Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired
Standing still is the fastest way of moving backward in a rapidly changing dynasty landscape. The best dynasty teams are the most active in looking for ways to add value to their dynasty rosters, as part of a continuous process.
The Dynasty Targets Acquired series focuses on making dynasty buys to improve your roster, heading towards one of two key destinations – contending to win a dynasty title in 2024 or rebuilding for a dynasty title challenge in 2025. Each article in the series will highlight a dynasty buy for both contenders and rebuilders – with three trade ideas based on the DLF Trade Analyzer: Pivot Up, Same Tier or Pivot Down.
Buying as a contender is all about winning the title now, whilst leaving the window open to compete again year after year. Buying as a rebuilder is all about making the right trades to maximize roster value next season and become a contender for a dynasty championship.
Time Context And Strategy
Hard as it may be to believe, we are over halfway through the fantasy season in most formats. As much as we love fantasy football, many of us are the walking embodiment of the Ben Affleck smoking outside meme at this juncture.
Whether you are planning the parade or studying up on the 2025 draft class as a distraction from the mess you have made with your fantasy roster, we have the path forward for you. Contenders and rebuilders unite as you eye the best moves for your dynasty rosters below.
Rebuilder Buy: Brandon Aiyuk, WR SF
Bitterness can be an ugly human trait. It is one fantasy managers carry with them for years, cursing the name of a player who burned them in Week 9 of 2012 for no reason whatsoever. Brandon Aiyuk burned many a fantasy team in 2024, never really gaining his footing before being lost for the season with multiple ligament tears.
Aiyuk – outside of his lost season – has always thrived on his efficiency. The volume has never matched what you would expect attached to a receiver of his talent, yet the 49ers receiver room figures to be in flux after this year. Deebo Samuel is a trade candidate given the massive extension the team figures to hand to Brock Purdy, leaving Aiyuk, 2024 1st-rounder Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings to lead the receiver room.
Pivot Up
Pivot Up – acquiring a higher-valued asset in exchange for multiple lower-valued assets.
Jaylen Warren and Jaxon Smith-Njigba = Brandon Aiyuk
Courtesy of DLF’s Trade Analyzer
The shine may be coming off Jaxon Smith-Njigba a bit. Even with a change in offensive coordinator, Smith-Njigba has been more of a floor play who operates near the line of scrimmage. There are many players in his ADP range I would prefer, and adding someone like Warren as a sweetener is not something likely to come back and haunt you. While we may need to be very patient with Aiyuk given the severity of his injury, he has lead receiver skills Smith-Njigba has yet to display.
Same Tier
Same Tier – acquiring an asset in the same tier of valuation in a straight-up swap deal
Tyreek Hill = Brandon Aiyuk
It may be tough to part with Tyreek Hill, one of fantasy’s staples for a long time. He is, however, 31-years old this offseason, and it is fair to question how much longer he has as a fantasy impact player. He is the perfect buy for a contender and the perfect sell for a rebuilding team, the ideal intersection of trade value for each roster.
Pivot Down
Pivot Down – acquiring multiple lower-valued assets in exchange for a higher-valued asset.
Brandon Aiyuk plus 2025 2nd = DeVonta Smith
DeVonta Smith is a fantastic player, but he is playing second fiddle to A.J. Brown for the foreseeable future. You can get similar production from Aiyuk if you are willing to be patient, adding a second while parting with a strong yet not irreplaceable asset.
Contender Buy: Deebo Samuel, WR SF
Pivot Up
Deebo Samuel = Jordan Addison plus 2025 late 2nd
Jordan Addison had a strong start to his career, totaling ten touchdowns as a rookie and taking advantage of the absence of Justin Jefferson for much of the season. His second season has seen him take a backseat role, struggling to earn a serious target share as he has battle injury after another driving violation this summer. Addison is still a talented, young receiver on a productive offense, but I would not be hesitant to move him for an immediate upgrade.
Same Tier
Deebo Samuel = Tank Dell
Tank Dell was a revelation as a rookie. He and C.J. Stroud were the toast of the NFL as the Texans went from league afterthought to darling. His second season has not gone to script, with him falling to third in the pecking order following the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, who is now out for the season. He has also not looked like the same player, though you can forgive him after his 2023 season was truncated due to a broken leg and he was shot in the off-season. There is still ample reason to be excited about Dell long-term, but he is a player I would be comfortable parting with to land Deebo, a player with a great chance to return WR1 value following the 49ers bye.
Pivot Down
Deebo Samuel plus 2025 mid-3rd = Jaxon Smith-Njigba
I swear I am not picking on Jaxon Smith-Njigba in this article. I just feel we have seen the peak of his value before it heads on a downswing as we see fresh blood hit the NFL level as Smith-Njigba operates as a clear complementary piece within his offense. Samuel comes with question marks regarding his future, but a healthy Deebo can crush in an offense which badly needs his playmaking down the stretch.
Summary
I did not intend to highlight multiple San Francisco receivers heading into this exercise. It is more a testament to the unique situation, with their traditional number one on the shelf due to injury while their multi-purpose weapon takes on an increased role.
Not all players return from similar injuries in the same manner, creating an air of uncertainty around the future of Brandon Aiyuk. However, I am going to look at it optimistically and assume we see him for a good portion of 2025 followed by a return to full strength in 2026. If the 49ers ever consolidate their targets on offense, Aiyuk could have a tremendous second act on the west coast.
- 1QB Dynasty Trade Value Chart: December 2024 - December 5, 2024
- Five Overvalued Dynasty Wide Receivers - December 3, 2024
- Four College Quarterbacks who Could Help Turn Your Dynasty Teams Around - November 20, 2024
