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Kacey Kasem goes over players to target in dynasty fantasy football trades before the 2024 NFL Draft. She highlights a player at each position worth trading for at the moment.
Dynasty fantasy football managers are researching more dynasty trade targets as the NFL Draft approaches. Making moves now can benefit managers as they stay ahead of other teams in their league. Looking at your roster construction and acknowledging those areas of need is something dynasty managers should be doing now.
You may not want to break the bank when you target players for your roster. If you’re going after someone like Patrick Mahomes or Bijan Robinson, expect to give up more assets than you’d like. That’s just the way dynasty rolls. One part of dynasty that makes it fun is learning about your league mates and how they value players. Everyone is different, so make those trade offers and learn, learn, learn!
You can supplement your roster with good players that won’t cost as much as those prime players. Depending on how you’re trying to construct your roster, let’s look at some players who can add much-needed fuel to your dynasty fantasy roster.
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James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Conner had his best season in 2023, going for 1,040 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. He additionally caught 27 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. 2023 marked the first time in Conner’s career that he went for over 1,000 yards. He happened to do all this at 28 years old. Although he is 29 for the 2024 season, this shouldn’t scare a contending team off of Conner.
James Conner gets the Cardinals on the board
📺: #AZvsCHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAk0MB pic.twitter.com/yyCnpNRdjj— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2023
The Arizona running back has shown he can be productive, even with a shaky injury history. Conner has not played a full season in the NFL over his seven years in the league. When trading for the two-time Pro Bowler, bake his injury history into his cost. Trading for Conner means you understand there is a strong possibility he will not play the entire season, but you’re willing to take that risk due to the solid numbers he has put up over his career.
Conner has had big seasons on the touchdown front, tallying 14 touchdowns in 2018 and 15 in 2021. The Cardinal scored seven touchdowns in each of his last two seasons. A dynasty roster could utilize his age and injury history to score a player with years left in his tank. He ended his 2023 campaign as RB18 in PPR leagues, so imagine what he could do if he played an entire season. This scenario is unlikely, but he is still a vital asset when healthy and on the field.
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
An ACL tear in the last game of Williams’ college football career affected most of Williams’ 2022 rookie season in the NFL. On top of that, he served a suspension for the first month of the 2023 season due to violating the NFL’s policy on gambling. His career may not have started how he would have liked, but that makes for the perfect dynasty trade scenario for dynasty managers.
Jameson Williams with the most clutch TD of the game! #OnePride pic.twitter.com/nUVLTR3Ywt
— LionsFanReport (@lionsfanreport) November 19, 2023
Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown are the big dogs in the Lions offense, combining for a total of 284 targets in 2023. Jahmyr Gibbs was in the mix, seeing 71 targets that same year. It may seem there are not enough targets to go around in this talented offense, but Williams has the skill set to be a full-time starter for Detroit. In 2023, Williams played in 12 games, catching 24 balls on 42 targets for 354 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll be able to contribute with more games under his belt.
He is only 23 years old and was a first-round draft pick, so look for the Lions to get him more involved in the offense for 2024. St. Brown and LaPorta will see more attention from opposing defenses, allowing Williams to shine. Targeting Williams in a trade will give you the confidence of an established player with lots of upside. Instead of drafting a wide receiver in your rookie drafts, trading for Williams gives you a possible starter on an aggressive offense.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
The 25-year-old first-round draft pick finished the 2023 season as QB5, playing in all 17 games. He completed 372 of his 579 attempts, posting 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and ran in four touchdowns over his 2023 campaign. On the season, Love averaged 18.8 PPR fantasy points per game and achieved six games over 20 PPR fantasy points.
jordan love’s fantasy stock just keeps climbing 📈📈pic.twitter.com/ULPniTijCI
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) September 29, 2023
Additionally, Love never had below 200 passing yards after Week 7. In his best week (Week 11), Love passed for 322 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. That was good for 26.6 PPR fantasy points. The Green Bay quarterback demonstrated his worth on the ground, rushing for 247 yards and four touchdowns during his first year as the starter.
With plenty of young wide receivers and tight ends on the roster, Love looks to continue his fantasy-scoring frenzy in 2024. Love has Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs to throw the ball to, two high-upside players in the NFL. Trading for Love now means setting yourself up with a stud for now and the future.
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
2023 was Jake Ferguson’s coming out moment. After Dalton Schultz moved on to Houston, it was uncertain how the tight end future for the Dallas Cowboys would turn out. Ferguson stepped in quite nicely with Schultz off the roster, becoming the second option for Dak Prescott behind superstar wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Dak Prescott with a gorgeous dime up the seam to Jake Ferguson for the TD! Cowboys up 7-0! #DallasCowboys
(🎥: @NFL) pic.twitter.com/dYqH2n1PfT
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) October 29, 2023
Ferguson’s target share should improve in the 2024 season. He had a 16.9% target share in 2023, targeted second only to Lamb. Lamb was targeted more than any other player in the league at 181 targets. Ferguson acquired 102 targets in 2023, whereas the third option in the passing game, Brandin Cooks, was targeted 81 times. The Cowboys are a pass-heavy offense, especially with the current uncertainty at the running back position. Wanting a piece of that offense that won’t break the bank means investing in Ferguson.
Although the Cowboys scored five touchdowns in 2023 (all red-zone TDs), he was second at the tight end position in receptions inside the 20-yard line with 12. Travis Kelce was first with 13, and LaPorta came in with 10. His five touchdowns tied him for the third-most touchdowns by a tight end in the red zone, tying Schultz, Cole Kmet, Kelce, and Hunter Henry. Tight end is a volatile position in fantasy football, so trading for Ferguson is an option for managers looking for a red-zone threat with touchdown upside.
