Standing still is the fastest way of moving backward in a rapidly changing dynasty landscape. The best dynasty teams are the most active in looking for ways to add value to their dynasty rosters, as part of a continuous process.
The Dynasty Targets Acquired series focuses on making dynasty buys to improve your roster, heading towards one of two key destinations – contending to win a dynasty title in 2024 or rebuilding for a dynasty title challenge in 2025. Each article in the series will highlight a dynasty buy for both contenders and rebuilders – with three trade ideas based on the DLF Trade Analyzer: Pivot Up, Same Tier or Pivot Down.
Buying as a contender is all about winning the title now, while leaving the window open to compete again year after year. Buying as a rebuilder is all about making the right trades to maximize roster value next season and become a contender for a dynasty championship.
Time Context And Strategy
As we head into week 17, all leagues without trade deadlines should be looking to do one of two things: Acquiring that last piece to win you a championship or getting someone playing for a championship to overpay for that last piece they need to win a championship.
I know the instinct is to shut it down and relax if you were just knocked out of the playoffs, but now is the perfect time to prep for next year by moving some vets. And if you are still in the playoffs, you should be hyper-focused on winning it all over playing it safe. So let’s discuss those players who should move this week! Nothing but contender buys this time around because they are at an all-time high in value.
Contender Buy – Mike Evans, WR TB
Evans has been a dog for years and someone who might already be on a contender with the way he’s been performing with the exception of last week. So if you are out, it is the perfect time to sell Evans as he is setting up to be a league winner!
Evans needs to average 91 yards per game to maintain his streak of 1,000 yards in every season of his illustrious career. And who better to do that against than the lowly Panthers who are 28th against opposing wide receivers on the season? (Well to answer my question of who is better: The Bengals, Cowboys and Jags would be the answer since he can’t play against his own team.)
The 31-year-old Evans should be moving in any league where he’s not currently playing in the championship game.
Mutually Beneficial Trades I would make:
Aiyuk’s value is significantly higher than Evans in dynasty but it is one of the more volatile values in the league. After just signing an extension, Aiyuk went down with injury and may have gotten Wally Pipped (look it up kids) by Jauan Jennings who is looking like a better version of Aiyuk. So he is a guy I have no problem shipping out if I can win it this year and should be a smash accept for anyone not playing for this year.
It is the type of trade that you love to see this time of year and the reason leagues don’t have trade deadlines.
A little too rich for your blood? I get it, we aren’t all born winners but scared money don’t make money as they say. But I am a man of the people so here’s a little cheaper option to acquire Evans.
- A late 2025 first for Mike Evans
Fantasy and draft analysts alike are using the same verbiage in talking about this draft, depth! There is no shortage of talent eligible for the NFL draft this year and anywhere in the top 15 could land you an instant starter so why not ship Evans out for a piece of that action?
In this case, I would push for a third or low-level asset to make this deal if I was out, but ultimately would accept it if I couldn’t get more.
As a contender, this is a no-brainer move. Picks are for rebuilders, but that’s not you! You’re a champion!!
Contender Buy – Zach Charbonnet, RB SEA
Kenneth Walker came back from injury and was instantly reinserted as the bell cow back as if that hot streak from Charbonnet never happened. Walker out touched Charbonnet 16-3 including eight catches in the game.
Now Walker is injured again and a trade window opens for Charbonnet that non-contenders should jump on!
With the Bears coming in at 27th against opposing RBs, he is the perfect buy candidate for competitors as a smash start this week.
Mutually Beneficial Trades:
If you are still in it despite rostering Kincaid, congratulations Harry, you’re a wizard! Kincaid was the hot name of young tight ends and has been nothing short of Kyle Pitts-level disappointing so let’s try to salvage some value here if we can.
For a team out of it, you get a potential upside play at a position that is starved for talent for a guy whose team clearly sees him as second fiddle.
In this deal, a non-contender can snag another pick in this super deep draft while swapping high-end backup RBs. Wright was never a this-year play so I love picking him up in hopes that his workload soars with Raheem Mostert eventually moving on.
It is the perfect win-win to end the season for both teams!
Summary
No trade deadline leads to some wacky deals the later we go and you want in on that action if you can. So reach for the stars (in reason) if you have a piece that could seal a championship for your leaguemate. And if you’re still in it, play for today! No one remembers second place.
Mike has been a dynasty junkie for 14 years now. Notorious for trading picks away for proven talent at every opportunity, he has managed to win championships or completely destroy rosters when neither seemed possible.