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 1.03.

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 1.03 draft.

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

Who's worth my 1.03 in dynasty rookie drafts?

A.J. Brown, WR - Eagles

It's hard to believe that A.J. Brown is about to enter his seventh season in the NFL.

Even so, all he's done throughout his career is dominate opposing defenses week in and week out. In his three seasons with the Eagles, Brown has finished as the:

  • 2022 - WR5 (17 games)
  • 2023 - WR7 (17 games)
  • 2024 - WR18 (13 games)

In that same span, he's amassed over 4,000 receiving yards and has scored 25 TDs. He truly is a man among boys, even at the NFL level.

Let me put this a different way—I don't care if the Eagles are a run-first offense. I don't care if Jalen Hurts continues to vulture TDs at the goal line. I don't even care if Saquon Barkley has another career-best season on that offense.

Brown is the alpha, undisputed WR1 for the reigning world champions, and he has the metrics to back it up.

Those air yards and target share numbers are elite. Brown is squarely in the prime, and the Eagles are poised to run it back again in 2025. I have zero issue, regardless of the state of my team, trading away the 1.03 to land my guy.

Michael Penix Jr., QB - Falcons

Oh man, we are taking some big swings with an early first-round pick, and I am so here for it.

The Falcons made arguably the biggest surprise pick during Round 1 of last year's NFL Draft when they selected Michael Penix No. 8 overall after signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative contract extension.

In total, Penix wound up starting the final three games of the season and finished with three passing TDs, three INTs, and a rushing TD.

As of this writing, Cousins is still on the roster, but it sounds like he's open to waiving his no-trade clause following the 2025 NFL Draft. Regardless, it appears as though Penix will remain the starter for the Falcons in 2025 (and potentially beyond).

I think that makes him a significant value and someone I am willing to roll the dice on in a Superflex league with the 1.03 pick.

Atlanta has strong offensive weapons (Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts) and an elite offensive line. The pieces are there for this team to build around Penix in what continues to be a very winnable division.

If you need more reason to acquire Penix, not just for the future but for 2025, our own Gene Clemons made this bold claim a few months ago:

Michael Penix will be a top-10 fantasy QB in 2025.

Trevor Lawrence, QB - Jaguars

Some may think it's bold to tab Trevor Lawrence as a dynasty bust, but I think the evidence speaks for itself, especially when he was considered one of the greatest prospects of all time coming out of college.

In his four seasons, he has just one top-12 finish (QB8 in 2022) and has just never looked like the generational talent we all thought he was.

Let's not belabor the past; let's look forward.

Last summer, Lawrence signed a five-year/ $275M deal that keeps him under contract through 2030. He also has a new, potentially exciting head coach in Liam Coen. Coen most recently spent time with both the Rams and Buccaneers, which have each had successful offenses and passing games in recent seasons.

Oh, and let's not forget about the elite weapon Lawrence now has in Brian Thomas. There are a lot of promising variables in places that all point towards Lawrence resurrecting his career and becoming much more valuable for both the Jaguars and your dynasty teams.

I'm comfortable taking swings on Lawrence in dynasty leagues, especially Superflex formats. The 1.03 (as a starting point) should be able to get it done.

Kyler Murray, QB - Cardinals

In his first full season since 2020, Kyler Murray looked much more like what we've come to hope and expect from a dual-threat, high-level QB.

He finished as the QB10 by way of:

  • 3,800+ passing yards
  • 21 passing TDs
  • 570+ rushing yards
  • 5 rushing TDs

The Cardinals have certainly been a bit of a disappointment, but they have the weapons around Murray to be a fantasy-friendly offense. Marvin Harrison and Trey McBride are about as good of a one-two punch as you'll find, and together they accounted for over 50% of Murray's targets last season.

Murray is the discount Josh Allen/Lamar Jackson. He's more than capable of extending plays and using his legs, but hasn't really offered the same ceiling we've seen from the more elite options. Even so, with a depressed dynasty price and a relatively secure role, the 1.03 could be a great starting point for negotiations.

Future First-Round Pick+

Once you have a good handle on dynasty leagues and all the ins and outs of this format, it's fun to start employing different strategies as you build the ultimate juggernaut.

One example of this is trading for future draft picks … and using current draft picks to do so.

You heard that right—making trades that don't involve any players, only picks.

Everyone has a good sense of what the 2025 class looks like. We know the big names at QB, RB, WR, and even TE, and we've begun speculating on the various landing spots.

That's all well and good, but …what about the 2026 class? Or the 2027 class? True degenerates/devy specialists have already started looking to the future to say things like “The 2026 is okay, but the 2027 class is loaded!”

Here's what this means for you—if you have a loaded roster and A) don't have a player you feel you need to have at 1.03 and B) have been trying to trade back a few spots but haven't gotten a deal done, I would look to trade away the 1.03 for a future 1st+ (preferably in 2027).

I'm not suggesting you need to galaxy-brain your way to a deal, but if you're sitting in a unique spot and want to snag an asset that's literally guaranteed to hold/gain value over the next two seasons, absolutely go for it.

Don't be afraid to start adding this next element to your dynasty arsenal. When 2027 rolls around and you now have TWO picks in the first round, you'll be able to make even more moves as you see fit.