Top Buys For Dynasty Fantasy Football – Offseason Trade Targets

January 28, 2025

Which players should fantasy players buy in dynasty fantasy football leagues? Mike Fanelli looks at five young stars who you should be buying in the 2025 offseason in dynasty.

The 2025 fantasy football season is still months away for redraft players. However, the game never stops for dynasty fantasy players, as the offseason is anything but slow.

Now is the perfect time for fantasy players to explore the trade block and make deals ahead of free agency and dynasty rookie drafts. Everyone loves acquiring a buy-low candidate for a bargain. Yet, sometimes, fantasy players should pay a ridiculously high price and get a young superstar to take their team to the next level.

Let’s look at the five players I will be aggressive in trading for this offseason.

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

Rarely do rookie quarterbacks make a massive impact in their first year in the NFL. However, Daniels bucked the trend and was outstanding for the Commanders and fantasy players. He finished his rookie season as the QB5, averaging 20.9 fantasy points per game despite leaving two contests early.

The former LSU star broke the NFL’s rookie record for rushing yards by a quarterback, previously held by Robert Griffin III. Daniels had 148 rushing yards for 891 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season. He totaled at least 44 rushing yards in 52.9% of the games, recording 81 or more in nearly a quarter of the contests.

While his rushing production gives Daniels a safe fantasy floor and significant upside, the rookie superstar is far from only a running quarterback. He completed 69% of his pass attempts for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns, compared to nine interceptions as a rookie despite a poor receiving core.

JAYDEN DANIELS. COMMANDERS TAKE THE LEAD WITH 6 SECONDS.#PHIvsWAS pic.twitter.com/BcKGpEBIsl

— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

Daniels should be even better in 2025 after an excellent rookie season. Washington has the cap space needed this offseason to improve the offensive line and receiving core. The former LSU star is already a top-five dynasty quarterback. He could be the overall QB1 a year from now.

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Many called Brown a sleeper and breakout candidate entering the 2024 season. While he had a quiet rookie year, the former Illinois star was stuck behind Joe Mixon. Thankfully, Brown got a chance this past season despite the addition of Zack Moss. The veteran began the year as the Bengals’ starting running back.

However, Brown worked his way into a near 50-50 split backfield before taking the starting job and running away with it. The second-year pro finished the season as the RB12, averaging 14.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite the slow start, totaling 16.8 or more in nearly half of the contests.

More importantly, Brown was outstanding after Moss suffered a season-ending injury in Week 8. He was the RB6 from Week 9 through Week 17, averaging 23.6 touches and 18.3 fantasy points per game. The breakout star was a force on the ground and in the passing game, totaling 11 touchdowns.

Burrow to Chase... Brown for the touchdown!

📺: #LVvsCIN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/WF7nEBn8Kl

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024

Brown was such a superstar that the Bengals have no reason to look for an upgrade this offseason. However, Moss is likely a cap casualty, giving the former Illinois star the potential to be a three-down running back for the entire year. Don’t be surprised if he has his first top-five finish in 2025.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Unfortunately, the Jaguars fell well short of expectations this season, especially on offense. However, the future is bright because of Thomas. While everyone had high hopes for Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, the other LSU star rookie was the one who shined the most.

Thomas ended the year as the WR4, averaging 14.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He had 87 receptions on 133 targets for 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns despite playing nearly half the season with Mac Jones under center. Yet, the rookie led the team in every receiving category.

BRIAN THOMAS, JR. 85-YARD TD

📺: #INDvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/bfK2p2TlaB

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

Furthermore, Thomas was one of the most efficient pass-catchers in the league. He ranked 16th in targets but finished third in receiving yards and sixth in touchdowns. While much of his success happened with Christian Kirk or Evan Engram out of the lineup, both veterans could be playing elsewhere next season.

Jacksonville’s offense could look significantly different in 2025, even if the veteran pass catchers return. The Jaguars hired Liam Coen as their next head coach. He led a fantasy-friendly passing offense in Tampa Bay last year, where Mike Evans (14.5) and Chris Godwin (16.1) finished as top 10 wide receivers on a points-per-game basis.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Smith-Njigba had a disappointing rookie season under former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Thankfully, his sophomore year was a breakout one. The former Ohio State star finished the season as the WR10, averaging 11.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game in 2024.

The second-year pro’s average depth of target (aDOT) improved by 30% from his rookie season to last year. More importantly, Smith-Njigba’s target volume significantly changed. After averaging 5.5 targets per game as a rookie, the former Ohio State star averaged 8.1 per contest this season. Furthermore, he had six receiving touchdowns, a team-high.

.@Seahawks are fighting! TOUCHDOWN JSN

📺: #NYGvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/1QhVrXYI4h

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

Reportedly, Seattle could explore trading Metcalf in the offseason with Smith-Njigba’s breakout. The second-year pro had 13 receptions on 20 targets for 249 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 43.4 fantasy points in the two games without Metcalf this year. Furthermore, he averaged 18.4 fantasy points per game in the six contests with double-digit targets.

More importantly, the Seahawks made a change at offensive coordinator for the second consecutive offseason. Seattle fired Ryan Grubb after one year with the team, replacing him with former New Orleans Saints Klint Kubiak. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed had career years under Kubiak before suffering season-ending injuries.

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions

While everyone is excited about Brock Bowers and Trey McBride after their outstanding 2024 seasons, let’s not be too quick to kick the former dynasty TE1 to the curb. LaPorta was drafted as the top tight end in many redraft and dynasty startups this year. Unfortunately, he got off to an awful start.

The former Iowa star was the TE16 over the first month, averaging 3.5 targets and 5.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling zero receiving touchdowns. However, LaPorta bounced back after the Week 5 bye. He was the TE6 from Week 6 through Week 17, averaging 5.6 targets and 10.4 fantasy points per game, totaling seven receiving scores.

FLEA FLICKER TO LA PORTA! TOUCHDOWN @Lions!

📺: #DETvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/qrPoPtCmo4

— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024

Unfortunately, the emergence of Jameson Williams cut into LaPorta’s target volume. He had a 19.5% target share and 26% target per route run rate as a rookie but saw his marks drop to 15.3% and 20% in 2024. Yet, the second-year pro had seven games with over 11.5 fantasy points in both years.

LaPorta is no longer the TE1. However, that isn’t because of him. Bowers and McBride are better talents and have less competition for targets. Yet, fantasy players should have LaPorta as the TE3 in their pre-NFL Draft tight end rankings. While they lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears, expect the Lions to have one of the top passing attacks again next season.

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