Fantasy Bargain Bin 2.0

The dust is finally starting to settle after an impeccable free agency period and draft process. The difficult months between post-draft and NFL training camp have analysts trying to squeeze out any content they can. Rookie Drafts in dynasty are fantastic for reigniting trades and discourse, but what if your team isn’t chalk full of picks? What if your roster has holes and trade value isn’t immediately evident? Let’s hit the bargain bin!

Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images

Last year we featured 5 players, hoping that at least one came out with some significant value. We got that and then some with our big hit in 2022: https://www.upsideplay.com/post/fantasy-bargain-bin-1-0

Below is the Dynasty Bargain Bin where we’ll explore players who are less than 30% rostered but could provide some BOOM value on your team in the next couple years.

*All roster %’s are from Sleeper as of 5/17/2023

(RB) Kene Nwangwu - Minnesota Vikings

Age - 25 || Roster % - 23.1

Kene is one of the main reasons I like throwing out this blog before June 1st. We’ve seen a ton of smoke of Dalvin Cook potentially being out in Minnesota with Alexander Mattison looming in the background. I think it's fair to also give the guy who knows this system and runs a 4.3 a look here. Nwangwu is one of the premiere kick returners in the game, leading the league in TD’s off kick returns since entering the NFL. Realistically that could be his long term role here. Still, his explosive burst and ability to be shifty in the open field is a calling card for handcuffs I like to take a risk on, if Dalvin Cook’s out he’s a nice stash play.

(WR) Trent Sherfield - Buffalo Bills

Age - 27 || Roster % - 14.4

The past few years I’ve really tried to lock in on guys who have an apparent high football IQ and decent exposure to meaningful playing time. Trent Sherfield finds himself in a fantastic position with Buffalo, especially after a sneaky good year with the Dolphins where we saw his potential as a sure handed slot receiver and true WR3 ability. Stefon Diggs in my eyes is still a question mark to be traded and Trent has legit home run ability. I saw a lot of him in the 49ers camp with Trey Lance and this fanbase was ready for him to be a breakout WR3. His 4 games with 5+ targets stood out in a loaded Miami WR room. Trent has a chance to man the slot with Isiah McKenzie gone, he might be the deepest dart throw on this blog but somehow is the most proven of the bunch.

(QB) Drew Lock - Seattle Seahawks

Age - 26 || Roster % - 28.9

Anyone who read last year's rendition of this blog should get a giggle out of this one, but the same theory sticks here with Drew Lock. He’s the clear cut #2 in Seattle who boasts a dangerous WR room, has a significant amount of experience (Didn’t look great) under center at the NFL level, and has a QB ahead of him that has had rough stretches along his career. Lock also has an absolute gun and can extend plays, he has so much to work on regarding decision making and progressions but he’s got real arm talent. Regardless of how you feel about Drew Lock he has a decent situation in front of him and seemingly no threat for anyone to jump him on the depth chart. He’s worth the stash and come on, how hilarious would it be if the bargain bin only worked with Seahawks QB’s?

(TE) Kylen Granson - Indianapolis Colts

Age - 25 || Roster % - 26.8

If I'm gonna be honest with all of you, this was kind’ve an “Insert Colts TE here” situation. This position has been a true revolving door since Dallas Clark left, but with a new regime in town it feels like solidifying their pass catchers is bound to happen. I know this means close to nothing but Granson is currently the #1 TE on the Colts depth chart & saw the bulk of targets from short-intermediate range last year. He’s also going to be working with two new QB’s, a situation where we often see reliable tight ends become everyday safety blankets. His main problem comes in the redzone, all three guys essentially split targets within 20 yards but Granson is utilized more in the slot or pure receiving situations. In the long run he’s on this list as an explosive tight end with above average body control and the ability to work for more yards after the catch.

(QB) Aidan O’Connell - Las Vegas Raiders

Age - 24 || Roster % - 22.4

I really do try to keep rookies off the list because we never know who hasn’t done their rookie draft yet or if they’ll even crack the NFL roster. Aidan O’Connell has to be an exception due to his situation. He had a spectacular year in 2021 for Purdue and then saw his stock dip as he struggled last season with the turnover bug. Regardless, the experience speaks for itself, starting 25+ games and throwing for 9,000 yards / 65 TD’s in college. So why is he here? To put it lightly the new QB1 for the Raiders has had some trouble staying on the field the past few years. As it stands today, Jimmy G and Brian Hoyer are the only pieces in the way of a former standout college QB getting a shot with an extremely talented receiving room. This situation + talent is by far worth a spot on your taxi squad, especially in superflex.

Honorable Mentions:

(RB) Chris Evans - Cincinnati Bengals

There's a real chance Joe Mixon isn’t a bengal come September, in that scenario that leaves us 3 running backs on the Bengals active depth chart. Only one of them is a proven pass catcher out of the backfield and got legit playing time last year.

(WR) Ben Skowronek - Los Angeles Rams

Ben Skowronek will likely receive north of 60% of offensive snaps for a former superbowl winning quarterback. The fact that he’s 25 with a ton of in-game experience and only rostered in 39% of leagues is nuts.

(WR) Josh Reynolds - Detroit Lions

With Jameson Williams starting the year suspended Josh Reynolds will hold value over the first 6 weeks of the 2023 season as a WR2 for the Fightin’ Dan Campbells. He averaged 6.8 targets per game through the first 5 weeks of last year in a similar situation.

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