Fantasy Football Dynasty Buy-Lows, Sell-Highs, and Rookies to Watch

February 8, 2026

Chris' dynasty fantasy football buy-lows, sell-highs, and 2026 NFL rookie sleepers to know as potential draft values. His dynasty trade targets and advice.

The end of the NFL schedule means the beginning of dynasty season. This is the time of year when true fantasy degenerates and NFL Draft junkies really prove their depravity. This is the time when we dig into months of college tape, look deep for undervalued sleepers on NFL rosters, and start thinking hard about who could be replaced or phased out in their offense.

With dynasty season finally here, we should check in on players whose trade value is too high or too low. While dynasty contenders may value older players differently, and rebuilding teams will value youth, there are a variety of moves all of us can make to improve. This list will look to do that, specifically by telling you who costs too much and who costs too little at this moment.

Before we get started, please note that the values/rankings we will be using for this article are our consensus RotoBaller rankings. Whether a player is worth selling at an inflated value or buying at a depressed value will be determined by our RotoBaller rankings and a player’s current ADP, as well as cost in trade calculators. As a bonus, we will give you some rookie sleepers to wrap up.

Dynasty Fantasy Football Sell-Highs

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Saquon Barkley was a fade for us in this same article last year, largely because of his age and massive workload. We noted that running backs who see more than 370 total touches typically experience a significant decline in production the next year, be it due to injuries or fatigue from the previous season.

Unfortunately, Jonathan Taylor falls into the same category that Barkley did last year. The Wisconsin alum saw a combined 378 opportunities (rushes/targets) last year, bringing his career tally to 1,790 as a pro. Add in his considerable college workload, where he played 41 games and totaled 968 touches, and Taylor has over 2,700 touches on his body going into his age-27 season.

The fact that Taylor is just 27 years old and is coming off the second-most-productive fantasy campaign of his career will keep his trade value high. That is why he sits 18th in our composite rankings. Fans will hope that Daniel Jones, or a better passer, will return healthy next year and help Taylor rebound from his collapse late this year, which is why you can still trade him for a lot.

Jonathan Taylor WALK OFF TOUCHDOWN IN BERLIN 🇩🇪

This was his 4th game this season with 3 touchdowns 😱 pic.twitter.com/LQuXeBrFlh

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) November 9, 2025

Rebuilding squads with Taylor should feel out contenders for his services, asking for multiple 2027 first-round picks or a young difference-maker like Colston Loveland (in Tight End Premium) plus a pick.

If you’re a contender and roster Taylor, you could hang on and hope everything works out. However, you should consider what you might get for Taylor even if a title is within your grasp. Someone may be willing to give you Christian McCaffrey plus picks, which would up your risk factor a bit but give you just as much upside at RB in 2026, plus additional assets to rebuild later.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers

Let’s get controversial, shall we?

We should begin by stating that McMillan is a valuable dynasty piece, and no one should be looking to “dump” him or trade him for less than insane value. After all, he could be in line for a sophomore breakout if he can maintain his effort level and Bryce Young takes another step forward.

With that said, McMillan is 19th overall in our consensus dynasty rankings, and multiple dynasty trade calculators value him more than the 1.02 pick in this year’s rookie draft. In other words, most analysts and fans value Tet more than they do Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and possibly even Jeremiyah Love.

While this year’s 2026 class is weak overall, the receivers at the top of this class are strong. In fact, both Tate and Tyson carry higher draft grades than McMillan did coming out of Arizona. Further, the trio of Tate, Tyson, and Love all have the potential of landing with a better quarterback and offense if one is drafted by the Commanders.

It is also worth remembering that, as a rookie, McMillan was just 15th in targets despite being the unquestioned top target on his team, and his drop rate was the fifth worst in the NFL. Worse, McMillan’s usage dipped when Jalen Coker started. Coker earned 37% more targets than Tet in their final two games, and McMillan averaged just 6.5 targets when Coker was a starter.

