The Athletic has live fantasy football advice for your lineups ahead of Week 8.
As we near mid-season, dynasty coaches are quickly learning about their 2023 prospects — and as fantasy trade deadlines approach, now is the time to begin targeting players for acquisition. Whether your team is competitive — or if a rebuild is in order — it’s time to start beating the bushes.
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In the past, I’ve used a single article to highlight players I’m looking to acquire and those I’m looking to trade away. I’m changing that up and will be focusing on just one side of the ledger for each article. My players to trade away will be following shortly.
If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you know I’m firmly against knee-jerk reactions and wholesale changes based on acute events. I much prefer a measured approach and targeting very specific assets to fill holes on my teams. Unless I’ve decided to fully rebuild, I rarely make large trades. I play the long game and don’t give into this growing trend of treating the dynasty format like the redraft format, making wholesale moves in an attempt to win this year. Your style may differ.
As always, any referenced dynasty Trade Analyzer, player rankings or ADP data comes from DynastyLeagueFootball (DLF), the oldest and largest dynasty-centric site on the planet. All rankings assume a PPR format.
Let’s get to the players I’m targeting for acquisition.
1. Dameon Pierce, RB HOU
DLF Rank: RB19 Age: 23
Some players are just built for the NFL and Dameon Pierce is one of them. He’s had a dismal 2023 performance — averaging 2.9 YPC. across 97 carries in six games. Pierce has only produced one touchdown in that span. Despite this performance, I’m acquiring him everywhere I can, whether my team is competitive or not.
I love Pierce’s profile and rookie C.J. Stroud is turning into a better quarterback prospect than many believed. While Stroud’s increasing success will help with the run game, my play with Pierce is for the future, when he reaches mid-career form and, potentially, in a new situation. Even without a change in team, I believe it’s darkest before the dawn and Pierce has the size and work ethic, even as his dynasty ranking erodes.
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2. Josh Jacobs, RB LV
DLF Rank: RB10 Age: 25
To say Jacobs isn’t following up on to his huge 2022 campaign would be an understatement. Team dynamic and his offseason hold-out have materially impacted his production. Averaging 2.9 YPC, Jacobs’ dynasty value is falling quickly and he’s now starting to reach bargain basement value.
There’s little chance Jacobs returns to the Raiders in 2024 and acquiring him ahead of a team change is always a risky proposition. At the same time, his value, age and production potential allow him to be acquired for both competitive and nearly-competitive dynasty teams. Another poor game or two will only add fuel to the “sell now” narrative. Once again, I’ll be acquiring if the price is right.
3. Jerome Ford, RB CLE
DLF Rank: RB39 Age: 24
I’ve been mentioning Ford as an NFL caliber running back prospect since before he was drafted by Cleveland in 2022. Like Dameon Pierce, he’s built for the NFL and is capable not only as a rusher, but also as a receiver.
His fifth-round draft selection was perfect for his initial value, and while Nick Chubb’s season-ending injury came as a surprise — unexpectedly vaulting Ford’s 2023 value — I’m still willing to acquire him (and if his ankle injury is even somewhat serious, maybe a desperate team will need to move him for immediate help). A quick look a the DLF Trade Analyzer finds Ford’s value at a mid-to-late 2024 second-round selection. If the possessing team is competitive, you won’t be able to acquire him for that price; in all other situations, he’s worth a look.
Chubb should return healthy in 2024, pushing Ford back to the bench. It may be worthwhile to wait on acquiring him until after the season plays out, but I’m kicking tires now and keeping him on my radar for the 2024 offseason.
4. Tee Higgins, WR CIN
DLF Rank: WR11 Age: 24
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Tee Higgins is what I call a “moment in time” acquisition — and you need to strike quickly.
A combination of the Bengals’ poor start, injury and dynasty narrative has Higgins on the “sell” block… and I think it’s madness. In his five games this season, his 14/149/2 line has left many of his dynasty managers frustrated, and I’m starting to see his name pop in trade activity.
He won’t be a cheap acquisition, by any stretch, but the premium in his dynasty ranking is far less than what it was prior to the season and he can now be had for a mid-to-high first-round 2024 selection. For a front line starting receiver, that’s a price I’m willing to pay if I have need. You may even be able to get a discount to his current DLF Trade Analyzer value.
5. George Pickens, WR PIT
DLF Rank: WR28 Age: 22
George Pickens has been a bright spot on the unsettled Steelers offense. Still, his team situation and “maturity” concerns have dynasty managers reluctant to value him highly.
I love Pickens’ athletic profile and ability to produce well beyond his WR28 ranking in the future. He’s long, athletic and, while I acknowledge some concern about his emotional profile, my hope is that a combination of age and time will make this a non-issue. His big play ability and plus-level hands stand out. Pickens’ consistency has been lacking in 2023, as was expected, but he’s shown to be the WR1 and is developing.
I’m sniffing around for possible deals to acquire Pickens in al leagues, regardless of the competitive nature of my teams.
6. Josh Palmer, WR LAC
DLF Rank: WR65 Age: 24
I’ve written about Josh Palmer multiple times over the past year and I grow more convicted every time.
Palmer has inherited the WR2 role for the Chargers following the season-ending injury to Mike Williams. While all eyes remain on rookie Quentin Johnson, it’s Palmer who continues to show capability as a WR2 with upside. Change is in the wind with respect to the Chargers’ receiving corps in 2024 and Palmer is almost certainly going to remain with the team before hitting free agency in 2025.
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While the focus remains on Keenan Allen as the WR1 and rookie Quentin Johnson as the expected future WR1, I’m acquiring Josh Palmer for a combination of current production and future upside at a discounted rate. He’s currently carrying a 2024 third-round rookie pick value.
7. Michael Mayer, TE LV
DLF Rank: TE14 Age: 22
I’m not fond of listing tight ends in acquisition pieces, as I’m far more likely to simply add a free agent during the season when he begins to break out. I’ve started inquiring, though, about Michael Mayer simply because fellow rookie Sam LaPorta has stolen the show in 2023, leaving Mayer and Dalton Kincaid out of the conversation.
I still very much believe in the profile and upside of Mayer at the NFL level. In fact, I was disappointed to see his minor breakout game in Week 6, hoping instead to see him have another few quiet games to further reduce his cost. There’s no question to me that Mayer has the ability to be a top flight tight end in Josh McDaniels’ system but it may take more quarterback consistency before that is realized.
The DLF Trade Analyzer value for Mayer pegs him as an early-third in 2024 rookie selection return, and that’s low enough for me to seek out an acquisition.
Hope you enjoyed this look at just some of the players I’m seeking to acquire in dynasty. If you have thoughts or questions, please be sure to leave a comment and also give me a follow on Twitter and Threads: @DLF_Jeff
As always, be well, be happy and, please, be good to each other!
(Top photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
