PlayerProfiler is home to award winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out. Free agent signings have been taking place left and right as the 2024 free agency window is now open. Seth Diewold highlights eight players to buy in dynasty after two wild days of free agency movement.
Roschon Johnson
The Bears added D’Andre Swift in free agency. It is true that Swift is coming off the best season of his career rushing the football. In 2023, Swift rushed for 1,049 yards on 229 carries. He caught 39 passes for 214 yards. It is also true that if the Bears draft Caleb Williams, that will mean a lot more receptions out of the backfield for a running back like Swift. Swift is going to be an offensive weapon for the Chicago Bears. That is why they signed him.
However, there are some drawbacks and limitations to Swift’s game. For starters, he’s not great in pass protection. According to PFF, Swift ranked well below average in pass protection (48.5 grade). Roschon Johnson ranked much better in pass protection according to PFF – No. 14 among qualified running backs (64.8). Secondly, Swift has never played a full season in the NFL. In 2020, Swift was a rookie and played in 13 games. In 2021, Swift missed four games with an AC joint sprain In 2022, Swift missed three games with an ankle sprain. Swift missed one game in 2023 due to an illness, but battled an ankle injury late in the season.
The point is that Johnson is still going to get opportunities in this up-and-coming Chicago offense, and his price just dropped in dynasty. When and if Swift misses a game or two due to injury (which is likely), Johnson could assume a good majority of the touches, especially on passing downs which is the kind of opportunity we want in Dynasty.
Darnell Mooney
We aren’t too far removed from Darnell Mooney being a 1,000-yard wide receiver. In 2021, Mooney earned 140 targets, ranking No. 11 amongst wide receivers. Unfortunately, the last two seasons Mooney barely earned 60 targets in each season. Now, Mooney gets a new lease on life in Atlanta receiving a three-year contract worth $39 million with $26 million guaranteed.
Mooney automatically slots in as the WR2 in Atlanta with Kirk Cousins under center. We know that new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, which is where Cousins’ former coach, Kevin O’Connell, also comes from. Therefore, this should be a rather seamless transition for Cousins. Now, Mooney might need some time to acclimate to the system, but there is no question the Falcons don’t guarantee $26 million to a receiver who has barely produced over 400 yards receiving over the past two seasons if they don’t have a plan to unlock him in this offense.
Falcons’ QB Kirk Cousins when asked about winning a Super Bowl in Atlanta:
“Winning is what it’s all about…that’s where the focus lies… you certainly believe there’s the pieces here that you can do that”
Also adds that he recruited WR Darnell Mooney to join him in Atlanta… pic.twitter.com/CAhrMeLNG6
— Not Bijan (@InBijanWeTrust) March 14, 2024
The best part is the price. Mooney is virtually free even after the trade. Do yourself a favor and go offer a third round rookie pick for Mooney and reap the benefits later.
Bryce Young
I understand if trading for Bryce Young makes you a little sick, but I’m here to tell you it’s okay. The Panthers are going to do everything they can to support Young as their franchise quarterback. This is what they have done through two days of free agency. Firstly, they signed offensive guard Robert Hunt to a five-year deal worth up to $100 million. Next, they signed Damien Lewis, another offensive guard, to a four-year deal worth up to $53 million. Finally, they traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson, acquiring him from the Steelers.
It might not seem like a lot in a vacuum, but the Panthers made the decision to draft Young No. 1 overall just last season. It was obvious the offensive line and playmakers were not up to par, and things can only get better for the second year quarterback. Young’s size does concern me, but he is going to be a starting quarterback in the league for at least two more seasons, and Carolina is desperate to have him succeed.
Mike Gesicki
Fantasy gamers might have been burned by Mike Gesicki before, but there is no doubt the news of Gesicki signing with the Bengals should have turned some heads. The problem is I don’t think it did. Sure, a one-year deal worth up to $3.25 million doesn’t necessarily draw attention, but think about the situation for a moment. We know Ja’Marr Chase is going to be the featured target. That is a given. But think about the other options in the offense.
Tee Higgins could be traded out of town, and Tyler Boyd is a free agent. If both, or just one, of those players leave in free agency, that makes Gesicki the likely No. 2 or No. 3 target in a Joe Burrow-led offense. Considering the tight end depth chart is extremely light with just Drew Sample in the fray, I’d say Gesicki is worth trading for.
Christian Kirk
The Jaguars signed free agent wide receiver Gabriel Davis to a three-year contract worth up to $39 million. Rumor had it they want Calvin Ridley back as well, but Ridley since signed with the Titans. Kirk is now elevated in the Jaguars passing offense. Last season, Kirk was having a good season before tearing his groin in Week 12. He missed the final five games of the season, but he was still able to put up 787 receiving yards on 85 targets, catching three touchdowns. Without Ridley, Kirk becomes the focus of the Jaguars passing attack. Evan Engram is also be a winner in this situation, and dynasty gamers are likely not going to value him properly.
Tyjae Spears/Tony Pollard
I understand the risk that comes with Tyjae Spears. It is true that Spears has no ACL in one of his knees and is dealing with arthritis. It is also true that the Titans signed Tony Pollard and many Dynasty gamers may want to pivot in that direction. However, I’m here to tell you Spears is the running back to acquire, and now you can get him at a discount.
Spears served as the backup running back to Derrick Henry last season. During that time, Spears earned 70 targets out of the backfield which ranked him No. 9 among running backs in a part time role. That’s more targets than Pollard received in a full-time role (Pollard ranked No. 7 – 70.9-percent – amongst running backs in snap share while Spears ranked No. 27 – 52.9-percent).
With Pollard entering the fold, Spears is going to have some competition for receiving work. However, this doesn’t spell the end for Spears. It will likely be a running back by committee with both running backs sharing time. Additionally, Spears proved to be more efficient than Pollard last season in a number of metrics, including Yards Per Touch, Yards Created Per Touch, Juke Rate, and Breakaway Run Rate.
Both layers are ranked outside of the top-100 in Keep Trade Cut’s rankings – (Pollard is No. 106 and RB19; Spears is No. 101 and RB 18). At those prices, I’m willing to buy both players, but I would prefer Spears over Pollard.
Antonio Gibson
Maybe a change of scenery will be the very thing that unlocks Antonio Gibson. Gibson is currently ranked as the RB48 and the No. 197 player in Keep Trade Cut’s Superflex Dynasty Rankings. At that price point, I’m willing to take a chance on an athletic pass-catching running back whose only competition at this point appears to be Rhamondre Stevenson.
Last season, while ranking No. 11 in Snap Share and No. 22 in Opportunity Share amongst running backs, Stevenson was extremely inefficient. Gibson ranked No. 2 among running backs in Yards Created Per Touch while Stevenson ranked No. 38 among running backs in that same category. The truth is Gibson is the much more explosive running back in an offense begging for explosive playmakers. Gibson is the kind of player the Patriots desperately need.
