December is a slow time of year for dynasty trades. Most leagues have trade deadlines that will have already passed, so there won't be any moves allowed until after the regular season ends. Much of the focus is on winning playoff games. However, this is still an important time of year to take stock of your dynasty rosters and start preparing for offseason moves to improve your team. As such, this December update will focus on potential offseason player movement and which players are auditioning for roles next season.
The dynasty trade value chart is tailored to 12-team PPR leagues a starting lineup of one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end, and one flex. It is meant to serve primarily as a guide for trades but can also be a great resource during startup drafts. If the players and picks on each side of the trade offer add up to approximately the same number, the trade would be considered even. If you receive a trade offer that sends you players with a higher total number value than the players you are giving up, the offer is worth strongly considering.
Timing Note: New Dynasty Trade Value Chart articles will appear on the first Tuesday of every month.
2019 Rookie Picks
|
Rookie Pick
|
Value
|
Rookie Pick
|
Value
|
|
Early 1st
|
18
|
Mid-to-Late 2nd
|
4
|
|
Middle 1st
|
13
|
3rd Rounder
|
2
|
|
Late 1st
|
8
|
4th Rounder
|
1
|
|
Early 2nd
|
5
|
|
|
It looks like most of the top junior wide receiver prospects are opting to enter the draft, which will greatly add to the overall depth. The Kareem Hunt news also potentially boosts the value of the early-1st round picks. Even if it is just a third-rounder, any running back drafted by the Chiefs would be a hot dynasty commodity.
Quarterback
|
Rank
|
Quarterback
|
Value
|
Rank
|
Quarterback
|
Value
|
|
1
|
24
|
17
|
4
|
||
|
2
|
12
|
18
|
4
|
||
|
3
|
12
|
19
|
4
|
||
|
4
|
9
|
20
|
3
|
||
|
5
|
9
|
21
|
3
|
||
|
6
|
8
|
22
|
2
|
||
|
7
|
8
|
23
|
2
|
||
|
8
|
7
|
24
|
2
|
||
|
9
|
Mitchell Trubisky
|
7
|
25
|
2
|
|
|
10
|
6
|
26
|
2
|
||
|
11
|
6
|
27
|
1
|
||
|
12
|
6
|
28
|
1
|
||
|
13
|
5
|
29
|
1
|
||
|
14
|
4
|
30
|
1
|
||
|
15
|
4
|
31
|
1
|
||
|
16
|
4
|
32
|
1
|
It is a tough year to be a team in need of a quarterback. The draft class looks below average (especially if Justin Herbert returns to school) and the free agency options (Nick Foles, Teddy Bridgewater, etc.) look unappealing. Jameis Winston would be a fascinating boom/bust option for teams to consider if he hits the free agent market as well. Joe Flacco could see a surprisingly strong market as well should he hit free agency.
Some of the teams with aging quarterbacks who would love to get the next guy on the roster as soon as possible may have to be patient and wait until 2020. We could see a robust trade market near the top of the draft with some of the quarterback-needy teams jockeying for position to land whoever emerges as the top draft prospect (possibly Dwayne Haskins).
Definitely in Need of Starter
Jaguars Jacksonville may have the worst quarterback situation in football right now. With a relatively high pick, expect Jacksonville to be a team tied to rookie quarterbacks in the first round in every mock draft this offseason.
Giants Eli Manning turns 38-years old soon and with the Giants on pace for another top-5 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, it is a good bet they try to land their next franchise quarterback.
Possibly in Need
Washington Alex Smith had the team 6-3 and in good shape for the playoffs before breaking his leg. He will turn 35-years old in the offseason and faces a lengthy and difficult rehab but should have at least a few more good years. It would make sense for Washington to at least bring in a strong Plan B option in free agency or the early rounds of the draft.
Tampa Bay Jameis Winston has another month to audition for the starting job in 2019. He needs to cut down on stupid mistakes or the Buccaneers could choose to cut or trade him.
Miami Ryan Tannehill is just a guy. He may get another year or the Dolphins could try to land a true franchise quarterback.
New England The Patriots should be aggressive in the draft to try to find a young backup with upside for Tom Brady.
Denver Case Keenum has been decent and will likely retain the starting job for next season. However, if he stumbles down the stretch, the Broncos could be another team looking to add a first-round quarterback.
