The NFL Draft has come and gone. Several players stand out as strong trade targets based on talent, draft capital, landing spot, and long-term upside. These rookies may not be immediate stars, but their skill sets, and roles make them worthwhile acquisitions. Whether you’re rebuilding or reinforcing a contender, this rookie trade advice can become foundational assets or future trade chips.
Wide Receivers | Rookie Trade Advice
Luther Burden III | Chicago Bears | Age 21
Luther Burden is one of the more polarizing prospects in this NFL Draft. Burden is electric when he has the football in his hands, which was evident during his 2023 season at Missouri where he caught 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and 9 touchdowns. However, his 2024 season was very underwhelming with 61 receptions, 676 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns.
Burden is typically going in the mid-to-late 2nd round. At that price, I would not be actively acquiring Burden. Burden is in a loaded Chicago Bears offense with D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and Cole Kmet. Luther Burden is someone that I would try to acquire later in the season when the Burden manager becomes frustrated with his production.
Tre Harris | Los Angeles Chargers | Age 23
I am higher on Tre Harris than others in the dynasty community. The path for Harris to be the WR2 in the Chargers offense appears to be a reasonably easy path with Mike Williams and Quentin Johnston as his only competition. I urge everyone to watch Harris’ tape against the Arkansas Razorbacks (All-22 footage can be found in our film room). Harris can win downfield and has excellent ball-tracking ability.
Instead of Luther Burden, I would be looking to acquire Tre Harris. Currently, Harris is going in the early-to-mid 2nd round of rookie drafts. In terms of trading assets, I would consider moving any of the Indianapolis receivers, as that seems to be a crowded mess with poor quarterback play on the horizon. For other positions, Javonte Williams, Tyrone Tracy, and Tucker Kraft are all potential trade options.
Jayden Higgins | Houston Texans | Age 22
Jayden Higgins is a beloved wide receiver among the Dynasty Nerds community, including me. At 6’4”, Higgins possesses an insane catch radius and will be the perfect complement to Nico Collins in the Houston Texans offense.
Jayden Higgins has a rookie ADP of 17th overall, which is putting him in the middle of the 2nd round. For me, that is the correct value. In terms of wide receivers to trade away for Higgins, rebuilding teams should look to move Cooper Kupp, Jayden Reed, or Stefon Diggs.
Kyle Williams | New England Patriots | Age 22
It is hard to argue that there was a worse receiving corps in the NFL than the 2024 New England Patriots. New England addressed their need with the drafting of Kyle Williams in the 2nd Round. Williams possesses the ability to line up at all three wide receiver positions.
With Stefon Diggs still recovering from his torn ACL, Kyle Williams has been able to gain a rapport with Drake Maye. Currently, Williams has an ADP of 151 and is the WR54, which is a screaming value. Second-year wide receivers such as Keon Coleman and Xavier Legette are commonly being taken over Kyle Williams. I would rather have the potential upside of Williams.
Jaylin Noel | Houston Texans | Age 22
Jaylin Noel was one of my favorite wide receivers during the pre-draft process. I loved his short-area quickness and his twitchiness, which allowed him to separate from opposing defenders. This skillset should serve him well, as he is projected to be a slot receiver in the Houston Texans offense.
Unfortunately for Noel, he joins a very crowded wide receiver room with the Houston Texans. Noel’s early path to fantasy appears murky as he will be competing for targets with Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Dalton Schultz, and Jayden Higgins. I would treat Noel very similarly to Luther Burden, and attempt to trade for him when the Noel owner is frustrated over his lack of early production.
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