Welcome, everybody, to part two of my “Dynasty Fantasy Football for Beginners” series. Dynasty fantasy football is a unique and exciting format requiring a different approach to trading than redraft leagues. In a dynasty league, you are building a team for the long haul, and strategic trading can make all the difference in creating a championship-caliber squad. Each strategy will benefit different roster constructions. So take a good look at your roster, decide which direction you want to take your team, and consider these strategies. Before we jump right in, don’t forget to check out my first article, discussing pre-draft prep for your Dynasty startup.
Know your league settings and league mates
First things first, know your league settings. I stress this because even the best fantasy players forget this rule. We see it happen all the time. My last article discussed the importance of knowing your league settings. The same goes for trading. Players will have different values depending on league settings and also league mates. Take advantage of the possible biases amongst your league mates. Find yourself the Steelers fan in your league and convince him to overpay for George Pickens. Or find that Cowboys fan who thinks Tony Pollard will lead the NFL in touchdowns and yards.
Trade for younger players with high-end production upside
In dynasty leagues, focusing on players with long-term potential is essential. Look to target young players who have yet to reach their peak and have room for growth. Players on the verge of breaking out or who have shown flashes of greatness but haven’t yet put it all together are ideal. I would include players like Christian Watson, Chris Olave, and Travis Etienne in this category. Trading for players like this can sometimes be difficult due to projections from other managers, causing you to pay for a player’s perceived value versus their actual value. Getting in early can prove pivotal.
Trade for elite quarterbacks
Quarterbacks are the most valuable position in Superflex dynasty leagues. They are generally the highest-scoring position in fantasy leagues and have a longer life span. In regular leagues with four-point per passing touchdown, 9 of the top 20 scorers last season were quarterbacks. With 12 rosters and each team starting two quarterbacks, acquiring two elite-tier guys can sometimes get challenging. Of course, that depends on how your league mates value quarterbacks. If an opportunity to trade for a top-10 quarterback presents itself, it may be worth paying a premium to acquire them. Having two high-end quarterbacks could earn you a spot in your league’s playoffs by themselves. A few current high-end quarterbacks I’ve found easier to trade for this off-season are Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Deshaun Watson.
Trade for future draft picks
Draft picks are the lifeblood of dynasty leagues, and acquiring them can be a valuable strategy if you have surplus talent on your roster or have determined your team isn’t in a solid position to compete for the championship this season. Try tiering down from an elite player for a less valuable player with the potential to increase in value, along with future draft picks. This process helps build for the future while maintaining a consistently competitive team over the long term.
As players get older, their value in dynasty leagues tends to decrease. If you have an aging veteran on your roster who is still producing, consider trading them for future draft picks. This process will allow you to replenish your roster with young talent while freeing space for future acquisitions.
Buy low on injured players
Injuries can be devastating in dynasty leagues but can also create buying opportunities. If a player is coming off a severe injury, their value may be lower than it should be. If you believe the player will fully recover and return to their previous form, trading for them at a discount would be wise before their value spikes again. Currently, a few players have taken a value dip due to injuries. A few players I like that fit this mold are Kyler Murray, Javonte Williams, and Rashod Bateman.
Trade for high-volume players
Players who see a lot of opportunities are valuable in dynasty leagues. Look for players who are heavily involved in their team’s offense and have a high ceiling. These players may be more expensive to acquire, but they can provide a consistent source of immediate production—players like CeeDee Lamb, Davante Adams, and Christian McCaffrey. Age doesn’t play a huge part in acquiring these players. These acquisitions aim to increase your chances of winning now, not gain value.
Be patient with your prospects
In dynasty leagues, it’s essential to be patient with young players who have yet to reach their potential. Don’t be too quick to trade a player who has struggled in their rookie season or early in their career. Instead, give them time to develop and grow into their role. We’ve been spoiled recently in fantasy football by seeing guys like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Jaylen Waddle, who came into the league and immediately became high-end fantasy producers. In the past, wide receivers generally took a few years to develop and become major producers in the NFL.
Take advantage of positional scarcity
In dynasty leagues, certain positions may be more scarce than others. For example, tight ends who are heavily involved in their team’s offense can be hard to come by, especially in tight-end premium leagues. The consensus is that after the top-6 or so tight ends, the market is almost entirely composed of boom or bust options. If you have a surplus of talent at a particular position, consider trading for a high-end tight end that can provide a positional advantage against your opponents.
Due to the lack of running backs with an actual workhorse workload, running backs could also be considered a position of scarcity. If two or three teams in your league hoard the majority of elite-level running backs, they could be difficult to trade for. Eventually, there could be no choice but pay up for that level of production if you want to go all in for the championship. So make sure you take advantage and don’t be the one getting taken advantage of.
Understanding player values
One of the most critical pieces of information to understand is that dynasty leagues require a focus on players’ current and future performance. There are multiple factors in determining a player’s trade value in a dynasty league. A player’s age, past performance, and potential future production are crucial to valuing them accurately. Additionally, factors like team situation, coaching changes, and injuries can all impact a player’s value. Keeping up with player news and analyzing trends can help dynasty owners make informed decisions regarding trading, drafting, and managing their rosters.
The strategy of dynasty trades is one of the most significant distinctions between dynasty and redraft leagues. Trading is one of the most important and fun aspects of dynasty football. Whether we’re pushing all our chips in to win it all or starting our rebuild after a championship push doesn’t quite go as planned. It’s imperative to know why we’re making trades and in what way it benefits our roster. If you still don’t feel confident going with your gut, plenty of resources are available to help you: trade calculators, the DFF discord, Twitter polls, and Facebook groups. All are viable options, with individuals like myself who wouldn’t mind helping a newcomer to the dynasty side of fantasy football.
I find true enjoyment in sharing my experience and helping others. So, I’m always more than willing to answer any fantasy football questions via Twitter @FF_Reez. Thanks for reading! #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding
