Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets - Aging Veterans to Buy

Andrew looks at aging veterans who are fantasy football dynasty trade targets to consider buying. His top trade values include Jakobi Meyers, Terry McLaurin, Jared Goff.

"Aging" means different things to different people. I'm 34 years old. I think I'm aging. My grandparents would tell me I'm young. In football, aging is a sliding scale, largely dependent on the position.

Running backs are the first to hit the age cliff (28-29), followed by wide receivers (30-32), while quarterbacks can play at a high level if they're more of a pocket passer, well into their 30s. Those hitting or nearing the age cliff can still benefit dynasty rosters, especially those with contending rosters.

Here are three aging veterans who still offer fantasy value, and are good dynasty fantasy football buys this offseason.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Age: 29, Experience: 7 seasons

Jakobi Meyers. Brian Thomas Jr. Travis Hunter. Parker Washington. There's going to be an odd man out of Jacksonville's wide receiver group.

Let's follow the money and draft capital. The Jaguars gave up a king's ransom to trade up in the NFL Draft for Hunter (two first-round picks, a second, and a fourth). He, of course, profiled and was intended to be used as a two-way player. In his breakout game, just before his season-ending knee injury, he played 87% of the offensive snaps, compared to 20% on defense. If he had stayed healthy, that trend likely would have continued.

Thomas is also a former first-round pick. But after exploding onto the scene in his rookie season (PPR WR4), his production was nearly cut in half in year two. Rumors of the yips, a case of dropitis, and a colossal bust of a second season have some theorizing that he could be shipped away. However, it's rare, and typically doesn't make a lot of sense, to send away a talented wide receiver on a rookie contract unless it's a Godfather offer.

Meyers has the guaranteed cash in his favor. After acquiring the veteran from the Las Vegas Raiders midseason, Jacksonville signed him to a three-year, $60M extension, with $40M guaranteed. It's not that his individual production was superb. He averaged 4.6 receptions, 53.6 yards, and 11.9 PPR fantasy points. However, his steadying presence elevated the play from Trevor Lawrence, finally making him look like a former first-overall pick.

Logically speaking, Washington is the favorite to play the least amount of snaps. He's a former sixth-round pick, but he's been excellent, especially recently, out of the slot. In must-win games in Weeks 16, 17, and 18, Washington secured 19 receptions on 29 targets for 347 yards and two touchdowns. His skill set best suits the slot role, more than any other receiver on the roster.

Parker Washington scores and makes his tee time! 🏌

TENvsJAX on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/uWQJzlgHfr

— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2026

Meyers can be a slot receiver; he actually took more snaps there earlier in his career. But he's been better out wide in recent seasons.

So, whether he's in the slot or out wide, Meyers seems like a lock to be in most three-receiver sets. One could argue he's the least appealing name of the group.

Dynasty managers are constantly looking for the next big thing. They'll trade away a proven asset for a second-round pick in rookie drafts and swing for the fences. In reality, collecting under-the-radar commodities is a winning recipe.

Because he's perpetually underrated, Meyers can be bought for a mid-second pick. Would you rather roster Meyers or the chance of a rookie like Chris Bell or Ja'Kobi Lane developing into a starting-caliber NFL wide receiver?

Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

Age: 30, Experience: 7 seasons

Terry McLaurin played in the fewest games, averaged his fewest receptions per game, and, subsequently, averaged his fewest yards per game in his career. Now 30 years old, some disillusioned fantasy managers may point to an age-induced decline in productivity. The advanced metrics don't tell that story.

While there are some counterexamples, there's a history of training camp holdouts underperforming or suffering an injury once they return to play. CeeDee Lamb admitted his chemistry was off with Dak Prescott at the start of the 2024 season. Melvin Gordon mustered 51 rushing yards per game in 2019, just one season after averaging 73. Brandon Aiyuk had one game over 50 yards in seven tries before tearing knee ligaments in 2024. It may have been his final down in a San Francisco jersey.

McLaurin and Trey Hendrickson are the poster children this year. Both agreed to new deals in late August. Hendrickson played in seven games, McLaurin in 10.

The long-time Commander initially missed four early-season games with a quad injury. A reaggravation in Week 8 cost him three more. But that was only the beginning of McLaurin's problems.

McLaurin played in only three games with his franchise quarterback, Jayden Daniels, whose injury woes were more extensive. Two were at the beginning of the season. Like Lamb and Prescott, the Washington duo had some connection issues (53.8% catch rate). In the third, Washington got blown out by Minnesota, the best defense against quarterbacks and wide receivers this season.

McLaurin's season never got off the ground, but the numbers fantasy analysts love to look at (yards per route run, first down per route run, and yards per target) didn't suffer.

Note: Numbers via Fantasy Points Data

McLaurin has never been a PPR merchant, quite the opposite, actually. His career-high mark for catches is 87. It's the type of targets he attracts that makes him attractive in fantasy football. Despite all of the turmoil around his quads and his quarterbacks, McLaurin maintained healthy deep target and red zone target shares.

With no real signs of decline, other than elements out of his control, McLaurin is due for a bounce-back season in 2026, still operating as the alpha wideout in Washington.

Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions

Age: 31, Experience: 10 seasons

NFL franchises often opt for a bridge quarterback. A team doesn't have a franchise signal-caller, but they aren't bad enough to select one at the top of the draft. Sometimes the bridge QB does well. Daniel Jones was on his way to a comeback campaign for the Colts before his Achilles injury. Sam Darnold earned himself a starting job in Seattle, thanks to his play in Minnesota. Baker Mayfield became Tampa Bay's franchise guy after excelling in his one-year, prove-it deal.

More often, however, the bridge quarterbacks don't pan out. For every Darnold, there's a Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Justin Fields (coincidentally, also all Jets). For every Mayfield, there's Case Keenum and Gardner Minshew II.

Jared Goff can be a bridge quarterback for a dynasty. Take a dynasty roster with Matthew Stafford, for example. He was the QB3 in his age-37 season, but is nearing the end of his run. Goff will be Detroit's starting quarterback for at least two more seasons, if not more, if the Lions decline to eat millions in dead cap money.

The best ability is availability. Consistency is a close second. Goff has started every game over the last four seasons and finished as a fantasy football QB1 in each year. Some years were slightly better than others (19.7 in 2024), but he hasn't dipped below 17 points per game. At worst, you're rostering a mid-QB2, who you know will be available and can thrive in the best matchups.

Because of his age, reputation, and immobility, Goff's ceiling has already been hit. There's no "What if..." for dynasty managers. He's not a scrambler, so there will never be bonus points for rushing. That's what makes Goff an easier acquisition than, say, someone like Mayfield.

All this to say, Goff shouldn't be a QB1 on a contending roster, and rebuilders don't need to acquire him. However, he's an excellent backup option, or Superflex bridge QB2.

Honorable Mentions

• Josh Jacobs
• Rhamondre Stevenson
• Baker Mayfield

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