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Dynasty Trade Targets to Buy, Sell and Hold

Players To Buy & Sell Before Week 5

Dynasty fantasy football revolves around value. 

Take advantage of current consensus value to strengthen your dynasty team. As everyone watches the season unfold, narratives are created based on the small sample size of games.

With injuries, matchups, and other factors affecting player values, there are plenty of opportunities to buy while selling assets that will depreciate over time.

We have identified some buys who will gain value by season’s end while also considering others to sell before their stocks plummet.

Finally, patience in holding onto players to wait for their value to increase can pay off.

Let’s dive in…

Dynasty Trade Targets to Buy

Our buy candidates range from disappointments with long-term upside to a rookie who could deliver big time production for the foreseeable future.

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins’ offense is an absolute disaster right now. With QB Tua Tagovailoa being out indefinitely with a concussion, the short-term outlook for Waddle looks bleak:

Two full games without Tua:

•  4 receptions

• 31 catches

• 0 TDs

Two games with Tua:

• 4.5 receptions

• 75 yards

• 0 TDs

Waddle’s stock appears to be plummeting, but his talent bursts from the film.

Even in the most recent game with Tyler Huntley at QB, Waddle, playing mostly on the outside, was getting open. His burst off the line has remained and Waddle appears to be even more physical than last year.

Patience is Key

If a current contender is frustrated with Waddle and lacks the patience to wait out the Tua injury, go after him.

Tua will be back eventually with HC Mike McDaniel and his offense sticking around for a while. 

Not only does Waddle hold long-term value as a talent in an offense that fits him, but he could be a league winner this season if the Dolphins get their mojo back upon Tua’s return.

At only 25 years old, with three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Waddle’s talent will win out when the situation stabilizes. Trade for him while perception has soured.

Trade Value Chart Check

There's a dynasty trade value chart to fit your format, with customized values for every player and upcoming rookie picks.

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 53
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 53
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 43
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 38

Similar Values

• Kyren Williams
• Xavier Worthy
• Deebo Samuel
• Baker Mayfield (Superflex)

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Similar to the Dolphins, the Jaguars have also been disastrous so far this season. Averaging only 15 points per game, no Jaguar was a consistent fantasy producer over the first few weeks. Enter Brian Thomas Jr.

Their reliance on Thomas as the top weapon has increased as the team falters. After only four targets in each of the first two games, he has received nine in each of the last two, including catching six for 86 yards and a TD in Week 4.

Film Says Buy

Reviewing Thomas’ film shows a rookie whose athleticism and football IQ make him a threat every play. He beats the press, runs past stiffer corners, and sets up routes with his eyes and hips to not give away intel to defenders.

Thomas already is playing better than Calvin Ridley did last season in terms of effectiveness as the 'X' WR for the Jaguars. WR1 games are likely to come if Trevor Lawrence can bounce back to being competent.

Even though Thomas isn’t a buy low, buying him before everyone else catches on to be his upside is advisable.

Moving another rookie, like Ladd McConkey, who has less upside but has had more instant production would be a steal for Thomas, who turns 22 this month.

Grab Thomas for the long haul.   

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 51
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 52
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 41
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 37

Similar Values

• Alvin Kamara
• Zay Flowers
• Jordan Addison
• Trevor Lawrence (Superflex)

Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

There are few players who have left as much of a sour taste in the mouths of dynasty managers than Higgins.

After missing five games last year due to injury (and being generally ineffective for fantasy purposes,) Higgins couldn’t start the year due to another hamstring issue.

Since coming back, he hasn’t found the end zone once and is averaging only 4.5 receptions and 49.5 yards per game.

But Higgins' talent is still evident. Since returning from his hamstring injury, Higgins has out-targeted Ja’Marr Chase 16 to 13. 

On film, Higgins still excels at getting off the line against press and cleanly running a full route tree. Simply put, Higgins remains extremely difficult to cover one on one.

New Situation = Potential Upside

Similar to Jessie Bates in 2022, the Bengals likely have no intentions of signing Higgins after this franchise tag year.

They will likely let him go into free agency and sign with a new team.

There is always risk in a WR going to a new team and system with a different QB, but there is potential upside if Higgins is signed as a No. 1 WR in the right situation.

What if he ends up in Buffalo? Washington? Or out in Los Angeles with the Chargers?

Higgins' talent makes him attractive to teams without a true 1A option and his alpha potential explodes without Ja’Marr Chase on the other side.

Of course, downside exists as Higgins could end up on a bottom dweller with bad QB play, but his current trade value makes it worth exploring. He is also only 25 years old, despite feeling like he has played in the NFL for much longer.

Let managers scared off by the hamstring injuries or soured by the 656 receiving yards and five TD season last year trade Higgins to you for much less than he is worth.

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 40
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 41
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 31
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 29

Similar Values

• Joe Mixon
• Jalen Hurts
• Tank Dell
• 2025 late 1st (1-QB)

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

Daniels' rookie season is setting up to be one of the best ever for fantasy football.

He already set the rookie record for completion percentage in a game at 91.3% against the Bengals. Even crazier, the Commanders have scored on 20 of their last 22 non-kneeldown drives.

On top of his passing, Daniels averages 11.4 fantasy points per game as a runner. Lamar Jackson’s best rushing season only averaged 10.86 rushing fantasy points per game. 

Is there a reason Daniels isn’t viewed as a consensus top-three dynasty QB?

Outside of Josh Allen, there is no other QB with Daniels’ upside.

