Buying and selling gamers is important for long-term success in any fantasy soccer dynasty league. Taking dangers on promising younger expertise can actually remodel your roster, however it’s usually difficult to half methods with established gamers to land potential future stars.
One widespread thread under pertains to working backs. Due to the bodily calls for, they’ve shorter careers in comparison with different positions. The excessive contact fee and repetitive nature of duties can result in accidents and put on and tear on the physique. Since 2010, 94 working backs have scored a minimum of 250 fantasy factors in a season. Practically 70% of these seasons happened between the ages of 23 and 26. Whereas these tips should not essentially the be-all and end-all, figuring out backs who can nonetheless assist a possible commerce accomplice in the course of the subsequent season or two is a good way to get youthful and maximize your return in a deal.
Figuring out which gamers to amass or commerce might be like strolling a tightrope, so let’s spotlight a handful of gamers on either side.
Gamers to commerce for
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans: Spears is the participant it’s best to goal within the Titans’ backfield, though Tony Pollard signed a three-year, $24 million contract in free company. Spears completed with the ninth-most targets amongst working backs and racked up greater than 800 yards from scrimmage as a rookie. That is fairly spectacular contemplating Spears primarily performed on passing downs in a committee with Derrick Henry. The Titans have a brand new head coach and playcaller in Brian Callahan and an offensive line that would have a breakout season underneath legendary O-line coach (and Brian’s father) Invoice Callahan. Fantasy managers should not fear about Spears being in a timeshare with Pollard, who obtained a career-high 252 dashing makes an attempt in Dallas final season, however averaged a career-low 4.0 yards.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Are you able to blame the Steelers for not selecting up Najee Harris’ fifth-year choice? Contemplating how Warren carried out final season, now’s the proper time to commerce for him. He showcased playmaking capacity in his second NFL season, ending with profession highs in each dashing and receiving yards, and completed because the fantasy RB22. Now, with a brand new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, who has a historical past of maximizing the expertise of his working backs, and an improved offensive line in Pittsburgh, Warren’s potential is even higher. Given these circumstances and his excessive ceiling, Warren is a wonderful participant to focus on.
Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints: Miller’s rookie season was marred by accidents, however do not overlook him. In Week 18 towards the Falcons, he confirmed promise with 14 touches and 15 fantasy factors. Now’s a good time to commerce for him, however be affected person as a result of Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams are nonetheless round. Nevertheless, Kamara is on the draw back, getting into his age-29 season and has only one rush of a minimum of 30 yards over the previous three seasons, and it would not be shocking if Miller outperformed Williams in coaching camp to grab the backup job.
Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Let’s be actual: Fields wasn’t arrange for fulfillment with the Bears, coping with a weak offensive line and restricted playmakers, but he nonetheless averaged 17.7 fantasy factors per recreation due to his dual-threat capacity. Now he is in Pittsburgh and can compete with 35-year-old Russell Wilson, who’s on a one-year deal. If Wilson struggles, Fields might begin earlier than later, or Fields might simply win the job throughout camp. Within the worst-case state of affairs, Fields finishes his rookie deal and hits free company subsequent offseason. There have been solely three quarterbacks to hurry for 1,000 yards in a season. The 25-year-old Fields is one in every of them, which makes him a invaluable dynasty commerce goal.
Diontae Johnson, WR, Carolina Panthers: Johnson has averaged 8.3 targets per recreation in his profession, however it hasn’t all the time translated to fantasy factors, as he is averaged simply 11.1 over the previous two seasons. Nevertheless, in Carolina, he has minimal competitors for targets and shall be working with second-year quarterback Bryce Younger. Many count on the Panthers’ offense to enhance underneath Dave Canales, who revived Geno Smith’s and Baker Mayfield’s careers. Most dynasty managers look by means of the rearview mirror as a substitute of straight forward. Use this to your benefit by buying and selling for Johnson, who’s getting into his age-28 season.
Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans: Levis made his Titans debut in Week 8 final season, impressing with 238 passing yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Whereas he threw simply 4 extra touchdowns in his subsequent eight begins, he did have a notable comeback win towards the Dolphins late within the season. He averaged simply 11.3 fantasy factors per recreation, so clearly enchancment is required. The additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to the large receiver room, becoming a member of DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks, will assist Levis, and the offensive line is improved. Now’s the proper time to amass Levis earlier than he takes the sophomore leap underneath new coach Brian Callahan.
Gamers to commerce away
Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers: Edwards has averaged 10.7 fantasy factors in his 35 profession video games with 10 or extra dashing makes an attempt. Now reunited with offensive coordinator Greg Roman, his workload seems promising. Roman’s offenses ran the ball greater than 50% in Baltimore. Nevertheless, Edwards does not contribute a lot within the passing recreation, is competing with J.Ok. Dobbins and rookie Kimani Vidal for touches and is 29 years outdated. If there’s a group in your league seeking to win now and in want of backfield assist, that is your final probability to get one thing in return for Edwards.
Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Barkley’s outlook is optimistic, as he signed a three-year contract with the Eagles, whose offense ranked seventh in dashing makes an attempt and first in run block win fee final season. Barkley is averaging 20.1 touches and 17.5 fantasy factors in his profession, and he’s deadly as a runner and receiver. Aside from a torn ACL suffered in Week 2 of the 2020 season, he is been comparatively wholesome, enjoying a minimum of 13 video games each different season. At 27 years outdated, his dynasty worth is unlikely to get any increased than it’s, making now the proper time to capitalize.
Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos: Williams had a suboptimal season from a statistical standpoint, averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry and ending because the RB29 regardless of lacking only one recreation. Nevertheless, it was a constructive to see him common a career-best 16.5 touches. At solely 24 years outdated, Williams went into the offseason wholesome. Nevertheless, the Broncos can have a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix, and Williams will even face competitors in a crowded, unsettled backfield that features holdovers Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin, in addition to rookies Audric Estime and Blake Watson. Some dynasty managers view Williams as a bounce-back candidate, and people are those it’s best to goal for a commerce.
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers: Herbert’s state of affairs is not nice. He has a brand new coach in Jim Harbaugh and aforementioned offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who each lean closely on the working recreation. It is simple to see that coming to fruition, particularly since WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are not on the group. Herbert has averaged 274.1 passing yards and 19.1 fantasy factors per recreation in his profession, however given these organizational modifications, it is troublesome to view him as something greater than a high-end QB2. Nevertheless, many dynasty managers nonetheless see the 26-year-old Herbert as a QB1 primarily based on identify recognition. Use that to your benefit.
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears: Moore set profession highs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns final season, averaging 16.8 fantasy factors per recreation. Nevertheless, this season he’ll be competing for targets with Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze, each projected for greater than 100 targets. The trio will even be catching passes from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Moreover, offseason addition D’Andre Swift will command his share of targets. You understand what you have to do, though it will likely be painful.
Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns: This shall be Cooper’s third season with the Browns. The elite route runner has averaged 8.1 targets and 14.8 fantasy factors per recreation since transferring to Cleveland, however 2024 would be the closing yr of the soon-to-be 30-year-old receiver’s contract. It stays to be seen whether or not the Browns and Cooper will negotiate a contract extension or search a commerce down the street. Whereas Cooper is projected to steer the Browns in targets, offseason addition Jerry Jeudy and veteran TE David Njoku aren’t far behind. Contemplating his age and contract state of affairs, now could be the time to maneuver on from Cooper.
