This article is part of our Trade Buy/Sell series.
At this point of the season, most trade deadlines in redraft formats have passed, which means the focus now shifts entirely to dynasty fantasy football roster building. This weekly column highlights players whose long-term outlooks make them strong dynasty buys or timely dynasty sells as managers position themselves for 2026 and beyond. Whether you're rebuilding or chasing a fantasy title, identifying the right buy and sell fantasy football opportunities is essential. For managers evaluating player roles and future usage RotoWire's weekly fantasy football projections are a helpful reference, and long-term outlooks can be viewed through NFL team depth charts as well.
Buy Candidates
Quarterback
Mayfield's early-season MVP buzz has completely evaporated, and recent box scores have pushed many fantasy managers to give up on him. Injuries and a depleted supporting cast have clearly limited his production, but his long-term profile remains far more stable than his current value suggests. Don't forget that Mayfield threw for 28 touchdowns in 2023, before a career year in 2024, and added meaningful rushing production over the last two seasons. With dynasty managers focused on short-term results, this is a prime opportunity to buy low on a quarterback who still has multiple productive years ahead.
Running Back
Hall's disappointing fantasy season is almost entirely tied to offensive instability, as the Jets' rotating quarterback situation wrecked consistency across the unit. Even so, Hall still produced at least 15 PPR points in nearly half of his games, showing that his talent remains elite. Dynasty managers are likely focused on his recent struggles rather than the long-term outlook. If Hall avoids the franchise tag and lands in a functional offense, he has legitimate top-five running back upside based purely on skill.
Wide Receiver
Pierce has quietly survived four seasons in inconsistent passing offenses while averaging over 800 receiving yards over the last two years. His route tree has expanded, and he has proven he can do more than just stretch the field vertically. With free agency approaching, Pierce has a strong chance to earn a meaningful role in a more stable passing offense. Given his modest dynasty cost, the potential return makes him an appealing speculative buy.
Tight End
With Mark Andrews now locked into a long-term extension, Likely's path to consistent volume in Baltimore was usually blocked. However, when given opportunities, he has shown the ability to produce at a high level and win at multiple depths of the field. Likely profiles as a starting-caliber tight end if he lands with a team willing to feature him. As another season ends without a breakout, this is an ideal time to buy before his expected situation changes.
Sell Candidates
Quarterback
Lawrence's recent fantasy surge, highlighted by a six-touchdown performance in Week 15 along with a strong game at Denver, has pushed his value firmly into QB1 territory. However, his career remains defined by inconsistency, with multiple low-scoring fantasy outings even during his best stretches. Many managers will believe his late-season production signals a permanent leap under new coaching. This is an ideal window to sell high before volatility inevitably returns.
Running Back
Irving has continued to score fantasy points, but his efficiency has declined sharply compared to his breakout 2024 season. While production masks concerns in the short term, coaching staffs rarely ignore sustained efficiency drops. The risk of a deeper committee increases if secondary backs earn more trust. With his value still inflated, Irving is a strong sell for dynasty managers focused on long-term stability.
Wide Receiver
Adams just turned 33 and is once again dealing with lingering hamstring issues, a troubling trend at this stage of his career. While his production was excellent when healthy, aging wide receivers often struggle to bounce back consistently from soft-tissue injuries. There are also questions about whether Matthew Stafford can maintain elite play in consecutive seasons. Given the uncertainty surrounding Adams' 2026 outlook, this may be one of the rare chances to extract strong dynasty value for an aging star.
Tight End
Kincaid's surface-level production has masked a concerning trend in playing time, as his snap share has remained capped throughout much of the season. Since late last year, the Bills have been hesitant to feature him heavily, limiting both volume and ceiling. Add in an injury history that includes 11 missed games over the last two seasons, and the long-term outlook becomes murky. Before more managers recognize the disconnect between role and production, now is an excellent time to move on.
Conclusion
Dynasty roster management requires balancing immediate production with long-term outlooks, and identifying players whose value is set to rise or fall is key to sustainable success. Review RotoWire each week to confirm shifting roles, and use our weekly NFL projections to guide your trade decisions. Whether you're in the fantasy playoffs or building for the next window, these recommendations help guide your fantasy football buy-low, sell-high strategy. For deeper research on future roles and depth chart movement, you can continue referencing NFL team depth charts as the season progresses. Smart managers stay one step ahead, and Week 17 is an ideal time to reshape your dynasty roster with both the present and future in mind.
