Creating realistic trade offers that lead to a deal being accepted is always challenging. That’s where Justin Boone’s dynasty trade value charts come into play, acting as a guide to help make moves and manage your roster.
Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values (PPR)
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Below, he highlights some of the players you should be buying in dynasty right now.
Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
The arrival of Mike McDaniel as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator has generated a lot of buzz around their offense, with the majority of the fantasy excitement centered on Omarion Hampton and Ladd McConkey.
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Perhaps that’s because quarterback is an incredibly deep position, so it doesn’t feel necessary to pound the table for a guy like Herbert when you could potentially find a cheaper short-term replacement.
However, I’d argue people are underestimating the fantasy ceiling for the 28-year-old moving forward.
Though Herbert’s fantasy finishes haven’t exactly won anyone their leagues lately, he was the second-highest scoring quarterback behind only Josh Allen back in 2021 and we have glimpses of high-end production over different stretches since Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach.
This past season, Herbert had the fourth-most fantasy points among quarterbacks over the first nine weeks (21.8 fppg) before injuries to himself and his offensive line took their toll. That led to him being the QB20 over the final eight weeks, averaging just 14.8 fppg. He ultimately ended up as the QB11 for the year.
Fortunately, the Chargers will be getting their star tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back healthy, and reinforcements are on the way in the interior with center Tyler Biadasz, guard Cole Strange and second-round rookie guard Jake Slaughter. We can even add in fullback Alec Ingold and tight end Charlie Kolar as meaningful pieces that will help upgrade the team’s blocking and allow McDaniel to implement his system immediately.
The front office has also done a good job of bringing in depth at the skill positions to help insulate Herbert. At receiver, that includes McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre’ Harris, Brenen Thompson and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. At running back, they have a strong trio with Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal. The most recent signing came at tight end, when veteran David Njoku joined Oronde Gadsden II and Kolar.
We’ve also seen the two best rushing totals of Herbert’s career in the last two seasons, even while playing through multiple injuries. Despite his rising yardage, we’ve only seen him run for two touchdowns in those campaigns. If he continues to use his legs at this rate, a spike is coming in the TD department.
Ultimately, with McDaniel calling plays and some better injury luck, Herbert will have a chance to push for top-five fantasy numbers and he has the talent to annually challenge for a place inside the top three.
Other QB buys to consider:
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Kyler Murray, Vikings
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Cam Ward, Titans
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Geno Smith, Jets
David Montgomery, RB, Texans
Sometimes the players we’re trading for as dynasty buys are underachievers who haven’t reached their true potential yet, but often the best targets are aging veterans who are being put out to pasture too early.
After the last two seasons, Montgomery’s dynasty stock was in swift decline as Jahmyr Gibbs captured more and more touches as the Lions’ lead back. Though Montgomery remained a weekly flex option for fantasy, his value was mostly tied to TD scoring — since he found the end zone eight times on 182 touches.
With his role in the offense fading, Montgomery became an afterthought for fantasy … until he was traded to the Texans in March.
That move puts him back in the mix as a potential fantasy RB2 with an even higher ceiling over the next year or two.
Houston doesn’t have a single back on their depth chart who threatens Montgomery’s starting spot. Sophomore Woody Marks is more effective as a pass-catcher and failed to do much when given a chance to be the No. 1 option last year, which was likely a big factor that led to the Montgomery trade.
After Marks, it’s a collection of unproven depth, including Jawhar Jordan and Evan Hull, as well as undrafted rookies Noah Whittington and Joshua Pitsenberger.
Clearly, Houston believes Montgomery — who turns 29 in June — still has enough left in the tank to power its rushing attack, and fantasy managers should too.
It’s worth noting that the Texans had success with a similar move when they acquired Joe Mixon a couple of years ago. That resulted in Mixon finishing as the RB5 overall in 2024 while racking up 1,325 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns before his bizarre off-field injury led to him sitting out last season and eventually being cut.
Montgomery’s ceiling might not be that high, but a low-end RB1 result is within his range of outcomes. Don’t forget that, prior to the last two seasons, Montgomery handled at least 235 touches or more in his first five campaigns, including being a bell-cow for the Bears.
