When it comes to dynasty fantasy football leagues, veteran players are often overlooked. Managers can be too quick to move off older players and sometimes fail to see their value.
While veterans can help put a dynasty team over the top, there are also times when it’s better to cut your losses and move on from a player. You never want to be stuck holding the bag with an aging asset.
Make sure you keep up to date with all your fantasy football needs by following RotoBaller NFL on X. Here are several veterans that managers should consider selling in dynasty fantasy football leagues.
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DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Tennessee Titans
Hopkins is coming off his seventh career 1,000-yard season as a pro. It was an up-and-down year, but he still managed to finish as the PPR WR22.
Will Levis throws his first career TD pass for 47 yards to DeAndre Hopkins.
Hopkins might've got away with an OPI here. pic.twitter.com/IL16wIY0Wq
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 29, 2023
With Tennessee signing Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, Hopkins now faces increased competition for targets. It’s not exactly clear who will be the Titans' WR1. Hopkins could still emerge as the alpha, but it’s hard to believe the Titans gave Ridley $46.9 million guaranteed to be their WR2.
Hopkins is also getting up there in age as 2024 will be his age-32 season. Trade returns will be low as KeepTradeCut (KTC) estimates his current value is an early third-round pick. If your team is in rebuild mode, then you should definitely sell and take what you can get. If you’re looking to compete for a title, it might be worth kicking the tires on a trade for Hopkins. However, the odds are good his best days are behind him and the age cliff is fast approaching. It’s better to move on and let someone else think they’re getting a discount.
Keenan Allen, WR, Chicago Bears
After being traded to the Chicago Bears, Allen is set to play alongside rookie signal-caller Caleb Williams. He also faces stiff target competition with receivers D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze in the mix. Tight end Cole Kmet is also lurking in the background. It’s unclear what role Allen will have with his new team, but this is not the most ideal situation for Allen’s fantasy prospects.
Allen is entering the final year of his contract, has struggled with injuries, and enters his age-32 season. While Allen’s play has still been strong, there’s an old rule when it comes to dynasty fantasy football: Old players who get hurt usually keep getting hurt.
Allen has been a fantasy force for many years, but it’s time for gamers to move on. Faced with increased target competition and a body that seems to be failing him, dynasty managers should pull the plug. It’s always better to get something for an aging asset than watch it fade away on your bench.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
Kamara enters his age-29 season fully entrenched as the team's starting running back. 2023 was another strong season as he finished as the overall RB12 in PPR leagues and was the RB3 in fantasy points per game (PPG).
Alvin Kamara has been putting on a fantasy football clinic in 2023 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/W07I89EKKN
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) October 29, 2023
Despite the strong showing, he seems to be a player in decline. Kamara posted career lows in rushing yards, yards per reception (Y/R), and yards per target (Y/TGT). He also finished 46th out of 49 eligible backs in Next Gen Stats Rush Yards Over Expectation (RYOE). Kamara still holds value in PPR leagues thanks to his work as a pass-catcher. Another strong fantasy finish is possible, but he appears to be on his last legs. Running backs can fall off the age cliff very fast and take their value with them. Time for fantasy gamers to hit the ejector switch.
Mike Williams, WR, New York Jets
Williams is entering his age-30 season. His value took a hit last year when he suffered a torn ACL. It dropped further when he was released by the Chargers this offseason. Williams' value did bounce back a bit after landing with the New York Jets in free agency.
He figures to be Aaron Rodgers’ No. 2 receiver to open up the season. It remains to be seen how Williams returns from his injury. Most players don’t see a return to their previous form until they are two years removed from an ACL tear. Williams is already an older player and any dip in play could be devastating to his career. If someone is bullish on Williams’ prospects with the Jets, try and work a deal to get him off your roster.
James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Conner enjoyed another solid season in 2023. He finished fourth in Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) signature Elusive Rating and third in RYOE.
Stop calling James Conner boring pic.twitter.com/G1CTXunGoW
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) April 22, 2024
While seemingly still playing at the top of his game, the Arizona Cardinals appear to be planning for the future. The team selected rookie RB Trey Benson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Trey Benson is pretty much the consensus RB1 in 2024
-4.39 40 at 216 lbs (116 speed score)
-Oddly, could not get on the field at Oregon
-Led 13-0 FSU in yards/TDs, handled 30% of the total team touches after causing Treshaun Ward to transfer pic.twitter.com/azLhpuF6PI— Davis Mattek (@DavisMattek) March 9, 2024
Conner is now 29 years old. Benson will press the veteran for reps immediately. We are likely looking at some kind of timeshare in 2024. Should Connor’s play begin to lapse, Benson will certainly take away touches and could eventually emerge as the full-time starter. KTC estimates Conner's current trade value as an early 2024 third-round rookie pick. Now is the time to get what you can for Conner before his value completely tanks.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Even though he turns 36 in August, Cousins' dynasty value seemed relatively secure after Atlanta signed him to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed. That all changed when the Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in April’s draft. It was certainly a head-scratching selection given the team's signing of Cousins. Even more so when you consider he is coming off arguably the best season of his career. The 12-year vet finished first in adjusted completion percentage last year, per PFF.
Welcome to the NFL, Jordan Addison. Kirk Cousins connects with him for a 39-yard TD.
Lethal.pic.twitter.com/E0P6Sy0nbQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 10, 2023
The selection of Penix also raises questions regarding Cousins’ recovery from a torn Achilles tendon. Did he experience a setback in rehab? Will he not be ready to start the season? Are the Falcons worried about a drop in production? These now become valid questions. The team also has an out in Cousins’ contract after the 2026 season. Per Spotrac, it can move on from the veteran and only incur a $12.5 million dead cap hit.
Penix could be on the bench for the majority, if not all, of this contract, similar to what we saw with Jordan Love and the Packers. Penix might also play sooner than expected if any of the above questions regarding Cousins prove true. Either way, Atlanta has already made plans to replace its current starting quarterback. That's usually not a good sign for a player's dynasty future.
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