Several factors go into building a consistently elite dynasty fantasy football 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. All of this boils down to your dynasty trade strategy.
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 fantasy football team possible, I will identify the top dynasty asset and sell candidates for every NFL team.
Today, I break down the AFC North teams. Here’s my dynasty trade advice for the AFC North, including the top dynasty asset on each team, as well as a dynasty player to trade now.
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Dynasty Trade Advice: AFC North
Top Dynasty Trade Assets
Jackson is coming off his second MVP-winning season in his five years as a starter. More importantly, he didn’t miss a game because of injury after missing nearly 30% of the contests during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The superstar quarterback set career highs in completion rate (67.2%) and passing yards (3.678) last year. While Gus Edwards led the Ravens in rushing touchdowns, Jackson totaled more rushing yards (821). Furthermore, he was Baltimore’s leading rusher every year of his career since his rookie season.
While Joe Burrow couldn’t stay healthy last year, Chase set career highs in receptions (100) and targets (145). However, he set career lows in receiving yards per game (76) and touchdowns (seven). The superstar receiver should bounce back with Burrow 100% healthy. Furthermore, Tee Higgins likely won’t be with the Bengals past the 2024 season. More importantly, the former LSU star has never finished lower than the WR13 any year in half-point PPR scoring. If there is an opportunity to trade for Chase, be aggressive in making a blockbuster move.
The Browns started five quarterbacks last year. Yet, Cooper was the WR18, averaging more half-point PPR fantasy points per game (12.7) than Davante Adams, Michael Pittman Jr., and Jaylen Waddle. Furthermore, the veteran was outstanding playing with any quarterback besides Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Cooper averaged 15.1 fantasy points per game in the 12 contests he played that Thompson-Robinson didn’t start, which would have made him the WR6 on a points-per-game basis. While he turns 30 this month, Cooper is someone contending teams want on their roster.
Many have called Pickens a breakout candidate this year after the Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson, making him the new No. 1 wide receiver in Pittsburgh. Pickens was outstanding in the four games without Johnson last season. He was the WR13, averaging 14.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game during those four weeks, posting the eighth-highest fantasy points per route ran rate (0.49) among wide receivers with at least 110 routes (per Fantasy Points Data). More importantly, Pickens could be even better after the Steelers significantly improved their quarterback unit.
Top Dynasty Trade Candidates
Henry’s short-term fantasy value got a boost after signing with the Ravens in free agency. He will replace Gus Edwards and his 13 rushing touchdowns from last season. Yet, Edwards was only the RB28 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 10.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per contest. More importantly, Henry had his lowest yards per rushing attempt average (4.2) and yards after contact per attempt (3.32) since taking over as the full-time starter in 2019. Now is the time for non-contending teams to move on from the future Hall of Famer.
Some have high hopes for Moss after the veteran averaged 22 touches and 12.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in his five healthy contests without Jonathan Taylor last season. However, his 3.1% explosive run rate, 2.29 yards after contact per attempt, and 51% stuff rate during those five games would have ranked in the bottom six among 33 running backs with at least 170 rushing attempts in 2023 (per Fantasy Points Data). Don’t be surprised if Chase Brown is the Week 1 starter, making Moss a must-sell candidate.
Unfortunately, Chubb’s 2023 season ended after two games because of a gruesome knee injury. If the veteran wasn’t coming off the second significant knee injury in his career at age 28, fantasy players should want him on their contenting rosters. However, Chubb says he’s unsure when he will play this upcoming season. Meanwhile, the Browns added D’Onta Foreman in free agency. Find the league mate who overvalues name value and get them to take Chubb off your hands as he enters the final year of his contract.
Fantasy players had high hopes for Harris after he was the RB4 as a rookie. However, he had 74 receptions that year, as Ben Roethlisberger was a checkdown machine in his final NFL season. By comparison, Harris has had 70 receptions over the past two years. More importantly, Jaylen Warren could finally take over in the backfield under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Plus, don’t forget about Smith’s BFF — Cordarrelle Patterson. After the Steelers declined his fifth-year option, Harris is likely heading into his final season with the team.
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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.
