Tankers, ‘Tenders, and Cloggers: Dynasty managers live for the off-season. Whether you’re a Tanker trying to blow up the roster or a ‘Tender looking for that final piece for a championship run, there are always moves to be made!
In this series, I will go division by division providing two players to target depending on whether your team is tanking or contending. I will also choose a roster clogger to trade before it’s too late!
2023 fantasy football dynasty outlook: NFC West
Tanker: Elijah Mitchell (RB, 49ers)
When I’m in a rebuild, I am looking to acquire cheap players who could see an uptick in value to fill the roster out. To me, Elijah Mitchell fits that to a tee.
Now that Alexander Mattison is no longer behind Dalvin Cook, I believe Mitchell turns into the most valuable handcuff in fantasy. I don’t think it should cost you too much to acquire the 25-year-old running back, and if anything happened to CMC his value would skyrocket.
When Mitchell was last healthy he posted RB2 numbers and would be valued as such for contending teams. Even if we are lucky enough to see another healthy Christian Mccafferty season, you would gain value in trading it to the CMC owner as they make a playoff run!
Honorable mentions: Kyler Murray (QB, ARI), Trey McBride (TE, ARI), Marquise Brown (WR, ARI)
‘Tender: Tyler Lockett (WR, Seahawks)
In the past few seasons Tyler Lockett has been undervalued because of DK Metcalf, and this year is more of the same. Especially with the addition of rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigma, it seems many have written Lockett off. If I’m a contending team, this has opened a buy window that I would not want to miss.
Lockett has been able to stay on the field and produce WR2 over his previous five seasons and averaged over 13.5 points a game in each of those seasons. Although his volatility week to week can be a little scary for some, the cost he is going for makes him an ideal WR3 or Flex for your dynasty roster.
Pairing him with the elite receivers on your roster is perfect because he can provide the production needed to win you the week on his own. According to the trade finder on DLF, he is going for the equivalent of a 2nd round pick, making him my favorite dynasty buy this off-season.
Honorable mentions: Tyler Higbee (TE, LAR), Cam Akers (RB, LAR), Trey Lance (QB, SF)
Clogger: Geno Smith (QB, Seahawks)
Fresh off a contract extension, Geno Smith is set to repeat the surprising breakout season he had. The 33-year-old has the weapons to put on another QB1-type season, but given his age and contract situation, he is someone you might want to consider moving before it’s too late.
Over the past two drafts, Seattle has invested a lot of draft capital in skill positions on offense. This leads me to believe that in the next year, they will look for a new quarterback to be the centerpiece of the offense. Whether they address this in the draft or free agency, I believe Smith is at his peak value and if you can afford to move him, it might be the right move for your roster!
Honorable mentions: Rondale Moore (WR, ARI), Noah Fant (TE, SEA), Kyren Williams (RB, LAR)
2023 fantasy outlook: Christian McCaffrey
Hassan Haskins arrested Thursday
