Trading away rookie picks is an inexact science. So much depends on the timing, the incoming class, the specific roster needs across potential trade partners, and the details of any specific trade. It can feel overwhelming and stressful as you worry about getting fair value in return.

It's also important to understand who you are giving up with the 1.02. In a 1QB league, assuming Ashton Jeanty goes 1.01, you will be missing out on either Tetairoa McMillan or Omarion Hampton. In a Superflex league, you'll be missing out on one of McMillan, Hampton, Cam Ward, or Shedeur Sanders.

With all of that in mind, let me break down five potential players to target if you are looking to trade away the 1.02 draft.

Make sure to check out my other pieces in this series:

Who's worth trading my 1.02 in dynasty rookie drafts?

Bucky Irving, RB - Buccaneers

To go from a fourth-round pick as a rookie to now being in the conversation for one of the best up-and-coming RBs in the league is quite the accomplishment. For those who rostered Bucky Irving last season, you know what I'm talking about.

It was a quiet start to the season, but after the coaching staff got out of its own way and started giving Irving a workload worthy of his skill set, he rewarded both the team and fantasy managers in a big way.

Following his Week 11 bye, Irving averaged 17+ points per game over his final seven games and was the true definition of a league winner.

 

Now you have to make a decision.

Jonathan Fuller made an excellent case about how, depending on the state of your roster, now might be the time to cash in on Irving and flip him to a competitor. He was a Day 3 selection with underwhelming size and athletic testing numbers.

However, I believe if you have the 1.02 and strongly feel you can make a title run in 2025, Irving is worth acquiring. The Tampa Bay offense under Baker Mayfield should remain fantasy-friendly, and a dual-threat weapon like Irving is exactly what fantasy managers want on their roster.

Tee Higgins, WR - Bengals

I'm objectively biased when it comes to Tee Higgins, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong. Our own Matt LaMarca said it perfectly when he brilliantly crossed March Madness with fantasy football and labeled Higgins as: Dangerous When Healthy.

LaMarca went on to say, “Ja’Marr Chase was the No. 1 receiver in terms of PPR points per game, but Higgins was tied with Justin Jefferson for the No. 2 spot.”

With official confirmation that both Chase and Higgins will be in Cincinnati for the next four years, there's no reason to doubt that Joe Burrow can keep supporting both of his star wideouts for years to come.

It might seem counterintuitive to trade away the 1.02 pick for someone who isn't even the WR1 for his own team, but this isn't your traditional example. Burrow threw for almost 5,000 yards and 43 TDs last year while completing 70% of his passes. If someone is "down" on Higgins for sharing the field with Chase, go snag this still-elite talent.

Rome Odunze, WR - Bears

It's the perfect marriage when talent and opportunity come together. Sometimes, however, even the most talented of players need to ride out their current situation until it gets better.

That's how I'm approaching Rome Odunze this offseason.

As a rookie, he was the clear No. 3 option behind both DJ Moore and Keenan Allen for fellow rookie QB Caleb Williams.

Despite being third in essentially every major receiving category, Odunze did lead the team in air yards, which does bode well for both his future usage and corresponding fantasy value.

We often have to put things in perspective. Despite coming in as the WR3 in our Rookie WR Model for 2024, Odunze's model score of 91 would actually put him as the No. 1 option in the 2025 class, even ahead of the aforementioned McMillan.

Another year of growth from both Williams and Odunze, coupled with the hiring of Ben Johnson to coach the Bears, should be more than enough to bolster what was an underwhelming season for the talented wideout.

I'm anticipating a meteoric rise in production and opportunity for Odunze in Year 2. The 1.02 could be enough to land him on your dynasty squad.

Xavier Worthy, WR - Chiefs

For a first-round NFL Draft pick, Xavier Worthy had a relatively quiet rookie campaign. He appeared in all 17 games (although he barely played in Week 18) and finished as the WR33 in PPR scoring formats.

His final line of 59/638/6 TDs on 98 targets is nothing sensational, but fantasy managers will always remember his Super Bowl performance:

  • 8 targets
  • 8 receptions
  • 157 yards
  • 2 TDs

Yes, it was a blowout victory for the Eagles, but that's still a phenomenal way to wrap up a rookie season.

Worthy didn't just pace the Chiefs on the biggest stage; he also scored the most fantasy points of any pass catcher they had last season.

Yes, both Rashee Rice (4 games) and Hollywood Brown (2 games) missed the vast majority of the season, but Rice is still (probably) facing a suspension of sorts from the NFL. In addition, DeAndre Hopkins signed with the Ravens, and Travis Kelce isn't getting any younger.

Worthy is now the single most valuable dynasty asset on the team outside of Patrick Mahomes.

Still just 21 years old with the fastest 40-time in history (4.21), Worthy's situation (Andy Reid & Mahomes) and skill set make him well worth trading away the No. 2 overall pick (and more) in your upcoming dynasty rookie drafts.

Bryce Young, QB - Panthers

Following a disastrous rookie season, Bryce Young bounced back in a major way in Year 2. The question now remains—just how high can Young climb in his third season?

Let's conform to some recency bias for a moment (to be fair, this is the most recent information we have). Following his Week 11 bye, Young averaged more than 21 fantasy points per game. Perhaps most surprisingly, he tallied five rushing scores in his final six games.

 

The Panthers have to keep adding offensive weapons to help their franchise QB, right? Let's hope so. I'm cautiously optimistic about Young's continued development and am willing to roll the dice on trading away the 1.02 pick for him this spring.