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 – Chase Brown, RB CIN
We all dream of that golden buy-low opportunity when you buy low on a player and they blossom into a superstar. However, sometimes you just need to accept that a breakout performance is precisely that, and you still have an opportunity to buy high. Brown blew up in week 9 and saw 100% of the Bengals running back touches. He carried the ball 27 times and caught five targets in the passing game to finish with 26.7 points. This was off the back of
Zack Moss having a neck injury, which, based on some reports, could keep him out a significant amount of time. The Bengals have reacted by trading for Bears backup Khalil Herbert who has not seen any work in recent weeks but is an above average two down runner. Some may view this one-week performance as an anomaly and be concerned the Herbert acquisition could limit the volume Brown sees. In my eyes, if Moss is out for a significant time (and it looks like he’s out for the season), the Bengals were always going to add somebody into the mix, and the fact they have chosen to add a two-down thumper who doesn’t contribute in the passing game, I see it as a massive win. Brown is an electric playmaker who can score from anywhere. If he is going to be used in the passing game, that significantly raises his fantasy ceiling and will make him consistently more useable. I am thrilled to buy high off the blowout week and the Herbert trade and add chase brown for as much as a late first round pick. I believe Brown will see a 60%+ backfield share while seeing the high-value touches in the passing game. If that happens, he has the potential to be a top 12 back down the stretch and a potential league winner – and that’s just focusing on this season. There is the potential for him to carve out that role in the longer term as well.
Sell – Dalton Kincaid, TE BUF
After week one, I was incredibly encouraged by Kincaid’s usage. However, since then, it has reverted to his previous role, where he splits time with Dawson Knox and doesn’t see much creative usage. On Sunday, that changed. Kincaid played 52 out of a possible 66 snaps and had a route participation rate of 78%. What’s more, he saw a target for 25% of his routes run. This sounds incredibly encouraging. Why would I be looking to sell? Well, it’s based on the wider context. Kincaid was on the field more because the Bills had to pivot the game plan after Amari Cooper was held out late due to injury – this meant that the Bills decided to run more heavy personnel looks with two or three tight ends on the field. Once Cooper is back healthy, which could be this week, I would expect Kincaid’s usage to return to normal.
Ever since he was drafted, Kincaid has been held up as a potential difference-maker at Tight End, but he is not young (same age as Cole Kmet) and has yet to produce yet is consistently valued as a top 5 tight end. If you can pivot off this strong game and sell for a future first-round pick, I would make that move. You could also potentially tier down at the position to a player like Tucker Kraft or David Njoku and add an additional asset in the process.
Buy – Dak Prescott, QB DAL
People overreact and panic when a significant injury occurs with the fantasy playoffs on the horizon – that is the exact situation with Dak Prescott as contenders are panic selling to try and maintain their status as a contender, having lost a cornerstone of their franchise. If you keep calm, take a step back and react, you can scoop up some fantastic value. Based on the four-year $240 million contract Dak signed this pre-season, he will be the Cowboys starting quarterback until at least the 2028 season. He will be tied to CeeDee Lamb for that entire stretch as well. There is a high likelihood the Cowboys will find an upgrade at the offensive play-caller spot this off-season. With all of that taken into account, Dak will be a back-end QB1 and high-end QB2 for the next 3 to 4 seasons in a Superflex league that has incredible amounts of value. If you can convince a contender that they need to react, you could pivot from a lesser quarterback with a shorter shelf life like Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, or Baker Mayfield, add a small asset on top, and secure yourself Prescott. It won’t help you in 2024, but if you’re not looking to contend now anyway, it will significantly help you in 2025.
Sell – Tyreek Hill, WR MIA
The end for a dynasty asset can come quickly. If you’re not proactive, sometimes your once-prized asset can be worthless. The Miami Dolphins are in a tailspin. There are rumors Mike McDaniel could be on the hot seat despite signing a contract extension in the summer, and there are always lingering concerns about Tua Tagovailoa‘s long-term health. If there was a high-priced thirty-year-old receiver who relies on speed and agility to win and who is having a down year, it may make sense to get out sooner rather than later.
There is a world where the Dolphins get it together and Hill puts together a stretch of games that can win you the league. However, it is entirely possible the Dolphins don’t, then you’re looking at a 31-year-old receiver coming off a down year on a Dolphins team that may make some drastic moves. Chances are the value you would get in return for Hill at that point would be significantly reduced. So, if you’re looking towards 2025 or a contender and want more security, I think now is the time to act. Pivoting from Tyreek to a player like Rashee Rice is the perfect rebuilding move. If you’re contending, could you acquire Cooper Kupp and a second-round pick?
One to Watch – Theo Johnson, TE NYG
Johnson has been one of my favorite players to buy on the quiet all season. He has been playing the vast majority of snaps and is an uber-athlete. He is the type of player who can emerge at the Tight End position in year two or three. It may be harder to acquire him off the back of his touchdown performance this week, but it’s worth monitoring over the next couple of weeks because if he has back-to-back quiet games, that could very well be your opportunity to pounce to try and buy low.
