DLF’s Dynasty Predictions: Best Dynasty Buy

Ryan Finley

Another off-season is drawing to a close, and real-deal football is almost here. To say a lot has changed since the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV back in February would be like saying Patrick Mahomes signed a good contract. The dude just signed an extension worth half a billion dollars. But all the ups and downs of 2020 won’t stop us from rolling out DLF’s 2020 Fantasy Predictions.

As we do every year, we have several different articles for you in the following categories:

Now that we looked at the players we are looking to sell, we move on to our picks for the Best Dynasty Buy:

Van Jefferson, WR LAR

I was unreasonably high on Jefferson coming out and had him as my WR6 in this class and 12th overall, and I’m willing to go down with this ship. He’s still relatively cheap, and I think once he gets on the field and starts seeing meaningful snaps, his price is going to climb quite a bit. Get him while you can, before more glowing reviews come out of Rams’ camp. – John Di Bari

“Big Six” Rookie WRs

I did not give you a single player but some overall dynasty portfolio advice. Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, Henry Ruggs, Jalen Reagor, Justin Jefferson, and Tee Higgins. All will play their ENTIRE rookie year at age 21. The last five receivers who did this and eclipsed 160 PPR points in their rookie season? They were top 20 overall startup picks the next spring. Pick your dessert here! – Scott Connor

Tom Brady, QB TB

This sounds a little crazy, but bear with me. The last time Brady was surrounded with receiving talent, he set records for two straight years. The talent he has in Tampa might be the best group of receivers he’s ever had. On top of this, Brady is pretty cheap due to his age. I acquired three copies myself for little to nothing. – Mike Havens

Jonnu Smith, TE TEN

I wrote an article as part of the Breakout or Fakeout series detailing why Smith is ready to ascend into the top five tight end conversation in dynasty. That’s a far cry from his TE16 ADP. Get him now. – Jeremy Schwob

Mike Williams, WR LAC

Williams is a player with a ten-touchdown season and a 1,000-yard season under his belt. Currently priced at his floor with an ADP of WR47, Williams is still just 25 years old and the best is yet to come once Justin Herbert takes the starter role for the Chargers. – Shane Manila

Jonnu Smith, TE TEN

Smith is the second-best pass-catching threat in this offense (sorry Corey Davis truthers) and should see the field a lot on a run-first team. Smith’s athletic ability allows for the Titans to use him on screens, end-arounds, and in the red zone. Buy low now, sell high later. – James Koutoulas

Sam Darnold, QB NYJ

Can I say Darius Slayton again? If not, I’ll say Darnold in superflex leagues. He has a stigma attached to him because of Adam Gase and the “seeing ghosts” game but he’s been solid for fantasy when healthy. – Bobby Koch

Robert Woods, WR LAR

Woods is someone I have been trying to acquire as much as I can. His low touchdown total last season drove his already undervalued cost down a little more. At only 28 years old, he still has several productive seasons left in the tank and at a great value that comes with a lot of consistent volume and high potential ceiling. – John Hesterman

Ian Thomas, TE CAR

The newly minted starter in Carolina is the 18th tight end off the board in August DLF startup ADP and can be acquired via trade for a late third-round rookie pick. Go get the 24-year-old on your roster before he finishes as a top ten fantasy tight end this season. – Josh Brickner

Brandin Cooks, WR HOU

This just doesn’t add up. The Texans have a quarterback in Deshaun Watson being drafted with an ADP of 4.6. Their most statistically dominant wide receiver is being drafted as the WR42. Cooks is on the fourth team of his career after being drafted by the Saints and then traded to the Patriots, Rams and now the Texans. Barring injury, his floor is WR2 production playing with Watson and Co. – Eric Olinger

Evan Engram, TE NYG

This is an injury discount I am willing to pounce on. Engram will be 26 years old entering his fourth season and since 2010, he is second among tight ends in targets per game over their first three years with 7.3. Despite the litany of injuries, the Giants picked up Engram’s fifth-year option which tells me they believe he can still be a factor for their team. It also ensures he will continue to be in the same offensive environment for two years. As I type this I finalized a deal sending Kerryon Johnson for Evan Engram straight up in a TE-premium league. He is still very underappreciated and a true difference-maker when on the field. – Alfred Fernandez

Bryan Edwards, WR LVR

I am cheating a bit with a rookie, but Edwards is a player I’m paying to pick up. He was a dominant player in college up until he got hurt, but will be a value for dynasty owners in the mid second round of drafts. I’m not worried about Henry Ruggs too much as I think they play very different roles in the offense. – Adam Tzikas

TY Hilton, WR IND

I am assuming that most of my colleagues will be telling you that you should go and buy ‘young player X’. I am here to tell you that the best “buys” in dynasty are veteran wide receivers. I think Hilton is one of the absolute best right now. Jacoby Brissett has done his best to annihilate Hilton’s fantasy value but with Philip Rivers in town and no other established (or likely good) teammates, I fully expect the QB who was fourth in passing yards in 2019 to pepper Hilton early and often.

Hilton has multiple WR1 seasons under his belt with Andrew Luck under center and Luck’s best season was only slightly better than a “washed” Rivers had last season. (Luck – 4,761 yards, Rivers – 4,615 yards). I like Hilton’s ceiling/floor combo more than I do for someone like Adam Thielen and they are nearly the same age but Hilton’s dynasty ADP is WR40 and Thielen’s is WR25. – Drew Osinchuk

N’Keal Harry, WR NEP

At an overall ADP of 81, Harry is a big buy for me. He was a beast at Arizona State and has all the physical tools to be successful, he just needs to get on the field and prove it. Harry is the future WR1 for the Patriots. – Dwight Peebles

Leonard Fournette, RB FA

(Editor’s note: you’ll have to forgive Jeff, these predictions were made before Fournette signed with Tampa Bay!)

Fournette is still just 25 and could land a dream job in free agency next off-season. – Jeff Smith

AJ Brown, WR TEN

I’m sure many of you have seen the list of wide receivers to eclipse 1,000 yards in their rookie season. I’m also sure many of you have seen the calls for regression or the concerns over Brown’s future target share in Tennessee. I’m saying don’t worry: buy Brown as a future stud in the NFL. If you missed out on DJ Moore last year, here is destiny calling for you again. – Addison Hayes

Deebo Samuel, WR SF

Yes, Samuel is currently hurt and may not be able to return before the season starts. That said, everyone seems to be writing him off way more than they should. Samuel’s value is arguably the lowest it has been for quite some time. According to the Change in Player Value tool, Samuel’s value has fallen by 62 points since April! Now is the time to strike and pick up an excellent asset for the long term. – The FFGhost

Chris Herndon, TE NYJ

If you’ve got to hold your breath and take a player in an Adam Gase offense, make it Herndon. After a promising rookie campaign, his sophomore season was derailed by suspension and injury. When I think dynasty buys, I’m thinking of quick profit. Buy now in your TE-premium leagues and sell after a productive season based on the lack of other options for Sam Darnold. – Adam Wilde

Gardner Minshew II, QB JAC

If you aren’t playing in a superflex league, ignore this pick. (And if you’re not playing superflex, what are you waiting for?) When I watch Minshew, I see a player who has the “it” factor. Remember it’s not always about talent at QB – this is the most difficult position in the game and the best athletes often fail here. Minshew reminds me of what I saw out of Brady early in his career – someone who just knew what to do to win. – Ryan Finley

There you have it. Who do you like for this year’s Best Dynasty Buy? Comment below!