It’s now or never. As we approach Week 10 in the NFL, many dynasty football leagues are beginning to face the prospect of the dreaded trade deadline.
Is this the year to try for the sweet taste of victory? Or is it time to shed points in order to shore up draft positioning?
With the prospects of players like Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, and Marvin Harrison Jr., the ability to climb into the top-3 of the rookie draft has to be a consideration.
But if you’re featuring an aging core or it’s just been too long since a playoff run, there’s only one salvo. It’s time to go all-in and demand satisfaction.
So buckle up, and start taking stock of those draft picks and young assets. Let’s take a look at just who you should be targeting to win now.
Three Win-Now Players Dynasty Football Targets
Kyren Williams, RB, LAR
If there’s ever a good target to buy low, it’s a player who is facing injury. Whether it be a manager who needs help now or one in the midst of a fire sale, it doesn’t hurt to shop in the IR aisle.
Now there certainly may be tanking teams looking to hold onto Kyren Williams for next season. After all, he’s averaging 18.5 PPR points per game and has established himself as an RB1 in his short time.
But discerning eyes would know that’s just a product of being the workhorse for the Los Angeles Rams offense. Sean McVay has obviously made hay with Todd Gurley, a healthy Cam Akers, and anyone really who has the job.
The problem is that there’s been a rotating door since the days of Gurley. There’s nothing to say that Williams will have the job next year, and most managers are keenly aware of that.
With the Rams owning a friendlier schedule for RB down the stretch, pay the price. If there’s a manager who doesn’t see Williams as a long-term piece, take advantage. And who knows? Maybe you’ll have a long-term hit to boot.
Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL
I know, I know. Kyle Pitts has been an absolutely maddening source of frustration for fantasy managers and fans of good TE play. A glorified wide receiver, the third-year player had been expected to make a leap this year.
Instead, we’ve seen Pitts’ usage trend downward every season. With Matt Ryan, well-known for inflating the numbers of his tight ends (see: Austin Hooper), Pitts was logging a 25% target share.
With Marcus Mariota last season, we saw that fall toward a 20% target share. This year, we’ve fallen even further to 18%. So why am I recommending a fading unicorn?
It’s simple really. The consistent tight ends in this league are few and far between. Outside of the Travis Kelces of the world, production from the position has mostly come from teams exploiting bad matchups.
Through the fantasy playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons have the easiest matchups for tight ends. Regardless of whose quarterback by then, they should be delivering plenty of balls Pitts’ way. That makes him an excellent winnow target.
Keenan Allen, WR, LAC
Last but not least, I had to once again implore managers out there to check out my boy. Formerly of the injury-prone label, Keenan Allen is currently the oldest wide receiver in the top ten in receiving yardage this year.
If you’re looking for a discount, that makes Allen your only real bet to snag a WR1 down the stretch for cheap. How he’s able to remain this effective at 31, I’ve outlined here quite a bit.
I just bring Allen back up again as he is producing well in spite of Justin Herbert’s well-documented struggles this year. With Kellen Moore, Herbert is pushing the ball further down the field than before, with a major jump in average depth of target (aDOT).
Herbert currently runs an 8.6 aDOT vs. a 6.4 in 2022. While there have been growing pains in stretching his game out, it appears to be coalescing with Herbert notably sharper in recent weeks, facing the New York Jets defense aside.
Allen looks poised for a strong finish as well, facing both the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders during the fantasy playoffs. Both of these teams have allowed big points to the wide receiver position. The Buffalo Bills will represent a stiff Week 16 test, but overall, Allen should be a strong bet to help your team win now.
Also check out our Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty