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Whether you are preparing for your dynasty fantasy football startup draft, or you are just looking for some enticing trade targets, it’s always ideal to have a few players on your radar who might be undervalued by others in your league.
The players listed here are players who’s production and upside may fall short of their current ranking and ADP values. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and we’re not suggesting you immediately sell these veteran players. Instead, look at these players during your startup draft with a little more caution, and be a little more comfortable trading them away for a fair price, and a little more careful when looking at trade offers where you would be potentially acquiring these players.
Tony Pollard, RB DAL
The Dallas Cowboys’ new starting running back is recovering from surgery, but should be ready to go at training camp. However, Tony Pollard will still be on the wrong side of 26 at the start of the season and there’s been plenty of buzz about Jerry Jones drafting a running back from Texas, whether it’s Bijan Robinson in the first round or Roschon Johnson in the third or fourth round. Pollard will likely have a nice season in 2023, but he doesn’t have a long-term contract and has spent most of his career as a complementary back. Before 2022, he never had a season with more than 169 touches. The Cowboys are probably looking to add another piece to be the thunder to Pollard’s lightning. If you’re a middling team with Pollard on your roster, I’d look to move him before the draft.
Javonte Williams, RB DEN
Another player coming back from an injury. Javonte Williams shredded his knee last season, tearing his ACL and LCL against the Las Vegas Raiders in week four. J.K. Dobbins tore the same ligaments at the same age in the 2021 preseason and he returned 13 months later in week before receiving a second knee procedure midseason. If Williams has a similar timeline it would mean he doesn’t suit up for the Broncos until week eight. NFL running backs simply aren’t long for the fantasy football world, so it’s better to move a player early than wait for the inevitable free fall. Javonte Williams still holds some cache and he’s attached to a good offensive mind in Sean Payton. If you can package him in a deal to get a first round pick, I’d pull the trigger.
Tyreek Hill, WR MIA
Cheetah had a career year last season, so it’s the perfect time to put him on the trade block. Tyreek Hill’s game is predicated on speed and athleticism, which means he could be heading for a cliff as he approaches 30 years old. Tua Tagovailoa was incredible last season, but his health and future in football is a major question mark. Cooper Kupp had one of the best seasons of all time in 2021, and he fell dramatically in dynasty rankings because of an injury along with questions surrounding Matthew Stafford. It doesn’t take much for a 30 year old receiver to plummet in the rankings, so put out feelers in any leagues you’re holding Tyreek. I’d be looking to swap Hill for a package including a younger wide receiver if possible.
David Montgomery, RB DET
I was surprised to see Montgomery (RB26) listed as a borderline RB2 in DLF’s April 2023 Startup ADP. Many people are penciling him into the Jamaal Williams role in Detroit, but he’ll still be competing for touches with D’Andre Swift and possibly an incoming rookie. Montgomery was outplayed by Khalil Herbert in 2022, and he’ll turn 26 before the start of the new season. I think I’d rather have a few of the younger running backs listed behind him like James Cook (RB30) or Brian Robinson (RB33). Montgomery has a good ceiling if he gets the goal line role, but his age and competition for touches makes the floor a little shaky. This is a rare sell window for an older running back. I don’t mind holding him if you’re a contender or you have Swift on your roster, but most fantasy teams should have him on the block.
Joe Mixon, RB CIN
This one’s so easy, it almost doesn’t need to be said. Joe Mixon has been freefalling since an arrest warrant was issued for him. Mixon had some character concerns coming into the NFL and he’s a cut candidate for the Bengals. They’d save $10 million by cutting him in June, and there have been reports that Cincinnati is asking him to take a paycut or else he’ll be released. It’s entirely possible that the 26-year-old has played his last snap in the NFL. I’d take whatever I could get for him at this point. If you can snag a future second or even a third, do it.
Sophomore running backs without draft capital
There were a lot of surprises from day three running backs last season. Dameon Pierce, Tyler Allgeier, and Isiah Pacheco all had fantastic rookie years. If you’re holding onto one of these backs, you should consider shopping them in your league. It’s a story that seems to repeat every year, a rookie running back outperforms their day 3 draft position only to be replaced the very next season. Running back is one of the most fluid positions in the NFL and each one of these teams could add someone in this very deep class. The Atlanta Falcons are currently the betting odds favorite to draft Bijan Robinson, the Houston Texans have five picks in the top 100, and Kansas City will likely look to replace Jerick McKinnon. All of these sophomore running backs have a real chance of being usurped by a rookie next season, which means their dynasty stock could plummet and never recover.