2020 Pro Bowl players to fade and trade for in dynasty

The Pro Bowl is typically treated as the game in which players all want to be invited to but don’t want to play in necessarily. The 2020 Pro Bowl was no exception, although there were several new faces to join the field this season. It’s no surprise, however, when considering the number of breakout performances in 2020. Many of those breakout performances resulted in quality fantasy production and has some dynasty owners excited for the future. 

Some of that excitement is warranted. Some of it we need to pump the brakes before the 2020 season. No one player’s value grew or diminished because of the 2020 Pro Bowl game itself, but earning an invite does have a significant impact. During the offseason and in startup leagues is when dynasty players must determine when to act and whether or not to buy or sell. We’ll take a look at a few of this year’s Pro Bowlers worth trading for as well as a few worth fading altogether.

2020 Pro Bowl players to trade for

Nick Chubb

Nick Chubb is a player whose value should continue to climb heading into 2020, particularly since the hiring of new Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski showed during his time as offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings that he knows how to utilize running backs. Dalvin Cook greatly benefited under Stefanski in 2019, and one has to believe that the sky is the limit for Chubb in this offense.

Some dynasty owners would not agree, however, and believe that with Kareem Hunt remaining in the picture that Chubb’s potential is capped. It will be interesting to see how the Hunt situation plays out this offseason as he is currently a restricted free agency. The Browns seem to remain very high on him, and indications are that they do plan to bring him back to Cleveland.

It’s possible that another team could offer more than what the Browns are willing to cough up, though, and allow Hunt to walk. Should that happen, Chubb’s value would skyrocket overnight. Even with Hunt in the picture, however, Chubb should be viewed as a mid to upper RB1. That’s why now is a crucial time to try and snag him away before it’s too late.

Courtland Sutton

Courtland Sutton received his first Pro Bowl nod in just his second year following a stellar season in which he embraced the #1 wide receiver role in Denver. It would appear that the Broncos have their quarterback of the future as well in Drew Lock, and with Pat Shurmur now in as the offensive coordinator, it’s easy to get excited about Sutton’s future.

Still, for whatever reason, Sutton seems to be getting overlooked. PFN’s own Andy Gallagher showcased Sutton as an undervalued prospect in dynasty formats, and I tend to agree with his thinking. Despite working with underwhelming QB play for most of the season on a subpar offense, Sutton was one of the most consistent fantasy players of 2019. He fell below expectations in the final weeks of the season, but another season to develop with Lock under an impressive offensive mind in Shurmur should continue to push Sutton’s value in the right direction.

Mark Andrews

This one is somewhat of a no-brainer, but it’s essential in any dynasty format to understand the importance of having a formidable tight end. Andrews is only 23 years old, which is vital to keep in mind for dynasty leagues and is a top-three coveted tight end in the NFL.

Andrews made his own argument for Pro Bowl MVP with a game-high nine receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. The game just further proved how much Jackson depends on Andrews in the Baltimore Ravens’ offense and how this should be a dynamic pair for years to come. Grabbing Andrews early in startups or finding a way to snag him through trade could solidify dynasty owners at the TE position for a long time.

Players to Fade

Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram had one of his best seasons as a pro in his first year with the Ravens. His success should have come as no surprise once he inked a three-year deal with Baltimore to be the lead back in one of the most run-heavy offenses in the NFL, but there will still those pessimistic that he could be successful outside of New Orleans.

Ingram’s successful 2019 season could lead dynasty players to part ways with high draft capital to pick him up and drive his stock higher in drafts. Ingram can ride out the remainder of his contract and be a successful RB2 for fantasy players. However, where does Ingram go from there?

Ingram just turned 30 in December, which is typically on the wrong side of the tracks for NFL players, particularly running backs. He still has some juice left in the tank, but older players don’t typically get valued as high in dynasty leagues. Keep in mind also that the Ravens did invest a fourth-round pick in 2019 on Justice Hill. Hill had a quiet rookie season, but the Ravens may look to involve Hill more in 2020, and therefore, limit Ingram’s touches next season.

While still a serviceable player, Ingram’s value at this time is something I prefer to avoid.

Jarvis Landry

Jarvis Landry finished 2019 as the WR13 in half-point leagues after a monster second half of the season. The impressive finish saw Landry land in the 2020 Pro Bowl ahead of Browns’ and former collegiate teammate Odell Beckham Jr. Landry’s first half of the season is what concerns me, however, and indicates more to me the expectations fantasy owners should have in his production.

2019 was a disappointing year for the Browns overall as a team with playoff implications and maybe even more. Baker Mayfield had a terrible sophomore slump, and none of his receivers felt it more than Beckham. I still believe, however, that Beckham is the WR1 in this offense, and that he’ll show us again in 2020 under a new coaching staff.

Landry is and will remain a solid WR2 in the Browns’ offense, but this is likely his peak, and dynasty owners have to pay for him at max value. No thanks. There’s no denying Landry’s success in the latter of the year, but it didn’t help result in the Browns winning football games. The chances are that the new staff will look for other ways to consistently move the football that will significantly reduce Landry’s production going forward.

Keenan Allen

My decision to fade Keenan Allen at this time is because we don’t know who his quarterback is going to be in 2020. By all accounts, the Los Angeles Chargers seem poised to move on from Philip Rivers before the start of the season. It’s believed that the Chargers will look to add a veteran, maybe even Tom Brady or Cam Newton, if either is available and take a QB early in the draft to groom as a potential franchise player.

Pairing Allen with either Brady or Newton may sound great on paper, but I have my doubts. Although still very good, Brady is not the player that he once was, and Newton hasn’t looked the same since injuring his shoulder in 2018. All while waiting to groom a young QB could leave Allen on an island. 

If Allen’s value in dynasty had dropped of any significance with these question marks, then I’d be all over him. However, Allen still managed to finish 2019 as the WR8 with Rivers’ horrible season and a shaky start to the year himself. Allen is still a tremendous athlete and will only be 28 years old when the 2020 season kicks off, so he has plenty of years left in him.

Some may have concerns about him for past injuries, but he’s played in every game possible for the last three years, so that’s not an issue for me. I’m just on a wait and see approach with who’s going to be throwing the ball to Allen, and if I’m not enamored with the outcome, then I’m probably going to look elsewhere for my WR1 in startups.

I realize that my entire list consists of AFC players. I can assure you that it was not by design. Most of the other 2020 Pro Bowl players, I believe, have their respective dynasty values set in place. Of the NFC players, Kenny Golladay is the most intriguing to me, and I encourage everyone to read our recent article from Andrew Jordan on how Golladay is becoming a dynasty star. 

In the meantime, check out all the rest of Pro Football Network’s content here and be sure to check out our dynasty content as well as there is no offseason at PFN.

Eric Frosbutter is an editor and writer for the Pro Football Network covering fantasy football. You can follow him @efrosbutter on Twitter.