Running Back
|
Rank
|
Running Back
|
Value
|
Rank
|
Running Back
|
Value
|
|
1
|
64
|
29
|
7
|
||
|
2
|
60
|
30
|
6
|
||
|
3
|
54
|
31
|
Mark Ingram
|
6
|
|
|
4
|
50
|
32
|
6
|
||
|
5
|
48
|
33
|
6
|
||
|
6
|
30
|
34
|
6
|
||
|
7
|
Melvin Gordon
|
30
|
35
|
6
|
|
|
8
|
30
|
36
|
5
|
||
|
9
|
Le\'Veon Bell
|
28
|
37
|
5
|
|
|
10
|
28
|
38
|
5
|
||
|
11
|
26
|
39
|
5
|
||
|
12
|
24
|
40
|
Ronald Jones
|
5
|
|
|
13
|
23
|
41
|
5
|
||
|
14
|
20
|
42
|
5
|
||
|
15
|
18
|
43
|
4
|
||
|
16
|
18
|
44
|
4
|
||
|
17
|
18
|
45
|
4
|
||
|
18
|
16
|
46
|
4
|
||
|
19
|
15
|
47
|
4
|
||
|
20
|
14
|
48
|
3
|
||
|
21
|
10
|
49
|
3
|
||
|
22
|
9
|
50
|
3
|
||
|
23
|
9
|
51
|
3
|
||
|
24
|
8
|
52
|
DOnta Foreman
|
3
|
|
|
25
|
9
|
53
|
3
|
||
|
26
|
8
|
54
|
3
|
||
|
27
|
8
|
55
|
3
|
||
|
28
|
7
|
56
|
3
|
It is fascinating to look ahead at specific team needs and the potential options available to fill them. Unlike last year when there was a loaded draft class, there are not going to be enough talented backs for every needy team this offseason. There should be three or four running backs drafted in the top-three rounds, which will fill the need for a few teams. There should be a robust market for the top free agent backs this offseason because it looks like there are more teams with need at the position than talented backs available in the upcoming draft.
Set at Running Back for 2019 and Beyond (17 teams)
- Rams (Gurley)
- Saints (Kamara)
- Patriots (Michel, White)
- Chargers (Gordon)
- Cowboys (Elliott)
- Washington (Guice)
- Minnesota (Cook)
- Panthers (McCaffrey)
- Bengals (Mixon)
- Browns (Chubb)
- Falcons (Freeman)
- Giants (Barkley)
- Lions (Johnson)
- Jaguars (Fournette)
- Cardinals (Johnson)
- Broncos (Lindsay, Freeman)
- Seahawks (Carson, Penny)
The above teams are probably not in the market for running backs at all this offseason (other than perhaps low-priced or late-round backups). For dynasty purposes, most of the backs listed above feel pretty safe and should retain their value heading into 2019.
Running Back Auditions and Unclear Situations (9 Teams)
The teams listed below all have intriguing options already on the roster but aren’t quite locked in long-term. The final month of the season will go a long way for many of these teams in determining if they want to stand pat at the position or go out and aggressively look for an upgrade in free agency or the draft. The running backs on these teams have very volatile dynasty value pending offseason moves.
Bears Tarik Cohen has been taking on a bigger role (20 touches last week) and has been their best back. The final month of the season could be an audition for him to be the lead back next year. Can he hold up and handle 15 to 20 touches per game? Will Chicago be in the market to upgrade from Jordan Howard?
Steelers The Steelers are probably set with James Conner, who is under contract for a couple more years. It seems he’s done enough to lock down the lead role but it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see a third-round rookie back brought in to compete with him. Conner’s performance in the playoffs (assuming he can come back from the ankle injury) could go a long way in determining if he is a stopgap or the long-term replacement for Bell.
Packers Aaron Jones has been impressive since taking over the lead role. His performance over the final month will be important in convincing whoever ends up as the next coach that running back is not a position of need.
Colts Indianapolis is probably set with the Mack/Hines/Wilkins trio. However, this is a team with extra draft picks and plenty of cap space. It shouldn’t be a complete surprise if they go after an elite, do-it-all back.
49ers Matt Breida has looked great when he has been able to stay on the field. If he continues to show well, San Francisco may just be happy to pair him with Jerick McKinnon next season.
Eagles Josh Adams has the month of December to prove that he can lead this backfield next season.
Ravens Gus Edwards has played well but it seems Baltimore could really use a franchise back to pair with Lamar Jackson in what is likely to be a run-heavy scheme. Maybe Edwards impresses enough down the stretch to convince the front office he is the long-term answer.
Titans The Derrick Henry/Dion Lewis duo has been disappointing this season. Perhaps Tennessee sticks with the two as the top options next year. Or we could see them add an early round running back and cut bait on both of the current backs.
Buccaneers Peyton Barber has been solid and Ronald Jones will probably get his chance to audition for a bigger role next year. It is hard to say this group is set for the long-term, however.
Definite Need at Running Back (6)
The following teams all have clear needs at the position and are the most likely candidates to use an early pick or spend big money in free agency to add a running back.
Chiefs Kareem Hunt leaves a big hole to fill and Spencer Ware is probably just a stopgap. If Hunt is out of Kansas City permanently, this is an early-round need. Without many draft picks, the Chiefs may have to be aggressive on the free agent market and it is exciting to think about the possibilities if someone like Tevin Coleman ended up here in March. It is worth noting that Coleman’s running back coach in college at Indiana was Deland McCullough, who is now the running backs coach for the Chiefs. This starting job is extremely valuable and whoever lands in the role is going to see his dynasty trade value skyrocket.