Trading for an Elite QB

With Daniels’ breakout, trading for him won’t be cheap, but he is worth it.

If you are looking to move a QB straight up, offering C.J. Stroud or Patrick Mahomes for Daniels could entice a deal. 

Ultimately, the best approach will be using our Dynasty Trade Calculator to build a package deal for Daniels.

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 35
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 36
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 82
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 80

Similar Values

• Derrick Henry
• Patrick Mahomes (Superflex)
• CeeDee Lamb (Superflex)
• 2025 Early Round 2 (1-QB)

Dynasty Trade Targets to Sell

Knowing which players to trade away at their peak value is as valuable as buying the right pieces.

Let’s look at players to move now.

Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The best time to trade White was yesterday. The second best time is right now.

White gave warning signs during his breakout last season that it was unsustainable.

Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries in 2023, White ranked:

• 44th in Pro Football Focus rushing grade
• 28th in PFF’s Elusive Rating
• 46th in NFL Next Gen Stats’ Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt

His start in 2024 has also been a disaster. 

Among the 49 RBs with 25+ carries so far in 2024, White ranks:

• 42nd in Pro Football Focus rushing grade
• 24th in PFF’s Elusive Rating
• 44th in NFL Next Gen Stats’ Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt

On film, White simply takes what he is given rushing the ball and nothing more. That is not sustainable for a starting NFL RB.

Bucky Irving Looms

The Buccaneers drafted Bucky Irving in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. When he has had opportunities, Irving has impressed. 

Among the 49 RBs with 25+ carries so far in 2024, Irving ranks:

• 32nd in Pro Football Focus rushing grade
• 6th in PFF’s Elusive Rating
• 18th in NFL Next Gen Stats’ Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt

Not only does he crush White in every metric, Irving evades tacklers and springs big plays in the ground game to give the Buccaneers a new dynamic.

Though White is still a solid receiver out of the backfield (10th in PFF receiving grade among those 49 RBs), Irving is no slouch, ranking 24th himself.

The changing of the guard is coming and being left with an empty bag of Rachaad White is not advisable.

Though he is 25 years old, we may have already seen the peak of White’s value.

Though his stock has fallen, this might be your last chance to move a recognizable name in White for a return before he loses the grip on the starting job.

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 32
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 31
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 24
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 21

Similar Values

• Diontae Johnson
• Tony Pollard
• Tua Tagovailoa (Superflex)
• 2025 mid 2nd (1-QB)

D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears

After averaging only 1.87 yards per carry in the first three games this season, Swift hit 5.8 yards per carry in Week 4 while rushing for 93 yards and a TD.

A breakout game gives you a prime opportunity to sell Swift, whose struggles are likely not behind him.

Swift’s film is among the worst of any starting RB this year. Lacking the vision to see cutback lanes and holes developing is extremely frustrating. He just plows into his own offensive line with little regard for trying to pick up more yardage.

His PFF rushing grade is 46th among 49 RBs with 25+ carries.

Long-Term Outlook

There are no guarantees that Swift will retain any value in the long term. 

Despite signing a three-year deal with the Bears, the 25-year-old could become a backup in 2025 and be cut after that season.

His best days are clearly behind him, so moving Swift for even a little bit now is better than nothing. 

That long term value could crater very quickly.  

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 25
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 23
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 18
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 16

Similar Values

• Jerry Jeudy
• Blake Corum
• Jake Ferguson
• Matthew Stafford (Superflex)

Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans

Diggs has had a great year with double-digit PPR fantasy points in three of four games. He is a fantasy starter who has seen a resurgence with C.J. Stroud at QB.

If a contender is looking to upgrade their WRs, Diggs is an attractive trade candidate. Take advantage and move Diggs to give someone else short-term help because his long-term value is likely to take a hit after the season.

There is also a chance that Digg’s streaky nature pops up again. Last year with the Bills, he fell apart late, not scoring a TD over the last five games. 

Diggs will turn 31 before the end of the season, a spot where we see WR production start to decline rapidly. 

According to our aging-curve research, Diggs' production will fall to 86% of his peak in 2025 and then 78% just a year later.

That decline could always start before the season ends, so now is a great time to move Diggs. 

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 32
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 32
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 24
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 22

Similar Values

• Khalil Shakir
• Bucky Irving
• 2025 mid Round 2 (1-QB)
• Geno Smith (Superflex)

Players To Hold:

Sometimes, the winning move is to do nothing.

Some players carry the potential for big value swings in either direction. Buy at the wrong time, and you'll lose value. Sell too early, though, and you can miss out on both value and production.

We'd rather hold this player for now to see what happens.

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

With two straight goose eggs for Andrews, it has been a rough season to keep the faith in the formerly elite TE.

With the Ravens acquiring Derrick Henry, it seems Andrews role has changed to be more part-time, supporting the run more than being a great downfield and red-zone target like the rest of his career. 

For dynasty, his value is falling too far to trade him away. Andrews is still one of the best TE talents in the league and the Ravens will be one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFL once again.

There's still a chance Andrews bounces back.

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 19
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 21
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 13
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 14

Similar Values

• Zack Moss
• Jermaine Burton
• 2025 Early Round 3 (1-QB)
• Aaron Rodgers (Superflex)

Build a Dynasty with these Tools

The Trade Navigator with the Dynasty Trade Calculator is just one of the tools available to help you build and maintain your perennial contender. Learn more on how to dominate your dynasty leagues and improve your value with the video below:

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format including redraft, dynasty, devy, IDP, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance.