The Price is Right: Dynasty Trade Targets
To build a contender in Dynasty Leagues you must find the right mix of players. It’s nearly impossible to have all of the top young talent, and if your team is full of veteran studs, your reign at the top may be short lived. Acquiring a player at the right time can allow you to build your roster without paying an arm and a leg. For instance, if you bought Derrick Henry after he emerged those last 5 games in 2018, you struck gold.
Guys coming off of injuries, veterans or even rookies who struggled a bit can be great trade targets from impatient owners. Norman Bún looks at a few names he feels can be the difference in 2021:
Wide Receivers
Brandin Cooks– Can you get any cheaper for a potential #1 WR? He showed he has plenty left in the tank and prior injuries were not a factor. I’ve always loved his talent and work ethic. If he stays in Houston and Fuller leaves, he will be their guy. Cooks averaged over 15 ppg even with O’Brien holding him back the first few games.
Will Fuller– He was one of the best WR in the NFL this season and actually stayed on the field. He is a free agent and will miss the first game of 2021 which may help the price. Even in missing 5 games he finished with 53 catches, 879 yards and 8 TDs. He sure has a nose for the endzone!
DJ Chark– Personally, I tried to buy him last offseason and offered plenty. I was lucky the offer was denied based on the deal and Chark’s production. He finished with a paltry 53 catches, 706 yards and 5 TDs. His lack of production was partially based on an array of bad quarterback play, as the signal caller for the Jags went from bad to worse. With the #1 pick in the draft, a highly touted rookie QB should take over. Grab him now where possible.
Chris Godwin– After emerging in 2019 as one of the best real life and fantasy WRs, Godwin finished as WR 38 and struggled with injuries in 2020. His rapport with Tom Brady only grew and Tom has publicly spoken well about the talented receiver. I expect Godwin to stay in Tampa and get back to business in 2021.
Kenny Golladay– The Lions should have put him on the IR after week 7 but instead left owners thinking he’d come back after a few games. Wretched. Kenny didn’t play much but when he did, he was himself. At 27 years old, coming off an injury plagued year, you may be able to swing a deal for a player that would have been hard to pry away otherwise.
Jerry Jeudy– He had soooo many targets! Yes, he caught less than 50% of them that’s why an owner may be willing to move on. The return of Cortland Sutton and emergence of Tim Patrick may also be reasons why arguably the best WR in last year’s draft can be traded for.
Cortland Sutton– This young WR had a great rookie year in 2019 with over 1k yards receiving, 72 catches and 6 TDs. He suffered a major injury in his first game of 2020 and missed the entire season. He should come back with a vengeance. Grab him coming off of the injury.
Tyler Lockett– This man finished as the WR #8! I’m not sure that he isn’t the most underrated WR in the game. Hopefully those off weeks were enough to frustrate his owner into a trade.
Robert Woods– Can you get more consistent than Bobby Trees? In 2020 he averaged 15.3 ppg, in 2019 it was 15.53 and in 2018, 16.6. He has great rapport with Goff and has a nose for the end zone. He even had 24 carries! For some reason, it always feels like you can swing a deal for this guy.
Julio Jones– Does the old man have another huge year in him? Owners may be willing to part with one of the all time greats because of age and injury history. His price may be at an all time low, it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliot– Zeke is only 25 and if you think he is gonna let Pollard take his job, you’re nuts. He averaged just under 15 ppg and battled injury late in the season. Owners may be panicking and the cost is at an all time low. Buy while you can.
Nyheim Hines– Hines reminds me of a Tarik Cohen. Him and JT should rule Indy’s backfield for years to come. He is the perfect change of pace and he caught 64 passes!
James Robinson– Hello Mr. Robinson! What a rookie campaign! Wow. This man helped every Jaguar fan quickly forget about Leonard Fournette. Owners may be willing to cash out because he was acquired via waivers. If you are willing to give up a top draft pick, I’m sure he could be yours.
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins– This man put up big numbers last season. He’s getting older and can hold it down at this position as well as nearly anybody but won’t cost you a ton.
Matthew Stafford– Could Matthew be the toughest QB in the league? See “Cousins” for description.
Tight Ends
Irv Smith– Irv showed flashes this past season, especially when injuries allowed him to be the guy. In 13 games played, his snap share was over 70% only 5 times. I expect this number to climb and for him to continue to grow as a factor in this offense.
Jonnu Smith– Being in a low pass volume system has hurt him from living up to his potential. TE’s often take longer to develop and the potential break out in another system for this free agent is likely.
Rarely have I seen championship teams who chose to play it safe. Any player with upside or loads of talent comes at a cost, minimizing the cost is the key. Veterans aren’t popular in dynasty leagues for obvious reasons, but points win matches. Acquiring a free agent or someone who will be greatly affected by free agency is a risk and one that can really pay off. In fantasy football, you must be ready to take risks. Sometimes you luck out, other times it blows up in your face, but at least you went for it.
NORMAN BÚN
NFL ANALYST