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Matt's updated dynasty fantasy football trade value chart for April 2026. Read his dynasty fantasy football rankings, dynasty risers/fallers, and buys/sells.
With the NFL draft just around the corner, the dynasty market had somewhat stabilized early in April as NFL decision-makers held their cards close to the chest.
In a matter of weeks, the entire NFL and fantasy landscape will undergo an immense transformation as draft selections fly off the clock and teams adjust their offseason plans. What looks like a good buy today may yield little to no return on your investment in a matter of weeks.
So, which players should dynasty managers target now and for the future? Find answers in RotoBaller's April Dynasty Market Report. For a deeper dive into dynasty strategy, rankings, and trade tactics, check out our complete Dynasty Fantasy Football Guide.
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Fantasy Football Dynasty Rankings (April 2026)
Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings: Trending Up
Jordan James, RB, San Francisco 49ers (+34)
Previous rank: 251
Current rank: 217
History tends to repeat itself, and for fantasy managers, understanding these tendencies can help gain an advantage against the competition. For Example, when digging into McCaffrey’s history, particularly the season following a heavy workload, there are some flags that managers should not ignore.
In 2019, McCaffrey garnered 403 touches and accounted for 2,392 yards of total offense. The next season, McCaffrey was limited to just three games. We saw this once again in 2023 when McCaffrey’s workload once again pushed the upper limits, touching the ball on 355 occasions and compiling 2,023 yards of offense, only to be followed up by an injury-plagued 2024 campaign that saw McCaffrey suit up in just four contests.
Last season, McCaffrey totalled 2,126 yards on 413 touches. While we know that McCaffrey can handle the load, the question has always been what the following season entails. In the offseason, Brian Robinson Jr. signed with the Atlanta Falcons, paving the way for Jordan James to potentially ascend to a fantasy workhorse if history once again repeats itself.
Jordan James is the name. Scoring TDs is his game. 🦆 @oregonfootball ups the score pic.twitter.com/2BWmmJ4slN
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2024
In James’ final collegiate season, the former Oregon Duck carried the ball 233 times while churning out 1,267 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry in the process. While the 49ers could still add a veteran back into the mix, James is a great speculative add that could be had on the cheap and possibly added as a “throw-in” during trade talks.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (+12)
Previous rank: 242
Current rank: 230
With rumours swirling that Brown could be traded with a post-June 1st designation, the Eagles looked to the trade market and added 25-year-old Wicks to their wide receiver room as insurance. Where there is smoke, there is often fire, so one is led to believe that Brown’s days in Philadelphia are numbered and that Wicks is likely a little more than just insurance.
For Wicks, the talent is not the question. Back in Week 13, Wicks tore the Lions' secondary apart to the tune of six receptions for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Philadelphia sees the upside, they are also aware of the drops and the inconsistency that come with the package. If Wicks can regain some confidence, he could ascend to the WR3 role behind Smith and Brown and become a usable asset for fantasy managers within a defined role.
In Green Bay, no one knew who the top option in the passing game would be. One week it was Wicks, the next Doubs, then Watson, Reed, and then the Packers drafted Golden to complicate the situation further. With that many receivers vying for passes, it's no wonder consistency was a problem.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (+30)
Previous rank: 200
Current rank: 170
With Travis Etienne Jr. taking his talent to New Orleans, the Jacksonville Jaguars had a void in the backfield they needed to fill. They have already seen glimpses of what Tuten can bring to their offense. Still, instead of retaining Etienne or grabbing another big-name running back like Kenneth Walker III, Hall, or even Dowdle, they signed Rodriguez.
Over Rodriguez’s 35-game career, the former Commander has been efficient. On 198 career carries, Rodriguez has found the end zone on 10 occasions and averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. gets loose for the big gain!
Watch on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/dBKeXjgPpl— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2025
Last season, Rodriguez was 10th amongst his peers in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.18), fourth in Success Rate (58%), and finished second in yards after contact per attempt (3.04). Taking that a little further and applying it over the course of Rodriguez’s career. When looking at Success Rate, only Williams 47.2% ranks ahead of Rodriguez (47%), while only Achane’s 3.85 yards after contact per attempt tops Rodriguez’s 3.59.
Make no mistake, Tuten will be the pass-catching back in the Jaguars' backfield, but when Jacksonville is knocking on the goalline, the ball is going to Rodriguez.
