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Many dynasty league rookie drafts are already in the books, but more tend to occur in June, which makes it the perfect time to discuss a few targets for acquisition and some players to move on from.
Player values can vary widely, not only due to disparate opinions but also because of the various roster constructions within a single league. A rebuilding team will not pay a premium for aging veterans, while competitive teams may see more value in proven production to stay ahead. When trying to value sleepers or lower-tier players, you may find it difficult to get an accurate value assessment. As is always the case, you’ll get (or pay) the most for production.
Let’s get into the trade targets!
Buying
Derrick Henry, RB, BAL
- Best buyers: Competitive teams
Henry’s trade value is varying widely, and while I’m willing to offer a late first-round pick in return for the aging back, my strong preference is to keep compensation to the second round. Now 31, Henry’s contract has been extended in Baltimore, and he is coming off an impressive 1,900-yard, 16-touchdown season. There’s every indication he’ll be a top producer for the next two seasons, and I’ll take that production in return for lower draft pick compensation.
George Pickens, WR, DAL
- Best buyers: Value seekers
The mercurial Pickens continues to be valued as a high-risk asset despite his age (24) and impressive athletic profile. I was targeting Pickens as the WR1 in Pittsburgh, but his trade to the Cowboys has increased his attractiveness while, interestingly enough, reducing his value in the market. The thought process seems to revolve around the belief that his production will be curbed playing across from CeeDee Lamb. I’m now seeing Pickens being traded for second-round draft capital, a price I’m completely comfortable parting with for his production runway, in Dallas or elsewhere. I acquired him recently for the cost of picks 2.02 and 2.09.
Joshua Palmer, WR, BUF
- Best buyers: Sleeper seekers
I’m a sucker for talented receivers changing teams, especially those receiving an upgrade of quarterback and system, which is the case for Palmer, who should have an immediate role alongside Khalil Shakir and sophomore Keon Coleman. Palmer is an intelligent receiver with a good catch radius who should provide Josh Allen with a dependable veteran presence. It’s not out of the question that the 25-year-old could have a career year in this quality offense. As a 19th-round (ADP) start-up value, you could do a lot worse.
Sam Darnold, QB, SEA
- Best buyers: SuperFlex depth
I was surprised the Vikings allowed Darnold to walk in free agency, instead choosing to turn the reins over to J.J. McCarthy. A poor playoff showing obviously overshadowed a 14-win regular season. For the record, I always thought Darnold was better than the offensive systems he was operating within before Minnesota’s. While the Seahawks don’t have the same level of weaponry as the Vikings, there’s reason to believe Darnold could still be successful in that system. I’ve seen him swapped for compensation in the high second round, and I’d give that all day in return for the SuperFlex depth and upside he provides.
Breece Hall, RB, NYJ
- Best buyers: Opportunists
I’ve been seeing some crazy trades involving Hall this offseason. There is a contingent of managers selling low on Hall in an attempt to capture remaining value before it’s too late. While I can support this move in some cases, I think it’s a mistake with Hall. He’s still young, finally healthy and now in a contract season, so I’m an aggressive buyer of Hall’s profile if the price is right. I’ve seen some trades with Hall being swapped straight up for a pick late in the first round, or even for a high second-rounder. If you get a manager to bite at this price, run, don’t walk, to get the deal done.
Javonte Williams, RB, DAL
- Best buyers: Desperation value seekers
If healthy, Williams is a far better back than his current ranking (DLF RB40). It didn’t work out well in Denver, but the Cowboys gave Williams a vote of confidence by not addressing the position highly in the 2025 NFL Draft. The team also signed Miles Sanders, who could compete for the starting role, but my money is on Williams carving out a primary role. At only 25, and carrying a late second-round rookie pick cost, there’s too much upside to ignore.
Michael Mayer, TE, LV
- Best buyers: Patient opportunists
Mayer is no slouch as a tight end. The 2023 second-round pick was a questionable selection by the Raiders, who had greater needs at the time, and the 2024 selection of Brock Bowers relegated Mayer to backup status. I’m acquiring Mayer everywhere I can, often without cost, as I expect the team to run more 12-personnel sets, thereby elevating Mayer’s status. Even without a significant upgrade in production in 2024, I think there’s a chance the third-year player is traded within the next year, before he finds himself in a contract year in 2026.
Selling
Rashee Rice, WR, KC
- Best sellers: Dynasty capitalists
I’ve been surprised at the market that still exists for Rice, which isn’t to say he’s not a talented receiver, but his ranking (DLF WR16) possesses too much premium for me not to consider moving on from the asset. Rice suffered a serious knee injury in Week 4 of 2024 and is still facing felony charges from his early-2024 hit-and-run incident — his trial is now expected to happen in June of this year. It’s very possible that any league discipline won’t come until 2026, but that’s too much uncertainty for what could be only one year of production. Truth be told, I moved all shares of Rice before the end of 2024. I’m out!
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, CAR
- Best sellers: Risk-averse managers
It’s rare for me to list a rookie as a “sell” candidate, but here I am. McMillan profiles as a long, physical and potentially game-changing receiver in the mold of Mike Evans. But, I can’t shake the fact that my spidey senses tingle every time I watch his tape. Something is missing in his dynamic. Match that with a questionable drafted situation in Carolina, and I’ve found myself avoiding the rookie. I’ve learned to trust my gut feeling, even if I can’t tangibly identify the issue. For McMillan, it’s somewhere between his release and his loping route-running style. With more physical press coverage in the NFL, success at the next level is not guaranteed. I’m pivoting to running back or outright selling the pick that would net McMillan. I’ll be watching this one closely in the future to see if I’m incorrect in my assessment.
Dak Prescott, QB, DAL
- Best sellers: SuperFlex premium
Putting Prescott here is difficult for me, as I love him as a person and even as a player. But he’s now a single-dynamic quarterback who has proven his mobility is problematic. He’s spoken in the past about being less willing to run due to injury. His 2024 campaign ended after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 9. The addition of Pickens should provide production upside, but as long as I have the depth to do so, I’m trading him away to capture positional premium.
Bucky Irving, RB, TB
- Best sellers: Premium seekers
Sometimes a player can do everything right and still be on my “sell” list due to circumstances. Irving wrested the starting job away from Rachaad White in 2024, putting up impressive numbers given his 207 carries. He’s young, relatively dynamic, and 2025 looks promising. That said, his size profile (5-foot-10/195 pounds), shared role and current ranking (DLF RB8) are a combination to capitalize on. Should Irving be listed closer to RB15, I’d feel differently. I like to prioritize wide receivers in my dynasty builds and look for one highly ranked RB1 starter to match with lesser-known names for production. Irving, as dynasty’s RB8, is far too highly ranked and doesn’t represent the profile I seek for my lead back. Size, injury and role concerns are such that I’m selling at his current price, offloading the risk I believe is present.
Agree? Disagree? If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. You can follow me on Twitter and Threads: @DLF_Jeff.
(Top photo of Breece Hall: Luke Hales / Getty Images)
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