Fantasy football rookie drafts are done for the year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about our favourite dynasty stashes. The players I am listing here aren’t likely to help you this year, but could have a significant boost in their roles as early as next year.
Whether you are competing or not, these are players to keep an eye on or acquire before their price rises. If you have taxi squads or extra bench space these are three players I want at their current prices. These are the kind of guys you can get added to a trade as a throw-in, rather than a future third or fourth round pick.
Sam Howell – QB – Washington Commanders
Howell’s fall in the NFL draft just went with the theme for this year’s rookie QBs. The Commanders finally called his name with the first pick in the fifth round. Many had him pegged as a future first round pick after his Sophomore year with North Carolina. However, all his passing stats dipped in his Jr. year after the Tar Heels lost offensive talent to the NFL. He still put up decent numbers, with just over 3000 yards passing and 24 TDs; also displaying his athleticism by rushing for 823 yards and 11 TDs in 12 games.
The Commanders gave him plenty of work during the preseason. Playing parts of the first two games, and then the full third game against the Ravens. In the three games he had 547 yards passing, 1 TD and 1 INT. On top of that he showed off his dual threat ability by turning 13 rushes into 94 yards and 2 TDs.
Howell has a good chance to see the field at some point this year. Carson Wentz is on his third team in as many years. If he can’t keep the Commanders in the playoff hunt they will give Howell a shot. The Commanders can cut ties with Wentz free of charge after this year if things don’t work out. The best part is, Wentz is likely to keep the Commanders competitive enough to drop them out of contention for one of the top 2023 rookie QBs.
I am guessing Howell was selected somewhere in the third round of your fanatsy football rookie drafts this year. He is currently valued at a late 2023 3rd. With all the hype surrounding the 2023 class, do yourself a favor and get a year ahead of the game. Go trade your third round pick and stash Howell now. You could have the next Davis Mills! If it doesn’t work out, you only paid a third round pick.
Jerome Ford – RB – Cleveland Browns
After two years of bench warming in Alabama, Ford transferred to Cinnicnati for the 2020 season. Despite playing behind Gerrid Doaks, Ford still mustered up 8 TDs and nearly 500 yards on the ground. When he was given the full workload in 2021 he took off! With just over 1500 all purpose yards and 20 total TDs, he showed he can handle a bellcow role in college.
In two preseason games he showed enough to stick in a loaded backfield. In the two games he combined for 88 yards on 19 attempts with 1 TD. He also caught 8 passes for 71 yards and a score.
Ford didn’t get high draft capital, going in the middle of the fifth round. He also went to a packed backfield. However, Nick Chubb isn’t getting any younger; Kareem Hunt and D’Erenest Johnson are both on contract years. Which means, the door to playing time in a run heavy offense could be just a year away! Even sooner if Hunt or Johnson are moved at some point this year. Ford has NFL size at 5’11, 210 pounds, as well as speed, running a 4.46 forty time at the combine.
Just like Howell, Ford was probably a late third, maybe even a fourth round pick in your fantasy football rookie drafts. Even with a solid preseason he still is valued around an early 2023 fourth round pick. Trade for him anywhere you can taxi him and have a flex worthy player next year in your fantasy football league.
Ty Chandler – RB – Minnesota Vikings
After four years of playing in a committee backfield in Tennessee, Chandler transferred to North Carolina. Meaning he stayed in college for a fifth year. The Tar Heels gave him a full workload which resulted in Chandler putting up just over 1300 all purpose yards and 14 TDs.
The Vikings drafted Chandler in the fifth round. He joins another crowded backfield. However, with just 15 carries over three preseason games he put up 113 yards and 1 TD. Unfortunately, he only caught 2 passes for 4 yards.
With a forty time of 4.38 any holes and he’s gone! The Vikings saw enough that they have been fielding phone calls on Alexander Mattison. Mattison’s contract is up at the end of the year, leaving the backup job up for grabs.
The one downfall on Chandler, he is already closing in on 25 years old. However, don’t let that discourage you from taking a chance on him. Trade for Chandler now before Mattison leaves in free agency next offseason or moved. Like Ford, Chandler is cheap right now! Right now Mattison is worth a late 2023 2nd according to KTC. Chandler’s fantasy football value could shoot up if he became Cook’s handcuff.
Sheldon Hand
Sheldon Hand is an elementary school teacher. He started writing in 2019, and started working with The League Winners in 2021. He has been playing fantasy football for fifteen years, got into dynasty seven years ago and have become a bit obsessed.