Fantasy: Players to buy, sell in dynasty leagues

The fantasy football season ended months ago, but the action never completely halts in dynasty leagues. Here are five players you should consider trading for and five players you should consider trading away before NFL free agency gets underway in March.

Buy 🎯

QB Malik Willis

A weak quarterback draft class is great news for Willis. With Fernando Mendoza the only signal-caller guaranteed to hear his name called in Round 1, several other QB-needy teams will have to explore free agency.

Willis, a pending free agent, is a safe bet to be a Week 1 starter somewhere, whether that's for the Jets, Dolphins, Steelers, Colts, Vikings, Falcons, or Cardinals. Still only 26 years old, he flashed potential in his lone start for the Packers last season. In Week 17 against the Ravens, Willis completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions, plus another 60 yards on the ground with two scores.

The sample size is obviously limited, as Willis has attempted only 155 passes across his four-year career. However, his elite rushing upside could make him a fantasy star. If the manager in your league rostering Willis is deep at QB, they might be willing to move him for cheap.

RB Omarion Hampton

The price will be high, but don't be afraid to pony up if the manager in your league with Hampton is willing to consider trading him after an injury-plagued rookie season. Parting with a top-three pick in your 2026 rookie draft could be worth it.

Hampton totaled 737 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns in nine games as a rookie and ended up splitting time with Kimani Vidal after returning from injury in Week 14.

With a clean bill of health, Hampton could take off in 2026. It's highly unlikely the Chargers will be without both starting tackles - Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt - for most of the campaign as they were in 2025. Plus, new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is a true run-game whiz and should get the most out of Hampton.

RB Kenneth Walker III

Walker appeared in all 17 games this past season and finished as the RB22 in half-PPR leagues, but he's capable of so much more. Sharing the backfield with Zach Charbonnet, who handled most of the goal-line carries, limited Walker to five total touchdowns despite 1,309 scrimmage yards.

Walker, a pending free agent, could easily finish as a top-10 running back if he lands with a team that makes him the workhorse. With Charbonnet injured for most of the postseason, Walker exploded for 417 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in three playoff games, capped by winning Super Bowl MVP.

Walker's talent is undeniable. All he needs is more opportunity.

WR Justin Jefferson

There may be no better chance to buy low on Jefferson than this offseason. It wasn't long ago that he was the consensus WR1 in dynasty leagues, but his value has cratered following his worst season.

Much of Jefferson's downturn stemmed from poor quarterback play from J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. However, the Vikings reportedly plan on adding a veteran signal-caller this offseason to compete with McCarthy. Even if McCarthy remains the starter, the 2024 No. 10 pick is bound to improve after a disappointing first year under center. Entering his age-27 season, look for Jefferson to bounce back.

WR Matthew Golden

Golden is coming off a highly disappointing rookie campaign, but he finished strong by catching four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Packers' wild-card round loss to the Bears. That performance could serve as a spark for a second-year breakout.

Not all first-round wide receivers become stars immediately - look at Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Sometimes it takes time. Golden is an elite athlete and should see more opportunities next season with Romeo Doubs expected to depart in free agency.

Sell 💸

QB Jalen Hurts

Hurts is coming off a QB8 finish - his fifth straight year as a top-10 QB. But there are a lot of what-ifs that could lead to a decline in 2026. What if the Eagles trade star wideout A.J. Brown? What if left guard Landon Dickerson retires? What if head coach Nick Sirianni's newest offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion, is another whiff?

With all of those variables in play, if you can net a massive haul for a QB who turns 28 in August and relies heavily on his legs, you should do it.

RB Jonathan Taylor

Taylor finished as the RB2 in half-PPR leagues last season after racking up 1,963 scrimmage yards while leading the league with 323 carries and 20 touchdowns. As great as his year was, it's fair to wonder if he can repeat in 2026. Historically, NFL rushing attempt leaders struggle the following campaign, with Derrick Henry the lone exception.

• Taylor leads the NFL with 332 rushing attempts in 2021; RB34 in 2022
• Josh Jacobs finishes second to Henry with 340 rushing attempts in 2022; RB27 in 2023
• Christian McCaffrey finishes second to Henry with 272 rushing attempts in 2023; RB71 in 2024
• Saquon Barkley leads the NFL with 345 rushing attempts in 2024; RB14 in 2025

Taylor will also remain with a Colts offense with major question marks at QB. After his monster year and with him still only 27, now is the time to sell high.

RB James Cook

Like Taylor, there are also workload concerns with Cook, who towed the rock for 309 carries in 2025 - 102 more than the prior season. Cook's smooth running style usually limits the amount of big hits he takes, as he's only missed one game across his four-year career.

However, starting guard David Edwards and starting center Connor McGovern are pending free agents for the Bills, who begin the offseason with minus-$9.8 million in cap space. The club also lost highly regarded offensive line coach Aaron Kromer to retirement this offseason. With an expected overhaul coming to the wide receiver room, Buffalo could rely less on Cook and more on the arm of Josh Allen in 2026. Cook's dynasty value may never be higher than it is now.

WR Travis Hunter

Hunter is reportedly expected to be a full-time cornerback and only a part-time wide receiver in 2026. This was always the concern with using a top-five pick on Hunter in rookie drafts. The move makes sense considering the Jaguars' pass defense struggled last year and could lose Greg Newsome in free agency. Meanwhile, the receiver room is crowded with Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington under contract in 2026.

It's an unfortunate situation from a fantasy perspective, especially considering Hunter put together his best game with 101 yards on eight catches and a touchdown before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 7. But if Hunter managers can cash out for a late first-round pick in 2026 or 2027 rookie drafts - or near equal value - don't hesitate.

TE Kyle Pitts

Pitts finished as the TE2 in 2025, giving managers a strong negotiating point. But it's fair to wonder if that's remotely repeatable after digging deeper into the numbers.

In the five games receiver Drake London missed due to injury, Pitts averaged seven receptions, 84.4 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns. In the 12 contests with London healthy, he averaged 4.4 receptions, 42.2 yards, and 0.16 touchdowns. The Falcons recently placed the franchise tag on Pitts, meaning his production will be inconsistent unless another injury to London occurs.