PlayerProfiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out! Below, Dan Williamson looks at Dynasty Football Trade Candidates, veteran players who could be on the move.
Who isn’t PUMPED for the NFL draft at this point? We have less than two weeks to go, and the rumor mill is in high gear for every NFL team. Mock drafts are legion, and we’re all dreaming of perfect landing spots for our favorite rookies. But the cherry on top of this Lollapalooza sundae is the trades that inevitably happen during the draft. Almost every year, there’s at least one “I didn’t see THAT coming” stunner. We can also expect several deals that send players packing for new teams and situations.
If you’re as deep into the FFPC action as I am, there are two fronts to consider for any trade. I’m always looking at deals through the dynasty and best-ball lenses. Sometimes, my reactions can differ, depending on the format. We can still prepare ourselves for some likely outcomes without knowing who will get traded and where.
Common denominators we look for in trades are players who are poor scheme fits or players who will be free agents after this year. Teams not interested in retaining a player after 2025 have an incentive to cut the cord early. These players increase a GM’s equity available to spend in trades. Often, less important players become sweeteners to get a deal done. More prominent players can be the crown jewel of a trade.
Teams also deal players before their deals expire to lock in a return for a player that won’t be retained. There’s always the chance of getting a compensatory pick once they hit free agency, but that’s rarely a sure thing. The formula for determining who gets what picks is byzantine at best, partially dependent on the value of incoming free agents as well as the value of free agents lost. In short, teams usually prefer locking in a return for a player now rather than hoping for a good outcome on compensatory picks next year.
Let’s get into it. Who are some likely candidates to be on the move before the end of the draft?
Breece Hall
I’ve been saying it for months, and now the Podfather himself is on the bandwagon. The Jets should trade Breece Hall now rather than let him walk at the end of the year. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis have played very well when Breece was out or limited. Like many players on this list, Hall will be a free agent at the end of the year. Unless the Jets plan to pay him, they should be looking for something in return rather than just hoping for a compensatory pick. He is as good or better than any RB in this class, not named Ashton Jeanty, and he can probably be had for a late Day 2 pick at most. If the Jets dangle him on draft night, they will find suitors.
How I’m playing it: I’m not selling in dynasty because his price is about as low as we’ve ever seen. I’d consider buying if his manager is giving a discount. Beyond that, scooping up shares of Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis for cheap is a solid play for both dynasty and best ball.
Travis Etienne
This is mostly speculation, but the new regime in Jacksonville has no attachment to Travis Etienne. The previous regime picked up his 5th-year option, but at $6.14 million, it’s not a strong impediment to a deal. If Liam Coen wants to move on, the team could pick up a Day 3 pick in return. It’s not a lot, but it beats letting him walk for free after this year. The Giants, Cowboys, or Texans could all be good fits.
How I’m playing it: Etienne could be a buy in dynasty if his manager is selling at a discount. It’s very possible that he’s still the starting RB for the Jaguars when the smoke clears. Worst case scenario is we have to hold for a year and he’s still a bye-week fill-in while we wait. In best ball, I’m taking some shares where he falls below ADP.
Rachaad White
He might not get traded, but the Buccaneers will answer if the phone rings about him. Rachaad White is in the final year of his contract. Now that Bucky Irving has shoved White to a #2 role at best and Sean Tucker is looming behind him, the writing is on the wall for Rachaad. Last year, I was calling this trio Bucky, Tucky, and Sucky. The Bucs don’t need to spend over 3.6M on a 3rd wheel. White’s skill in the passing game should net him a role somewhere at whatever point he leaves the team.
How I’m playing it: His dynasty value has already cratered so it’s just hold and hope. I’m not making moves to add him in either dynasty or best ball. I’m adding Sean Tucker in both dynasty and best ball at a price that’s nearly free.
Tyreek Hill
The end often comes quickly for speed receivers, and Tyreek Hill is now 31 years old. The wheels on his mental bus are apparently starting to wobble, too. He can’t seem to decide if he wants to be a Dolphin or not. He was involved in a domestic dispute (no charges filed). His wife is filing for divorce. At some point, the Dolphins may decide to get off this carnival ride. Given Hill’s salary, I think a trade is a bit of a long shot. But we’ve seen plenty of times that a motivated team will eat a lot of dead cap to divest itself of a problem contract or player. Las Vegas and Tennessee have the cap space and the need at WR to be potential dance partners for the Dolphins.
