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Building a contending dynasty fantasy football team is easier said than done. However, finding and identifying the top player on every NFL team is one of the top factors in building a contending roster.
Another part of building a winning squad is knowing which players from each NFL team you don’t want on your fantasy team and trading them away as soon as possible. This is also known as buying and selling in dynasty fantasy football.
Let’s look at the top dynasty buy and sell candidate from every AFC North team in 1QB leagues.
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AFC North Dynasty Buy Candidates
Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL)
Jackson is coming off his second MVP-winning season in his five years as a starter. He was the QB4, averaging 20.7 fantasy points per game, totaling 3,678 passing yards, a career-high. More importantly, he didn’t miss a game because of injury after missing nearly 30% of the contests during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Lamar Jackson.
Your 2-time NFL MVP!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/YnxmBBx3sy
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 9, 2024
The superstar quarterback set career highs in completion rate (67.2%) and passing yards (3.678) last year. While Gus Edwards led the Ravens in rushing touchdowns, Jackson totaled more rushing yards (821). Furthermore, he was Baltimore’s leading rusher every year of his career since his rookie season. Jackson is all but a lock to be a top-five quarterback for the next several years, barring injury.
Ja'Marr Chase (WR – CIN)
While Joe Burrow couldn’t stay healthy last year, Chase set career highs in receptions (100) and targets (145). However, he set career lows in receiving yards per game (76) and touchdowns (seven). Thankfully, the stud receiver should bounce back in 2024 with Burrow healthy. Tee Higgins recently signed the franchise tag. Yet, he likely won’t be a Bengal past the upcoming season.
More importantly, Chase has never finished lower than the WR13 any year in half-point PPR scoring despite missing time with injuries and having to play with Jake Browning under center. The former LSU star ranked 11th in target per route run rate (25%) among wide receivers with at least 500 routes last season (per Fantasy Points Data). If there is an opportunity to trade for Chase, be aggressive in making a blockbuster move.
Amari Cooper (WR – CLE)
Injuries are part of the game of football. However, no one had more bad luck with injuries than the Browns. Cleveland started five quarterbacks last year, with Deshaun Watson only playing in six contests. Yet, Cooper was the WR18, averaging more half-point PPR fantasy points per game (12.7) than Davante Adams, Michael Pittman Jr., and Jaylen Waddle.
Furthermore, the veteran was outstanding playing with any quarterback besides Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Cooper averaged 15.1 fantasy points per game in the 12 contests he played that Thompson-Robinson didn’t start, which would have made him the WR6 on a points-per-game basis. While he turns 30 this month, Cooper is someone contending teams want on their roster in 2024 and beyond.
George Pickens (WR – PIT)
Many have called Pickens a breakout candidate heading into the upcoming season. The Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson in the offseason, making Pickens the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver in Pittsburgh with limited receiver options behind him on the depth chart. More importantly, the former Georgia receiver flashed superstar upside last year. Pickens was outstanding in the four games without Johnson in 2023.
He was the WR13, averaging 14.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game during those four weeks, posting the eighth-highest fantasy points per route ran rate (0.49) among wide receivers with at least 110 routes (per Fantasy Points Data). More importantly, Pickens could be even better after the Steelers significantly improved their quarterback unit, swapping out Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
AFC North Dynasty Sell Candidates
Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)
Henry’s short-term fantasy value got a boost after signing with the Ravens in free agency. The veteran will be part of arguably the top rushing attack in the NFL this upcoming season. He will replace Gus Edwards and his 13 rushing touchdowns from last year. Yet, Edwards was only the RB28 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 10.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per contest.
Derrick Henry to sign a 2-year, up to $20M deal with the Ravens, per @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/cc21hEip8k
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) March 12, 2024
More importantly, Henry had his lowest yards per rushing attempt average (4.2) and yards after contact per attempt (3.32) since taking over as the full-time starter in 2019. While the future Hall of Famer could have a productive season in 2024, now is the time for non-contending teams to move on from the veteran running back.
Zack Moss (RB – CIN)
Some have high hopes for Moss following his time with the Indianapolis Colts. The veteran averaged 22 touches and 12.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in his five healthy contests without Jonathan Taylor last season, totaling 16.7 or more twice. However, Moss wasn’t very productive during those five games.
The veteran running back had a 3.1% explosive run rate, 2.29 yards after contact per attempt, and a 51% stuff rate during those five contests would have ranked in the bottom six among 33 running backs with at least 170 rushing attempts in 2023 (per Fantasy Points Data). Meanwhile, Chase Brown flashed upside as a rookie. Don’t be surprised if Brown is the Week 1 starter, making Moss a must-sell running back.
Nick Chubb (RB – CLE)
Unfortunately, Chubb’s 2023 season ended after two games because of a gruesome knee injury he suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the veteran wasn’t coming off the second significant knee injury of his career at age 28, fantasy players should want him on their contenting rosters. Chubb would be one of the top running backs in the NFL if he were 100% healthy.
However, the veteran says he’s unsure when he will play this upcoming season. Meanwhile, the Browns added D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines in free agency to pair with Jerome Ford. Find the league mate who overvalues name value and get them to take Chubb off your hands as he enters the final year of his contract.
Najee Harris (RB – PIT)
Fantasy players had high hopes for Harris after he was the RB4 as a rookie, averaging 15.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per contest. However, he was a force in the passing game. The star running back had 74 receptions that year, as Ben Roethlisberger was a checkdown machine in his final NFL season.
By comparison, Harris has had 70 receptions over the past two years. More importantly, Jaylen Warren could finally take over in the backfield under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Plus, don’t forget about Smith’s best friend forever – Cordarrelle Patterson. After the Steelers declined his fifth-year option, Harris is likely heading into his final season with the team.
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