Other Notable Risers: Deshaun Watson (+66), Elijah Sarratt (+32), Marquise Brown (+22), Tank Dell (+22), Malik Washington (+21), Nicholas Singleton (+20), Chris Bell (+20), Demond Claiborne (+20), Jaydon Blue (+19), Ted Hurst (+18), Jalen Tolbert (+18), Denxel Boston (+14), KC Concepcion (+12), Matthew Golden (+11), Calvin Rildey (+10), Brian Robinson Jr. (+10), Joe Mixon (+10), Parker Washington (+9)
Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings: Trending Down
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars (-38)
Previous rank: 73
Current rank: 111
If you play in IDP leagues, Hunter is still a player you should target. However, if you aren’t getting points for tackles or broken-up passes, it may be time to see if a league mate is willing to take a chance on Hunter based on brand name recognition.
The NFL offseason is full of rumours, and it, at times, can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. One thing fantasy managers have heard this offseason is that the Jaguars are strongly considering making Hunter a full-time cornerback, which makes plenty of sense considering how talented a defender Hunter is and the weapons currently occupying the Jaguars wide receiver room.
From Path to the Draft on @NFLNetwork: Looking at what's next for #Jaguars CB/WR Travis Hunter... pic.twitter.com/3hHF1Tg3Mj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2026
With Thomas Jr. looking less likely to be dealt, Meyers, and the emergence of Washington, Jacksonville has one of the better receiver groups in the NFL, which makes the idea of Hunter moving to corner full-time, with a play here and there on offense, the most likely scenario. Good for the Jaguars, not so much for those who invested in Hunter.
As the offseason draws to an end and training camps begin to start up, the window to move Hunter for anything of real value will begin to close. Now, you aren’t giving Hunter away for free; this isn’t charity after all. If there isn’t a deal that makes sense, hold. We did see a spike in his routes before he tore his LCL, and the season is a long one, so the Jaguars could revisit this situation by November or December.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers (-14)
Previous rank: 124
Current rank: 138
You likely can’t drop Aiyuk, and you certainly can’t get anything in return for him at this moment, either via the trade market. So, what can you do? Like Hunter, the best course of action is to hold and hope for some movement in Aiyuk’s market, though in some rankings, he has fallen to WR75 despite having WR20 talent.
Unfortunately, fantasy managers are not privy to what occurs behind closed doors. Still, it would appear that Aiyuk wasn’t making any friends with management towards the end of his time in San Francisco. We also know that, because of everything that has occurred, the 49ers are in no real rush to let Aiyuk move on, as they hold his rights.
With NFL free agency and the NFL Draft, the 49ers could wait until after June 1st before making a decision, which, at that time, many times have already spent their money and addressed their wide receiver needs. Despite the drama, Jed York was on record saying he wouldn’t be opposed to Aiyuk returning to a team that features McCaffrey, Kittle, and Evans. After all, they are still paying him.
Managers looking for a discount would be wise to kick tires on Aiyuk. While the situation looks dire now, there is a pathway to fantasy success for Aiyuk if one is willing to take a minor risk.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans (-19)
Previous rank: 129
Current rank: 148
With Mixon out for the season, Chubb showing the effects of years in the league, it was Marks who stepped up in the Texans' backfield, leading the team with 703 rushing yards on 196 attempts. While serviceable, they are replaceable, hence the addition of Montgomery.
Houston sent a fifth-round pick to the Lions to acquire Montgomery’s services, and it may be the best move this entire offseason. Before Gibbs arrived in Detroit, Montgomery had proven to be a back capable of handling a heavy workload. Before the 2024 season, Montgomery averaged 226 carries per season in his career, earning 260 or more touches in each of his first three seasons.
Last season, Texans backs combined for 399 carries out of the backfield. There is no reason not to believe that a healthy Montgomery would be in line for 270 or more of those opportunities moving forward, considering the former Lion and Bear has averaged a healthy 4.1 yards per carry over his career, which has seen him run the ball on 1,477 occasions.
Montgomery is the better back, and it’s not particularly close. Look at the explosive run rate (15), the broken tackles forced per attempt (29), rushing Success Rate, yards after contact per attempt (3.17), and yards per route run (1.12).