- Dynasty Decision: Josh Downs - July 4, 2025
- Dynasty Decision: Terry McLaurin - June 27, 2025
- Dynasty Decision: D’Andre Swift - June 20, 2025
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 – Chase Brown, RB CIN
We all dream of that golden buy-low opportunity when you buy low on a player and they blossom into a superstar. However, sometimes you just need to accept that a breakout performance is precisely that, and you still have an opportunity to buy high. Brown blew up in week 9 and saw 100% of the Bengals running back touches. He carried the ball 27 times and caught five targets in the passing game to finish with 26.7 points. This was off the back of
Zack Moss having a neck injury, which, based on some reports, could keep him out a significant amount of time. The Bengals have reacted by trading for Bears backup Khalil Herbert who has not seen any work in recent weeks but is an above average two down runner. Some may view this one-week performance as an anomaly and be concerned the Herbert acquisition could limit the volume Brown sees. In my eyes, if Moss is out for a significant time (and it looks like he’s out for the season), the Bengals were always going to add somebody into the mix, and the fact they have chosen to add a two-down thumper who doesn’t contribute in the passing game, I see it as a massive win. Brown is an electric playmaker who can score from anywhere. If he is going to be used in the passing game, that significantly raises his fantasy ceiling and will make him consistently more useable. I am thrilled to buy high off the blowout week and the Herbert trade and add chase brown for as much as a late first round pick. I believe Brown will see a 60%+ backfield share while seeing the high-value touches in the passing game. If that happens, he has the potential to be a top 12 back down the stretch and a potential league winner – and that’s just focusing on this season. There is the potential for him to carve out that role in the longer term as well.
Sell – Dalton Kincaid, TE BUF
After week one, I was incredibly encouraged by Kincaid’s usage. However, since then, it has reverted to his previous role, where he splits time with Dawson Knox and doesn’t see much creative usage. On Sunday, that changed. Kincaid played 52 out of a possible 66 snaps and had a route participation rate of 78%. What’s more, he saw a target for 25% of his routes run. This sounds incredibly encouraging. Why would I be looking to sell? Well, it’s based on the wider context. Kincaid was on the field more because the Bills had to pivot the game plan after Amari Cooper was held out late due to injury – this meant that the Bills decided to run more heavy personnel looks with two or three tight ends on the field. Once Cooper is back healthy, which could be this week, I would expect Kincaid’s usage to return to normal.
Ever since he was drafted, Kincaid has been held up as a potential difference-maker at Tight End, but he is not young (same age as Cole Kmet) and has yet to produce yet is consistently valued as a top 5 tight end. If you can pivot off this strong game and sell for a future first-round pick, I would make that move. You could also potentially tier down at the position to a player like Tucker Kraft or David Njoku and add an additional asset in the process.
Buy – Dak Prescott, QB DAL
People overreact and panic when a significant injury occurs with the fantasy playoffs on the horizon – that is the exact situation with Dak Prescott as contenders are panic selling to try and maintain their status as a contender, having lost a cornerstone of their franchise. If you keep calm, take a step back and react, you can scoop up some fantastic value. Based on the four-year $240 million contract Dak signed this pre-season, he will be the Cowboys starting quarterback until at least the 2028 season. He will be tied to CeeDee Lamb for that entire stretch as well. There is a high likelihood the Cowboys will find an upgrade at the offensive play-caller spot this off-season. With all of that taken into account, Dak will be a back-end QB1 and high-end QB2 for the next 3 to 4 seasons in a Superflex league that has incredible amounts of value. If you can convince a contender that they need to react, you could pivot from a lesser quarterback with a shorter shelf life like Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, or Baker Mayfield, add a small asset on top, and secure yourself Prescott. It won’t help you in 2024, but if you’re not looking to contend now anyway, it will significantly help you in 2025.
Sell – Tyreek Hill, WR MIA
The end for a dynasty asset can come quickly. If you’re not proactive, sometimes your once-prized asset can be worthless. The Miami Dolphins are in a tailspin. There are rumors Mike McDaniel could be on the hot seat despite signing a contract extension in the summer, and there are always lingering concerns about Tua Tagovailoa‘s long-term health. If there was a high-priced thirty-year-old receiver who relies on speed and agility to win and who is having a down year, it may make sense to get out sooner rather than later.
There is a world where the Dolphins get it together and Hill puts together a stretch of games that can win you the league. However, it is entirely possible the Dolphins don’t, then you’re looking at a 31-year-old receiver coming off a down year on a Dolphins team that may make some drastic moves. Chances are the value you would get in return for Hill at that point would be significantly reduced. So, if you’re looking towards 2025 or a contender and want more security, I think now is the time to act. Pivoting from Tyreek to a player like Rashee Rice is the perfect rebuilding move. If you’re contending, could you acquire Cooper Kupp and a second-round pick?
One to Watch – Theo Johnson, TE NYG
Johnson has been one of my favorite players to buy on the quiet all season. He has been playing the vast majority of snaps and is an uber-athlete. He is the type of player who can emerge at the Tight End position in year two or three. It may be harder to acquire him off the back of his touchdown performance this week, but it’s worth monitoring over the next couple of weeks because if he has back-to-back quiet games, that could very well be your opportunity to pounce to try and buy low.
- Dynasty Decision: Josh Downs - July 4, 2025
- Dynasty Decision: Terry McLaurin - June 27, 2025
- Dynasty Decision: D’Andre Swift - June 20, 2025
