Buy or Sell Malik Nabers In Dynasty Fantasy Football?: Strategy Depending On Team's Chances in 2026
Anthony Rodriguez breaks down how to approach buying or selling Malik Nabers in dynasty leagues ahead of 2026.
A lot of dynasty managers won't want to hear this, but it's time to face the reality of the decision that managers are facing in dynasty fantasy football leagues: the case for buying or selling Malik Nabers.
He's been falling down the redraft fantasy football rankings, but how do you approach the uncertainty surrounding Nabers' knee injury rehab in dynasty formats?
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Selling Malik Nabers In Dynasty Fantasy Football
The "sell" appeal of Malik Nabers applies almost exclusively to teams that feel like they're in contention in 2026.
While there is optimism that he'll return at some point earlier in the year, the outlook doesn't sound as straightforward as many fantasy managers initially hoped. The discussion highlighted that this was not a simple ACL injury and suggested that Nabers could face a longer ramp-up period than expected. A delayed return could mean time on the PUP list and a gradual workload increase once he gets back on the field.
We know that players returning from major knee injuries often need several weeks to regain form, and sometimes don't return to their peaks until the following season. For contenders, that's where the problem lies.
When a player represents such a large part of your roster's value and is expected to be one of the foundational pieces of a championship run, missing production for the first month or two of the season can be difficult to overcome. The argument isn't that Nabers won't play this season, but rather that even when he returns, he may not immediately perform at the elite level managers expect.
That said, I wouldn't sell Nabers at a discount. Instead, I want to explore whether another elite asset can provide comparable long-term value while offering a stronger chance to help win in 2025.
Here are some trade targets I am pursuing if I have Nabers and am looking to offload, and these players fall on teams that are in rebuilding mode in my leagues:
- If quarterback is a need, Jayden Daniels is an intriguing buy-low target, offering elite dual-threat upside that we saw in 2024.
- At RB and WR, I'm targeting Ashton Jeanty and Amon-Ra St. Brown, though these are more lateral moves given the current news around Nabers (per KeepTradeCut).
- My favorite approach may be a slight tier-down move to Drake London while acquiring additional assets on top, as London is rated slightly lower on KTC. This may be a move to wait a week or so on, though, given London's fresh contract extension.
That type of deal allows managers to maintain elite-level production while adding extra value that can strengthen a championship roster elsewhere.
For rebuilding and reloading teams, however, the advice changes completely.
Buying Malik Nabers In Dynasty Fantasy Football
For rebuilding and reloading teams, the advice is actually the opposite. Nabers remains one of the most valuable dynasty assets in fantasy football. Even after suffering his knee injury, his long-term outlook has barely changed. Nabers is still being valued as a top-tier dynasty receiver, often coming off the board near the first-round turn in startup drafts, despite concerns about his recovery timeline. That's why the recommendation isn't based on a loss of talent or dynasty value, since the biggest loss will be his 2025 production, primarily early in the season.
Nabers is viewed as one of the premier wide receivers in dynasty fantasy football, ranking as the No. 8 player (WR6) in Sam's dynasty fantasy football rankings.
His rookie-year production, elite prospect profile and age make him exactly the type of player non-contending teams should be targeting. Ultimately, this is not a blanket sell recommendation, but a conditional one. If you're rebuilding, Nabers should remain a priority acquisition. If you're contending for a championship this season, now may be the time to gauge the market and determine whether his long-term value can be converted into a player or two who can help you win right away.
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