Dynasty Players Rebuilding Owners Should Consider Moving - AFC South Edition | Joe Mixon, Michael Pittman, Tony Pollard, Evan Engram and More
Identifying some dynasty players who should maybe be moved by rebuilding teams.
It’s time to continue a fantasy football series where I identify players that rebuilding dynasty owners should consider moving.
We covered the North (NFC and AFC), East divisions (NFC and AFC) and NFC South already and will now discuss the AFC South.
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Houston Texans
There are three big trade targets I see on the Texans.
The first is running back Joe Mixon. The 28-year-old is having a good season and has built up some good trade value as a result. He’s also nearing that 30-year-old mark, which is when most good running backs start to fall off.
I think Mixon has a couple good seasons in him yet, but if your rebuild is a couple years long still, I’d cash in on Mixon while his value is high. I’d target a young running back in return - if you can’t get one, I’d try to secure a couple future picks.
You should get a couple solid pieces in return for Mixon. I’d try to make the move now, instead of waiting until after the season.
Stefon Diggs is another, but unfortunately he’s out for the remainder of the season now. He’s 31 years old and was enjoying a pretty good season until he got injured.
There still might be some dynasty owners out there who take a chance on Diggs (maybe the ones who are in playoff contention, but might not truly compete until next year). Diggs can help them at that point.
Trading Diggs away now opens a roster spot and allows you to move closer to competing in the coming seasons.
Dalton Schultz is the other Houston player I’d want to trade. He’s 28 years old.
The ideal time to trade Schultz was before the season, when his value was pretty high. His value has dropped this season, and he hasn’t done himself any favors with the extra opportunities over the past couple weeks.
The deeper the league, the more valuable Schultz would be to a contender. As more of a streaming option than a locked-in starter, you won’t get a big return for Schultz, but I’d try to get a little something off him instead of dropping him in a couple years.
Indianapolis Colts
There’s only two really notable trade targets in Indianapolis.
The first is Joe Flacco. The 39-year-old isn’t going to net you much in return, but a contending team could always use extra quarterbacks for the stretch run.
The deeper the league, the more you should be able to get out of Flacco. I’d try to trade him to a contending team that rostered Anthony Richardson, as getting Flacco guarantees they have the Indy starter for the remainder of the season, regardless of how many more times it might change.
I’d take just about anything for Flacco, as long as it made my team younger and focused on the future of your team. You could add picks or other players with Flacco to go after a better pick or young and emerging dynasty player.
Michael Pittman Jr. is the other Colt I’d be looking to trade. He’s 27 years old.
Unfortunately, he’s dealt with injuries and underperformed this season, so his trade value is down. A lot of dynasty owners might still believe in Pittman though, and pay a pretty good price to bring him in.
I’m always looking to replace players with another one at the same position, so I’d be looking for at least one younger wideout in return. You could also get a pretty high rookie pick, or a package of picks, which could help in your efforts to not only replace Pittman, but build a stronger dynasty team for the long run.
Tennessee Titans
There’s four players on the Titans who have some dynasty trade value and are aging players.
The most valuable is probably 27-year-old Tony Pollard. He’s been better than expected for the Titans, and has some decent trade value built up now.
A big reason I want to trade him now is because I don’t expect his dynasty value to ever be this high again. He doesn’t have too many great seasons left in him probably, so I’d cash in now instead of waiting.
He should net you a good, young dynasty asset, or maybe a player/pick combination. Pollard might not be the biggest fantasy name, but he’s played well enough to get you some decent dynasty value in return.
Calvin Ridley is the next player I’d want to trade. He’s 30 years old and serving as the team’s No. 1 wideout after DeAndre Hopkins was traded.
Ridley should be able to get you a decent return. Contending teams always could use another wide receiver for the stretch run, and while Ridley isn’t in the best situation, a lot of fantasy owners would be willing to take him on.
See if you can land a younger receiver in return, or maybe get a couple of later rookie picks for him.
Mason Rudolph is another QB who could have a little value in really deep dynasty leagues. I’d look to trade him to a contending team with Will Levis (that seemed weird to type), but any contending team struggling with fantasy quarterback play wouldn’t mind adding any extra body.
Like in the case with Flacco, a Rudolph trade isn’t going to get a big return, but anything is better than nothing.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is another name I’d consider moving. The 27-year-old had touchdowns in four straight games and is playing a ton of snaps with Hopkins no longer around.
Westbrook-Ikhine hasn’t done much over his career, and I’m not sure the future is all that bright. This is a sell-high dynasty trade, but one several contending teams would consider given the wideout’s recent play.
If you’re like me and don’t see a big future ahead for Westbrook-Ikhine, why not flip him for a late rookie pick or young wideout who hasn’t played much yet? I’d rather take the chance on a future asset than believe in Westbrook-Ikhine remaining relevant past this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
There’s three Jaguars I’d be looking to trade.
Christian Kirk had the most trade value, but with him out for the season now, the 28-year-old isn’t nearly as appealing. Like in the case with Diggs, a close-to-contending dynasty team might take a chance on Kirk - it boosts their title chances starting next year, while helping you move on to the future a little bit quicker.
I still think Kirk has enough value to net you a respectable return, and that’s better than letting his value fizzle out over the next couple seasons.
Evan Engram is another vet I’d look to trade. He’s 30 years old and back on the field now after an early-season injury.
Engram had more trade value at the beginning of this season, but I think there’s still a chance you get a future asset or two. I’d take that over hoping Engram replicates his 2023 monster season again.
Travis Etienne is the final Jaguar I’d want to move. The running back has struggled this season, and his future looks murky right now, but the 25-year-old should still be an appealing fantasy asset to a lot of owners.
I think he’ll latch on with another organization, if he’s indeed run out of Jacksonville. His first two years in the NFL were solid, and I think he’s got a few more solid seasons in him.
Someone else probably agrees with that assessment, and would give up a decent package of players or picks to acquire Etienne. I want to move Etienne because of his murky future, and moving on now helps you avoid a possible future headache, and ensures you at least get a chance to roster a player with more potential.