The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact of DJ Moore being traded for the 1.01
The Chicago Bears have been doing their due diligence for a number of weeks as they were reportedly exploring all options with the top overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. They had the option to use it on a defensive player, exhaust it to choose a new quarterback and trade Justin Fields, or trade back with another team and acquire additional picks. In the end, Chicago opted to trade the top overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for wide receiver DJ Moore, the 9th and 61st overall picks in 2023, another first rounder in 2024 and a second-rounder in 2025. It’s a massive deal for both teams and creates a tidal wave of impact in dynasty leagues. Let’s review the players whose values have been affected.
DJ Moore, WR CHI
The former Panthers wideout has had a supremely frustrating career thus far as Carolina just simply never gave him a competent quarterback to make the most of his skill set. Last year was especially frustrating as he was only able to post 63 catches for 888 receiving yards and seven scores, catching passes from the likes of Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and PJ Walker. His dreadful 2022 snapped a streak of three straight 1,000 yard seasons, a feat that’s pretty amazing considering the carousel at quarterback we’ve seen in the post-Cam Newton era. While there is still a lot of work to do with Justin Fields and the passing game in Chicago, it’s hard not to see this as a bit of an upgrade for Moore. He’s going to be the unquestioned WR1 in the Windy City and he should be given enough targets to justify fantasy managers viewing him as a solid WR2. Still, expectations should be tempered a touch as Chicago isn’t exactly known for explosive receiving numbers and Fields still needs to work on his game. Moore’s ADP should tick up a smidge in the coming weeks as a result of the move, though. In short, it’s better for him than staying in Carolina would have been.
Justin Fields, QB CHI
Many looked at Fields as a QB2 with upside going into last year. However, after a season that featured 2,242 passing yards, 1,143 rushing yards, and a total of 25 touchdowns, he firmly planted himself on the QB1 map. Getting a bona fide alpha receiver in Moore can only help in his development. He can also play with little-to-no pressure moving forward as the Bears have now committed long-term to him by giving up the chance to draft his replacement with the top pick in the NFL Draft. Fields hasn’t shown the ability to make multiple receivers relevant, but he’s at least going to get a chance to do just that. Having Moore is a huge step in the right direction for Fields to solidify his spot as a top eight option in dynasty leagues.
Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool WRs CHI
The Bears simply had to do something at the position and getting Moore has to be seen as a positive for the franchise, especially after this duo just face planted last year. Mooney was one of fantasy football’s biggest disappointments as he recorded just 40 catches for 493 yards and four scores on the season. The Bears tried to make a splash by trading for former Steeler Chase Claypool at the trade deadline, but he had just 14 catches in seven games, posting just 140 scoreless yards in the process. Yes, some of that blame can go on the shoulders of Fields, but this pair just couldn’t be counted on to get it done moving forwarad. With Fields’ ability to run and a true WR1 now on the roster, the ADP of this pair doesn’t have much room to grow. At this point, they’re just above roster clogger status until further notice.
Cole Kmet, TE CHI
There was one Bears receiver Fields was able to help in terms of fantasy value, but it was at the tight end position in the form of Kmet, who had a breakout season with 69 catches, 544 receiving yards and seven of Fields’ 18 touchdown passes. Adding Moore should actually stretch the field a bit and his presence shouldn’t affect Kmet too much. Yes, there are questions regarding Fields’ ability to make more than one player relevant, but Moore and Kmet are different enough players to believe that can happen. Kmet seems like a solid value as a TE1/2 at his current ADP.
Other Bears Receivers
The rest of the Bears depth chart currently includes the likes of Equanimeous St. Brown, N’Keal Harry, Dante Pettis, and Byron Pringle. This offense is going to build around Moore, Mooney, Claypool, and Kmet. As such, it’s really hard to see much dynasty value with this group. In fact, many of those players are either restricted or unrestricted free agents and likely to find work elsewhere.
Panthers Receivers
With Moore gone, there is a lot of opportunity for players like Terrace Marshall, Shi Smith, and Laviska Shenault. You could even make a case for Preston Williams or Rashard Higgins to be sleeper-worthy now if they return to Carolina. Unfortunately, this group is also going to inevitably catching passes from a rookie quarterback, so expectations need to be tempered. Still, Marshall and Smith have big upside and should have a chance to be pretty impactful next season, making them very intriguing players to have on the back end of your dynasty roster. Smith is especially intriguing after his solid finish last season.
The 2023 NFL Quarterback Draft Class
At this point, the Panthers look to be choosing between Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, or even Anthony Richardson. They’re keeping their selection close to the vest at this point, but we know the 1.01 is going to be throwing passes for the Panthers next season. New Head Coach Frank Reich doesn’t have the best track record with veterans as of late, so perhaps some youth will help. Regardless, Carolina isn’t exactly stacked with offensive talent at the moment and while the quarterback who goes at 1.01 is likely the favorite to be the top pick in Superflex rookie drafts, early expectations need to be tempered and it’s going to take some time for any of these players to develop in Charlotte. On the plus side, there will be no sitting behind a veteran next season.
Sam Darnold, Matt Corral, and PJ Walker, QBs CAR
The move really isn’t devastating to this group as we knew they weren’t the future. The only one that really stings is Corral, who likely needs to be dealt in order to ever have a legitimate chance in the league. Expect the Panthers to likely keep Darnold and Corral if they choose to keep two quarterbacks to back up their rookie.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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