The ever-shifting dynamic of fantasy football can come at you extremely quickly. I was planning on starting out this article outlining a few trade ideas — some players to target and some players to pivot off of this week. We will save that one for Week 8.
But instead of discussing my trade ideas, I get to discuss actual NFL trades and their dynasty impact.
Never a dull moment in this thing of ours.
Early on Tuesday, there were two massive, landscape-altering moves. The ripple effects were felt across dynasty and redraft leagues alike. When one door closes in the NFL, another opens. Value is gained, and value is lost. This is especially true in dynasty.
Let’s look deeper into what has become a wild week for dynasty fantasy football managers.
The Davante Adams Trade Fallout
Just hours after a disappointing home loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, the New York Jets traded a third-round pick for Davante Adams. Adams's linking back up with Aaron Rodgers — his longtime quarterback in Green Bay — has been rumored since last offseason. The trade still sent a collective shockwave through fantasy football. But what effect will it have on dynasty values?
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets, 24 Years Old
There are a lot of mental gymnastics going on with Wilson managers. “The pie could grow larger”…..”Wilson is still the WR1”……”I am not worried.” Let’s get one thing out of the way: this is not a good thing for Wilson managers. One of fantasy’s most consistent target earners just arrived in town. Adams was targeted 169 times or more for three straight seasons as a Raider. Wilson leads the NFL in targets (66) and has a 29.3% target share — two numbers that most likely decline.
In theory, if Allen Lazard disappears out of the equation, Wilson could maintain virtually the same role. But Lazard has played well and also shares the Green Bay connection. Wilson is probably closer to a high-end weekly WR2 than the WR1 level he has displayed over the past two weeks.
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets, 23 Years Old
We have found a winner. The "pie growing larger" argument will benefit Hall significantly. His usage under new play-caller Todd Downing was extremely promising. Hall finished with 113 rushing yards on 18 carries and added 6 targets, resulting in 5 catches for a season-high 56 receiving yards. He out-touched Braelon Allen 23-3.
The Jets are tied for the most targets to running backs of any team in the NFL. This number may decrease slightly with more targets going to the wide receivers, but the Jets rank in the top three in pass attempts per game. Hall’s 14.7% target share could dip, but it won't disappear. Most importantly, Hall is now the clear lead back in an offense that could improve — potentially a lot.
Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders, 21 Years Old
The chosen one at the TE position is now the clear-cut #1 target on the Raiders and will likely maintain that role for many years to come. His 22.2% target share and 29% targets-per-route-run average could increase as the Raiders continue to tailor their offense to their young star, without the looming return of Adams hanging over their heads.
Bowers is currently the TE2 overall but will make a solid push to finish #1. If you have Bowers in dynasty, this is a time to celebrate.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders, 27 Years Old
Meyers is one of the least discussed players following this deal, but he could be a significant winner. He is in the second year of a three-year, $33 million contract. Meyers has now become the most experienced and productive wide receiver on the Raiders' roster by a considerable margin.
He holds a 20.9% target share this season and finished last year with a 19.9% share. Meyers is currently averaging 12.1 PPG — a number he could build on for the remainder of the season. His already solid 1st read rate of 24.5% should maintain or grow.
Even if Las Vegas drafts a WR, Meyers will enter the 2025 season with a solid role in this offense. He is an underrated—and easily obtainable — depth piece for your dynasty roster.
The Amari Cooper Trade Fallout
Not to be outdone by their fellow AFC East rivals, the Bills made another colossal trade. They acquired Amari Cooper from Cleveland. Unlike the Adams deal, this one was seemingly out of nowhere. The wheels spun quickly, and we could see a firesale out of Cleveland with several players involved in future deals.
Cooper finished 2023 as the WR17 in PPR PPG with 15.1. He now escapes a moribund Cleveland offense quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson and lands attached to Josh Allen. Cooper, despite his age, is still a target magnet. He has a 26.5% target share and a 33.1% 1st read rate this season, numbers slightly higher than he had in 2023.
Unlike The Jets, The Bills have been pass-averse. They are second to last in pass attempts per game. Is that a fundamental change? Or is it a result of their lack of WR weapons? It could also be a mixture of both, with Joe Brady featuring the running back position week in and week out. We will find out quickly when Cooper arrives in town.
What effect could the Cooper trade have on dynasty values?
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns, 28 Years Old
David Njoku is in store for an unexpected midseason boost. Njoku helped win leagues last year with his strong play down the stretch, especially with Joe Flacco under center, which gave fantasy managers a significant edge. He finished as the TE7 in PPR PPG. His production spike was also a considerable boon for dynasty managers who had long anticipated this consistent weekly scoring from Njoku.
With Cooper gone, no wide receiver on the Browns' roster threatens Njoku's consistent involvement in the offense. Nick Chubb looks set to return from injury, but his weekly touch ceiling and initial snap share are still up in the air. The Browns lack the skill position talent to avoid featuring Njoku heavily in their weekly game plans.
If you have Njoku in dynasty leagues, you can rely on him weekly or sell him for an increased profit. However, sellers should beware: The Browns' quarterback situation will almost certainly improve next season, and Njoku will remain a vital part of the offense.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills, 24 Years Old
Dalton Kincaid is hanging on by a thread in TE1 territory, currently ranking as the TE12 in PPG. At first glance, Cooper’s arrival might seem like a significant setback for a player struggling to deliver consistent fantasy production. However, the lack of reliable target earners at the wide receiver position may have hurt Kincaid more than it helped. Some players don’t thrive as alphas, and opposing defenses will now focus more on Cooper, potentially opening things up for Kincaid.