How I’m playing it: I’m not adding him in dynasty. Where I roster him, I will be shopping him once the recent news has cooled a bit. In best ball, he’s going at a discount compared to past production, so I’ll add him to my rosters occasionally.
George Pickens
Mike Tomlin’s patience with George Pickens has clearly worn thin over the past 3 years. Trading for DK Metcalf and signing him to a mega-extension also speaks volumes about their faith in Pickens. The Steelers don’t view Pickens as an alpha receiver, and furthermore, they’ve shown they’re confident in their ability to draft WRs. Time and again, they’ve moved on rather than pay someone they consider replaceable. Just ask Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Martavis Bryant, Antonio Brown, and Diontae Johnson. Almost anywhere Pickens winds up has to be better than staying in Pittsburgh to be Aaron Rodgers‘ WR2 in an Arthur Smith offense.
How I’m playing it: Managers are all over the place in how they value Pickens currently. Some are still truthers, and some want out. It’s worth kicking the tires to see if you can find a price you like. In best ball, he’s another player that I’ll take if he drops past ADP.
Kyle Pitts
Kyle Pitts is the classic square peg forced into a round hole in Atlanta. Zac Robinson‘s scheme asks TEs to play inline, using them much less frequently from WR alignments. Pitts has always been more of a WR who plays under the TE designation. This shows up in his snap rates, which declined precipitously over the 2024 season. Nevertheless, the Falcons picked up his 5th year option prior to the 2024 season. As a result, they owe him $10,878,000 for 2025. It only makes sense for the Falcons to recoup a pick by shedding the ill-fitting Pitts, who seems destined to leave as a free agent next year. The Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, or LA Chargers would be ideal landing spots. Each of them could use a TE upgrade. They’ve also had strong histories of using TEs split out from the formation.
How I’m playing it: I’m buying Pitts in dynasty at his current depressed price. Worst case scenario is we have to hold for a year and he’s still a bye-week fill-in while we wait. In best ball, I’m taking some shares where he falls below ADP.
Dallas Goedert
The Eagles have publicly announced that they are willing to trade Dallas Goedert. In the last year of his contract, and on the wrong side of 30, the team can’t expect too much in return, though. Goedert also struggles to stay healthy, missing an average of 5 games over the past 3 years. A Day 3 pick is about as much as the Eagles should expect in return. When playing, Goedert has thrived in an in-line role as a blocker and receiver. The Panthers could be an interesting fit, pairing Ja’Tavion Sanders in the slot while Goedert plays in a traditional TE alignment.
How I’m playing it: I’m not currently buying in either dynasty or redraft at his current price. Until he finds a home where we can project him to be a primary option in the passing game, there are better options at TE available.
Michael Mayer
The first TE selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Michael Mayer, is most definitely on the trade block. With Mayer still on his rookie contract for the next two years, he’d be a low-cost addition with plenty of upside. There are more teams needing TEs than there are quality TEs available in this draft class. Add all that together and you have the recipe for a trade. Rumors are already swirling that the Ravens might be interested, given that Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are both in the final years of their deal. He’s also an ideal fit for the Falcons if they ship out Kyle Pitts. The Rams are another team that could use an in-line TE with plus receiving skills.
How I’m playing it: He’s still potentially stuck on the Raiders for the next 2 years. For that reason, I’m not targeting him in dynasty, but I will ask for him as a throw-in on bigger trades. In best ball, he’s a last-gasp option as a 3rd or 4th TE.
Kirk Cousins
Let’s be blunt. There is no chance the Falcons will pay Kirk Cousins 27.5 million dollars to back up Michael Penix. It might not come during the draft, but you can bet it’ll happen before the start of the NFL season. He’s hard to trade given his 2025 salary. However, the Falcons might be willing to eat part of that salary if it provides a better return. Could the Falcons trade Cousins to Cleveland for Kenny Pickett? How certain are we that Pittsburgh wants to sign Aaron Rodgers if Cousins is suddenly an option? Perhaps the Saints would be interested too. It is fair to wonder, though, if the Falcons would trade him to a divisional rival.
How I’m playing it: In SuperFlex or FFPC Tri-Flex Dynasty, he’s nearly free. If I need options at QB, I’ll send a late pick for him. In single-QB best ball, you’re probably in trouble at QB if you’re seriously considering taking him.
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