Hey Nerds! Our fantasy trade advice is here through the offseason. The NFL free agency period plays a massive role in fantasy football because it can directly impact the talent pool available to fantasy managers. When players switch teams, get signed, or are traded, their dynasty value will rise or fall depending on the situation. For example, Saquon Barkley left the New York Giants and produced career numbers after signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. Free agents such as Sam Darnold, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs also thrived with their new teams.
Conversely, players reverting from a starter to a backup role will see their value plummet. Gabe Davis, Zack Moss, and Devin Singletary led this category for 2024. Davis and Singletary were also affected by the draft. If a rookie shows promise, they could sneak into a starting role and become a sleeper pick for fantasy managers to target. This incoming rookie running back class has some exceptional talent, with names such as Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, Ashton Jeanty, and Quinshon Judkins all expect to be selected early in the NFL Draft. Other “sleeper” running backs—including Woody Marks, Dylan Sampson, and Cam Skattebo—could directly affect the running back landscape.
Monitoring player movement and how it changes a player’s role is crucial for staying competitive throughout the season. Using fellow Nerd Mike Johrendt’s Updated 2025 NFL Free Agency Tracker, we will tackle player targets to trade for and away in this week’s Fantasy Trade Advice.
Fantasy Trade Advice | Free Agency Edition
Free Agent Players To Trade For
Aaron Jones | RB | Age 30 | Late 2025 2nd / Early 3rd
Trust me; I understand the hesitancy in trading for a 30-year-old running back. However, Jones is coming off a season in which he rushed for a career high in rushing yards (1,138). Jones also finished with his 2nd-highest total in receiving yards (408) and 3rd-highest in receptions (51). While they have two different play styles, we are fresh off a 31-year-old Derrick Henry‘s 1,900-rushing-yard season. Jones is not your typical high mileage running back with only 1,432 carries on his 8-year career.
Jones was a member of the highly-touted 2017 running back draft class. He has more rushing yards than fellow running back Alvin Kamara on 100 fewer carries and nearly 400 fewer carries than Joe Mixon. Surprisingly, while spending most of his career splitting carries with A.J. Dillon and Jamaal Williams, Jones has more rushing yards than Christian McCaffrey.
Chris Godwin | WR | Age 28 | Early 2025 2nd
Many fantasy managers have forgotten how impressive the 2024 fantasy season started for Chris Godwin before he was injured in Week 7 against Baltimore—causing him to miss the rest of the season. Before his injury, Godwin was tied with Ja’Marr Chase for WR1 averaging 19.7 fantasy points per game (PPG).
Chris Godwin has four 1,000-yard receiving seasons on his resume. At 28-years old and turning 29 in February, Godwin still has plenty of time to play at a high level. Godwin could return to Tampa Bay and continue his successful career. Other options include signing with the Houston Texans or Jacksonville Jaguars to reunite with his 2024 offensive coordinator, Liam Coen would also be great fits.
Mike Gesicki | TE | Age 29 | 2025 3rd
After a disappointing 2023 season with the New England Patriots, Mike Gesicki signed a 1-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Gesicki had a career resurgence and produced his 3rd-highest fantasy season while finishing behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in targets, receptions, and receiving yards.
The odds of Tee Higgins staying in Cincinnati appear to be slim, and Cincinnati needs to look for a replacement. Gesicki evolved into the Tee Higgins replacement. No player outside of Ja’Marr Chase produced more in the passing game when Higgins was off the field. Cincinnati needs to prioritize re-signing Gesicki with the recent news of teammate Erick All slated to miss the entire 2025 season.
Free Agent Players To Trade Away
Sam Darnold | QB | Age 27 | 2025 Mid 2nd
One of the biggest surprises in 2024 was quarterback Sam Darnold. After taking the starting job from an injured J.J. McCarthy, Darnold had the best statistical season of his 7-year career. Darnold posted career highs in passing yards (4,319) and touchdowns (35), allowing him to finish as the QB11 in FPPG.
However, with free agency looming and his expensive price tag, it is unlikely that Darnold will return to Minnesota where much of his success could be attributed to head coach Kevin O’Connell. My fantasy trade advice is to use this opportunity to trade Darnold while he still holds value.
Nick Chubb | RB | Age 29 | 2nd-Year RB
Since being drafted in 2018, Nick Chubb has long been a fan favorite in Cleveland. Before devastating injuries, Chubb was a reliable RB1 for your fantasy rosters. Unfortunately, father time and injuries have caught up to Nick Chubb, and he is no longer the dominant running back that he once was.
At 29-years old, Chubb is better suited for a backup role. He has been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders as a potential landing spot or possibly returning to the Browns on a team-friendly deal. Regardless of his landing spot, I would look to move Chubb for one of these sophomore running backs: Braelon Allen, Trey Benson, Blake Corum, Isaac Guerrendo, MarShawn Lloyd, or Jaylen Wright.
Keenan Allen | WR | Age 32 | Younger WR Prospect
The soon-to-be 33-year-old free agent had a respectable season for the Chicago Bears. Allen recorded 67 receptions, 719 yards, and 7 touchdowns. Allen has already expressed uncertainty about his future, saying, “I will say this: it’s Chicago or LA.”
During the fantasy playoffs, Allen had a WR14 and WR3 overall finish. I would use those as a talking point during trade negotiations. Some players I would look to acquire for Allen include Rashod Bateman, Jalen Coker, Marvin Mims, and Malik Washington.
Zach Ertz | TE | Age 34 | Younger TE Prospect
Zach Ertz had a career resurgence with the Washington Commanders, finishing as the TE10 in FPPG. Ertz developed a rapport with Jayden Daniels and finished the season with 66 receptions, 654 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns. All these accolades were second on the team behind only Terry McLaurin.
Use this season to trade off of Ertz, especially if he re-signs with the Washington Commanders. Washington will add offensive weapons through the draft and free agency, limiting his usage in the offense. Washington also spent a 2nd Round pick on Ben Sinnott, the heir apparent at tight end. A.J. Barner, Theo Johnson, and Brenton Strange are names I would consider for Ertz. You could also package Ertz + a late 2nd or early 3rd round pick for a more proven tight end like David Njoku.
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