Several factors go into building a consistently elite dynasty team. One of those is identifying the top player on every NFL team. Another is knowing which players you should trade away before their fantasy value decreases.
Typically the starting quarterback is the top dynasty asset on every NFL team in Superflex leagues. However, they are rarely the top asset in 1QB leagues. So, to help you build the best dynasty team possible, I will identify the top dynasty asset and sell candidates for every NFL team.
Today I breakdown the AFC North teams: the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Top Dynasty Asset
Lamar Jackson would be the clear top asset on the Ravens in a Superflex league. However, Dobbins slightly beats him out in 1QB leagues. While he missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL, Dobbins should be ready and 100% for Week 1. Dobbins averaged a respectable 11.2 PPR fantasy points per game as a rookie. Furthermore, he averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game despite playing only 45.6% of the snaps as he split time with Gus Edwards and Mark Ingram. However, Ingram is gone, and Edwards is coming off a torn ACL. After trading away Marquise Brown this offseason, many expect the Ravens to return to their run-heavy offense from 2020. If he is healthy, Dobbins could break out and end the year as an RB1.
Was there any doubt who the top asset on the Bengals would be? Chase is arguably the overall WR1 in dynasty after his historic rookie season. He averaged 7.5 targets and 17.9 PPR fantasy points per game last year. More importantly, fantasy players don’t have to worry about Chase’s quarterback situation anytime soon. His connection with Joe Burrow last season was as strong as it was at LSU.
Furthermore, Burrow and Chase will be cornerstone pieces for the Bengals for the next decade. His rookie season was not a fluke. Chase is a top-two dynasty wide receiver and the Bengal you want on your fantasy teams.
Chubb has averaged at least 15.4 PPR fantasy points per game each of the past three seasons despite a limited role in the passing game. Additionally, he has been one of the best running backs at ripping off runs of 15 or more yards in his career, according to PlayerProfiler. Last year 7.5% of his rushing attempts were breakaway runs, ranking sixth in the NFL. Chubb also had a 7.4% rate in 2020. So while some are worried the addition of Deshaun Watson will hurt Chubb’s fantasy value, it should actually help it. With defenses no longer able to sell out to stop the run, Chubb will become even more efficient with his rushing attempts.
The rookie running back was a workhorse machine in 2021, averaging 18.1 rushing attempts and 5.5 targets per game. Furthermore, his 381 total touches were the most in the NFL last season. Now that Ben Roethlisberger is retired, Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett will take over at quarterback. That means Harris’ targets per game will drop as both quarterbacks can extend the play with their legs, unlike Roethlisberger. However, it also means defenses will have to pay attention to the running quarterbacks, creating better running lanes for Harris. Don’t worry about the recent media storm around his weight. Harris is a top-five dynasty running back.
The Top Sell Candidate
While Andrews is not a must-sell in dynasty, now is the time to explore potential trade offers. He is coming off a career season, averaging 17.7 PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, Andrews improved from his previous career-high fantasy points per game average by 22% last season. The big jump in production was because of the number of passing plays called. With all the injuries at running back and on the defense, the Ravens called 205 more passing plays last year than in 2020, resulting in 66 more targets for Andrews. While he is still a top-three dynasty tight end, now is the time to see what you can get in a deal for the veteran tight end.
Cincinnati lacks a clear sell candidate as most of their core is in their prime or haven’t entered it yet. However, the one player you should look to trade away is Boyd. The veteran receiver has been a solid PPR player for years, averaging 13.5 fantasy points per game since 2018. However, his fantasy points per game average have decreased by at least one point per game each of the past four years. With Chase and Tee Higgins as the clear top two weapons on the offense, Boyd’s long-term future with the Bengals is in doubt. Now is the time to trade him away before Boyd becomes a cap casualty next offseason.
Njoku is a popular tight end target in early redraft rankings. However, everything is based on projections and not past success. Over his first five years in the NFL, Njoku has averaged only 5.9 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he has under five receiving touchdowns every year of his career and only one season with over 475 receiving yards. While the upgrade at quarterback will help Njoku, fantasy players should take advantage of the current hype around him. Njoku is not a must-sell candidate but could net you a 2023 second-round pick and a younger tight end with upside like Brevin Jordan.
The Steelers have been one of the best teams at developing wide receivers in recent memory. However, they have typically let those wide receivers leave in free agency instead of re-signing them to long-term deals. Unfortunately, Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Furthermore, the Steelers used two picks in the 2022 NFL Draft on wide receivers. Not only is Johnson’s future in Pittsburgh in doubt, but he is also likely heading towards a regression 2022 season. After averaging 10.1 targets per game over the past two years, Johnson should see that number drop with the changes at quarterback and the new additions at wide receiver. Now is the time to trade Johnson, especially if you can land a 2023 first-round pick in return.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