Again, none of this is to say McMillan will not break out or become a star. However, it is not insane to consider trading him for the rookie 1.02 plus an additional pick. College film suggests both Tate and Tyson have as much (or more) upside, and both can be had with the 1.02 pick. Getting something on top of that is just icing.

Breece Hall, RB, Free Agent

A smart NFL franchise (which the Jets are not) would not spend premium money on a running back who won’t be viable once its winning window opens. Previous buzz also suggested the team was willing to let him walk. So, there is a significant chance Hall is playing football elsewhere in 2026, which means his dynasty value may be about to soar.

If Hall lands someplace like Minnesota or Dallas in free agency, you can expect many to consider him a top-5 fantasy RB immediately. You can then sell other managers on the fact that he will only be 25 years old this entire season while noting that his yards per attempt, success rate as a receiver, and usage all spiked in 2025.

A player that will have his dynasty value spike in the 2026 season?

My pick: Breece Hall 🚀 pic.twitter.com/uIsV7VaPmn

— FantasyNerdBoi (@NerdBoiTakes) January 31, 2026

So, you may be wondering why you should sell Hall if all these factors are in his favor. Well, the advanced metrics do not like him as much as many analysts and fans do. The Iowa State alum was 32nd in yards after contact per attempt this year, after finishing 22nd last year. He was also 25th at his position in drop rate, 23rd in pass-block win rate, and 18^th in breakaway rate.

Hall could certainly produce career numbers next year, proving that his struggles in New York were the result of Gang Green. However, the odds of Hall continuing to disappoint are strong enough to consider trading him for the 1.05 in rookie drafts right after he signs in free agency, and his stock shoots up.

RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos

Harvey is the 56th-ranked player in our consensus dynasty rankings, but he will also be 25 years old for the entirety of the 2026 season, and he had just two games with more than 15 carries in his rookie season. While his passing game involvement was encouraging (58 targets and four targets per game without J.K. Dobbins), he was not particularly efficient as a rusher.

Harvey’s 3.7 yards per rush attempt tied for 42nd in the NFL. Worse, he was 43rd in yards after contact per attempt, 48th in PFF’s Rushing Grade, and 25th in breakaway play rate. As a receiver, he was 16th amongst RBs in PFF Receiving Grade while dropping passes at the 10th-highest rate for his position. None of that is particularly good for a smaller/older rookie back.

In summary, Harvey’s usage in the passing game elevated his fantasy profile once Dobbins went down. However, his lack of efficiency could mean that Dobbins returns, or the Broncos draft another back to share time and touches.

With the threat that Harvey’s rushing efficiency never improves or that he stays in a timeshare, it makes sense to trade him at his present elevated cost. Currently, our rankings rate Harvey over Cam Skattebo, Harold Fannin Jr., and Kenneth Walker III, while trade calculators have the Broncos’ trade value on par with a rookie pick 1.06 overall.

You should prefer any of those assets over Harvey.

Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears

You should only consider trading Burden for a premium in dynasty leagues, as his talent and quarterback both make him an attractive WR4 option with the upside for more in dynasty. However, it is worth remembering that he had off-field issues at Missouri, drew multiple flags for his temper in college, and Bears HC Ben Johnson once criticized his preparation.

Another concern is the fact that Colston Loveland appeared to earn the No. 1 target role for Caleb Williams late in the season. Remember, Williams himself said the Bears “hit a home run” with Loveland, and he peppered the tight end with double-digit targets in each of their final four games … all of which Burden was available for.

Given that we never saw the trio of Rome Odunze, Loveland, and Burden healthy and fully prepared this season, it is difficult to project their usage in 2026. That is particularly true if DJ Moore remains in Chicago or if the Bears add yet another weapon at RB or WR this offseason. For that reason, Burden has the potential to be a tough fantasy call every week.

Burden currently sits at 52nd overall in our consensus rankings, and his “trade value” in trade calculators is equivalent to pick 1.06 in rookie drafts. If you’re ok taking a gamble, you should hold onto the Burden lottery ticket. However, those seeking stability or a safer weekly call should see if they can flip Burden and his high hopes for a top-6 pick in rookie drafts.

Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans

This list is loaded with rookies, which is a surprise given how valuable youth is in dynasty. However, the dynasty value of several key 2025 rookies is currently elevated by untapped potential or unsustainable usage, which makes them prime trade chips. Woody Marks is arguably the greatest example of inflated value based on unsustainable usage.

Marks was considered a passing-downs specialist coming out of USC, with underwhelming traits as a between-the-tackles runner. As a matter of necessity, the Texans handed that passing downs specialist a significant rushing workload as a rookie and … he performed admirably, if not inefficiently.

Consider that Marks graded 35th at his position in PFF’s Receiving Grade, 52nd in its Rushing Grade, 52nd in yards after contact per rush, and 37th in breakaway play rate. Also consider that even when Houston had few options at running back, it continued to give noteworthy touches to players like Jawhar Jordan and the brittle Nick Chubb.

Marks currently sits 93rd in our consensus rankings, but he is just 118th in my own rankings. When you consider how inefficient he was as a rookie and the fact that Houston invested just a fourth-round pick in him, you have to try to trade him at his current value before the Texans make significant moves to replace or “help” him with another back.

Fantasy Football Dynasty Buy-Lows

Isaiah Likely, TE, Free Agent

Likely’s value is likely to spike in March, when he could move from a timeshare in Baltimore to a lead tight end role in a more prolific passing offense. Remember, the Ravens gave Likely 60% or more of their offensive snaps just three times last year. That lack of playing time nerfed what the long, athletic, gifted receiving tight end can do.

Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Likely recently commented on a Patrick Mahomes social media post, leading some to speculate that Likely could sign with the Chiefs and become the heir to Travis Kelce. If that were to happen, Likely’s dynasty value would skyrocket.

It may not cost you much to buy a Likely lottery ticket, either. He currently sits 183rd overall in our consensus dynasty rankings and is valued as a late 2026 second-round rookie pick on most dynasty calculators.

Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans

Yours truly targeted and drafted Christian Watson in the 15th round of nearly one dozen dynasty startups last year. The theory there was that Watson’s value had been suppressed by injury, that his talent/upside were still tantalizing, and there were no other players close to his upside available in that range. So, why not take him every single time?

F it. Tank Dell rookie year highlights. A return is near. pic.twitter.com/yzJlkeqywJ

— big ounce (@_bigounce) January 29, 2026

The same strategy applies to Dell, who currently sits 157th in our consensus rankings and whose current ADP is in the 15th round.

Like Watson, Dell is coming off a bad injury. Like Watson, Dell also plays for an offense with a low-volume pass attack and a crowded receiver room. Like Watson, Dell simply makes his quarterback better when he is on the field.

An additional feather in Dell’s cap is his close relationship with his quarterback, C.J. Stroud. Remember, Stroud has openly called Dell his “best friend.” Stroud openly wept during the game when Dell tore his ACL last year and reportedly pushed for the Texans to draft the diminutive receiver in the first place. So, the relationship and trust are close between those two.

While the Texans did add the talented Jaylin Noel last year to replace Dell, Noel was not nearly as effective as Dell in the same role. Further, Stroud has been noticeably worse with Dell off the field. In fact, Stroud has just two career games with 300 yards passing when Dell is out … and seven with Dell on the field.

When you consider that Dell can be had for a fourth-round rookie pick in many leagues or a 15th-round startup pick, it’s impossible not to consider him a terrific buy-low option.

Malik Willis, QB, Free Agent

Willis is a buy-low in Superflex formats, but he’s also a worthwhile stash in non-Superflex leagues with a deep bench.

As most fantasy fans know, Willis improved as a passer in each of his two seasons with Green Bay. He went from an erratic thrower with inconsistent ball placement at Liberty and Tennessee to topping 74% completion percentage across three starts and 89 attempts with the Packers.

While the sample size for Willis’ improvement is admittedly small, the NFL’s dire need for starting quarterbacks should lead to the Liberty product starting for some team next season. At least nine teams are in the market for a starting quarterback, and only one can draft Fernando Mendoza. Thus, Willis and his tantalizing mobility should start at least 17 games next year.

Given the likelihood that Willis will be a starter and the fact that his legs make him a fantasy factor when he starts, you must consider targeting him before he signs elsewhere. In some Superflex leagues, he can be had for a second-round pick, but could end up worthy of a mid-first if he signs with Arizona or Miami.

Jack Bech, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

The market is fully suppressed on Bech, who was routinely drafted in the second round of rookie drafts last year but ranks just 177th overall in our consensus rankings. Right now, you could acquire the TCU alum for a fourth-round rookie pick in many leagues, and that is a solid gamble if you can find someone willing to take it.

Bech started just five games as a rookie and saw just 29 targets. He was also buried on the depth chart all season, with Pete Carroll preferring to start the 33-year-old Tyler Lockett over the rookie. However, there is a strong argument that Bech was the victim of poor coaching and roster management last year, so he should get a free pass.

Coming out of TCU, Bech had some of the best hands in his rookie class. He also has the frame of a tight end, but the movement skills and speed of a quality possession receiver. The skills are still there, and all reports are that Bech had a strong character and work ethic in college. So, you should feel comfortable betting a late rookie pick on Bech rebounding in his sophomore season.

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers

Just like Tank Dell and Christian Watson before him, Brooks' value has tanked due to his health. Many fully wrote him off last year, calling a second tear of the same ACL “career-ending.” However, most reports on Brooks’ health are positive, and the Panthers reportedly hope he will be fully healthy and ready to play at the beginning of 2026.

Jonathon Brooks -

Attempts to cut off of his Right foot and goes down with a non-contact injury.
Right knee. Hopefully it’s not a retear of his prior Right ACL injury last season, but the mechanism fits.
Obviously don’t love seeing this…
pic.twitter.com/oVWmiDQ25g

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 8, 2024

Brooks currently ranks 143rd overall in our consensus rankings, but he ranks 117th in my own rankings. This means that our other rankers consider Brooks a 15th-round value in non-Superflex startups, while his upside and youth alone mean he should be going in the 13^th round at the latest.

Remember, the Panthers’ running game collapsed late in the season. Rico Dowdle averaged just 3.19 yards per carry in his final six games, while Chuba Hubbard didn’t look like a starting back all season. Hubbard’s yards per attempt dipped 20% last year, while he ranked outside the top 50 at his position in yards after contact and explosive play rate.

This is all to say that there is a clear opportunity for Brooks to earn Carolina’s starting role and never give it back. With Dowdle a free agent and Hubbard disappointing, Brooks can return with more than a year of healing under his belt and challenge for playing time immediately. If he is fully healthy, a big if, Brooks should be the clear lead back for the Panthers by year’s end.

Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears

It could be tough buying low on Loveland, who was most people’s top-rated receiving tight end in last year’s rookie class and proved why late in the season. As we noted above, the Michigan product closed the year with four straight double-digit-target games. Better yet, his uber-talented young quarterback has called him a “home run” draft pick.

It is not unrealistic to hope Loveland will be Caleb Williams’ top target for the next decade.

With all of that in mind, Loveland could be too expensive to consider a “buy low.” However, he currently ranks 48^th overall in RotoBaller consensus dynasty rankings, and he is 58^th on another prominent dynasty rankings site. This contrasts with Loveland’s place on my own rankings (31^st). So, there is disparity and room to negotiate if you see Loveland as top 40, but others don’t.

Per trade calculators and current ADP, Loveland’s trade value in Tight End Premium leagues is equal to pick 1.04 in rookie drafts. That is a price you should be willing to pay if the Loveland manager is willing to accept it.

2026 Draft Picks (Specifically Picks 1.01-1.06)

The fatal mistake people are making with the 2026 class is equating its lack of overall depth with a lack of elite fantasy talent at the top of the class. While the top of this class is not on par with 2024 or 2027, the top is equal to or better than the best of the 2025 class.

Consider that Jeremiyah Love is on par with Ashton Jeanty as an overall running back prospect. Meanwhile, Fernando Mendoza is a safer and more reliable quarterback than Cam Ward or any passer from 2025. On top of that, the scouting tape for the top three wide receivers in this class is on par with or better than the top receiver prospect from last year (Tetairoa McMillan).

