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Dynasty Trade Targets to Buy, Sell, or Hold

Players To Buy or Sell Before Week 13

Dynasty fantasy football revolves around value. 

Take advantage of current consensus value to strengthen your dynasty team. As everyone watches the season unfold, narratives get 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 with some players can pay off. And we've got a couple of picks there, too.

Let’s dive in…

Dynasty Trade Targets to Buy

Our buy candidates range from an upcoming free agent to a young QB who many have given up on.

Diontae Johnson, WR, Baltimore Ravens

A late-season strategy is acquiring players who are impending free agents.

Either they sign with a new team, likely providing a short-term burst of fantasy value, or they are re-signed with a new commitment from their current team.

Johnson has been on three teams within the past year, with volatile value changes at each run.

Last season, the QB play on the Steelers couldn’t support Johnson in fantasy despite leading the team in targets per game.

On the Panthers to start the season, Johnson was hitting his potential.

He had three PPR WR1 finishes in the first six weeks of the season. 

Then, he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, who are targeting him less than twice per game.

As his value tanks, Johnson becomes a great buy at only 28 years old, heading into free agency for the first time.

We have seen his upside on the Panthers. If Johnson is featured on a pass-friendly offense, he can regain WR2 production with WR1 upside.

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: 26
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 27 
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 17
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 17 

Similar Values

• DeAndre Hopkins
• 2025 Early Round 3 (1-QB)
• Nick Chubb
• Will Levis

Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Speaking of the Steelers, their RB room likely will look different in 2025.

Najee Harris's fifth-year option was not picked up by the team, so he will be a free agent after the season.

The more talented Warren could be in line to become the lead back if Harris is not signed, which would be an immediate value gain.

Warren dealt with multiple injuries this season, from a hamstring issue in the preseason to a knee injury in Week 3. 

He was clearly still hampered by those injuries upon return, averaging just three yards per carry in his first three games back.

Finally Healthy

Then, after the bye week, Warren has looked like his old self. 

He bested Harris in yards per carry in each of the last three games with at least 35% of the backfield touches in each contest.

At worst, Warren has earned a similar role in 2025, even if the Steelers sign a new lead back. 

But, the chance that Warren becomes the starter is worth investing in. 

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 24
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 23
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 16
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 14 

Similar Values

• Tank Bigsby
• 2025 Early Round 3 (1-QB)
• Tucker Kraft
• Russell Wilson (Superflex)

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

It’s rare for a second year, number one overall pick to get benched. It’s even more rare that they find NFL (and fantasy) success after that point.

Bryce Young may be the guy to find that success.

I did an in depth film analysis on his first two weeks which led to his benching, giving some hope for his future.

Now with some time as the backup, Young is taking to HC Dave Canales’ offense and starting to shine.

Young nearly pulled off a huge upset against the Chiefs last week, completing 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and a TD with no INTs.

Not stellar fantasy numbers, but there is some progress.

In fact, he had the third highest PFF passing grade of Week 12, better than his counterpart Patrick Mahomes.

Vast Improvement on Film

The film is even better, showing Young’s development in his footwork, accuracy and diagnosis. 

On this pass in the first quarter, the RB motion helped Young read the Chiefs' blitz from the middle. 

Even with that, he recognizes the drop zone from the OLB with man coverage on the stack. 

Young works through his progressions to David Moore who beat his man. At that point, he steps into the throw and delivers it on target where no defender would have a chance at it.

The footwork is a major improvement from the first two weeks of the season and led Young to be more accurate throughout the game.

The Panthers’ offense is finally opening up due Young’s improvement.

We have seen Canales lead dead in the water QBs like Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield to QB1 seasons.

If an investment is made in more weapons and help for Young, he will have at least high-end QB2 upside.

In Superflex leagues or deep 18-20 team single QB leagues, giving up a second-round pick now for Young should pay off if his development continues. 

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 11
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 8 
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 21
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 19 

Similar Values

• Amari Cooper  
• David Montgomery
• 2025 Late Round 2 (Superflex)
• Tyler Lockett (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.

Michael Pittman, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Pittman had his best fantasy season in 2023 ranking as the PPR WR14 in total fantasy points (248.2) and WR18 in points per game (15.5).

The majority of the season was spent with QB Gardner Minshew. 

In 2024, Pittman currently ranks PPR WR45 in both total fantasy points (103.8) and fantasy points per game (9.436).

This season has been primarily with QB Anthony Richardson, who appears locked back in as the starter for the future.

