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Kacey Kasem looks at players to target in dynasty fantasy football trades before the 2025 NFL Draft. She spotlights a player at each position worth trading for at the moment.
I didn't even realize I wrote the Fantasy Football Dynasty Trade Targets Before the NFL Draft (2024) until I started writing this piece. I've slept since then, so I think I get a pass. Anyway, I told you to target James Conner, Jameson Williams, Jordan Love, and Jake Ferguson last season. How'd I do?
Well, Love finished as QB17. It's not an ideal result, but he remains a serviceable QB2. Conner ended the season as RB11, showing he isn't ready to fade just yet. Williams finished as WR22 despite missing time due to suspension. He topped 1,000 yards with career highs in catches and touchdowns, setting up a strong Year 4. And Ferguson, I don't know what I was thinking. As a Cowboys fan, I should have known better.
Now, it's time to turn our attention to what 2025 has in store. As we get closer to the draft on April 24, these are four players you will want to trade for sooner rather than later. For a deeper dive into dynasty strategy, rankings, and trade tactics, be sure to check out our complete Dynasty Fantasy Football Guide.
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QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy took the 49ers to back-to-back NFC Championship Games in his first two seasons in the league. Additionally, Purdy took the team to the Super Bowl. Mr. Irrelevant had a down season in 2024, but he's still a quarterback worth trading for in dynasty leagues.
The 49ers experienced an injury-plagued 2024 season, with Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk suffering season-ending injuries. First-year wideout Ricky Pearsall missed the first six contests of 2024 after being shot in the chest during an alleged armed robbery. And Deebo Samuel Sr. was absent from one game after contracting pneumonia. After his return, he did not look like the same player. All of the injury issues contributed to Purdy's slump in 2024.
🚨 Ricky Pearsall catches his first NFL TD 🚨
The first of many Purdy to Pearsall connections to come 🤝 #FTTB pic.twitter.com/MTgLPgaA1u
— Markus Boucher (@MarkusBoucher) November 10, 2024
Although he had a down season, the field general connected on 300 of 455 pass attempts for 3,864 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He connected on 65.9 percent of his passes. On the ground, the 25-year-old rushed for 323 yards on 66 attempts, adding five rushing scores. Purdy finished the season as QB14, with 18.6 fantasy points per game.
The former Pro Bowler has not signed a long-term deal with San Francisco. If he sticks around on the 49ers roster, look for him to return to his 2023 ways (where he threw for 4,280 yards, tossed 31 touchdowns, and completed 69.4 percent of his passes).
If the 49ers can improve their offensive line in the draft (four picks in the top 100), Purdy is set for future success. If he finds himself leading another team, you're still getting a proven quarterback. Quarterback-needy teams should look to trade for Purdy.
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Before the NFL Draft, you might want to beef up your dynasty running back room. If that's the case, Jonathan Taylor is a running back to consider acquiring in a trade. Some managers might be down on Taylor due to his injury history or concerns that the Colts will draft a running back. If you're in a league with a manager who thinks this way, it is the perfect time to attempt trading for the New Jersey native.
The Wisconsin standout is heading into his sixth season in the league, showing he is a dependable RB despite offensive line concerns. Taylor took the league by storm in his 2020 rookie season, rushing for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns. He followed that up with a 1,811-yard and 18-touchdown season. The former Badger had down seasons in 2022 and 2023 due to injuries and offensive struggles, not sniffing 1,000 yards in either.
JONATHAN TAYLOR 26-YARD TD
🗣️ Shout him out below if you started him in the championship! pic.twitter.com/LYWKSU9c6c
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) December 29, 2024
2024 was a bounce-back season for the 2020 draft pick. Taylor had his first 1,000-yard season since 2021, registering 1,431 yards. Additionally, the running back saw 11 rushing touchdowns and tallied an additional TD through the air. The Colts averaged 137.1 rushing yards per game, with 102.2 credited to Taylor. The Colts running back made the Pro Bowl for the second time.
The 2020 draft pick is the safest fantasy football option on the Colts and is worth targeting in trade negotiations. The team did sign Khalil Herbert for depth, and it may choose to select a running back in the draft. Still, Taylor has shown he can be the bell cow on this team. He's just 26 years old and finished as RB12 in PPR leagues last season. Help bulk up your RB room, and make a trade for Taylor today.
WR Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Here's a name that you've seen plenty of over the years. And if you don't already roster him on your dynasty team, now is the time to make a move for Chris Godwin. The Buccaneers wide receiver has registered 579 receptions for 7,266 yards and 39 touchdowns over his eight-year career with Tampa Bay. For three seasons in a row (2021-23), Godwin had over 1,000 yards receiving.
2024 was a down year for the veteran WR, but that is because an injury derailed him. Godwin broke his ankle in a Week 7 battle with the Ravens. Before the injury, the 29-year-old gained 50 receptions on 62 targets for 576 yards and five scores through seven games.
Willie Gay, Paulson Adebo, and Alontae Taylor all fail to tackle Chris Godwin, he takes it 55 yards for a TD. Saints trail again
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) October 13, 2024
Godwin was the WR2 in PPR and standard leagues through the season's first seven contests, just behind Ja'Marr Chase. He was averaging 19.7 PPR points per game before his injury.
Until he was hurt, Godwin led the league in catches and was tied for the most TDs. Although Godwin was absent from 11 games, he finished the 2024 season third in targets on the team. He has a connection with Baker Mayfield and complements WR1 Mike Evans well.
With four seasons of over 1,000 yards under his belt, Godwin is the perfect trade target. He is still playing at a high level and will be healthy again in 2025. If the manager rostering the Penn State alum is concerned about his injury or veteran status, look to make a move for the WR. He's shown he can return from injury (ACL and MCL tear in 2021), so look for him to bounce back from the ankle problems.
TE Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars
Why would you want to make a dynasty trade for the TE31 in PPR leagues last season? Right now, things are lining up nicely for Brenton Strange. He looks to be the clear TE1 on the Jacksonville roster after the team parted ways with Evan Engram. Although the Jaguars could take a tight end in the NFL Draft, Strange appears to be their long-term solution.
Last season, Strange was delegated to backup TE duties. The 24-year-old played in all 17 contests during the season, while Engram saw action in just nine due to injury. Although Engram had an impressive 2023 season, hauling in 114 balls for 963 yards and four touchdowns, he underperformed in 2024 (even when healthy). 2024 saw the veteran tight end catch 47 balls for 365 yards and one score. Once Engram went down with an injury, Strange was asked to step up.
Brenton Strange had 11 receptions for 73 yards Sunday vs the Jets!! Strange is becoming TE1
pic.twitter.com/K27nrPBRSD— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) December 18, 2024
Strange had the best season of his short NFL career in 2024. The Penn State product started 10 contests, posting 40 receptions on 53 targets for 411 yards and two touchdowns. He also averaged 4.7 yards after the catch, 1.4 more yards than Engram. Now that Engram is out of the picture, look for Strange's stats to improve as he absorbs some of Engram's work.
See if you can swing a deal for Strange, especially if your current tight-end room looks something like Dalton Schultz, Will Dissly, and Tommy Tremble. Believe me, I get it. Snag Strange on the cheap before his value rises.
Currently, KeepTradeCut shows that in a Superflex/half-point PPR league, sending a 2025 late second could get the deal done. Spend the late second. Strange gives you more upside than most TEs you'll find late in the second.
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