Dynasty Trade Targets. Players to target before Training Camp.

The offseason is the perfect time for dynasty managers to make moves. With training camps starting up, there are edges we can exploit that add value to our team. Sam Wallace lists a few dynasty trade targets that should be priority buys heading into training camp.

Antonio Gibson, RB - Commanders

After consecutive top-13 PPR RB finishes to begin his career, Antonio Gibson saw his overall rushing production plummet in 2022. He still finished as the RB27 in large part thanks to career-high marks in targets (58), receptions (46), and receiving yards (353).

The down year pushed his dynasty value outside the top-30 RBs, and that’s just too low for a versatile player like Gibson. Now in his fourth season, there’s ample reason to be excited about adding him to your dynasty squads. Still only 24 years old, Gibson offers immense fantasy upside.

One key reason is the departure of J.D. McKissic. Ian Hartitz highlighted just how fantasy-friendly the Washington offense has been to tailbacks in recent years, as Washington RBs have combined to rank second in expected PPR points per game (PPG) from 2020 to 2022. In fact, only Austin Ekeler, Christian McCaffrey, and Alvin Kamara have seen more targets per game than McKissic over the last three seasons.

That’s a whole lot of targets up for grabs for a team without a top-tier QB to drive the ball down the field. Also, if you’re worried about Brian Robinson, don't be. Kudos to his ability to overcome the off-field challenges last year, but Robinson was wildly inefficient on a per-touch basis.

And if you need some narrative-driven topics to help fan the flames on Gibson, I've got you. The latest reports tell us that new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is looking to "use more running back screens”, and head coach Ron Rivera said that Gibson could be a "matchup nightmare for the opponent" in this new offense.

It might just be coach speak, but I’m excited for Gibson's prospects in 2023. KeepTradeCut (KTC) has Gibson ranked as the dynasty RB32 with a trade value equivalent to the 2.04 rookie pick in Superflex formats. That’s simply too cheap for a young, dual-threat RB with a proven track record of production.

Cam Akers, RB - Rams

I’ll fully admit that I can get drawn in by sample sizes. Fantasy football is supposed to be fun, and I like getting excited about players, especially when I think that they’re undervalued.

The Rams offense took a massive step back in their post-Super Bowl season last year. Much of that can be attributed to both Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp missing extended time. Still, the disappointing 2022 campaign has pushed everyone not named Kupp down in dynasty rankings.

A three-year veteran at just 23 years old, Cam Akers quickly went from “may not be on the team” to “hey, this guy is pretty good” in a matter of weeks last year. From Weeks 13 to 18, Akers was a league-winner on a per-game basis. Over that span, here are his per-game averages:

• 17.3 rushing attempts
• 85.3 rushing yards
• 1.0 TDs
• 18.0 PPR points

In those six games, Akers was the PPR RB4 and topped 100 rushing yards in each of his final three games last season. I know, I know…small sample size. But let’s also follow the team’s actions and the current tenor of offseason coach speak from the Rams.

Los Angeles released Darrell Henderson and replaced him with sixth-round rookie Zach Evans. They also brought back veteran Sony Michel, who was with the team in 2021. That season, Michel topped 200 carries and 840 rushing yards, but at 28 years of age, he now profiles more as a compliment to Akers than a direct threat.

Kyren Williams is also on the depth chart, but he only tallied 35 rushing attempts in 10 games as a rookie. For the most part, this backfield belongs to Akers.

Dec 25, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) scores on a 4-yard touchdown run against Denver Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis (27) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Head coach Sean McVay recently said that Akers is “going to be a huge part of what we’re doing moving forward" and that "Cam is a stud”.

KTC has Akers ranked as the dynasty RB24 with a trade value equivalent to the 2.01 rookie pick in Superflex formats. That feels about right given the concern around his Achilles injury and the poor track record of RBs who have historically returned from such injuries.

Still, with this offense poised to bounce back in a shallow division, Akers represents an ideal target for all dynasty teams, especially given his age.

Make sure to check out our updated rookie rankings on the Fantasy Life website!

Diontae Johnson, WR - Steelers

This season’s poster boy for positive regression is Diontae Johnson.

He became just the third WR since 2010 to earn 100-plus targets and not score a TD last year. On the plus side, Johnson topped 140 targets for the third consecutive season in a row in 2022. His 26% target share since 2020 ranks ninth among WRs, so Johnson has proven to be one of the top target-earners at the WR position. 

