crew since nobody else likely has them on their trading radar.
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