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Dynasty Waiver Wire: Stash These Potential Value Boosters

By Shane Hallam | Updated on Mon, 11 Dec 2023 . 11:15 AM EST

Deep Dynasty Waiver Wire Pickups

Whether it’s due to rebuilding or just bad luck, missing your dynasty playoffs means it’s time to start planning the perfect offseason. 

Most teams will sit tight and just wait for the NFL Draft before making any moves, but working the dynasty waiver wire now can give you an early start on increasing the value of your dynasty roster.

Who to Target on the Dynasty Waiver Wire

Most dynasty managers make a huge mistake when churning the bottom of their roster at the end of the season. They opt to add young longshot players who will need multiple injuries and a lot of luck to even be on the fantasy radar. 

The better strategy is to target older players who will be free agents this year. Then, as soon as that player signs a contract and generates some hype, trade that guy for a rookie pick or an upgrade somewhere.

Using the dynasty waiver wire to add players whose values will rise in the NFL offseason leads to easy trade opportunities.

Consider the players below. And once they see an increase in value, ship them off to help complete the rebuild.

Dynasty Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterback

Ryan Tannehill

Tannehill got hurt and then was benched for Will Levis this season. Let’s just say he’s not exactly viewed as an elite QB.

The 35-year-old has been dropped in many superflex leagues despite being on the verge of free agency. Teams have been forced to start the likes of Tim Boyle and Joe Flacco this season. Tannehill could still sign as a bridge starter on a QB-needy team.

Pick him up in superflex leagues. When he signs, even if it’s as a backup, trade him as a handcuff or bench player for a team that has an immediate QB need.

Trey Lance

The only non-free agent on the list, the Lance believers are still out there. 

He’s never gotten to truly play many meaningful snaps, so the theoretical upside he possesses will always be intriguing as trade bait. 

The Cowboys did trade for Lance, but they easily could cut or trade him again into a situation with a clearer path to a starting job. If this happens – or even if he can establish himself as the backup in Dallas – the trade value of Lance will skyrocket.

He is even worth a stash in deep 1-QB leagues in case an opportunity to start arises.

Dynasty Waiver Wire Pickups: Running Back

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

An easy way to decide which longshots to target is to go back to the draft capital. Former first-round picks, even those that have been massive busts, have name recognition that can net you value in a trade.

CEH certainly falls into the bust category, which has led to him being available on numerous dynasty waiver wires. He will finally leave the Chiefs' offensive system that never really fit his skill set (despite HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach believing he was the next Brian Westbrook). 

The view of CEH entering the league was that he would be an elite pass-catching RB who could excel in a one-cut zone blocking scheme. But, he hasn’t shown that ability to get open in the passing game.

Rather, CEH’s contact balance could lend itself to a more gap-style scheme that hasn’t been what the Chiefs are running.

Dynasty managers will believe there is some talent there. And if CEH is signed to a situation with an opening on the depth chart, someone will jump at the upside for cheap.

Rashaad Penny

Dynasty managers are like elephants. They never forget, the good or the bad.

Penny brought plenty of the good when he was in Seattle:

• first-round pick
• efficient runner
• big-play ability

It led to some big hype around his Eagles signing (even on a one-year deal) – and a perfect sell opportunity.

When Penny gets signed again, the excuses will come out about the Eagles trading for D’Andre Swift or just never giving him a chance. But dynasty managers love to believe the next chance is the big one.

If a frustrated league mate has dropped Penny, pick him up and swap him for a rookie pick after he signs a new contract.  

Dynasty Waiver Wire Pickups: Wide Receivers

Greg Dortch 

Dynasty managers are subject to a psychological term called “rosy retrospection.” You tend to remember the spikes of a fringe player and not all the times they were useless.

Dortch popped for a few weeks late in the fantasy regular season. There may be some intrigue if he signs in a good spot as a free agent.

He has been a fringe roster-worthy player for most of the season, so check if he is available or track if a playoff team has to drop him late.

Jauan Jennings

Sitting behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk doesn’t allow for many opportunities. Despite this, Jennings had 5 TDs two years ago as a rookie and keeps earning playing time for the 49ers.

As an elite blocking receiver, Jennings could be attractive to other teams. He was re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent this past offseason and will be a restricted free agent this offseason. If the 49ers merely tender him at his draft-pick level (seventh round) another team could swoop in and offer a bigger deal than San Francisco is comfortable with.

If he does sign somewhere that has a starter opening, expect the fantasy community to tag him as a sleeper almost immediately. That opens up the trade window to sell and get a rookie pick before the NFL Draft.

He also could sign a multi-year deal with the 49ers, which would deliver a similar pop in value.

Dynasty Waiver Wire Pickups: Tight Ends

Mike Gesicki

There was plenty of promise for Gesicki when he signed with the Patriots (despite the mere one-year contract). After all, he’s a former second-round pick and an elite athlete for the position. He had at least 5 TDs in three of his five years in Miami and was a TE1 as recent as 2021, with 73 receptions for 780 yards and 2 TDs. 

As a 6’5, 247-pounder with a 4.54-second 40 time, Gesicki still sports plenty of upside that isn’t being utilized.

Many dynasty managers have cut bait with Gesicki, and he has tumbled down dynasty rankings. Be ready for the cycle to start again next year, especially with how many NFL teams simply don’t have a decent starting TE.

More Dynasty Fantasy Football Tools

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