Dynasty managers constantly evaluate their rosters throughout the season, determining what players to buy and who to trade or cut loose. With this, it’s time for the reaction to Week 18 of buy-and-sell within Dynasty. I’ll be analyzing veteran and rookie profiles to project future values, which is the key to building a successful Dynasty Fantasy Football team.
My buy candidates throughout the year will range from immediate help to long-term upside that could deliver consistent production for the future. Also, knowing when to trade away players at or near their peak is valuable to infusing your roster with up-and-coming talent. Let’s dive right in, and let me help you by suggesting the players that you’d be wise to buy and sell in Dynasty this week as we wrap up the regular season and head into the offseason.
* Within this article, the statistics were pulled from Sports Reference, KeepTradeCut (KTC), and Sleeper.
Buy
Jaylen Waddle
Throughout his career, the 26-year-old Jaylen Waddle has had a lot of ups and downs. His first two years in the league were very strong. Waddle finished as the WR13 in 2021, followed by a WR8 finish in 2022 (Full-PPR). However, his last few seasons haven’t been as productive as he’s battled injuries. This season, Waddle sustained a knee injury in Week 15 that forced him to leave early, holding him out of action until Week 18. Waddle’s best game this season came in Week 12 when he had 24.40 fantasy points (Full-PPR). He ended the game with eight catches on nine targets for 144 yards and a touchdown. Disappointingly, he’s only averaged 10.04 (Full-PPR) fantasy points for his Dynasty Fantasy Football managers on the season.
However, what makes Waddle a must-buy right now is the Tyreek Hill postgame interview after their final game that blew up the NFL and social media world. Hill voiced frustration from not making the playoffs for the first time in his illustrious nine-year career. Hill told reporters, “I just gotta do what’s best for me and my family. If that’s here or wherever the case may be, I’m finna open that door for myself. I’m opening the door. I’m out, bro.” Whether Hill is sincere or not in his remarks, if he wants to be traded from the Dolphins, Waddle is a player everyone should target in their Dynasty Fantasy Football leagues.
Previously, Hill has also had comments about possibly retiring early, so his time with the Dolphins might be over one way or another. In this scenario, Waddle would slide in as the clear top wide receiver without much depth behind him. All Waddle will have to do is stay healthy in a Dolphins offense that figures to bounce back in 2025. Being paired with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will make Waddle a smash play every week. Waddle is also an attractive option because the Dolphins are typically a high-scoring team, and if he’s the new top wide receiver, he is also with the Dolphins through the 2028 season, as he signed a three-year extension worth $84.75M. Waddle is currently WR48 (Full-PPR) on the season, and KeepTradeCut (KTC) has him valued as the WR26. At this price, Waddle is a great buy, and all managers should target him based on his potential ceiling for the future. Acquire him before the Hill news becomes a reality, as Waddle’s value will skyrocket once Hill is officially traded. Waddle then will become a force in your lineup and one of the main reasons that your future contending team next season goes deep into the Dynasty Fantasy Football playoffs, making a push for the championship.
Rashee Rice
Before the 24-year-old Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending knee injury tearing his LCL, he was continuing his breakout from late last season. He drew “league winner” labels within Dynasty Fantasy Football. Rice was injured in Week 4, but in the first three games of the season, he was averaging 16.48 fantasy points (Full-PPR), showing how elite he’s become as Patrick Mahomes‘s top target. In Week 3, he had his best game, finishing as the WR5 with 23.10 fantasy points (Full-PPR). In that game, he finished with twelve catches on a robust fourteen targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. It’s important to note that Rice was proving that the Chiefs’ passing game goes through him and not tight end Travis Kelce like previous seasons.
In addition to his injury, Rice is also facing legal issues. On March 30, 2024, he was involved in a hit-and-run crash but later turned himself in. Then, in May, he was suspected of assaulting a photographer, but the victim declined to press charges, calling the incident a “misunderstanding.”
More than likely, Rice will face some kind of suspension, but if it begins during the 2025 season, the suspension could help him finish his rehab and not rush coming back. Rice is a tricky player to try to acquire, but the gamble on him could very well be worth it. If he can be acquired at a reasonable price, he’ll reward Dynasty Fantasy Football managers who believed in him, and he’s a perfect target for rebuilding managers. Rice figures to be a focal point of the Chiefs offense once he returns. Kelce is nearing the end of his career as he recently turned 35 years old, and the only young receiver signed long-term is Xavier Worthy, who the team selected in the first round (28th overall) in this year’s past draft. The Chiefs do have Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and DeAndre Hopkins, but there are no guarantees that they will be with the team past this season as both are free agents at season’s end. Rice and Worthy seem to be the future of the Chiefs, making Rice, who’s become Mahomes’s favorite target, a great player to target. Rice is also in the second year of his four-year rookie contract and is currently WR96 (Full-PPR) on the season, and KeepTradeCut (KTC) has him valued as the WR16. I’d look to acquire Rice now as he’s slightly discounted with everything going on with him and he figures to only see an increase in value once he’s able to return to play. Believe in Rice as he can be a great buy-low piece to help solve your wide receiver position for your future contending Dynasty Fantasy Football for many upcoming seasons.
