Dynasty Trade Targets + Rebuild vs. Contending?

Fantasy Football show for May 13, 2025. Dynasty trades! Andy, Mike, and Jason each pick players to trade for and trade away in dynasty leagues. Find out which dynasty trade targets could also be sleeper picks in 2025 fantasy football drafts! Plus, advice on turning the corner from rebuild mode to contender. Manage your redraft, keeper, and dynasty fantasy football teams with the #1 fantasy football podcast.

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Summary:

Upcoming Draft Strategies and Dynasty Week Focus 01:50

“We are just about there with player projections for every player on every team.”

• The hosts of the podcast are gearing up for the release of the Ultimate Draft Kit, set for June 1st, which includes essential information like player projections, sleepers, breakouts, busts, and values needed to compete in fantasy leagues.
• This special week, referred to as Dynasty Week, aims to cover targeted discussions around Dynasty Leagues, including candidate trades and evaluations.
• The podcast will include two episodes, focusing on important Dynasty strategies and featuring quick questions that delve into various trade scenarios.

Trade Candidates in Dynasty Leagues 02:06

“Today we’ve got trade for and trade away candidates for Dynasty Leagues.”

• The podcast highlights practical strategies, guiding listeners on which players to target for trades and which to consider letting go.
• Emphasis is placed on analyzing players with fluctuating values and understanding the dynamics within Dynasty Leagues, where long-term planning and current performance intersect.

Identifying Contenders in Rebuild Strategies 04:50

“How do you know when you’ve turned the corner from a rebuild to a contender? When your team’s good.”

• A straightforward approach to assessing a Dynasty team’s competitive status is discussed, emphasizing the importance of identifying whether your roster can indeed win games instead of adhering rigidly to a rebuilding identity.
• Listeners are encouraged to remain flexible in their strategies, suggesting that if a seemingly rebuilding team shows potential, it may be wise to act on that opportunity and pursue victory rather than strictly adhering to long-term rebuilding plans.
• The conversation highlights the evolving nature of team strengths and the necessity of evaluating one’s roster beyond superficial labels like “rebuilding.”

Importance of Starting Roster Evaluation 08:40

“Is the majority of your starting roster good players?”

• Evaluating the quality of your starting roster is presented as crucial in determining your team’s competitive edge, as a strong lineup can lead to unexpected success.
• The show stresses the role of visibility and reassessment within the unpredictable landscape of Dynasty Leagues, as player values can change rapidly throughout the season.
• The advice underscores that simply having a few good players could position a team as a contender, highlighting the importance of recognizing and acting on emerging strengths.

Transition of Derek Carr to Retirement 10:01

“Derek Carr announces retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons.”

• The video discusses the surprising retirement of Derek Carr after an 11-year career in the NFL, primarily due to ongoing shoulder issues that hindered his performance.
• Carr’s career included a notable easing into the league, where he eventually secured his role as a starting quarterback despite not being initially slated to start as a rookie.
• Viewers are encouraged to watch his retirement announcement video, which is described as “wholesome” and eliciting positive sentiments about Carr’s journey.

Analysis of Carr’s Legacy and Impact 10:36

“It always felt like you were just a little too short… that year, Carr was pacing to be an MVP candidate.”

• The discussion highlights Carr’s critical years, particularly mentioning a memorable season where he formed a formidable duo with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
• Despite strong fantasy football performances, including being a top-tier quarterback in various seasons, Carr’s career was marked by injury setbacks that prevented him from reaching his full potential as an MVP candidate.
• His departure opens the door for a re-evaluation of the New Orleans Saints‘ roster and projected performance in future seasons, especially concerning other players like Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave.

Future Implications for the Saints’ Offense 13:04

“The fantasy ramifications here are very impactful.”

• With Carr’s retirement, the video delves into the potential consequences for Saints’ offensive dynamics, emphasizing that the team could struggle without his presence.
• There is significant concern about the upcoming season’s prospects, highlighting that Tyler Shuck, the new starter, faces a challenging situation with the potential to impact other players’ statistical outputs.
• Analysis of players such as Alvin Kamara indicates that while he may still have fantasy viability, the overall offensive production of the Saints may decline, raising questions about their competitiveness in the league.

Schedule Release Frustration 19:34

“Just release the schedule. Let us buy our tickets. It’s not that cool.”

• The hosts express their frustration over the NFL’s slow rollout of the schedule for the upcoming season. They feel that the anticipation surrounding the schedule is unwarranted, as it unnecessarily delays fans from purchasing tickets.
• One host humorously suggests that there should be no schedule announcement at all, proposing a more spontaneous approach where teams simply fly to their game locations without prior knowledge of their opponents.
• The conversation highlights a shared sentiment among fans and commentators about the NFL’s handling of the schedule release, which appears to be an overhyped event.

Dynasty Trade Strategies for Justin Herbert 21:20

“I think there’s a chance that you could trade a player, a quarterback, for Justin Herbert and a little something.”

• The discussion shifts to potential trades in dynasty leagues, focusing on quarterback Justin Herbert. One host advocates for acquiring Herbert, stating that he is undervalued despite past fluctuations in performance due to team dynamics and injuries.
• They point out Herbert’s impressive record, emphasizing that in his first three seasons, he ranked as a top quarterback. The conversation notes that Herbert’s recent performances, particularly in the second half of the previous season, indicate a return to form.
• The hosts suggest targeting quarterbacks like Herbert in trades, especially in a dynasty format where player value can often exceed perceived situational limitations.

Evaluating Rookie Wide Receivers and Trade Value 26:32

“There is a first-round wide receiver who went to a great offense with a great head coach.”