Since I tend to build my dynasty rosters around high-end receivers and quarterbacks, trading for veteran RBs is often part of my blueprint. That makes Montgomery an obvious target this offseason before people are reminded what he’s capable of in Houston.
Other RB buys to consider:
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Cam Skattebo, Giants
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D’Andre Swift, Bears
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Kenneth Gainwell, Buccaneers
Christian Watson/Jayden Reed, WR, Packers
Normally, we highlight one player to buy per position, with a handful of others to consider. However, this is my list, which means I can cheat and mention two players in the same spot.
The Packers’ receiver room has been an extremely talented and deep group over the last few seasons, but they’ve often been held back in fantasy due to injuries and usage.
However, with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks finding new homes this offseason, we may finally have some clarity about how this group will be deployed with Watson, Reed and Matthew Golden leading the way.
Last year, Watson finally stayed healthy long enough to showcase his upside and the results were a very impressive WR16 finish in fppg. Whether it’s splash plays or his affinity for the end zone, Watson is the kind of week-winning fantasy WR2 you want in your lineup.
Reed is a more interesting profile with an equally high ceiling — albeit with even more sporadic production. Reed instantly earned a role in Matt Lafleur’s offense as a rookie and finished as the WR23, scoring 10 total touchdowns (8 receiving, 2 rushing) and adding 119 yards on the ground, despite only seeing the field for 56% of Green Bay’s snaps.
Early returns were excellent the next year, with Reed averaging WR14 fantasy stats through the first nine games of 2024, while seeing an increase in playing time up to 66%. But after the Packers’ Week 10 bye, his numbers fell off a cliff, topping 50 yards just once the rest of the way and dropping down to 60% of the snaps.
Then last year, Reed scored a TD in Week 1 before breaking his collarbone a week later and missing most of the season.
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For Reed to truly hit in fantasy, we’ll likely need to see him earn more snaps in two-receiver sets, which is not guaranteed. But with the recent WR departures and Golden struggling to make an impact as a rookie, Reed will have as good a chance as ever to see more playing time.
That’s worth the risk in my opinion for a player we’ve seen flash meaningful upside in the past.
Other WR buys to consider
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Ricky Pearsall, 49ers
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Terry McLaurin, Commanders
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Josh Downs, Colts
Chig Okonkwo, TE, Commanders
Okonkwo was one of the buys I wrote about earlier this offseason, and after looking over the tight end landscape a couple months later, I’m doubling down on him here.
That’s because very little has changed in Washington since then.
The team drafted intriguing rookie wideout Antonio Williams in the third round, who at the moment projects as the No. 2 pass-catcher in this offense. Brandon Aiyuk is still on the 49ers roster and is far from guaranteed to provide any fantasy value in 2026 or beyond — regardless of which team he’s on. Stefon Diggs has been rumored as a potential addition, but that hasn’t materialized.
Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels is healthy and ready to rebound after a season derailed by injuries.
When searching for a sleeper tight end, one of the things I always look for is a player with a path to being a top-two target-getter in his offense. Okonkwo certainly has that ability with the Commanders.
The 26-year-old has been quietly productive for the Titans, with over 50 receptions in three straight campaigns. He’s also one season removed from flashing TE1 fantasy potential down the stretch, when he posted top-12 fantasy stats over the final six games — including top-seven weekly finishes three times.
In Washington, he’ll be asked to replace veteran Zach Ertz, who was the TE14 in fppg through the first 13 weeks last year before suffering a season-ending injury. Though the offense will look different under new offensive coordinator David Blough, it’s hard to imagine the tight end won’t be a significant part of the passing attack, given their options at the moment.
Either way, it’s easy to make a case for Okonkwo’s fantasy outlook now that he’s escaped Tennessee and is tied to a quality young quarterback in Daniels. Okonkwo is unlikely to command TE1 value in a trade, but that’s exactly the kind of upside he offers. He’s also the type of player you might be able to get as a throw-in on a larger deal.
Other TE buys to consider
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George Kittle, 49ers
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AJ Barner, Seahawks
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Greg Dulcich, Dolphins