RADIO
When it comes to dynasty fantasy football, the ultimate goal is actually quite simple: winning your league. It seems like common sense, but sometimes managers get caught up in other things. Scouting rookies and looking for value plays is all well and good. But if you’re never in a position to win a title, well, what’s the point of it all then?
There are several ways to go about competing for a title. One critical element is targeting and acquiring the correct veteran players. Scouring rebuilding managers' rosters for the right veteran can give your team the boost it needs.
Make sure you follow RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are five win-now players to buy in your dynasty fantasy football league.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024 fantasy football drafts:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Fantasy football rookie rankings
- Best ball fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
There may not have been a bigger value in dynasty leagues last year than Mostert. At age 31, Mostert is the Cabernet Sauvignon of running backs, as he only gets better with age. Finishing eighth in Next Gen Stats' Rush Yards Over Expectation (RYOE) and topping 1,000 rushing yards for the first time, Mostert enjoyed a career year in 2023. A whopping 22 touchdowns were also a career high and propelled him to a half-PPR RB2 finish.
Pat yourself on the back if you started Raheem Mostert in fantasy today. That’s his 4th touchdown pic.twitter.com/2b9zUJfqh4
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) September 24, 2023
Mostert recently received a contract extension that keeps him with the club through the 2025 season. The Dolphins do have an out in his contract and could cut him for only a $1 million dead cap hit after the 2024 season. However, after the year he just had, Miami might not be moving on anytime soon.
Right now, the conventional logic in the dynasty community is that standout rookie De'Von Achane will shoulder more of the workload this year. While that could be true, it’s uncertain that Achane will be able to handle an increase in touches. He did miss several games due to injury and is undersized for the position. There’s a possibility that we’re still looking at a split backfield. Should Achane miss any extended time again, Mostert would remain the team’s clear RB1.
We also need to acknowledge that Miami added another speedy back in the 2024 NFL Draft when it selected Jaylen Wright in the fourth round. Wright is talented, but some flaws in his game could keep him on the sidelines. He shouldn’t pose an immediate threat for playing time unless Mostert is injured.
Given his age and Achane/Wright’s presence, Mostert is a player who most dynasty managers are probably looking to sell. This could be an angle to exploit. Mostert is older, but he’s got young legs. He barely saw any action early in his career. KeepTradeCut (KTC), which crowdsources data from dynasty players to create trade values, estimates his current value is a third-round rookie pick. At this cost, why would a contender not take a flier on him? He just finished as a top-5 back. If his stellar play continues, he can be a key cog in a championship run.
Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Henry is entering his age-30 season in 2024. This is typically an age where running backs see a steep decline in production, and Henry is coming off a down season compared to his standards. He did not crack 1,200 rushing yards and tied a career-low 4.2 yards per carry. 12 rushing touchdowns helped ease his final stat line as he went on to finish as the RB8 for the season.
While the raw stats were meh, the underlying data was quite strong. He ranked eighth in Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) Rushing Grade. Henry also finished 12th in RYOE and 17th in RYOE Per Attempt (RYOE/ATT).
DERRICK HENRY TOUCHDOWN 🔥
pic.twitter.com/GXHW9fxiP8— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) January 7, 2024
The data above indicates that Henry’s play did not drop off. He’s got some juice left in the tank. The Titans offensive line was also a disaster last season, so this can explain some of Henry’s struggles. He landed in a great situation after signing with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. Gus Edwards scored 13 rushing touchdowns in this offense last year, and it’s not hard to envision Henry having similar success. Playing alongside two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson should also help boost his efficiency.
While older, Henry is one of those players who still has name cache in dynasty. Due to that fact, you’ll probably have to pay a little more than you’d like to acquire a 30-year-old back. However, this might be one of the few times where it’s okay to do so. His advanced data was strong, and watching him play, he didn’t appear to lose a step. Henry is worth an investment as he can still carry you to a title.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans
After missing the 2022 season due to a gambling suspension, dynasty gamers were eager to see what Ridley could do when he returned to the field. Expectations began to spiral out of control, but he did deliver a PPR WR18 finish for managers.
Calvin Ridley 59 Yard Touchdown 💨
pic.twitter.com/WCsXrSqKcE— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) January 7, 2024
Ridley had his moments, but he also had his struggles with drops and press coverage.
Calvin Ridley has to make this play. Look at this toss. #Jaguars #Jags #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/xZlI3WPACn
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) November 26, 2023
Calvin Ridley's 2018 to 2021 average success rate vs. press coverage in #ReceptionPerception: 76.7%
Calvin Ridley 2023 in-season RP charting data: 64%
A lot going off course with this offense, but this has been part of the issue. https://t.co/xeJ6WjuyTd
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) November 13, 2023
The Tennessee Titans were not overly concerned with these issues and handed Ridley a four-year, $92 million contract in free agency. He now plays alongside veteran DeAndre Hopkins and is in the mix to be Tennessee’s WR1.
Many of Ridley’s detractors will point to Titans quarterback Will Levis as a reason to fade the 29-year-old receiver. While Levis had an up-and-down rookie year, his situation has undoubtedly improved from his rookie year, and new head coach Brian Callahan has experience developing young quarterbacks (see Joe Burrow).
If Levis takes a step forward, then Ridley is in line for a big season. Many gamers have soured on him after the supposed disappointment of last year and the perceived poor landing spot in Tennessee. The truth is that Ridley landed with a smart offensive coach who plans to move him around the formation more. This will get Ridley some easier looks and help him see less press coverage. If you need a receiver, Ridley is a great option. We know he has top-5 upside, and he remains a talented player.
Yes, there is some risk with Levis at quarterback, but who’s to say he won’t improve? Take advantage of what dynasty players think they know and go buy Ridley.
Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants
Singletary enjoyed arguably his finest season as a pro in 2023.
DEVIN SINGLETARY TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/QS41BVyCeu
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) November 19, 2023
He set a career high in rushing yards and graded out fairly well in a few metrics. Among 49 backs with 90+ carries, he finished a respectable 23rd in RYOE and 19th in PFF’s Rushing Grade. Singletary isn’t the most talented back out there, but he’s a savvy veteran with good vision and a decisive running style. His new situation with the Giants is not as good as it was in Houston. However, New York has seemingly pegged him as its Saquon Barkley replacement, and he’s in line for a starter's workload.
Singletary shouldn’t be too expensive to acquire in a trade. KTC estimates his current trade value is a late-second-round rookie pick. He’s a good option if you need an RB2 or flex player, as he should return back-end RB2 production once again this year.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp is coming off a tough few seasons. After a dominant 2021, he has struggled to stay on the field and has missed 13 games in the last two years.
He has still managed to produce for fantasy football and can still help a contender win a title.
COOPER!! KUPP!! TOUCHDOWN!!
📺 @NFLonFOX | 🔟 @cooperkupp pic.twitter.com/5YFAf2R1Xl
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 31, 2023
At this stage of his career, it’s unlikely Kupp ever regains his previous form. However, this is more a play about cost. Kupp’s value is at a low point after back-to-back injury plagued seasons. He now also has to contend for targets with second-year stud Puka Nacua. In truth, Kupp is just one Nacua injury away from being thrust right back into the role of Matthew Stafford’s unquestioned WR1. Best case scenario, Kupp finds the fountain of youth and returns a solid WR1 season. Worst case scenario, he gets injured again, and his dynasty value fully craters.
Kupp is ranked as RotoBaller’s dynasty WR37. His KTC trade value is about an early second-round rookie pick. Even if he produces mid-range WR2 numbers, that’s enough to help you win a title. Don’t overpay to acquire Kupp. He's an older player who’s struggled with injuries the last few years. That trend is likely to continue, but he can be an asset to a contender if he manages to stay on the field.
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