Last season, as part of a passing attack featuring Stefon Diggs, Kincaid recorded 15 or more fantasy points four times. This year, his season high is just 11.1 points, achieved this past week.
Kincaid's dynasty value has taken a hit this season, but there’s a limit to how far it can drop. He has the draft capital, a history of fantasy production, and the benefit of being attached to an elite quarterback. Cooper’s arrival could stabilize Kincaid’s role moving forward more than hinder it.
Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills, 21 Years Old
Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills, 24 Years Old
Neither of these players projected to be a WR1, and now there is no pressure on either to become one. Shakir played well this season, and should shift into a WR2/slot role. Coleman can develop. His youth insulates his dynasty value, and his current 7.4 PPG average should stay relatively static.
Josh Allen, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 28 Years Old
There is not much to say about one of dynasty’s best quarterbacks. Allen is the current QB6 in PPG, lower than we are used to seeing, but not an utter disaster. The trade for Cooper shows that Buffalo will do what it takes to put their franchise QB in a position to succeed. They have drafted skill position players in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft for three consecutive seasons (James Cook, Kincaid, Coleman). They smartly added Cooper this week, filling the void they lacked without Diggs this season. Allen is in a good place.
Here are a few more players that gained and lost dynasty value this week.
Stock Up
Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago, 22 Years Old
I was wrong with my early-season criticisms of Williams. They were almost a subconscious punishment for Williams’ inflated redraft price tag, a " Hey, Jayden Daniels is dominating, therefore, Williams should be as well.” I should have been more patient. My dynasty shares of Williams are now looking very strong, as I am sure it is for many of you.
Williams has finished as the QB1 and QB6 overall over the past two weeks. He looks a lot like USC Caleb Williams.
When Williams and the 4-2 Chicago Bears return from their bye week, they face off against Daniels and The Commanders. All of dynasty will be eagerly anticipating that one.
Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills, 24 Years Old
Davis showed us exactly what we wanted to see last week, filling in for the injured James Cook. He finished with 152 combined yards and demonstrated his ability to handle a high volume of touches with 23 on the night in a hard-fought win.
Some very sharp fantasy website may have recommended Davis as a trade candidate last week. Subscribing to a website like that may be an intelligent move for you…
Davis has been highly successful everywhere he has played. He attended three colleges — Temple, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky — and rushed for at least 900 yards in a season at each of them. It does not matter which offensive coordinator Davis has played under - he has found a way to produce.
He already appears to be a like-for-like replacement for Cook, and Ty Johnson is a minimal threat to his weekly touch volume. Cook is also dealing with turf toe — a nagging injury that can linger.
I hope you added Davis last week. If you didn’t, consider buying high on him.
Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks, 23 Years Old
I keep writing about Walker and discussing him on podcasts, but I will do so once again here. Walker is now averaging 22 PPG. He has 21 catches on the season, including a career-high 8 of them in Seattle’s loss to San Francisco. Walker’s career high in catches is 29 — a number he could blow out of the water before Halloween.
If you are looking for a blockbuster potential pivot trade of an elite player like Bijan Robinson, a “Robinson for Walker and a 1st-round rookie pick” trade is out there in many leagues. By the end of the season, Walker could leapfrog Robinson in the dynasty RB ranks.
Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 22 Years Old
Tucker exploded with his opportunity and finished as the RB1 overall on the week. He becomes a must-add player for dynasty managers everywhere. Could this be a random blip on the radar type event? We likely saw Tucker put up the best fantasy performance of his career. But the second-year player was a star at Syracuse and was only undrafted because a heart issue put him on several teams “do not draft’ list. If healthy, Tucker would have most likely been a Day-3 pick.
NFL coaches are human. It is hard to see a player put up a 192-yard, two-TD performance and say, “Good game, Sean. Now take a seat.” He most likely has earned a larger role moving forward.
This offense is also a machine. Baker Mayfield, OC Liam Coen, a solid offensive line, and a great set of skill position players make this offense one we want access to. If Rachaad White struggles to stay healthy, Tucker could form an exciting combination with Bucky Irving.
Stock Down
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers, 25 Years Old
Justin Fields is the QB6 in fantasy. Fields is 4-2 as the starting QB in Pittsburgh.
Fields is also being replaced this week by 35-year-old Russell Wilson.
This curious move could turn into a blip on the radar. If Wilson falters, Fields will be right back on Broadway. But this is a further example of the difference between fantasy football and NFL football. In fantasy football, we love Fields. He provides us with spike weeks and consistent scrambling ability. In real-life football, Pittsburgh views their 4-2 record as being in spite of Fields as opposed to because of him.
He just does not have the job insulation to be considered a foundational quarterback on a dynasty roster. For better or for worse, NFL coaches fundamentally view him as a player with a 14-30 record as a starting quarterback, which is not good for us as dynasty managers.
Dynasty Watch List
Audric Estime, RB, Denver Broncos, 21 Years Old
Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin were terrible in Denver’s loss to the LA Chargers on Sunday. Estime could earn more touches behind them, erase them on the depth chart, and take over sooner rather than later.
Roman Wilson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, 23 Years Old
Wilson finally made his NFL debut. He did absolutely nothing, but his return needs to be monitored. Wilson dominated the Senior Bowl and was a third-round pick.
Bub Means, WR, New Orleans Saints, 23 Years Old
Means stepped up for the concussed Chris Olave and caught 5 passes for 45 yards and a TD. This week, he should see an outsized role for a mash unit of a New Orleans offense. The Rookie has a chance to put up another strong performance and earn a starting role opposite Olave due to Rashid Shaheed’s knee injury.
