Last-Minute Dynasty Trade Targets

Aug 05, 2020

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Sometimes, we like to wait until the last minute, even if it doesn’t mean there will be a benefit, like a discount. For example, 78% of people who buy a Valentine’s Day gift do so within a week of the holiday. Maybe it’s easier to hide a gift for less time or there’s hope that a better deal can be found as the day approaches.

There’s also a benefit to waiting on a dynasty trade target right before the season begins. Maybe a training camp victory makes them more viable as a weekly starter. Perhaps injuries, a season opt-out, or other personnel changes have suddenly made a dynasty roster look weaker. Whatever the motivation, there are always a handful of players who make sense to add right before the season rather than waiting a month or two to make that move. Let’s analyze some potential options and what it might take to get them onto your roster. We will purposely avoid rookies here and focus instead on veteran trade targets.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

It’s crazy to think one of the more popular quarterbacks in fantasy football and the NFL over the past decade can be a buy target in dynasty, but here we are. His dynasty value has plummeted this offseason after hopes of a wide receiver upgrade opposite Davante Adams never materialized. Rodgers firmly sits outside the top 100 and is likely available in the 10-12 round range for one quarterback dynasty league startups. That seems odd considering he has never finished outside the top 10 quarterbacks in fantasy scoring when starting at least 15 games in a season. That consistency is easily worth the late second to early third-round rookie pick a trade would cost, especially if your other quarterback is less proven. Pairing him with Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Sam Darnold, or even Baker Mayfield can buy some time while remaining competitive at the position. Matchups against the Lions, Saints, and Falcons in the first four weeks could have Rodgers rolling early on.

Matt Breida, RB, Miami Dolphins

Still just 25, Breida gets a chance to revive his career after a 2019 season that saw him fighting for touches in the crowded San Francisco 49ers backfield. In 2018, he finished as the RB25 in fantasy leagues with over 1,000 total yards. Breida now has just Jordan Howard to compete with, who may lead the team in rushing attempts but Breida should be able to poach the receiving work while being the primary change of pace back. That type of role could net him 10-12 touches per game in 2020 and if he does well, prevent the team from adding an early draft pick at the position in 2021, assuming he re-signs. That is worth pursuing, for a guy going in the 10th round or later in startups and typically costing a third-round pick in trades. Besides a Week 1 matchup against the Patriots, who may have too many opt-outs to field a defense, Breida gets a pair of neutral matchups in the Bills and Seahawks with a cupcake Jaguars defense in between. That first month could be fruitful for those who roster him with the upside of a top-36 positional finish.

Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

A higher-priced player, Jones has several reasons for optimism heading into the 2020 season. He is unquestionably the lead back in Green Bay, despite the crowded backfield, and it’s clear that the team is looking to be a run-first offense that uses ball control and defense to win games. Jamaal Williams also seems to be on the outs with the team as rumors of a possible demotion behind rookie A.J. Dillon are sprouting up. Yes, Jones is in a contract year and that can be motivating, but he’s also proven his worth with an RB2 finish last year, with the potential for a bigger receiving role even if his touchdowns regress. The price tag has lowered too as he has gone from a mid-second round startup pick to a late third in many drafts. That could provide a trade target of a veteran like Travis Kelce or a mix of picks (think a mid-first and a future second) for a player who is likely to be a multi-year starter even if the Packers choose to let him walk after 2020. 4for4 has him as a top-12 finisher this season so he’s the perfect target for both contenders and building teams.