This means less passing volume as a whole.

In 2023, Minshew averaged 28.8 passes per game for the Colts

Richardson has averaged only 22.9 passes per game over his career.

Name Recognition

Pittman still holds some name recognition, so our Dynasty Trade Calculator shows him equivalent in value to some better bets at WR like Courtland Sutton, Rashid Shaheed, or Ricky Pearsall.

Pittman is currently a sell low, but there is room for his value to fall even further. Sell now for players or picks that will become value gains. 

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 37 
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 37 
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 25
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 22 

Similar Values

• Keon Coleman
• 2025 Early Round 2 (1-QB)
• Bucky Irving
• Geno Smith (Superflex)

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions

One of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the season, LaPorta feels like another sell-low compared to his value before the season.

A near consensus TE1 in dynasty rankings, LaPorta’s record-breaking rookie season felt too good to be true.

It was.

Just four of his 10 TDs came from the red zone. That type of TD dependence was not sustainable. His 86-catch rookie record also was not sustainable as the Lions’ offense evolved.

Situation Worse Than It Seems

Even if OC Ben Johnson leaves for a HC job, the Lions offense will remain run-centric. In addition, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown will stick as the primary target.

The Lions currently have the fifth fewest passes on the season at 318.

We may have already seen LaPorta’s peak production. 

Sell him now while his youth and the Lions offense still remains attractive to buyers.

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 39
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 40
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 26
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 24 

Similar Values

• Josh Jacobs
• 2025 Late Round 1 (1-QB)
• Jameson Williams
• Jared Goff (Superflex)

DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

The 2021 first-round pick holds plenty of name recognition, but his inconsistency often plagues fantasy managers. 

This season, Smith has three PPR games as WR14 or better and another three as WR54 or worse.

Similar to the Lions, the Eagles are a run-centric offense with a clear top receiver (A.J. Brown). 

They have the least passes in the NFL this season at 288.

Smith’s numbers even out at 36th in total PPR fantasy points and 32nd in PPR points per game.

In a traditional lineup league, however, those WR3 numbers are too volatile to trust week-to-week. It also could get worse.

Future Isn’t Bright

Smith also is lucky that the Jahan Dotson, acquired by the Eagles before the season, has largely remained a bust.

If they upgrade their WR3 and spread out the thin targets even more, Smith’s value could continue to decline.

Trade him at his WR2/3 value before that happens. 

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 48
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 49
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 35
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 32 

Similar Values

• Rome Odunze
• 2025 Mid Round 1 (1-QB)
• Trey McBride
• Trevor Lawrence(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 these players for now to see what happens going into next season

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has finally come on with three straight WR1 performances. Metcalf managers may be in a bit of a panic since he hasn’t put up even a WR2 finish since the Seahawks bye week.

But patience will likely be rewarded.

Metcalf is still WR19 in PPR points per game and WR24 overall.

He has still been heavily used in the offense, averaging 6.5 targets per game since the bye week.

Combine that with some bad TD luck, including multiple TDs called back due to penalties and one where his foot was an inch out of bounds, and Metcalf still has boom potential.

The Seahawks new offense with OC Ryan Grubb has preferred the pass, ranking third in pass rate over expectation for the season.

There is room for two top fantasy WRs on an offense passing this much. 

Hold Metcalf and keep starting him with confidence.

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 52
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 55
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 37
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 35 

Similar Values

• Brian Thomas Jr.
• 2025 Early Round 1 (1-QB)
• Jonathan Taylor
• Drake Maye (Superflex)

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

Harrison Jr. tops many “Bust” lists for how frustrating his fantasy year has been.

WR28 in PPR fantasy points and WR40 in points per game is not ideal after spending your 1.01 rookie pick on him.

It may be tempting to try and trade him while you still can, but holding Harrison and letting him develop along with the offense is the best play.

There have been some positives of Harrison’s usage, specifically his 21% slot rate. If the offense evolves more and Harrisons gets more slot work to create mismatches, there could be more opportunities.

Trust the talent over the current situation on Harrison. 

His film in the past few weeks show a player getting separation, especially off the line, so the production will come, but it may not be until 2025. 

Trade Value Chart Check

• 1-QB, 1-PPR: 61
• 1-QB, Half-PPR: 63
• Superflex, 1-PPR: 45
• Superflex, Half-PPR: 41 

Similar Values

• George Pickens
• De’Von Achane
• A.J. Brown
• Bo Nix (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.