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Dynasty Offseason Buys: Cheap Paths to 2026 Value (January)

January 12, 2026

We’re not looking for the BIG buys. We’re trying to find the valuable guys that can be had for less than a first, maybe even less than a second that have potential to increase their value or just perform well for you when you need them most. We saw so many players go down just as we always do to injury by the second half of the fantasy season, fantasy managers need those guys with solid roles that can fill in and still net you 10 points instead of a goose egg. These four are our picks for 2026.

Jalen McMillan, Bucs

McMillan was a 4th round draft pick just a season ago who struggled to get going. After the bye week, he strung together a couple great performances and just missed the 525 cutoff that so many abide by. Despite his success, Tampa Bay drafted Emeka Egbuka in the first round in April. McMillan was business as usual in camp until a serious neck injury occurred in a preseason game. He was in a neck brace for three months, told by doctors he was lucky to not be paralyzed and didn’t return to football until December.

Unfortunately by then, Baker and the Bucs were already a mess and in freefall mode. However, we did get a glimpse in week 17 of what McMillan can do in this offense with a 114 yard day in Miami. The wide receiver room is no doubt crowded, but we should see them moving on from Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in the very near future. The replacement is seemingly already on the roster is Emeka Egbuka, but that doesn’t mean it will stop them from bringing in another second or third day selection to backfill the room. There will be every opportunity for McMillan to claim his role going into 2026 and it shouldn’t cost more than a 3rd to buy into.

Luther Burden, Bears

Burden was on my mind as a sneaky one until he really broke out towards the back half of the season. There has been so much talk about Rome being the WR1 here, and rightfully so, but Odunze left the door open even prior to the injury that kept him off the field. At the same time, Burden seemed ready enough to somewhat fill that role by gaining 324 of his total season yards from Week 14 on.

Final lines:

Moore: 50 receptions,  682 yards, 6 tds

Odunze: 44 receptions,  661 yards, 6 tds

Burden: 47 receptions, 652 yards, 2 tds

Burden wasn’t the only receiver to come on in the second half. The Bears first round pick Colston Loveland also had a major ending to his rookie campaign. Ben Johnson clearly identified Loveland as a key piece of what he envisioned his new offense to look like. It’s very possible that the Bears move on from DJM this offseason as he and Burden are essentially the same player with the caveat that DJM will cost somewhere around 28M.

There has been so much discussion on what Burden is worth, who’s the true number one here. I would tread lightly and remember that Odunze was a top 10 pick meant to be THE guy. It would be no shocker if Burden never surpasses him. With that in mind, if you could get Burden for a second and a lower tier player or even two seconds, I would be in on that. If you’re looking to spend a first, there are better situations you can buy into with that kind of capital.

Terrence Ferguson. Rams

When the “eff those picks” team keeps their pick, and selects a pass catcher early, we listen. While Tyler Warren, Oronde Gadsden, and Colston Loveland were getting the love all season, Ferguson was collecting dust on someone’s taxi squad or bench. Heck, even guys like Gunnar Helm were getting more love. Now, tight end is a notoriously difficult position for a rookie to catch on to, and the Rams room was somewhat deep with Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Tyler Higbee. LA didn’t really need Ferguson to be a thing this year and that’s exactly how it played out. However, in weeks 14-17, his snap percentage drastically rose. Part of this was due to injuries within the tight end group, but it allowed for him to get real blocking reps, real routes run for an offense looking for the one seed at the time.

Ferguson turned those few weeks into nearly 100 yards and 2 scores while flashing just a little bit of what he could be once he’s earned the main role. Ferg isn’t a player we recommend you go out and break the bank on. Just keep him in mind as a throw in from your opponent or a 3rd round rookie pick or later.

Sean Tucker, Bucs

I will forever be the Sean Tucker truther, maybe I’ll be the last, and that’s okay. The Bucs finally realized a little bit of what they had in Tucker while Bucky missed many weeks in 2025. He officially seemed to surpass Rachaad White in the pecking order, and even once Irving did come back, Tuck retained the goal line role and found some value.

Since Tucker was signed as an undrafted free agent, his three year deal will expire after this 2025 season wraps up. He’s an interesting name to look out for as he could very easily find himself in a Rico Dowdle type role somewhere else for cheap should he leave Tampa. At the very least, a favorable landing spot could see his value double or triple and now you have a worthwhile asset on your hands to move how you see fit. He won’t be any team’s RB1, but there is a world where he earns the RB2 slot.

Keith, Author

Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.