Dynasty fantasy football is all about beating the market. With free agency around the corner, values can shift overnight, and savvy managers know this is the time to act. Here are dynasty players to trade before 2026 NFL free agency that savvy managers should target before the window officially opens.
5 Dynasty Players To Trade For Before NFL Free Agency
Isaiah Likely
It was the worst season of Isaiah Likely’s career, as he only played 14 games and finished with 307 yards. To cut him some slack, Likely was dealing with a foot injury, and it showed. Despite this, Likely is still the top tight end available on the market and is deserving of being a TE1. Mark Andrews overshadowed him for the last four years, but now he’s ready to step into the spotlight.
With teams that could use a tight end like Tennessee, New England, or Miami, he could be in line for a much bigger role than he has now. The ideal landing spot of the three would be New England to give him a Pro Bowl quarterback in Drake Maye. Regardless of where he ends up, his target share will increase, and he’s someone you need to get before he jumps into the fantasy TE1 category. His asking price is extremely low, and you can acquire him for a mid-2nd, which I would happily pay for a position that is thin.
Tyler Allgeier
For Tyler Allgeier, playing behind someone as talented as Bijan Robinson does not allow him to truly showcase his own talent. Allgeier’s role is to come in as a change of pace back, relief for Bijan, and produce in garbage time. Over the last 3 years in that role, he has managed 500+ yards per season. In his lone season without Bijan in 2022, Allgeier was a 1,000+ yard rusher. With a new team where he has an increased role, Allgeier might be able to get closer to those numbers again.
There are teams like the Kansas City Chiefs or New York Jets, where he can seriously compete for the leading back role and immediately make an impact. Other options include teams like the Denver Broncos or Dallas Cowboys, where he would serve in a committee role and improve the team’s running game. Staying in Atlanta is only holding him back. He hasn’t been much of a fantasy asset due to his role behind Bijan, but in the right opportunity, he can be a mid-tier RB2. If Allgeier fantasy owners just see him as nothing more than a backup, I’m trying to capitalize on that. He’s an afterthought to many, but if the landing spot is right, his value can dramatically increase.
Cam Ward
It was not a great first season for 2025 #1 overall pick Cam Ward. He finished with under 3,200 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. These aren’t exactly jump-off-the-page stats, but not bad, given the talent surrounding him. He was QB22 in fantasy last year, and I’m expecting him to jump into the top-16 quarterbacks in 2026. The Tennessee Titans have the most cap space of any team entering free agency, with over $94 million to spend.
The Titans are on the hunt to add a top wideout for Ward, and some sneaky good players like Wan’Dale Robinson or Romeo Doubs would instantly give Cam Ward a true WR1. They are also in the market for a tight end and running back. If they can bring in at least 2 new offensive weapons, Cam Ward will be able to improve.
Add in a new offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, and Ward has someone with head coaching experience who’s calling the plays to take him to the next level. As not just a regular player, but a dynasty fantasy player, Ward is very undervalued. Quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Sam Darnold are valued ahead of him, and I’d rather have Ward over them. Ward’s age and outlook for the future are much brighter. He’s someone I’m actively working to make deals for in Superflex formats. With this incoming rookie class being on the weaker side, I’m open to giving up as high as the 5th overall pick in this year’s rookie draft to get him.
Romeo Doubs
The Green Bay Packers’ wide receiving room was middle-tier; not one player truly shone more than the rest, and it was rather crowded. A player who’s seen his role have its ups and downs over the past couple of seasons is Romeo Doubs. This past year was his best as he eclipsed over 700 yards and was the leading receiver for the Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately, this barely had him in the top-40 WRs in fantasy on the year.
With the likelihood that Doubs lands in a system like Buffalo or Tennessee, where he will be the clear WR1 option on the team, he can move his way into the top-30, even top-25, under the right circumstances. He needs to improve his catch rate, but he has the ability to take that next step in a new situation. He doesn’t have a high ask right now in fantasy, and I’m willing to take a flyer on him, in the hopes he will end up as the WR1 on his new team.
Cade Otton
With how thin the tight end position is, if you don’t have a top-5 player, finding someone who you can plug into your lineup on some weeks is tough. Someone who’s been inconsistent over the last couple of years is Cade Otton. But when he’s been good, he’s been good and helped fantasy managers win their matchups.
Last season, he played over 90% of the snaps on offense and finished as TE22 on the year. To give Otton credit, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense is one of the most stacked units in the entire league. He needs to compete for touches with Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson, Sterling Shephard, Sean Tucker, Rachaad White, & Bucky Irving. Injuries to Evans & Godwin helped him play a larger role this past year, but the remainder of the team is still so stacked that it made it difficult for Otton to see significant volume. Despite that, he’s managed 572 yards this past year and 600 yards in the prior season.
His current value is around TE33 — a price that barely commands a fourth-round rookie pick.With the hope that Otton leaves Tampa Bay for an offense that is not as stacked, I’m very comfortable giving up a late 3rd for him. Depending on the landing spot, he can climb up to as high as TE15 on my board.
Dynasty fantasy managers who act now can gain a major advantage. By targeting these dynasty players to trade before 2026 NFL free agency, you position your roster to maximize upside and beat the market once the window officially opens. Don’t wait, these players’ values could shift quickly, and smart deals now could pay dividends all season long.