It’s dynasty trade deadline time. This week I’ll break the best targets for win now and rebuilding teams.
Win Now
Travis Kelce, TE, KC - If Kelce is on a losing team’s roster, see if you can pry him from their grasp. He is far and away the #1 tight end this year and since he’s 31, any dynasty team that isn’t knocking on the door should be looking to get out now at the peak of his value.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT - If you need a quarterback, Roethlisberger is probably the cheapest you’ll get in dynasty leagues that can still give you QB1 production down the stretch. He is red hot as the Steelers offense has reorganized around their incredible wide receiver trio over the last two games.
Jimmy Graham, TE, CHI - If you’re dying at tight end, Graham is going to be super cheap on his bye and he actually has been a top 10 fantasy tight end this year. The Bears schedule is a dream during the fantasy playoffs with Detroit, Houston, Minnesota, and Jacksonville up in Weeks 13-16.
Raheem Mostert, RB, SF - The hope is that he’ll be back in Week 12 and he should be a foundational player in this offense when he does return. Hopefully any dynasty team out of contention will look at the fact that he’s turning 29 next year and be willing to deal him to the highest bidder.
Latavius Murray, RB, NO - You can probably get Murray for a song and he still has league winning upside if Alvin Kamara goes down. Have I mentioned that Kamara has been missing practices with a foot injury?
Rebuilding - Buy
Marquise Brown, WR, BAL - Brown has been a bitter disappointment this year, but he is still a high ceiling player for the future and could hit before the end of the year.
Chris Herndon, TE, NYJ - Herndon should be available for free or couch cushion change. The Jets confirmed that they are asking him to block and he could be the latest player to come alive once he doesn’t have to play for Adam Gase any more.
Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, TE, LAR - Both of these players should be every week starts at the tough to find production tight end position when Everett signs elsewhere in free agency.
Darnell Mooney, WR, CHI - The Bears need a quarterback, but once they find one, Mooney could become their #1 receiver. Allen Robinson is a free agent next year and could leave for greener pastures. If there’s a new coaching staff, Anthony Miller could also redeem himself and play a larger role assuming Robinson is playing elsewhere.
Curtis Samuel, WR, CAR - Samuel was mid breakout before last week. DJ Moore and Robby Anderson are obstacles to his role growing in Carolina, but he’ll hit free agency next year and should find more opportunity wherever he signs.
D.J. Chark, WR, JAX - The Jags should be in position to draft a top quarterback next year and Chark will be the cornerstone of their passing game. He has been a little banged up this year and had to struggle through poor quarterback play again, but his immense talent and ability is apparent and it will turn into production a la Terry McLaurin, no matter how the quarterback situation unfolds in upcoming years.
D.J. Moore, WR, CAR - He was a darling in fantasy circles last year, but has been unreliable this year. With Curtis Samuel possibly moving on, Moore should be a more consistent part of the offense going forward, and contending teams might not see him as an essential piece considering the ups and downs he has put them through this year now that Teddy Bridgewater is out for this week and who knows how much longer. He also hasn’t had his bye yet this season.
Michael Gallup, WR, DAL - Gallup has likely been banished to the bench of dynasty teams, but we know he is good at football, and we know that Dak Prescott will be back next year unless the Cowboys for some reason choose to not pay him what he is worth. Perhaps a contending dynasty team may see him as the piece they can sell to get a player who can put them over the top.
George Kittle, TE, SF, Saquon Barkley, RB, NYG, Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN, Dak Prescott, QB, DAL, Preston Williams, WR, MIA - Most of these players will likely be seen as untouchable, but you never know. Do a price check if they are on the injured reserve of a contending team.
Rebuilding - Sell
Will Fuller, WR, HOU - Fuller will be a free agent next year, and who knows what that will mean with respect to a quarterback change. He hasn’t been able to stay healthy until this year and the new Texans GM, whoever it is, might not want one of their first moves to be locking up a player who is not a sure thing to be on the field.
James Conner, RB, PIT - Conner’s price has likely dropped after a cold streak, but it’s still likely higher than it will be next year, when he becomes a free agent and probably won’t be a true lead back any longer.
Todd Gurley, RB, ATL - Trade him for whatever you can get if you’re out of contention. Next destination: committee/backupville
Julio Jones, WR, ATL - Father time is undefeated and Julio is turning 32 early next year. The Falcons could decide to blow up the team, injecting some uncertainty about his quarterback and team situation. AJ Green serves as a cautionary tale about how quickly the bottom can drop out, even for elite receivers.
Adam Thielen, WR, MIN - Thielen has still had some ceiling games, but you can see cracks around the edges of the 30-year-old’s game, and Justin Jefferson is the obvious #1 receiver for this team going forward.
Antonio Brown, WR, TB - He’s a ticking time bomb for another suspension, and 32 years old. Get out while the gettin is good.
