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Dave Ventresca analyzes several fantasy football players who rebuilding managers should consider acquiring in their dynasty fantasy football leagues for 2024.
If you’ve ever played dynasty fantasy football, you’re familiar with the general dynamics of a dynasty league. A handful of owners go into win-now mode to compete for the title while others decide to rebuild and stock up for the future. Trading is essential if you choose to go the rebuild route.
There are several ways to go about this. One way to potentially accelerate your rebuild is by acquiring players with upside who are undervalued by your league. If you land a few of these players, you might be ready to compete sooner than you think. So, who are some players rebuilding owners should acquire in trades? Let’s examine a few names.
Make sure you follow RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are five players who rebuilding managers should acquire in their dynasty fantasy football league.
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Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee has shown a commitment to building around its young quarterback this offseason. With the seventh pick in the NFL Draft, the Titans selected tackle JC Latham to protect Levis' blindside. The team also signed Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd in free agency to beef up the skill-position players surrounding Levis. He had an up-and-down rookie season, but the 2023 second-round pick Levis flashed upside throughout the season.
Will Levis’ first NFL touchdown! #TitanUp ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/8L0Mtd9fsC
— KSR (@KSRonX) October 29, 2023
Levis only ranked 40th in Pro Football Focus's (PFF) adjusted completion percentage, so he will need to make improvements in his second season. Levis has reportedly been working hard to clean up his mechanics/footwork. This bodes well for his outlook. New head coach Brian Callahan does have experience working with young quarterbacks as he was instrumental in Joe Burrow’s development in Cincinnati. With a plethora of weapons at Levis’ disposal, Tennessee has done everything it can to set him up for success. There is sneaky breakout potential here.
KeepTradeCut estimates his current value in superflex leagues as an early-second-round rookie pick. That’s about as cheap as it gets for a young starting quarterback. That makes Levis a great target if you’re in a superflex league and need a QB2. Go get him now because the days of acquiring Levis at a discount might be coming to an end soon.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
2023 was a complete disaster for Young.
Bryce Young just threw his 2nd pick six of the game to Kenny Moore pic.twitter.com/Dd7cwOZlxI
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) November 5, 2023
As bad as things were, there’s reason for optimism in 2024. New Panthers head coach Dave Canales has a strong track record with quarterbacks. In 2022, Canales was the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks and worked closely with starter Geno Smith to guide him to an out-of-nowhere career year, which culminated with Smith winning the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Canales then moved on to Tampa Bay where he was the Buccaneers offensive coordinator last year. He worked directly with quarterback Baker Mayfield. Once again, Canales’ signal-caller enjoyed a career year as Mayfield posted career-high statistics across the board.
Carolina has also done its best to surround Young with better weapons. It traded for receiver Diontae Johnson this offseason. He is now a legitimate WR1 target for the young quarterback. The Panthers also drafted rookie receiver Xavier Legette and running back Jonathon Brooks in the NFL Draft. The second-year pro is in a much better position for success this time around.
Young was bad across the board as a rookie. Any metric will tell you that. We still shouldn’t completely give up hope.
1st Overall Pick Quarterbacks to post LESS than 15 PPG as a Rookie
[ Matthew Stafford ]
[ Trevor Lawrence ]
[ Sam Bradford ]
[ BRYCE YOUNG ]you should NOT be giving up on Young after a disappointing Rookie Season pic.twitter.com/IHsxFdxaRs
— DynastyIM (@dynasty_im) May 5, 2024
Young is a fantastic buy-low option for superflex managers needing quarterbacks. In short, this is a play on a strong offensive mind uniting with a former No. 1 overall pick. We saw Sean McVay work wonders for Jared Goff in Los Angeles after the latter endured a tough rookie season. There’s hope Canales can have the same effect on Young. If you’re in a rebuild and have a plethora of picks, it’s a good idea to use a few and acquire Young on the cheap. Quarterbacks usually don’t come cheap in superflex leagues. Here’s a good opportunity to go get Young at a discount.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Green Bay Packers
Wicks flashed potential in his debut season with the Packers. He certainly looked the part as his route running turned heads throughout the year.
Dontayvion Wicks pic.twitter.com/u5LuUwYrFA
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 9, 2024
In limited action, Wicks posted some impressive advanced metrics. He checked in with a 23% targets per route run (TPRR) along with a 2.31 yards per route run (YPRR), per Fantasy Points Data. This is a small sample, but it’s the kind of data you love seeing from a rookie. Green Bay’s receiving room is crowded, yet it’s unclear who will eventually emerge as the top option.
With a RotoBaller dynasty ranking of WR71, Wicks makes for a good “throw-in” target during trade talks. He should only improve going forward and can become a go-to option in this offense. With a little luck, he can become Jordan Love’s top target.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
After an incredible sophomore collegiate season, dynasty managers were excited to see what Smith-Njigba could do in the NFL. Sadly, managers were left disappointed with his rookie year. Smith-Njigba only posted 63 receptions, 628 receiving yards, and four touchdowns on just 93 targets. His advanced metrics were not particularly impressive, either. Per Fantasy Points Data, Smith-Njigba only posted a 21% TPRR and a 1.39 YPRR.
In reality, though, all of this should have been expected. Smith-Njigba was stuck in the pecking order behind veterans DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett for all of last season. It was always unlikely he would immediately produce as a rookie. While JSN underwhelmed last season, he is a talented player and should not be overlooked.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s first NFL touchdown. pic.twitter.com/7kQ6K23ADR
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 22, 2023
Smith-Njigba may not have the elite fantasy ceiling many initially thought, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a useful asset. We may ultimately be a year early on Smith-Njigba after the team gave Lockett an extension this offseason. However, if you’re in a rebuild, this shouldn’t concern you in the least. Talented players have a way of eventually overcoming questionable circumstances.
Some dynasty managers have lost interest in the second-year receiver following a disappointing rookie season. Touch base with the Smith-Njigba owner in your league and see if you can make a deal.
Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
Odunze was taken ninth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and he joins a crowded Bears receiving room that already features veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. It’s unclear what kind of role Odunze will have throughout the season, but if all parties remain healthy, he's likely relegated to WR3 duty.
The play here has more to do with Odunze’s value during the season. If things go as expected and the rookie starts slow, try and get him at a discount. Odunze is an uber-talented player and the gap between him and Marvin Harrison Jr. is not as great as some like to think. If the Odunze manager in your league gets impatient during the season, strike while the iron is hot and get Odunze on your roster. He has too much talent and will eventually become a superstar.
With the game on the line to send Washington to the playoffs, they put their trust in Rome Odunze.
His ability to make plays/adjust to the ball while it’s in the air is unmatched.
Incredible body control and catch here on the back shoulder fade…pic.twitter.com/kUR9cfAPVD
— Snoog’s Dynasty Society (@FFSnoog) January 26, 2024
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