Texans Lamar Miller has been solid but he’ll be 28-years old and in the final year of his deal. D’Onta Foreman is a major question mark and hasn’t shown if he will fully recovered from tearing his achilles. The Texans should be a prime candidate for an early-round running back. This is probably the second-best open spot for a back this offseason.
DolphinsKenyan Drake makes plays but Adam Gase clearly doesn’t see him as a lead back. Frank Gore is almost finished. The Dolphins should look to improve here this offseason.
Bills LeSean McCoy is on his last legs and Buffalo would greatly benefit from a franchise back to help take the pressure off of Josh Allen.
Jets The Jets have been treading water with mediocre backs for a long time. Sam Darnold would really benefit from having an elite back to help carry the load.
Raiders Oakland has needs at pretty much every position so running back might not be a priority yet. However, it does not look like there are any real long-term answers on the current roster.
Wide Receiver
|
Rank
|
Wide Receiver
|
Value
|
Rank
|
Wide Receiver
|
Value
|
|
1
|
46
|
37
|
Marvin Jones
|
8
|
|
|
2
|
Odell Beckham
|
46
|
38
|
7
|
|
|
3
|
43
|
39
|
7
|
||
|
4
|
40
|
40
|
7
|
||
|
5
|
34
|
41
|
7
|
||
|
6
|
30
|
42
|
7
|
||
|
7
|
28
|
43
|
7
|
||
|
8
|
28
|
44
|
7
|
||
|
9
|
28
|
45
|
6
|
||
|
10
|
26
|
46
|
6
|
||
|
11
|
24
|
47
|
6
|
||
|
12
|
24
|
48
|
6
|
||
|
13
|
24
|
49
|
5
|
||
|
14
|
22
|
50
|
5
|
||
|
15
|
21
|
51
|
5
|
||
|
16
|
D.J. Moore
|
21
|
52
|
5
|
|
|
17
|
20
|
53
|
5
|
||
|
18
|
18
|
54
|
5
|
||
|
19
|
18
|
55
|
5
|
||
|
20
|
17
|
56
|
4
|
||
|
21
|
16
|
57
|
4
|
||
|
22
|
15
|
58
|
4
|
||
|
23
|
15
|
59
|
Desean Jackson
|
4
|
|
|
24
|
15
|
60
|
3
|
||
|
25
|
Allen Robinson
|
14
|
61
|
Robby Anderson
|
3
|
|
26
|
13
|
62
|
3
|
||
|
27
|
12
|
63
|
2
|
||
|
28
|
12
|
64
|
2
|
||
|
29
|
12
|
65
|
2
|
||
|
30
|
Will Fuller
|
12
|
66
|
1
|
|
|
31
|
12
|
67
|
1
|
||
|
32
|
11
|
68
|
D.J. Chark
|
1
|
|
|
33
|
11
|
69
|
1
|
||
|
34
|
10
|
70
|
Keelan Cole
|
1
|
|
|
35
|
10
|
71
|
1
|
||
|
36
|
9
|
|
|
|
It is much tougher to assess team needs at wide receiver than it is other positions — especially in an era in which the need for a true #1 WR who sees 10+ targets per game is less than in the past. The top offenses are spreading the ball around to more pass catchers and depth has become much more important. We have seen rookies step into situations with little immediate chance of becoming the WR1 and still thriving (Calvin Ridley, JuJu Smith-Schuster, etc.).
It is a poor free agent class but an extremely deep draft class. While it is almost impossible to predict which players will be impacted positively or negatively by offseason movement, it is still worth at least thinking about the teams that are most in need of a #1 wide receiver and which landing spots are the most attractive from a fantasy perspective.
In Need of True #1
While the case can be made for other teams also needing an upgrade at the top of the wide receiver depth chart, the following seven teams are the most in need of a new top option. Notably, most of the teams on the list also have young franchise quarterbacks who would benefit greatly from the addition of a top pass catcher.
Cleveland Cleveland might be the best landing spot for a rookie wide receiver this offseason. Baker Mayfield looks like the real deal and there is an opening for a top young outside receiver to emerge as a fantasy star in this offense.
Baltimore The Ravens need to give Lamar Jackson some better options in the passing game. It is hard to get too excited about this landing spot, however. This is going to be a very run-heavy attack moving forward.
Buffalo The Bills have arguably the worst wide receiver corps in the league. An elite deep threat would be a huge benefit for Josh Allen’s development and potentially a strong dynasty landing spot.
Arizona Christian Kirk should take over for Larry Fitzgerald in the slot but the Cardinals don’t have much talent at all on the perimeter. A true #1 for Josh Rosen should be a priority.
Miami DeVante Parker doesn’t seem to be the answer. Miami has plenty of needs, one of which is a new top receiver.
New York Jets The Jets need to surround Sam Darnold with better weapons to aid his development.
Oakland Oakland needs two of everything and wide receiver is near the top of the list.
