If you read my article last year, my 5 players to buy were: QB Bryce Young, TE Kyle Pitts, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, and WR Terry McLaurin. While results were mixed with Stevenson and Pitts, while Young, JSN, and McLaurin all increased their dynasty value, including JSN skyrocketing into most people’s top 15. If you bought these players a year ago your return on investment was substantial and hopefully you reaped the rewards.
This season I have another 5 players that I am buying everywhere based on current market value. Important to note that I have not included any running backs at this time. I have purposely avoided the position because this upcoming NFL draft class is remarkably deep, increasing the supply of lowering the value of typical “buy low” types. Enjoy the list, invest wisely, and happy trading!

1. QB Drake Maye, New England Patriots

I loved Maye as a long-term prospect last year but was disappointed in his landing spot due to lack of weapons, an uncertain coaching situation, and a sub-par offensive line. Despite the odds being against him, Maye performed well in a majority of his starts, despite New England’s poor 4-13 record. Looking capable as a passer, Maye added over 30 rushing yards a game to his stat line and looked the part of a dual threat quarterback.

While Maye is ranked outside of most people’s top 12 dynasty QB’s, I see potential for a significant jump over the next year. First, the Patriots have the most cap room in the NFL in 2025 (by a significant amount) so it should be easier to acquire upgraded weapons and offensive line - two things that should be a priority. Second, the Patriots have a ton of draft capital including four picks in the first three rounds of the 2025 draft. This should make it easier for them to acquire quality weapons for Maye. Third, I see Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels as significant upgrades to last year’s staff and the team improving as a whole should be a “rising tide” situation for Maye. Finally, Maye will be turning 23 in August and is nowhere near his prime or ceiling, despite having a solid rookie season.

I like Maye as an undervalued dynasty asset and one that should be acquired ASAP before free agency and the draft helps shine a light on his improving situation.

2. WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Waddle, at the advanced age of 26, is the one true veteran player on this list and one that I believe is a safe buy at his current valuation. He had a rough 2024 season, in and out with injuries and was inconsistent when he did play. Waddle’s dynasty value plunged from a consensus top 15 player a year ago to outside the top 20 in most circles.

The reasoning is pretty simple. I’m betting on proven talent that simply had an “off” year and is still in the prime of his career for another one-to-three seasons. A bounce back season is all but guaranteed and a total breakout into WR1 territory is certainly possible under certain scenarios. With Tyreek Hill entering his age 31 season and a bit of a wildcard, Waddle could certainly take a huge leap if Hill leaves or starts to break down. Even if he doesn't, Waddle is talented enough that he could flirt with WR1 numbers as the 1B to Hill’s 1A.

There are very few players ranked outside the top 20 that are safer bets, with both a solid floor and a high ceiling potential. He’s also at an age that is still deemed young enough in the dynasty community where you could flip him again when/if he breaks out.

3. WR Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

McMillan took a while to blossom in his rookie year but came on strong at the end, finishing with a 24/316/7 line in the season’s final five regular season games. While I don't think McMillan profiles as being truly elite, his talent plus the situation gives him a solid floor with potential for WR2 upside.

Last season, Baker Mayfield was top 10 in passing attempts to the slot and this is where McMillan thrives. With Baker locked up for another two seasons, I expect this trend to continue and McMillan to be the biggest recipient of these types of throws going forward.

With the Bucs having salary cap concerns, I expect Chris Godwin (no franchise tag) to move on and Mike Evans to begin his downward trajectory as he enters his age 32 season.

A relatively weak wide receiver draft class and very few impact players available via free agency, I expect McMillan to compete for the team lead in targets right from the jump.
Currently ranked outside most people’s top 40, I truly think McMillan could jump into the top 24 by year’s end, making him a real bargain before the NFL draft and free agency begin.

4. WR Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts

Mitchell was a polarizing prospect last year, as his athleticism and measurables are off the charts but his game is raw and his production was inconsistent. As a rookie, Mitchell played sparingly and put up disappointing numbers, ending with a 23/312/0 line despite playing snaps in every game.

In an era of rookie’s making early an early impact (Malik Nabers and Brock Bowers for example) the dynasty community can be impatient with rookie season’s like Mitchell’s and this is exactly why he is a buy for me.

There’s a lot to like starting with his profile; as an athletic freak with size, Mitchell has all the traits of a future alpha NFL wideout. His route running and nuances were lacking as a prospect but with a full year in the NFL, I expect those to start to improve.

Secondly, despite his limited production he has garnished rave reviews from his WR coach, Reggie Wayne, who has consistently praised him to the media and insisted Mitchell is on his way to being a star.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, the QB situation plays a huge role in Mitchell’s future success and I believe in 2025 the situation gets fixed one way or another. Either Anthony Richardson figures out his mechanical issues and improves (something he is reportedly working on all off-season) or the Colts get a passer who can make the passing offense functional. This obviously will raise the value of all the Colts’ wideouts. As a result, I have interest in Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, but Mitchell is easily the least expensive of the three and I think has the most long-term fantasy upside.

5. TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

The tight end position is murky right now in dynasty circles as there is a strange mix of fading veterans on the downslope of their career (Travis Kelce, George Kittle), mixed with a few young exciting players that have been inconsistent to start their career (Trey McBride, Sam LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid, Kyle Pitts).

Likely is in a nice spot, getting overlooked because his situation is not ideal. He’s played three years and hasn’t truly broken out yet, and some other bigger names are getting the attention. While mostly playing behind Mark Andrews, Likely has been a bit overshadowed in a conservative Baltimore offense the past three seasons but when his number gets called he has delivered. Likely has seven 15-point fantasy games in his three seasons, including last year’s season opener where he was the weeks TE1 with a 9/111/1 game on 12 targets. Watching Likely, he plays more like a big WR than a TE, and at just 24 years of age, still has room to improve. While Likely’s situation in Baltimore may not be ideal, there is reason to be optimistic about his future and this is why it’s best to put offers in now before the breakout.

Both Andrews and Likely are free agents after this season and Andrews will be 30 years old at that point. It is unlikely that both will be resigned by the Ravens so either Likely becomes the main guy or he walks into a situation where he is the main receiving tight end somewhere else.

In the meantime, you can still get top 15 production from him this coming season with the real payoff coming next year where I think it’s very possible he vaults into top 5 territory at the position. There may be a bit of a delay in your investment paying off, but Likely won’t hurt you this season and a year from now you will be glad you bought low, as his price is going to skyrocket.