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Top 5 fourth-year players to target in dynasty fantasy football trades before the 2025 season: Drake London, Trey McBride, Breece Hall, Brock Purdy, and Jameson Williams.
The offseason is critical for dynasty fantasy football managers wanting to shake up their rosters. Whether you're trying to improve one position or want to rebuild your entire team, making the right trades now can set you up for success in future years.
Dynasty leagues reward those who are ahead of the curve. One of the best ways to gain an edge in dynasty is by targeting players before their value peaks. Fourth-year players are interesting because they have had time to establish themselves in the NFL and show what they can do. Still, their best football could be ahead of them.
Some managers may undervalue these players due to up-and-down production, changing team situations, or injury concerns. If you can pick out the right talent to acquire before your league mates catch on, you can land game-changing players at a discount. I'll look at five fourth-year players I believe you should roster. Whether you're looking for that one key component or you're looking for some high-upside, buy-low candidates, I have you covered.
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Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
A strong candidate to trade for in dynasty leagues is Drake London. The Falcons wide receiver has dealt with his fair share of inconsistent quarterback play throughout his NFL career. In 2024, he saw instability continue as the team rolled out Kirk Cousins at QB.
The veteran quarterback endured a touchdown drought in 2024, failing to throw a single passing touchdown in four consecutive games. This drought negatively impacted London's statistics.
Sheeeesh Drake London is that man! pic.twitter.com/CEnjrA70xC
— JWack (@JaredWackerly) August 18, 2023
Cousins was benched before Week 16 in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. London's production under Cousins was underwhelming, as he reached 100 receiving yards just once. However, in three starts with Penix, London hit 100 receiving yards twice. He tallied a season-high 18 targets in his final game of the season.
Despite poor quarterback play for most of the season, the USC product still finished with 1,271 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 100 receptions. He dominated the red zone, gaining 23 targets there throughout the season.
Penix might already be the best quarterback London has played with in the NFL. The chemistry between the two was evident late in the season and should bleed into 2025. The WR should be on your trade radar, given his undeniable talent and ability to help your team for years to come.
Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
Another fourth-year wide receiver who is a dynasty buy is Jameson Williams. Despite some up-and-down play throughout the season, the Lions wide receiver had a third-year breakout in 2024.
Williams missed two games due to suspension but made a significant impact in the games he did play. In 2024, the 23-year-old caught 58 balls on 91 targets for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. He showed he can be a weapon in the running game, carrying the ball 11 times for 61 yards and a score.
Really missing Jameson Williams 70-yard touchdowns right about now 🥲pic.twitter.com/s9OeF7cmr4
— Natalie Sparbeck (@NatSparbeck) February 23, 2025
His deep-threat ability was on full display as he finished second in the league in yards per catch at 17.9. If not for the suspension, the Alabama alum could have ended the season as a top-10 wide receiver for fantasy football.
Looking forward to the future, John Morton, the new offensive coordinator, should be able to use Williams effectively. Williams can coexist alongside star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Due to his explosiveness, the first-round pick can potentially take work away from St. Brown. Williams' workload should not go down.
The wideout should be a player you're trying to buy. He can be a difference-maker on your fantasy squad as long as he can stay on the field and avoid further disciplinary issues. With the Lions poised for another strong season, look to acquire Williams ASAP.
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
The Jets drafted Breece Hall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact, rushing for 463 yards and four touchdowns in just seven games before tearing his ACL in Week 7.
Despite playing in a struggling Jets offense, Hall proved he could be a fantasy asset in 2023. He rushed for 994 yards and five scores while becoming a force in the passing game, bringing in 76 receptions for 591 yards and four touchdowns. While the Jets offense faltered, Hall showed he could still contribute.
Breece Hall showing up... in Week 18pic.twitter.com/3tKK1SpA6I
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) January 6, 2025
The 2024 season was frustrating for Hall and the entire Jets organization. He finished with 876 rushing yards and five touchdowns over 16 contests. He added 57 receptions for 483 yards and three scores through the air.
While still effective, the running back dealt with inconsistency, missed Week 14 due to a knee injury, and played through pain late in the season. New York's offensive struggles worsened things, as it abandoned the run when trailing.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sent packing, and the Jets are in rebuild mode. Hall should be a focal point of the offense as they focus on getting better. The Iowa State product turns 24 in May, so he is still in the prime of his career.
The team could extend him, let him play out his deal, or even trade him. Whatever happens, and despite his bad situation, the back is worth investing in. The current Hall manager might be frustrated with his inconsistency, so see if you can make a move for the RB.
Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
Trey McBride is one of the best tight ends in the NFL and a player you should try to trade for in dynasty. In 2024, the tight end put together an impressive season, recording 111 receptions for 1,146 yards. He was effective after the catch, tallying 526 yards. Though he lacked touchdowns, only finding the end zone twice, his volume made him a cornerstone of the Cardinals passing game.
While he has attention-grabbing receiving stats, the Colorado State alum is more than just a threat in the passing game. He was on the field for 934 offensive snaps in 2024, proving himself a capable blocker. His well-rounded skill set makes him an every-down player in the Arizona offense.
Trey McBride just Mario stomped a 49ers defender 😭
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) January 5, 2025
As stated, McBride lacked in the touchdown department for much of 2024. On his 98th catch of the season, he finally scored. The TE has not scored more than three times in an NFL season. Although the lack of touchdowns is concerning, the targets have been there. He gained at least 10 targets in six of the last seven games of the season. Making a move for the tight end in dynasty means betting on positive touchdown regression.
At 25 years old, McBride is still in his prime. He is under contract for the 2025 season on his rookie deal. The Cardinals would like to get an extension done, ensuring the tight end remains a vital part of their offense for years to come.
McBride is the TE1 on the Cardinals roster, which won't change anytime soon. He is one of the safest options at the position. Given the shallow depth of the tight-end pool, securing an elite, high-volume player like McBride could catapult your team to greatness. The tight end should be a dynasty target, even though you'll have to pay up to get him.
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy is an intriguing fourth-year quarterback in dynasty fantasy football heading into the 2025 season. The 49ers quarterback had a brilliant 2023 campaign, throwing for a franchise-record 4,280 yards. Purdy tossed 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in that season.
2024 was a rough season for Mr. Irrelevant. Injuries to key playmakers Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey caused a decline in Purdy's production. Purdy finished 6-9 as a starter on the season, with a dip in his numbers compared to the previous year. He connected on 300 of 455 pass attempts for 3,864 yards, 20 scores, and 12 interceptions.
Brock Purdy pump fakes and runs it in for the TD!
📺: #DETvsSF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/0kUyoHp6KF— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024
Purdy's dynasty outlook remains promising despite the setbacks faced in 2024. San Francisco is expected to be active in the wide receiver market, with Aiyuk rehabbing from a torn ACL and MCL, while Deebo Samuel Sr. will likely depart. Adding a dynamic pass-catcher next to a healthy McCaffrey and George Kittle is just what the QB needs to bounce back.
The Arizona native has led the 49ers to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl. A contract extension is in the cards for Purdy, although opinions are mixed on his value. This could favor dynasty managers looking to grab him at a discount.
His 2024 dip in production may create a buying window. He's well-positioned to reclaim his QB1-level production. Bet on Purdy now before he enters the prime of his career.
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