Dynasty Fantasy Football Trades
Taking advantage of potential valuation trends in the trade market is imperative. That is even more true during the season when players can experience wild valuation changes on a week-to-week basis. Each week, I will be highlighting some players you should be looking to move or acquire and the reasons why.
Buy – Aidan O’Connell, QB LV
When trading for players in dynasty, you usually think of the glamorous roster-defining trades involving superstars or multiple early picks. However, the smaller fringe of the roster moves can impact your roster and help put you in a good place moving forward. This brings me to O’Connell. He is not exactly a superstar, and the general consensus is that he will likely be replaced this off-season.
However, there is a world where the Raiders do not have an obvious path to replace him. They will probably be picking outside the top ten in the draft, and despite having potentially more than $50m in cap space next year, they may not want to pay for a veteran in free agency, considering they’re already paying Jimmy Garoppolo $28m in 2024. They could be a candidate to trade for a player like Justin Fields, but they may feel the roster isn’t in the right place to make an aggressive trade.
So that brings me back to O’Connell, who hasn’t set the world alight but has performed admirably as a fourth-round rookie. Could the Raiders kick the can down the road at the quarterback position and opt for a roster reset this year, giving O’Connell another season to prove his worth? If that happens, he will be a starting quarterback, and any starting quarterback has value in a superflex league. If you can acquire O’Connell for a third or maybe two, he could be a low-cost speculative option as your QB3/4 that would help fill a gap in bye weeks or should injuries hit.
Buy – Trey McBride, TE ARI
I never have a problem buying high if I genuinely believe in a player. McBride is one of those players. I was a big fan of his as a prospect and was disappointed that he couldn’t command more playing time behind Zach Ertz. However, since Ertz went on IR before his release, McBride has taken over as a true superstar. He has been TE3 in points per game since that point and is a difference-maker in the position. He has seen a target share of over 20% in each of his last seven games and looks like Kyler Murray‘s favorite option. McBride leads the league in both targets per route run at 27% and yards per route run at 2.3. Hee is my current dynasty TE1, and I am so excited about what he could be if the Cardinals continue to add to the offense and potentially add in a genuine WR1 like Marvin Harrison Jr in the draft. It could open up more holes in the defense for McBride.
In a normal league, I would happily pay a mid to late first for McBride and stretch to a mid first in a 0.5 TE Premium league. It may feel rich for a guy who has only produced for just over half a season, but he is impressive as a route runner against both man and zone and should be a top-tier tight end for years to come.
Sell – Sam Howell, QB, WAS
Howell has been fantastic for fantasy. He is currently the QB8 in points per game and has likely helped carry some teams who had him as their QB2 or QB3 to start the year to the playoffs. Some people still believe Sam Howell is the future of the franchise for the Commanders, and he may very well be. However, they currently have the fourth overall pick. They have new owners in place and will likely have a new head coach and a new general manager. I find it hard to believe that an entirely new regime would pass up the opportunity to relaunch the franchise with a new quarterback in the first round.
It may feel like you’re selling low, given Howell was benched on Sunday. However, his price could drop even lower if he is replaced this off-season. I would be hoping that you could sell Howell for an early second, and that may feel light, considering he was going for a first a few weeks ago. However, if he is replaced this off-season, his price will plummet, and you’d be lucky to get a third for him.
Sell – Devin Singletary, RB HOU
Singletary has been great for the Texans. He has dethroned Dameon Pierce and has averaged 15.8 points per game across the last six weeks. There may be some who value Singletary moving into next season. However, he is a free agent, and while he may be brought back with the Texans, it is hard to imagine them committing to him long-term. Singletary hasn’t averaged over 12 points per game since his rookie year and is realistically a replacement-level back. It may be the best opportunity to gain value if you can sell off the back of this hot finish to the season.
Given his current production, he will likely command a mid to early second. Still, you may be able to squeeze out even more, considering he has been the RB7 since week ten and the volume of injuries afflicting players at the running back position. I would approach any remaining playoff team to see if you can tempt them to acquire the veteran running back.
Rebuilding Buy – Ja’Marr Chase, WR CIN
It looks like Chase could well be done for the season. If so, it opens a buy window to tempt him away from contenders. Players like Chase are rarely available. He is a proven elite producer heading into the prime of his career tied to a superstar quarterback. If Chase is on a playoff roster in your league, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you aren’t trying to tempt him away for an under-the-market price due to the urgency of the situation. I would happily pay three firsts for him in a superflex league, but I don’t think you’d be able to acquire him for pure draft capital. Moving a healthy superstar wide receiver for him and adding assets makes sense for all parties. Could you sell Justin Jefferson to get Chase-plus? Could you sell CeeDee Lamb to get Chase-plus?
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Trades - December 12, 2024
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Trades - December 6, 2024
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Trades - November 28, 2024