Marks will still have a role and see some touches, but his value becomes stagnant unless there is an injury to Montgomery. In 2024, Mixon averaged 17.2 fantasy points per game, which is where Montgomery likely sees his value in 2026.
Other Notable Fallers: Eric McAlister (-69), Bam Knight (-33), Kirk Cousins (-22), Kareem Hunt (-19), Mike Gesicki (-18), Jaylin Noel (-16), Troy Franklin (-14), Sam Darnold (-13), Deebo Samuel Sr. (-13), David Njoku (-13), Jauan Jennings (-12), Keenan Allen (-12), Devin Neal (-11), Marvin Mims Jr. (-11), TreVeyon Henderson (-10), Kyle Williams (-10), Aaron Jones Sr. (-10), Keon Coleman (-9), Jerry Jeudy (-8), Terry McLaurin (-8)
Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Value Chart
Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Chart: Name to Know
Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State (+66)
Previous rank: 336
Current rank: 270
When looking at the 2026 NFL Draft and the quarterback position in particular, not many prospects have a skill set as intriguing as the one North Dakota State’s Payton offers.
Looking at the current rookie ADP, you see Mendoza, Simpson, Nussmeier, Beck, Klubnik, and more before scrolling down to Payton’s name. Sure, Mendoza is going first overall, but after that, it is really open to interpretation who the next best quarterback prospect is this year.
The lefty @NDSUfootball QB Cole Payton showing off the deep ball.
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/IpCqRYyDd8— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2026
At 6’3 233 lbs, Payton not only has the size to look the part of an NFL quarterback, but guys that big should not be capable of running 4.56 40-times or jumping 40”. Payton is arguably the most athletically gifted quarterback in this draft class, and he is not being talked about nearly enough. Part of that is likely to be blamed on Carson Wentz and Lance, who may have soiled the good name of future quarterbacks from North Dakota State, but let’s look at the numbers.
It’ll be important to see where Payton lands, but 162 for 225 (72%) passing usually translates well at any level, as does 2,719 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 12.1 passing yards per attempt, 777 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, and a career 6.7 yards per rushing attempt.
Considering where he is currently landing in rookie drafts, Payton is worth the risk. If a team is patient and can develop the young signal caller, there is a good chance that he and Mendoza are the two names most remembered from this class when discussing the quarterback position.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Chart: Maximize Return
Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans (+21)
Previous rank: 153
Current rank: 132
Dell is nearing a return after suffering a devastating injury at the end of the 2024 season. There is optimism that the Texans' wide receiver could be back Week 1, which would put that return in the 15-18 month period, and let’s not forget, Dell is still only 21.
Houston comes right back! Stroud finds Dell for 50 yards!#HOUvsNYJ on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LGIB0Jahg6— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2024
With each new season, hope and optimism are in the air. Houston has an offense poised to score. The offensive line will need to improve, but second-year receivers Higgins and Noel will be looking to take that next step in their development alongside Collins. Montgomery solidifies the run game that dipped from Mixon in 2024 to Marks in 2025. All accounts, Dell is in the best shape of his life after training at the Receiver Factory this offseason.
Dell’s value is going to continue to climb throughout the offseason, especially with more and more videos coming out showing his progress. These videos should get other fantasy managers excited. However, don’t let that distract you from the fact that what Dell is recovering from was an ACL, MCL, LCL, meniscus, and dislocated kneecap injury. Dell may have a solid season or two left in him, but the long-term prognosis is troublesome.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Chart: Buy the Dip
Jalen Nailor, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (-15)
Previous rank: 192
Current rank: 207
It's somewhat baffling trying to figure out how a receiver goes from the third option in a McCarthy-led offence to the second option (Bowers) in a Klint Kubiak offense, and his value takes a hit.
Nailor signed a three-year, $35M contract with the Raiders this past offseason, suggesting that, between the money and the current state of the receivers' room, which also includes Tucker, Bech, and Thornton, Nailor is expected to be the first option amongst receivers. Looking at what he accomplished on the perimeter, it’s easy to see why. Last season, Nailor was sixth in separation and 13th in route win rate among 141 qualified receivers.
Kubiak and the Raiders specifically targeted Nailor and his skill set. Knowing Mendoza is likely to see time at some point this season, it’s important to have playmakers capable of creating separation. Nailor excels at getting open downfield and saw a 75% Success Rate on out-breaking options beyond 15 yards.
More Dynasty Fantasy Football Analysis
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