A week ago in the Dynasty Stock Watch, I highlighted a handful of big-time players to consider selling high on if your team is in the process of a rebuild. This was admittedly an easy exercise. There aren't that many truly great veterans that command lots of draft capital in return. My examples were Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, Leonard Fournette and Nick Chubb.
On the flip side, targeting buy-low candidates isn’t as easy. This shouldn’t come as a shock but there is a plethora of underwhelming NFL players and very few of them are worth acquiring, even if they’re at a discount. Sure, with a deep enough bench, you can fill your roster to the brim with “gems” who just need a some time, some experience and more playing time.
But the majority of players don't pan out, so this week's attempt to find players to trade for if you are rebuilding will be more difficult. The rationale needs to be more airtight and for players who have yet to prove themselves, making an argument in their favor will be like walking a tightrope. That's why SI pays me the big bucks, though. Let's sift through the $5 DVD bargain bin and try to find some of those aforementioned gems. I will not include any players I believe to be in the top 50 of dynasty leagues (top 5 QB, top 20 RB, top 20 WR, top 5 TE).
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
With the acquisition of Christian McCaffrey, many touted the 49ers as now having the best offense in the NFL ahead of Week 7. Then, the Niners got thumped by the Chiefs and that narrative is gone. There is still potential for a very good offense and Trey Lance remains the projected 2023 starter.
Lance won't be cheap, particularly in superflex formats. Jalen Hurts has reinforced the value of a scrambling quarterback who can pick his spots to run and manage the game as a passer. We didn’t see much of Lance this season and the little we saw wasn’t impressive. I worry about his footwork and timing. The speed and arm talent are evident, so there is a template for Kyle Shanahan to build upon.
Even if Lance is ready to go in Week 1 next year with no issues, we still may not see much development until well in to the 2023 season and beyond. Lance will be 23 next year and this bet on rookie Brock Purdy is a hail mary dynasty acquisition. The wiser move may be to try to buy-low on Lance and for the right price, I wouldn't knock it. Going for Purdy is an 4D chess, 1000 IQ sort of move where you're zigging when everyone else zags. Since I'm not willing to pay the price for Lance in a trade, I'm taking a chance on the rookie. Purdy is an afterthought, even now. All the YouTube highlight clips in the world can't justify really believing Purdy is something special. For now, Purdy is the backup behind Jimmy Garoppolo, who has again proven he isn’t the right fit for what the 49ers need.
Jimmy G will be a free agent next year and this bet on Purdy is a “you never know” move that should cost next to nothing. If your roster is deep enough, it makes perfect sense if you have Lance. At a minimum, with Mac Jones getting benched for Bailey Zappe on Monday Night Football, we see how acquiring Purdy could at least give us a shot at an emerging quarterback if Lance doesn't pan out.
