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. 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 break down the AFC South teams: the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans.
- Dynasty Stock Report & Trade Advice AFC: East | North | South | West
- Dynasty Stock Report & Trade Advice NFC: East | North | South | West
- More Dynasty Articles & Advice
- Dynasty Startup Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
The Top Dynasty Asset
Here are the top dynasty assets for each AFC South team.
Dameon Pierce (RB – HOU)
Last year Pierce was a popular dynasty rookie draft pick despite being a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Gator didn’t let fantasy players down, totaling nearly 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie. More importantly, he averaged 11.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Pierce was an explosive runner, totaling 10 or more yards on 10 percent of his rushing attempts last year. He also forced a missed tackle on 28.2 percent of his rushing attempts. While the Texans added Devin Singletary in the offseason, the former Buffalo Bill is there to provide rotational depth, not replace Pierce as the starter.
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)
While Taylor struggled to stay healthy last season, the superstar running back remains a top-10 dynasty startup draft pick. He was the RB6 as a rookie, averaging 15.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Then Taylor was the RB1 in 2021, averaging 20.8 fantasy points per game while leading the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns. More importantly, he has averaged 5.1 yards per rushing attempt and 3.37 yards after contact per rushing attempt in his career. With Anthony Richardson keeping defenses from going all out to stop the superstar running back, Taylor should return to his top-five form in 2023.
Calvin Ridley (WR – JAC)
Unfortunately, fantasy players have gotten only five games from Ridley over the past two years. Yet, the star receiver was outstanding in 2020, ending the year as the WR4, averaging 15.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he wasn’t a massive target hog. Ridley finished ninth in targets that season (143) but averaged 1.7 fantasy points per target. While he will likely struggle early this year as he gets back into game form, Ridley should return to his elite level of play. Furthermore, the Jaguars didn’t trade for the star receiver to be a rental. Ridley will be catching passes from Trevor Lawrence for the next several years.
Treylon Burks (WR – TEN)
Despite a disappointing rookie season, Burks is one of my top dynasty trade targets this offseason. Last year he struggled with injuries but ended his rookie season playing well. The former Arkansas star averaged 1.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per target over his final six games despite his injuries and inconsistent quarterback play. Meanwhile, the Titans released Robert Woods this offseason. Furthermore, they waited until the seventh round of the NFL Draft to select a wide receiver. Even if the team adds a veteran before the start of the season, Burks is the No. 1 wide receiver in Tennessee and is due for a sophomore-year breakout.
The Top Sell Candidate
Here are players to consider trading away on each AFC South team.
Dalton Schultz (TE – HOU)
Schultz could turn into a solid late-round tight end in redraft leagues. The Texans lack proven pass catchers, which could open up a significant target share for the veteran tight end. However, dynasty players should sell high if the opportunity presents itself. Schultz has been a solid fantasy tight end but not an elite one. He has only one season in his career with more than 615 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Furthermore, the veteran tight end has a career average of only 1.29 yards per route run. Schultz is the perfect example of a solid but not a difference-making fantasy tight end.
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND)
Last year Pittman was a popular breakout candidate but failed to live up to the hype. He ended the year as the WR23, averaging 10.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, down from 11.4 the season before. More importantly, Pittman had a drop in receiving yards and touchdowns despite seeing an increase in receptions, targets, and routes ran. Furthermore, his aDOT and yards per route run took a significant hit from the 2021 season. Meanwhile, the Colts have spent two Day 2 selections on the wide receiver position over the past two years. While fantasy players shouldn’t feel pressured to trade Pittman, now is the time to explore the market.
Evan Engram (TE – JAC)
Many labeled Engram a sleeper candidate last year. The veteran was the TE6, averaging 8.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, that was far from his career high of 10.9 fantasy points per game in 2019. Furthermore, last year’s average was only the fourth highest of Engram’s six-year career. More importantly, the veteran was wildly inconsistent last year. He scored half his fantasy points for the season over a four-week window. Meanwhile, the Jaguars added Calvin Ridley and used a second-round pick in the NFL Draft on fellow tight end Brenton Strange. Sell high on Engram while you still can.
Derrick Henry (RB – TEN)
While Henry was the RB4 last year, averaging 17.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, the superstar running back showed signs of decline. His fantasy points per game average was the lowest since he took over as the featured back in 2019. Furthermore, Henry averaged fewer than one run of 15 or more yards per game for the first time in the past four years. Meanwhile, the superstar turns 29 in July and has averaged 334.3 touches per season and 24.3 touches per game over the past four years, seeing at least 380 twice. Dynasty teams who aren’t realistic contenders this year should trade away Henry before his value declines.
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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.
