Now is the time when true dynasty junkies separate themselves from the crowd. Dedicated dynasty managers are always on the lookout for where they can gain an edge on their opponents, and the window between the Super Bowl and Free Agency is the prime time to do just that.
You can put your knowledge to good use and try to capitalize on speculation before casual players come back and pay attention again. With that in mind, here are four groups of current teammates who I’m targeting before Free Agency starts in March.
Dynasty Players to Acquire Before Free Agency
Joe Burrow (QB – CIN) and Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
Now is the time when true dynasty junkies separate themselves from the crowd. Dedicated dynasty managers are always on the lookout for where they can gain an edge on their opponents, and the window between the Super Bowl and Free Agency is the prime time to do just that.
You can put your knowledge to good use and try to capitalize on speculation before casual players come back and pay attention again. With that in mind, here are four groups of current teammates who I’m targeting before Free Agency starts in March.
Dynasty Players to Acquire Before Free Agency
Joe Burrow (QB – CIN) and Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
With the rise of younger QBs like CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson last season and the rookies about to get drafted, it feels like some of the veteran signal callers are being disrespected. Burrow was injured at the start of the year and ended up getting hurt again to finish his season early. But don’t forget: he’s still a stud.
If the Burrow manager in your league is hearing the rumors about Higgins leaving the team, and they are high on the younger options I mentioned, they might be out on Burrow. He didn’t win anyone their league last year, so now is the time to strike if you need a QB upgrade. I especially like doing so now while everyone is talking about other quarterbacks.
At the same time, wherever Higgins plays, I want him on my roster. Granted, his current uncertainty might be working against me here as a buyer. He could stay on the Bengals and be the number two option, but he could go elsewhere and be the alpha. Wherever he lands, Higgins will be fantasy-relevant. That being said, if there’s any sort of discount available for him, take it and run before we know for sure where he’ll play next season, and count your lucky stars.
Derrick Henry (RB – TEN) and Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN)
This current running-back duo is almost certainly being split up shortly. Both players did well last year, relative to their expectations, and both should do well again next year. They just won’t be on the same team. Both are on opposite ends of their careers, but both could make big waves in 2024 and potentially beyond.
Henry is the bigger question mark due to his larger amount of talent and uncertain landing spot. If he goes to a team in free agency that is willing to spend big money on him, then they’re going to use him. If he lands somewhere with a current RB to help spell him, that could be good too. Honestly, it’s almost all positive for Henry at this point, even though he’s already 30. He’s currently ranked outside the top 24 RBs in dynasty, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he has one more great season in him.
Henry’s departure should open things up for Spears to move into the alpha role in Tennessee. New HC Brian Callahan convinced his dad, Bill Callahan, to leave the Browns and join the Titans as their OL coach. This bodes well for whoever carries the rock in Tennessee. As of right now, all signs point to that being Spears’ job alone, but I wouldn’t be shocked (or upset) if the team added another option in free agency or the draft to work alongside him. Either way, I still want Spears on my roster now even before we see where things land.
Drake London (WR – ATL) and Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
This Falcons duo makes this list not because they are changing teams, but because the team they’re on is changing around them. Former HC Arthur Smith has moved on and new HC Raheem Morris is taking over. Morris comes from the Rams and he is bringing QB coach and passing game coordinator Zac Robinson with him to be the Offensive Coordinator in Atlanta. Morris is defensive-focused so I expect Robinson to be the play caller. The pair won Super Bowl LVI over the Bengals as a part of Sean McVay’s staff and did well on both sides of the ball there.
I say all of that to say that I see big things in the immediate future for both London and Pitts. London has true alpha-level abilities and has been somewhat hamstrung by some very mediocre leadership in his short career. In the right system, I think London could be a stud in the realm of CeeDee Lamb or AJ Brown. I’m not saying this is a sure thing, or that it will happen quickly, but that’s around his ceiling to me.
Right alongside him is Pitts in terms of ceiling abilities. Much like London, Pitts has the talent and skill to be one of the best at his position. Dynasty managers were pretty high on both London and Pitts in years past but the shine has worn off now for many. This is the time to strike before the current managers realize just what this new team can do, and before they make a big addition at QB in free agency and their value skyrockets. All signs point to both players seeing a huge uptick in value before the season kicks off.
George Pickens (WR – PIT) and Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
My last duo on this list is the Steelers tandem of Pickens and Warren, and oddly enough they make the list for a similar reason to the Falcons duo, but in a different direction. As soon as former Falcons HC Arthur Smith was announced as the new Offensive Coordinator of the Steelers, dynasty managers everywhere threw their hands up in disgust. None were more annoyed than current Pickens and Warren managers. Other Steelers’ players are also big question marks, but I think these two are the most affected.
Pickens intrigues me because we’ve seen what his ceiling looks like in terms of playing style, just not consistently. Once Smith was hired, Pickens’ dynasty value took a massive hit in the community. His current dynasty ECR is WR32. That’s insanely low to me, even with Smith on the team. I think now is the best possible time to buy low on almost all Steelers, but Pickens most of all. He’s got huge upside and that discount won’t last long.
Similarly, Warren is currently ranked as RB27, making him a big target for me as well. Both of these players have a much better chance of outperforming their current ranking than they do of underperforming it. That’s exactly who I want to roster but even more so before free agency hits when they potentially solve their QB problem. Even if they don’t, I still like the value of both of these guys and am scooping them up wherever I can. Go make a move or two of your own and let me know what you think!
Dynasty Trade Value Chart & Advice
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