Heading into 2024, If you team is nearly there, but needs a little help, read on for some dynasty trade targets. Now, if you aren’t sure if that’s you, look at your roster and ask yourself how you think it’ll look in two years. If you are heavy on veterans, then maybe consider grabbing some more veterans and give yourself a window to win a championship.
- Russell Wilson (QB, PIT)
- James Conner (RB, ARI)
- Raheem Mostert (RB, MIA)
- Mike Evans (WR, TB)
- Amari Cooper (WR, CLE)
- Jake Ferguson (TE, DAL)
Russell Wilson (QB, PIT)
Fair to say that Wilson’s time in Denver didn’t exactly go to plan. After trading a number of picks and handing him a big contract, Sean Payton ended up taking on a huge cap hit to move on from Wilson. As a result, Wilson was able to take his talents to any team for a minimal contract, ultimately selecting the Steelers on a one-year deal.
The stink from that stint, and how he left Seattle, hurt his value. In single QB leagues, he might be out of that window of having any value at all. But, in Superflex leagues, he should still be able to be a decent QB2. Even with the ‘struggle’ in Denver last season he finished with an average of 17 points per game. Higher than Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff (both seen as valuable) as well as Matthew Stafford and Baker Mayfield.
For 2024 though, Wilson made his decision to go to the Steelers. A team that has a decent backfield duo, a very nice up-and-coming receiver in George Pickens and a big-body TE in Pat Freiermuth. There might be a question mark over new OC Arthur Smith, after the way the Falcons ran their offense. But, he has a blueprint for success if he is able to establish the running game.
You could start to open talks with a mid- late 2nd round pick in Superflex formats, and potentially add some later round selections. In single QB leagues, I don’t know if Wilson is going to be able to help you out too much, but you could throw out a third round selection to start the conversation.
James Conner (RB, ARI)
Conner is not the normal type of RB. You don’t need to look much further than the fact his first season with over 1,000 yards on the ground was last year (at the age of 28). To do that as part of an offense that didn’t really have much going for it (so defenses could simply stack the box) is impressive.
This season, the team have made some investment in their offense, including their backfield, with drafting Trey Benson in the third round. (You can find his rookie profile here). That selection, and Conner’s age, are going to have some fantasy managers looking to move him on before he falls off of a cliff. But, while Conner’s age puts him in the ‘sell’ column, he hasn’t had the same volume of touches as other older RBs (for example, he has 1,125 carries and Ezekiel Elliott has 2,065 carries.). For this season at least, Conner should be able to have some value as a fantasy RB2 (or at a minimum a flex option week-to-week). Even if Benson were able to take some of the volume away, Conner is likely to maintain his goal-line work in an improved Cardinals offense.
With the uncertainty around Conner’s role, depending on the roster construction, you could find a seller for an early thrid round selection. Think it’s more likely you’d need to part with a second, and maybe get something else back later, but that’s the type of cost he would be.
Raheem Mostert (RB, MIA)
Mostert is ‘over the hill’ when it comes to RBs, entering his age 32 season. But, like Conner, he really has not taken a lot of workload during his career. In his career, Mostert has only had 674 carries (with around half of them coming in the past two seasons!). Again, as with Conner, the Dolphins drafted another piece for their backfield (Jaylen Wright- and you can find his rookie profile here). But, Mostert has a lot of credit in the bank with the coaching staff.
There is a lot of hype around De’Von Achane for this season, and he is likely to see more work overall than last season. But, Mostert is likely to see (at least) the goal-line work. In an offense like Miami has, there should be plenty of redzone visits- making Mostert a decent depth piece for this season at least. You could open conversations with a mid-third round selection, and get the deal done almost immediately.
Mike Evans (WR, TB)
Mr. 1,000 yards. There were plenty of people that were out on Evans last season, and I remained a buyer. Evans’ has the type of traits that allow him to perform regardless of who is throwing him the ball. Has good speed, but doesn’t need it, as his size and leaping ability allow him to make plays. Last season, he was able to show his ability as a fantasy receiver.
After this coming season, another strong season, he now has over 1,000 yards in each of his 10 seasons in the league, and added another double-digit TD season (making 5 in his career). He is the clear WR1 in the offense, and one of the leading parts of the offense overall. Evans massively outperformed Chris Godwin, with more than 200 yards and 11 TDs more than Godwin despite similar target and reception numbers.
For this upcoming season, Evans is returning along with Mayfield. The only real question is how the team will perform with Liam Coen calling plays from the sidelines. It’s going to be harder to get him this season than it was last season, because now his continued strong performance has been seen. But, depending on the roster construction of the owner, you might be able to still trade for him now. I think starting the conversation with a late first-round selection seems about right.
Amari Cooper (WR, CLE)
Cooper each season seems to have a stink on him for some reason. This season isn’t any different, with the biggest question mark being the performance of the QB that is going to be throwing him the ball. Joe Flacco definitely gave Cooper his largest game (and if you had Cooper or played against him- you know the one I’m talking about……Week 16).
But, with Deshaun Watson throwing him the ball, he was great. The two only managed to have 5 games where they were on the field at the same time. But he managed to catch 28 of his 39 targets for 480 yards and 2 scores. Prorating that for a season would have been a 95 reception, 1,632 yards and 7TDs season. Not too bad at all. If Watson isn’t throwing the ball, we know that Jameis Winston is able to support a top level fantasy receiver.
I’d be comfortable to start the conversation at an early to mid-second round selection, and make an adjustment from there.
Jake Ferguson (TE, DAL)
Ferguson had a breakout season last year as the starting TE for the Cowboys, finishing second on the team in targets, receptions and yards for the team (and third in receiving TDs). The risk here is what are the team going to do at QB? Dak Prescott is coming into a contract year, and after paying CeeDee Lamb, there might not be enough to keep Prescott on the team.
So, entering next season, you might be looking at a very uncertain QB throwing the ball. But, let’s look at this as it’s own investment. The team for this season aren’t likely to change their offensive scheme. Infact, Ferguson could potentially see an increase in his production, with the team bringing back Ezekiel Elliott to replace Tony Pollard. Ferguson is about to enter his third season in the league, meaning there is plenty left ahead of him in his NFL career.
Getting a TE who caught 71 of 102 targets for 761 yards and 5 TDs, with the potential to improve? With the market currently where it is, you could offer a mid-second-round pick and strike a deal there and then.
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