Getting paid is a tricky scenario in all of sports. With teams navigating salary cap constraints and players demands there are many times when it is in both the best interest of the player and the team to part ways. Today we will be looking at a few players that could be on the move if a deal does not get done and how different landing spots would impact their fantasy value.

Brandon Aiyuk

The most likely candidate to be traded is Brandon Aiyuk. He has formally requested a trade and his continued actions via his social media have only added pressure on the 49ers to trade him. The latest in a long list of actions trying to nudge his way out was when he posted a picture of him watching Commander’s film on his Tik Tok account. He seems to have narrowed in on the Commanders as his preferred landing spot. If the 49ers will honor that request is another story, but for now we will look at how going to Washington would impact his fantasy value. Aiyuk currently has an ADP hovering around 30 or the 16^th WR off the board. That ADP could be fair if he was on a prolific offense like the 49ers who consistently have long drives, resulting in TDs and dominate the time of possession. However, if traded to the Commanders I think this ADP is far to rich for a player of his caliber.

If traded to the Commanders, Aiyuk would go from the second highest scoring offense (28.6ppg) to the 25^th highest (19.4ppg). Washington has been inept offensively for years and while Jayden Daniels will add a dynamic element to the offense behind center, I don’t believe it will push them into the top half of offenses in the league next season. The two reasons for optimism would be that rookie QB Jayden Daniels and Aiyuk were college teammates at Arizona State in 2019 and the Commanders will likely be behind in a lot of games and need to throw. While those points are valid you must take a holistic approach when evaluating the scenario. Terry McLaurin is still in his prime and will maintain his first read option in the offense. Jahan Dotson is a young WR with upside who will also see his fair share of targets. Potentially most troubling of all the signed Austin Ekeler in free agency. Having a back with good hands is a young QB’s best friend. He will be a safety valve for Daniels along with his ability to scramble. In conclusion although Aiyuk may want to be traded to the Commanders his fantasy value will likely take a hit and by drafting him at his ADP you are putting yourself at a disadvantage in the long run.

While the Commanders may be one of Aiyuk’s preferred landing spots, the players rarely get their way in scenarios like this. Another team that has been linked in trade talks is the Buffalo Bills. After losing Stephon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason they are in desperate need of a playmaker. The issue here lies that part of the reason they lost those players were due to financial constraints and if they traded for Aiyuk they would also need to pay him as well so that could be tricky. If he does land there, he will gain immense value compared to his role on the Niners and would slot in as Josh Allen’s top target. With that being said, I think there is too much uncertainty surrounding Aiyuk and there is no imminent trade so I would stay away in drafts at his ADP.

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