Fantasy football is meant to be fun -- building community and adding
stakes to every Sunday -- but there's something extra special about
winning. Not every team is positioned to compete each year, but
if you're a contender, this series is for you.
As we look ahead to the NFL Draft later this month, here are
players to buy, sell, and stash to help push contending dynasty
teams over the top and bring home a championship.
It may sound bold to target James Cook, but the appeal lies in
his price.
Cook is currently valued well below elite backs like Bijan Robinson,
Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, and Jonathan Taylor -- and
even trails younger names like TreVeyon Henderson, Ashton Jeanty,
and Jeremiah Love. That disconnect creates an opportunity.
Cook just led the league in rushing yards, finishing with 12
rushing touchdowns (only six behind the league leader) and ranking
fifth in runs of 20+ yards. His workload was consistent as well,
with just two games under 15 carries and six games over 20.
While he's not a heavy receiving back, Cook still saw 40 targets
-- enough to keep him relevant in all formats.
The biggest reason for optimism? Coaching continuity. With Joe
Brady now the full-time head coach and play-caller, Cook should
remain a focal point. His 53 red-zone carries last season marked
a steady increase from previous years, signaling growing trust
near the goal line.
At 26 years old and under contract through 2029, Cook offers
elite production at a discounted cost compared to other top-tier
backs. For contenders, that's exactly the type of inefficiency
worth exploiting.
Everyone loves the Lions' offense -- and for good reason. They
have a coach that makes you want to run through walls. The offense
is explosive, creative, and loaded with likable talent. Naturally,
that excitement extends to Jameson Williams, one of the league's
premier big-play threats. While he has been solid the past two
seasons, he is someone contending dynasty teams should sell now.
Williams finished as the WR12 last season, but the underlying
numbers raise some concerns. He totaled just 65 receptions and
seven touchdowns, relying heavily on efficiency and big plays
rather than consistent volume.
Much of his late-season production came after Sam LaPorta's injury
in Week 11. Before that, Williams had only four games with five
or more targets. With Amon-Ra St. Brown entrenched as the alpha
and Jahmyr Gibbs commanding targets out of the backfield and being
talked up by head coach Dan Campbell recently, Williams' ceiling
may be capped in this offense.
He's often valued like a potential 1B option -- but in reality,
he profiles closer to a boom-or-bust WR2 (Quentin Johnston, Jordan
Addison) than players like Tee Higgins or DeVonta Smith.
Williams has a small injury history, missing 13 games in 4 years.
He played all 17 this past season, which is a great sign. The
off-the-field issues, hopefully, are a thing of the past. As a
result, Williams can fetch a late first-round pick in dynasty
leagues. That's strong value -- especially for a contender looking
to maintain flexibility. Draft picks don't get injured and tend
to appreciate over time, giving you a valuable trade chip later
in the season.
Williams' production may hold steady, but this is likely peak
market value. Moving him now protects your roster from potential
volatility while keeping your championship window wide open.
For contenders, value isn't just about the future -- it's about
finding usable production at minimal cost. That's where Theo Johnson
fits. While he won't be your main tight end, he will shock people
with not only his overall finish but also his consistency week
to week.
Johnson finished as the TE19 in 2025, but his underlying usage
tells a more promising story. He posted seven double-digit fantasy
performances -- three without scoring a touchdown -- and saw consistent
involvement with eight games of five or more targets.
He also ran routes on 80% of passing downs, an encouraging sign
for a young tight end still developing. At just 24 years old with
only 27 career games played, there's plenty of room for growth.
Yes, the Giants added Isaiah Likely in free agency, but this
coaching staff has shown a willingness to utilize two-tight-end
sets. That could keep Johnson heavily involved, especially in
a developing passing attack.
Generally, we want tight ends capable of 70 targets and are the
second option in the passing attack. For the Giants, target competition
behind Malik Nabers remains unsettled. Darnell Mooney was added,
but he's unlikely to dominate targets, leaving Johnson firmly
in the mix for a meaningful role.
There's also reason for optimism from the coaching staff. Jim
Harbaugh and Matt Nagy both have strong track records developing
tight ends, previously elevating players like Mark Andrews and
Travis Kelce.
Johnson won't be your TE1, but he's an ideal TE2 or TE3 for contenders
-- someone who can provide weekly usability and spike weeks if
his role grows. He's developing into a trustworthy connection
for Jaxson Dart and still has two more seasons left on his rookie
deal. Best of all, he's essentially free in most dynasty formats.