With that in mind, the value of trading into the top five or six picks is inflated this year, given the lack of depth in this class compared to its strong top tier. Thus, you should consider the cost of moving from pick 1.10 to 1.05, as the value of making such a move could be greater than ever before.

NFL Rookies To Watch This Spring

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Cooper was the biggest playmaker on Indiana’s national championship team, showing tremendous ability after the catch. The dynamic weapon needs to improve his hands in the pros, but he can play a variety of roles for a creative offensive coordinator, and his current ranking in RotoBaller rookie rankings (22nd overall) is good value.

When looking at our RotoBaller rookie rankings, Cooper is currently behind Max Klare, Eli Stowers, Elijah Sarratt, Ja’Kobi Lane, and Chris Brazzell II. You should draft Cooper over all of those names right now.

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Hurst is a towering receiver at 6’3” tall, with surprising speed and big-play ability thanks to his long strides and sturdy hands. He was a breakout player at the Senior Bowl, where several acrobatic catches had many of us going back to review his college tape.

Ted Hurst is like that
Didn’t know of him until @NoFlagsFilm posted about him but he is a super fun player
Size + ball skills for days pic.twitter.com/WiZJ2LvoTi

— Bengal (@BengalYouTube) January 28, 2026

Hurst currently ranks 52nd in RotoBaller rookie rankings, making him a fifth-round flyer in rookie drafts. You should consider taking him a full round earlier based on his intriguing combination of length, speed, and hands. Hurst could have a similar trajectory as Tory Horton, who was a fourth-round rookie pick last year but will bring you an early third-round return today.

Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Almost everyone is down on Allar after a disappointing year at Penn State ended with an early injury. It is not hard to see why some question him, either. His ball placement can be erratic, he took a step back as a processor in his final five games, and he is coming off a significant injury. However, there are multiple reasons for optimism with the former elite prospect.

Allar still has the ideal size you want in a quarterback, plus a big arm that can make every throw with ease. He also shows better mobility than you would expect for his size, is more careful than you expect (1.3% interception rate on over 1,000 attempts), and he has 45 games of college experience.

In other words, Allar would check a lot of boxes for Bill Parcells.

The downside is obviously there for Allar, but that downside is more than baked into his current 51st overall ranking in the RotoBaller Rookie Superflex Rankings. That is a surprisingly low ranking for a format that values quarterbacks so highly, especially when you consider that Allar has arguably the most physical ability of any passer in this weak quarterback class.

Imagine the former Nittany Lion learning behind Matthew Stafford in a Sean McVay offense for two years, then competing for the Rams’ starting job in his third season. Where do you think his dynasty value would be then?

Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll University

Montgomery does not even rank in the RotoBaller rookie rankings right now. That means he is not among the top 105 rookie prospects for any of our rookie rankers.

The lack of love for Montgomery is understandable. He is undersized, comes from an unknown school, played against lower-tier DII competition, and has played organized football for just two years. However, his performance at the Senior Bowl cannot be ignored.

One of the biggest standouts of the Senior Bowl practices has been Montgomery. Despite his lack of experience or pedigree, he has competed with NFL-caliber prospects and shown himself to be one of the better receiving prospects in Mobile. He has made multiple tough contested catches, leaping out of his shoes for two separate grabs against tight coverage.

If Montgomery’s profile does not rise significantly in the next two months, you could find yourself with an absolute steal in the last round of your draft … or on waivers.

Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana

Black sits at 73^rd overall in RotoBaller rookie rankings, but the Hoosier ran for over 1,000 yards in a timeshare with the national champion squad and was impressive in his reps at the Senior Bowl. His drive, work ethic, and versatile skill set should make him a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft and drive him much higher than 73^rd overall when rookie drafts come.

Another day, another bunch of impressive receiving reps from Indiana RB Kaelon Black. Has been unguardable so far pic.twitter.com/ku9sMLn1ZB

— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) January 29, 2026

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