At this point of the season, most trade deadlines in redraft formats have passed, which means the focus now shifts entirely to dynasty fantasy football roster building. This weekly column highlights players whose long-term outlooks make them strong dynasty buys or timely dynasty sells as managers position themselves for 2026 and beyond. Whether you're rebuilding or chasing a fantasy title, identifying the right buy and sell fantasy football opportunities is essential. For managers evaluating player roles and future usage, RotoWire's weekly fantasy football projections page is a helpful reference, and long-term outlooks can be viewed through NFL team depth charts as well.
Buy Candidates
Quarterback
Mahomes just suffered a torn ACL, an injury that could impact the early part of the 2026 season, but it also creates a rare buying window for a quarterback who will turn just 31 around Week 1. While his fantasy production has dipped in recent seasons, context matters after three straight Super Bowl appearances and an offensive philosophy that clearly stagnated. Kansas City's failure to make the playoffs should force organizational changes that better support their franchise quarterback. In dynasty leagues, betting on elite talent during temporary value dips is a buy-low, sell-high strategy worth executing.
Running Back
Hampton's rookie season has been derailed by a broken ankle that cost him two months, limiting his immediate impact. Still, he showed before the injury that he can be a true dual-threat back capable of driving an offense. If the Chargers can finally stabilize their offensive line with better health in 2026, Hampton's long-term ceiling remains extremely high. Even in a suboptimal situation, his early flashes suggest RB1 upside for years to come in dynasty formats.
Wide Receiver
Jefferson's recent production dip, including just 37 receiving yards over his last three games, may have some dynasty managers questioning his ceiling. While J.J. McCarthy struggled, it's unlikely Minnesota moves forward without improving the quarterback position in 2026. Jefferson has already proven he can thrive with subpar quarterback play in the past. This is a rare opportunity to test the waters on an elite asset whose long-term value in dynasty fantasy football remains intact.
Tight End
Johnson has quietly emerged as a key piece of the Giants' offensive future, especially over the last five games. During that stretch, he topped 72 receiving yards three times and looked like a steal from the 2024 fourth round. If Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo return healthy, this offense could take a sizable leap forward. Johnson's modest season-long numbers make him an affordable dynasty acquisition with meaningful upside.
Sell Candidates
Quarterback
Nix has been one of the most volatile fantasy quarterbacks this season, making weekly lineup decisions frustrating for managers. Despite expectations of a breakout year, he has scored 20 fantasy points or fewer in eight games while topping 25 only four times. Coming off his best fantasy performance of the season, this is the ideal sell-high window. There are plenty of dynasty managers who still believe Nix will develop into an elite option, making now the right time to cash out.
Running Back
Etienne has enjoyed a strong bounce-back season, posting over 1,200 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. However, his efficiency metrics, including broken tackles and yards after contact, do not support future elite production. With Jacksonville unlikely to commit long-term money, and the possibility of Etienne landing in a less favorable situation, risk is quietly building. This is an excellent sell-high moment before his value potentially drops into committee territory.
Wide Receiver
It's easy to overlook that Sutton turned 30 this season, but age-related decline can hit quickly for wide receivers. While he's been productive overall, his midseason slump from Weeks 6–11 showed how fragile his role can be in Sean Payton's offense. With younger options like Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant earning more involvement, Sutton may no longer profile as a true alpha in 2026. Dynasty managers should move him now before volume and efficiency decline simultaneously.
Tight End
Pitts has finally delivered the explosive stretch managers have been waiting for, including an 11-catch, 166-yard, three-touchdown eruption last week. That hot streak coincided with Drake London missing time and Kirk Cousins locking onto Pitts as his primary target. Prior to this run, Pitts scored fewer than 8.0 PPR points in seven of 11 games. This feels like a classic sell-high opportunity to move him to a manager who believes he has permanently turned the corner.
Conclusion
Dynasty roster management requires balancing immediate production with long-term outlooks, and identifying players whose value is set to rise or fall is key to sustainable success. Review RotoWire each week to confirm shifting roles, and use our weekly projections to guide your trade decisions. Whether you're in the fantasy playoffs or building for the next window, these recommendations help guide your fantasy football buy-low, sell-high strategy. For deeper research on future roles and depth chart movement, you can continue referencing NFL team depth charts as the season progresses. Smart managers stay one step ahead, and Week 15 is an ideal time to reshape your dynasty roster with both the present and future in mind.
