With trade deadlines approaching across many fantasy football leagues, I’m identifying the top buy candidates for Dynasty contenders this week. If your team is in the hunt for a fantasy championship, don’t sit idly by. Others will be making moves to improve their roster and so should you. That late 1st round draft pick that you have isn’t nearly as valuable as winning your league.
Here, I identify the top buy candidate for contenders based on Keep Trade Cut (KTC) values. KTC is far from a perfect resource, as all leagues have different values, but it generally provides a very good baseline for pricing in Dynasty leagues.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford
The LA Rams passer has not put up prolific numbers for fantasy this season so I understand why many contenders will be hesitant to add the aging quarterback. That’s the sentiment that has led to Stafford being valued just ahead of a 2025 Late 2nd round pick. There are reasons to be optimistic around Stafford though, and at a very reasonable price.
The Rams have been plagued with injuries at wide receiver all season. Puka Nacua has only played over 50% of snaps in two games this season, while Kupp missed a four-game stretch earlier in the year as well. There aren’t many if any, quarterbacks that can lose their top two weapons and still put up a good stat line week to week. Luckily, Kupp and Nacua are back and could power this offensive back to the high-scoring unit we’re used to.
This offense will continue to air the ball out, with McVay and Stafford calling the shots. In the past three games, Stafford has averaged over 41 pass attempts per game. With those attempts, he’s cleared 275 passing yards in each of those three games. Now, with his receivers back to full health, Stafford should have an easier time turning those attempts into touchdowns. In his Week 8 matchup against a very good Vikings defense, Stafford threw for four touchdowns. That was one of only two games that both Kupp and Puka were available.
Stafford isn’t going to lead your fantasy team through the playoffs as your QB1, but that’s not the price you’re paying. A late 2nd round pick is basically a lottery ticket. In Superflex leagues, quarterback depth is important heading into the playoffs. An injury to either of your starting quarterbacks could derail an otherwise promising season. Stafford has a chance to increase his level of play to be a high-end QB2 down the stretch, and at this price point, he is entirely affordable as a QB3 to offset the risk of injury.
The Rams are right in the middle of a close 4-way divisional battle and will be pushing the veteran Stafford to make a push for the playoffs. Add Stafford so he can help your push to a Dynasty championship as well.
Running Back
Aaron Jones
The new Minnesota Vikings running back has been thoroughly disrespected as a fantasy asset this year. I’ve been highlighting him as a buy candidate since my post-Week 5 Dynasty Market Update It may be the other veteran rushers changing teams like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry who have overshadowed him with elite fantasy outputs. Jones has managed a steady production on his way to being the RB16 on the season so far.
In 8 healthy games, Jones has only scored less than 10 points 1 time. He’s a consistent producer who won’t lose you weeks in a flex spot or even as your RB2. Jones has done all of this with only three touchdowns on the season. He is a prime candidate for positive regression in that category.
Jones’ injury history and age will certainly be a concern to some, but as a contender, it’s likely you already have two starting running backs in place, which have gotten you this far. If Jones misses a week or two down the stretch, that won’t completely handicap your team. However, should one of your established starters miss time, you’ll be happy you added Jones to your team.
Jones is currently valued just above a mid-2025 2nd round pick. He’s clearly trusted as the starter in Minnesota and has a very high floor, making him a great depth addition that can be plugged into a flex spot right away for contenders.
Wide Receiver
Cedric Tillman
Since Amari Cooper was dealt and Jameis Winston took over at quarterback, Tillman has averaged 18.67 fantasy points per game. He’s thrived in a leading role in the Browns’ offense. He’s managed at least nine targets and 75 yards per game in that three-game stretch.
Right now, he’s valued just ahead of 2025 mid-2nd. Unlike some of the other names on this list, Tillman offers some long-term value as well. He’s only 24 years old, and his emergence could be sustainable into the future. His future outlook is held back by an uncertain quarterback situation. Winston is great for fantasy purposes, but it’s unlikely any team commits to him as the answer for an entire season.
Tillman fits into lineups as a WR2 for the rest of this season and does so for less than many of the veteran options that offer that scoring potential. Take advantage of the slow adjustment to Tillman’s breakout and add him if he’s being sold in your league.
Tight End
Evan Engram
I highlighted Engram two weeks ago in my Dynasty Market Update, where I highlighted him as a great buy candidate. Since then, he’s averaged nine targets per game. Despite that great usage, he’s only managed TE14 and TE15 finishes, meaning the buy window for Engram is still wide open.
Those nine targets per game show that Engram has the potential to repeat his strong finish from a season ago. That’s due to Christian Kirk missing the rest of the season with an injury, which is the same thing that led to his strong finish to the season a year ago. Engram was a top 10 tight end in 5 of the 6 weeks that Kirk missed to close the season. In that same six-game stretch, Engram was a top 3 tight end 3 times.
Engram’s poor fantasy finishes the past two weeks despite his high target load can be explained by a banged-up Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence missed last week, and Mac Jones isn’t an inspiring passer to create a fantasy productive offense. Luckily the Jaguars have an upcoming bye week in Week 12 to help Lawrence get back healthy.
Engram is currently going for a 2025 Late 2nd rounder. That’s great value for a player who could provide top 5 tight-end numbers for the rest of the season and help you on your way to a fantasy championship.