Sell
George Pickens
The best way to describe George Pickens is as a very talented but underachieving player. If he wouldn’t let distractions and a loss of concentration get to him, he could be a top wide receiver in the NFL. However, he consistently drops too many catchable passes, which costs him production and causes a lack of trust for his quarterback. The former second-round (52nd overall) pick from the 2022 NFL Draft was finally given his chance this season to prove he can be a true number-one wide receiver in the league, and he’s failed to live up to the challenge thus far. The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson away in the offseason, opening the door for Pickens. Yes, the Steelers don’t have the best offense, but Pickens was the featured wide receiver when Justin Fields was the starting quarterback earlier in the year and with Russell Wilson to close out the year. Pickens failed to dominate and to put up top receiver numbers with either quarterback. His best game of the year came in Week 7 when he put up 19.60 fantasy points (Full-PPR). Pickens ended the game with five catches on nine targets for 111 yards and one touchdown. On the year, Pickens averaged just 11.74 fantasy points (Full-PPR), which isn’t enough to be considered in the tier of elite wide receivers.
Additionally, with the enigmatic performances from Pickens, it’s easy to see the Steelers adding another wide receiver to improve the offense in this upcoming offseason and possibly someone to be a true top wide receiver. The Steelers tried to do this in the offseason and training camp but failed to acquire Brandon Aiyuk. In season, they added Mike Williams, but he’s produced little to nothing. Eventually, if the Steelers add a top receiver, I’d expect Pickens’s numbers to decrease even more, making it time to sell him while he’s still atop the Steelers wide receiver depth chart. Pickens is also in the third year of his four-year rookie contract and is currently WR39 (Full-PPR) on the season, and KeepTradeCut (KTC) has him valued as the WR18. In my view, he’s underperformed too many times. Entering a contract year could also get complicated and make his future uncertain if the Steelers decide to move on from him. Pickens has good value in Dynasty Fantasy Football right now, and someone will be willing to acquire him, betting on his talent and potential. Now is a great time to sell high on Pickens. I’d look to trade him now to another manager who believes in Pickens going forward so that you can capitalize on his production to retool your roster with some young talent or draft picks quickly for the future.
David Montgomery
Nicknamed “Knuckles” because of his strength as part of the Lions dynamic duo, with teammate Jahmyr Gibbs being “Sonic,” David Montgomery has been a touchdown machine in recent seasons when healthy. Montgomery missed the last three games of the regular season with an MCL injury in his left knee. But in the games he’s played, he’s averaging almost one touchdown a game. This year, he had twelve touchdowns in fourteen games, averaging an excellent 15.84 fantasy points (Full-PPR). Montgomery had his biggest game of the year in Week 11 with 23.00 fantasy points (Full-PPR). He had fifteen carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns. He also added three catches on three targets for 20 yards. Since coming over from the Bears, Montgomery has been an outstanding free agent signing for a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.
Both Lions running backs have been very productive because of the run-heavy game plan that the team likes to employ. But Gibbs is the future, and he’s one of the most electric players in the NFL. Going into the future, Gibbs should continue to be the better player, and with Montgomery at age 27 and considering his injury history, now might be the best time to sell high on him. Montgomery signed a two-year extension worth $18.25M, keeping him with the Lions through his age 30 season in 2027, giving Dynasty Fantasy Football managers some comfort with his future. Montgomery is currently RB17 (Full-PPR) on the season, and on KeepTradeCut (KTC), he’s valued as the RB16. With Montgomery’s elite production when healthy, which he’s had for so many years, and his name recognition, I’d look to sell him a year early as opposed to a year too late. Trade him to a contending manager as Montgomery’s reign as a Dynasty Fantasy Football stud most likely will be coming to an end in the next few years as he gets older and battles through more injuries. You can still trade him now for a nice return, which can help you restock your Dynasty Fantasy Football roster for the future.
Conclusion
As the football season quickly moves along, don’t let your league catch you sleeping, as it’ll cost you in the standings. Buy and sell these players now to build your long-lasting championship-caliber Dynasty Fantasy Football roster.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and I hope you gained some valuable information. If you have any questions or you’d like additional insight and analysis, please follow me on Twitter/X at @MonicasHubby. #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding
