10 Dynasty Players to Buy Before the 2024 NFL Draft
The NFL draft catalyzes significant shifts in perceived dynasty value. These few days before the draft present an opportunity to take advantage of such uncertainty. While I certainly cannot predict the future of how the draft will unfold, we can reasonably consider how other dynasty managers are currently viewing players and how some changes could impact these views.
More Dynasty: 10 Players to Sell Before the 2024 NFL Draft | Top 250 Rankings | Superflex 250 Rankings
Of course, every trade is league, manager, and cost-dependent. However, the following are players I would be targeting.
Justin Jefferson, WR - Vikings
The outcomes for the Minnesota Vikings quarterback heading into draft weekend include a trade-up for J.J. McCarthy, drafting a different quarterback in the Bo Nix/Michael Penix Jr. tier, or missing out and rolling into the remainder of the offseason staring at Sam Darnold at the top of their depth chart. Even in a potentially optimistic circumstance where Minnesota lands McCarthy, the Justin Jefferson manager may not love this outcome.
Though you may not receive a significant discount on one of the top assets in dynasty, the ambiguity over who will be throwing Jefferson the ball next season (and beyond) makes it possible for him to be considered movable by his current manager. Despite remaining the first pick (1.5) in April dynasty ADP on Dynasty League Football, Jefferson’s current Underdog ADP is 6.0, behind five other players for 2024. This collective concern is your bat signal in the sky to try making a move.
Breece Hall, RB - Jets
Normally, I’m not looking to acquire running backs, especially at buy-high prices. Hall is an exception. A lower passing volume Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets offense will still be light years better than the environment from the past two years. Breece Hall will be the beneficiary of a significant target share, as Rodgers tends to pepper his running back. With a DLF April ADP of 7.17, you will have to come in strong, but maybe you will find the right seller based on team competitiveness, roster construction, or view toward running backs in dynasty. As the season grows closer and managers start envisioning setting their lineups, Hall will become less attainable.
Rashee Rice, WR - Chiefs
If your league mates are concerned about a suspension as a result of Rashee Rice's offseason road racing incident, then great. I think he does receive a minor suspension but this is merely a blip on the dynasty radar. Many are also theorizing a wide receiver pick by the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of Round 1. While this is far from a guarantee, even if the Chiefs were to draft a wide receiver, it would likely be an outside option with Travis Kelce and Rice occupying the short and intermediate targets over the middle. Rice’s April DLF ADP sits at 31.33, while he has seen his Underdog ADP drop to 41.8. By mid-season, you’re going to wish you had taken this opportunity to acquire Rice.
Trey McBride, TE - Cardinals
When Marvin Harrison Jr. likely ends up drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, I think this only helps the offense. Trey McBride will get his targets and the addition of a number one wide receiver will make defenses respect an option other than McBride. I think as the season grows closer; McBride only becomes more difficult to obtain. Use any Harrison Jr. fear to your advantage now. If Arizona receives an offer they can't refuse and somehow don't draft Harrison Jr., I'm not sure we can comprehend how many targets McBride may get this year.
Dontayvian Wicks, WR - Packers
The young Green Bay Packers offense is ascending. It still appears uncertain how the routes and targets will be distributed, but I’m a fan of inquiring about Dontayvian Wicks as the cheapest option who displayed an impressive yards per route run (1.9) when stacked against Jayden Reed (2.0), Christian Watson (1.5), and Romeo Doubs (1.6). Wicks possesses a reasonable DLF April ADP of 125.17. I’d also be interested in Tucker Kraft (DLF April ADP of 189.0) over Luke Musgrave (141.33) as they were used comparably.
Nico Collins, WR - Texans
Like Green Bay, I’d also like to get pieces of the Houston Texans. With Stefon Diggs joining the offense, you can probably make an argument for any of him, Nico Collins, or Tank Dell as the top option. I’d prefer to go for Collins' efficiency and touchdown upside, despite his 23.83 DLF April ADP, which is approximately 10 spots higher than Dell's. You may also be surprised to discover that heading into his second season, Dell is only a marginal six months younger than Collins.
Marvin Mims Jr., WR - Broncos
Someone needs to catch passes for the Denver Broncos. Courtland Sutton’s future with the Broncos is quite uncertain though I don’t know that teams will be clamoring to acquire him at the NFL Draft. I fully expect we see what Marvin Mims Jr. can do this year. I’d like to see if I can purchase a ticket to the show at a bargain. Even though Mims reached as high as 63.75 in DLF ADP in October 2023, he dropped as low as 167.17 this February. He has risen in the last two months and currently sits at 113.17. Mims may continue to rise and this may be the lowest ADP he has for a while.
Christian Kirk, WR - Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars may be looking to draft a receiver in one of the first two rounds, but I still believe Christian Kirk to be the only one who would be a true target commander alongside tight end Evan Engram. Trevor Lawrence clearly has a connection with Kirk. Alternatively, you could look at Parker Washington for basically free (undrafted DLF April ADP of 241), which could pay off nicely if Jacksonville opts not to take a wide receiver early.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR - Seahawks
Patience may be running out early with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett remaining with the Seattle Seahawks and a new crop of rookies coming into the fold this week. Now is the perfect time to pounce on the impatience. Although they have hovered in the same range since Jaxon Smith-Njigba entered the player pool, September 2023 has been the only month where Metcalf has had a lower DLF ADP. I believe that changes beginning in September 2024 (or sooner).
Josh Downs, WR - Colts
This is another lower cost option to take a chance on heading into the NFL Draft. The Indianapolis Colts may select a receiver this coming weekend; however, it would more likely be an Alec Pierce replacement. Josh Downs’ role in the slot and early connection with Anthony Richardson is a stable one with room to grow behind top target, Michael Pittman Jr. Downs is also much more reasonably priced with a DLF April ADP of 97.5 (despite being as high as 53.25 in November 2023) compared with Pittman (25.17).
As an additional tip when trying to make trades, I often send out multiple variations of offers to speed up some of the potential negotiations. As an example, I may add two current year second-round picks in one offer and provide a second variant with a future first-round pick. I would do the same with a mix of supplemental players on top of the core assets in a deal. You never know what your leaguemates might be looking for, but if you can start by conveying flexibility and garnering their attention, then you’re one step closer to a completed deal.