That’s elite, consistent production you simply have to buy. Ian Hartitz recently noted that “Johnson joins Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs, and Davante Adams as the only five WRs who've logged over 450 targets over the past three seasons.”

Speaking of underperformers, Johnson joined QB Kenny Pickett as a top underperformer last season when comparing per-game fantasy points to expected fantasy points.

It can’t get much worse, right?

The Fantasy Life team has Johnson ranked well ahead of Underdog ADP, and you should have Johnson ranked well ahead of dynasty ADP as well. If you can get a consistent 140-plus target-earner at a fringe WR4 price, you absolutely should. KTC has Johnson ranked as the dynasty WR36 with a trade value equivalent to the 1.12 rookie pick in Superflex formats.

It might feel wrong to send a late first-round rookie pick for a non-elite WR, but Johnson is priced at his floor and is still in his prime at just 26 years old. He offers true league-winning upside at his current price, so don’t overthink it. 

Draft Johnson TODAY on Underdog Fantasy, where you can get a 100% deposit match of up to $100 when you sign up below!

Trey McBride, TE - Cardinals

Everyone loves looking for the next breakout TE, so let’s pander to the people a bit.

Trey McBride was a second-round selection for the Cardinals in 2022 and played second-fiddle to veteran Zach Ertz for the first half of the season. However, after Ertz went down with a major knee injury in Week 10, McBride capitalized on the opportunity.

From Weeks 11 to 18, McBride saw his snap count jump up to 60 snaps per game compared to just 34 snaps per game in the first 10 weeks of the 2022 season. Over the second half of last year, McBride posted modest per-game totals:

• 5.0 targets
• 3.5 receptions
• 33.4 receiving yards
• 7.7 PPR points

It certainly wasn’t league-winning production, but he displayed coveted consistency at a position generally devoid of it.

The Cardinals are headed toward a rough season. They released DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, and Kyler Murray may not be ready for Week 1 as he recovers from his own knee injury.

Sep 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) reaches for a pass in the end zone during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

With no guarantees that Ertz will be set for Week 1, local Arizona news brought up the possibility that Ertz could also be released, much like Hopkins:

“The team recently embraced its fate by outright cutting No. 1 wideout DeAndre Hopkins…It's not illogical to assume Ertz, who's going on 33 and spent the majority of his career contending with the Eagles, would request a quiet exit to suit up elsewhere.”

While no national news outlets have yet to confirm reports of this possibility, this news further emphasizes the need for fantasy managers to secure McBride while he’s still buried on both the depth chart and on dynasty rankings sites.

KTC has McBride ranked as the dynasty TE18 with a trade value equivalent to the 2.11 rookie pick in Superflex formats. For comparison, our rookie rankings include players like Jayden Reed, Roschon Johnson, and Tank Bigsby going at the end of the second round of rookie drafts.

Depending on the makeup of your roster, it might be worth pulling the trigger and snagging McBride before he ultimately becomes the full-time starter for the Cardinals.

Isaiah Likely, TE - Ravens

The Lamar Jackson news dominated the offseason, but we can mercifully move on now that the former MVP has finally secured the bag.

Baltimore's offense is expected to be more pass-heavy with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken taking over for Greg Roman. Monken was most notably an offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay with Jameis Winston from 2016 to 2018, and the Buccaneers' offense over those seasons was fantasy-friendly, to say the least (pass offense ranks below).

Mark Andrews is expected to lead the aerial attack, but dynasty managers shouldn’t ignore sophomore TE Isaiah Likely. Likely finished third in targets (60) for the Ravens last season, but the influx of newly-added WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers could cap his upside in the short term.

That said, Ian Hartitz recently highlighted the upside that Likely showed when given a strong snap rate:

“Likely flashed some high-end receiving ability throughout 2022, posting 6-77-1, 1-24-1, and 8-103-0 receiving lines in his only three games with a snap rate above 50%.”

Make no mistake: Andrews is one of only a handful of TEs with a realistic chance to lead his team in targets. I’m not necessarily suggesting rostering a handcuff TE, but Likely could see an elite target share for a TE if Andrews were to miss time in 2023.

KTC has Likely ranked as the dynasty TE20 with a trade value equivalent to the 2.12 rookie pick in superflex formats. It might seem brash to spend that kind of draft capital on a mere depth option, but I’m usually swinging for upside anyways that late in rookie drafts, and there are few TEs with the kind of upside that Likely offers going for this cheap in dynasty.

Make sure to check out our updated rookie rankings on the Fantasy Life website!