Hey Nerds! After an exciting start to the season, some players’ fantasy stock is on the rise due to increased performance, injury opportunities, or recent trades. Meanwhile, others’ have fallen due to poor performance, injuries, or recent trades. In this article, we dive into some fantasy trade advice for the top player targets for rebuilding teams heading into Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season.
Quarterbacks To Target For Rebuilding Teams | Fantasy Trade Advice
J.J. McCarthy | Nerds #63 | Season-Ending IR | 2025 Late 1st and 2nd
If you are a rebuilding team and need your quarterback of the future, look no further than J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy will be inserted into a fantasy-friendly Minnesota offense under Head Coach Kevin O’Connell. Quarterbacks have thrived in O’Connell’s system including Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, and Sam Darnold.
With offensive weapons including Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison, McCarthy is primed for fantasy success. I would start negotiations for McCarthy by offering a late first-round pick, but adding a 2nd round pick if needed.
Justin Fields | Nerds #124 | 19.1 FPPG | QB8 FPPG | 2025 Early to Mid 2nd
If the price is too steep for J.J. McCarthy, pivot to Justin Fields. Fields will be 26-years old at the start of the 2025 NFL season and will be a free agent at the end of this year. Fields led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 4-2 record before being replaced by Russell Wilson. During those starts, Fields finished as a top-12 QB in three of those matchups.
Below are some recent trades for Fields found in the free-to-download Dynasty GM app:
Fields’ time in Pittsburgh shows that he can be a legitimate starter in the NFL. Fields has played better, and more consistent, football in Pittsburgh and limited his turnovers that plagued him during his time in Chicago. Send some offers for Fields now, because his price will only rise in the off-season if he signs with another NFL franchise.
Running Backs To Target For Rebuilding Teams | Fantasy Trade Advice
I strongly advocate that you should not trade for running backs if you are a rebuilding team. It is often easiest to rebuild your roster with younger talent at quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end first. If you wish to stash away some running backs during the rebuild process, here are a few names to target:
Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Nerds #98 | 10.0 FPPG | RB36 FPPG | Najee Harris
If you read my Week 7 article, you were already able to acquire Tyrone Tracy, and he has already been producing for your fantasy rosters. Since Week 7, Tracy Jr. has been the RB20, averaging 13.1 fppg and seeing a 69% snap share, per Fantasy Points Data Suite.
Unfortunately, the price to acquire Tracy has increased, so I would see if I could trade away Derrick Henry for Tracy Jr. plus something. If that something is a pick or a younger asset to help with the rebuild, it is your choice.
Keaton Mitchell | Nerds #195 | 0.0 FPPG | RB135 FPPG | 2025 4th
Mitchell is an electric PPR option on a Baltimore Ravens roster who loves to run the football. During his rookie season in 2023, Mitchell gained 396 rushing yards on just 47 carries for an 8.4 YPC average. Mitchell accomplished those numbers in just 8 games before sustaining a season-ending injury. In Week 10, Mitchell was Mitchell was activated from Injured Reserve and is slowly being integrated back into the offense.
Wide Receiver To Target For Rebuilding Teams | Fantasy Trade Advice
Ricky Pearsall | Nerds #92 | 7.7 FPPG | WR37 FPPG | 2025 Late 1st / Early 2nd
When I look at this upcoming wide receiver class, it lacks the talent that the 2024 draft class brought us which included our next trade target: Ricky Pearsall. In Week 10, Pearsall showed the offensive production he could bring when he caught 4 receptions for 73 receiving yards and a touchdown. Under Kyle Shanahan, Pearsall is in a fantasy-friendly offense and looks to be a future playmaker in this offense.
The time to buy Pearsall will close quickly as I anticipate San Francisco moving on from Deebo Samuel in the offense. Pearsall has the opportunity to slide into that #1 wide receiver role with Brandon Aiyuk possibly not ready to return by the start of the 2025 NFL season.
Josh Downs | Nerds #101 | 14.7 FPPG | WR18 FPPG | 2025 Multiple 2nds
Josh Downs is quietly having a fantastic season for fantasy managers. He currently is the WR16 averaging 14.7 FPPG. Even after missing two games to start the season, Downs ranks in the top 12 in receptions (50), top 24 in targets (71), and in receiving yards (567).
Even with shaky quarterback play this year, Downs has managed to have three 19-point performances in the 5 games played with Anthony Richardson. Downs has surpassed Michael Pittman as the top receiving option in Indianapolis, outproducing him 60.4 ypg to 40.7 ypg. Trade for Josh Downs before it is too late.
Tight Ends To Target For Rebuilding Teams | Fantasy Trade Advice
Theo Johnson | Nerds #227 | 5.1 FPPG | TE31 FPPG | Zach Ertz, Adam Thielen
While the numbers for Theo Johnson have not been impressive, let’s dive into some of the data that it provides. Johnson is fourth on the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Since Week 8, Johnson has seen a 91% snap count. Johnson has at least three catches and 30 yards in 5 of his past 6 games, establishing a reliable floor. If you have an aging veteran clogging up your roster, Johnson would be the perfect option to target.
Don’t forget that coming into the 2024 NFL Draft, Johnson scored a 9.93 Relative Athletic Score out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 9 out of 1199 TEs from 1987 to 2024. If you would like to know more about Johnson’s outlook, check out Senior NFL Prospects Nerd Matthew Mitchell’s 2024 Rookie Profile of Theo Johnson:
Jared Wiley | Nerds #N/A | .2 FPPG | TE100 FPPG | 2025 Late 3rd
Father time is undefeated, and the end will eventually come for Travis Kelce. Kelce is 35 years old, and Jared Wiley could become his eventual replacement. At 6’6” 249 lbs., Wiley is a massive target whose alignment versatility will help him stay on the field for Kansas City. His instincts in zone coverage remind me of Travis Kelce.
After tearing his ACL earlier this month, the price to obtain Wiley has dropped. If you have an older veteran clogging up your roster that has recently produced some fantasy value such as Sterling Shephard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, or Mike Williams, see if you can flip them for Jared Wiley.