• The final segment discusses rookie wide receivers and their trade potential in dynasty leagues. The hosts analyze a recently drafted player who is currently underappreciated in the market, highlighting his strong pedigree and favorable team situation.
• They emphasize the importance of recognizing undervalued talent, irrespective of their current draft rankings. The player is poised to step into a significant role within a high-performing offense, potentially leading to breakout performances.
• The hosts conclude that savvy owners can benefit greatly by identifying and trading for players who possess a combination of first-round talent and opportunity within effective offensive schemes.

Chance of Being Shot Again 29:05

“If you’ve been shot, you are more cautious about getting shot.”

• The discussion begins with the intriguing question of whether being shot once lowers the chance of being shot again, drawing a parallel with being struck by lightning. The conversation humorously references common beliefs about lightning, leading to the idea that someone who has experienced a shooting might become more cautious afterward. This suggests that past trauma can influence future behavior and decisions.

Performance of Ricky Pearsall 29:32

“Ricky Pearsall had three top 15 finishes, all with more than 15 fantasy points in the second half of the season.”

• The focus shifts to the performance of Ricky Pearsall during the NFL season, where he had impressive statistics in critical games, achieving multiple top finishes. Notably, his performance in the latter part of the season resulted in a significant uptick in points, highlighting his potential as an undervalued player in fantasy leagues. This showcases how a player’s performance, especially later in the season, can be a critical factor in evaluating their future prospects.

Kenneth Walker‘s Dynasty Value 31:44

“Kenneth Walker is undervalued on the market compared to what he has done and what his age is.”

• The conversation transitions to Kenneth Walker, emphasizing his youth and performance that could contribute to his undervaluation in the fantasy market. Walker’s involvement in the passing game has been identified as a key area of growth, illustrated by statistics indicating his prowess among running backs. Despite concerns over age and potential injury, the discussion argues that Walker has the potential for a significant career if he remains a central part of his team’s offense.

Trading Dynamics with James Cook 36:01

“James Cook is a really good player but not likely to score 16 touchdowns again.”

• The talk then shifts to James Cook, evaluating his past performance and the challenges of maintaining high fantasy value. The speaker expresses concern about Cook’s ability to replicate a peak season marked by an unusually high number of touchdowns. Instead, they suggest a strategic move to trade Cook while his value remains high, leveraging the insights of performance dynamics and personal team rebuilding strategies to maximize potential gains.

Trading Considerations for Buffalo Players 38:02

“Do you want him to sign back with Buffalo, or do you want the boat?”

• When considering trading a player away, one important factor is whether you prefer them to remain with their current team or explore potential opportunities elsewhere. Staying with a team like Buffalo could provide job security and consistent utilization, while hitting the free-agent market could allow them to land in a more favorable situation.

The Risk of Overvaluing Touchdown-Dependent Players 38:57

“Forty-three percent of his fantasy points came from touchdowns.”

• A significant portion of a player’s fantasy output may come from touchdowns, which can be unreliable year over year. This creates a low probability of repeating performance. Therefore, there is an urgent sense for league owners to make trades for such players before their value drops due to potential regression.

Evaluating Player Longevity and Dynasty Rankings 39:22

“I checked my dynasty rankings. They are back to back, but I have Kenneth Walker ahead of James Cook.”

• Dynasty rankings can help guide trading decisions. One strategy may involve trading a player like James Cook for a more highly valued player like Kenneth Walker, potentially sweetening the deal with additional assets. This approach allows teams to position themselves favorably for future seasons.

The Value of Trading Aging Stars 40:10

“When you have these top-tier players… they’re getting towards the end of their NFL life cycle, you have to get out a year early.”

• It’s crucial to trade aging star players before their performance declines significantly, as evidenced by case studies of previous stars. A player’s peak often occurs before their productivity sharply drops off, so anticipating this decline can provide a strategic advantage in a dynasty league.

The Impact of Age on Fantasy Performance 40:55

“Saquon’s 28.2 years old. The number one age of the biggest decline happens at age 28.”

• Age is a critical factor in player performance, particularly in fantasy leagues. Running backs typically experience a drop in efficiency at approximately 28 years old, leading fantasy managers to be proactive in trading players before they hit this age milestone.

Understanding Market Dynamics in Fantasy Football 43:10

“You are getting paid premium prices for players where you can end up on the plus side of that as you move forward in a dynasty league.”

• Recognizing market dynamics is essential when trading players. If you can capitalize on their current value and capitalize on younger assets in return, it can lead to a successful rebuild or strengthening of your roster in the long run.

Trading Strategies for Dynasty Leagues 47:35

“There might be a desperate team that will give you a future one.”

• The aftermath of a draft can lead to teams looking for immediate improvements, making it more feasible to trade established players for future picks. Some managers might be overly eager to acquire players like Joe Mixon, even offering their first-round pick from next year’s draft in the process.
• It’s suggested that younger, promising players such as Travis Etienne might be more valuable trade targets if you are looking to refresh your roster with youth. This aligns with common strategies in dynasty leagues where keeping a balance of age and potential upside is essential.

The Pros and Cons of Players in Transition 48:42

“I think he could just volume his way into being a good fantasy running back this year.”

• Joe Mixon’s situation has raised concerns; while he might generate value through sheer volume, his role could easily diminish if any teammates show significant capability. This puts him in a precarious position for the future, making him a likely one-year rental for teams that are competing.
• The discussion also touches on the idea that players who don’t appear attractive in the offseason may gain value as the season progresses, especially when injury issues arise elsewhere.

Timing Trades in Fantasy Football 50:00

“Knowing when to time the market is crucial.”

• The timing of trades in fantasy leagues plays a significant role in maximizing their value. Interest in players like Joe Mixon may rise following strong performances early in the season or due to an injury to another key player on a competing team.
• It’s important to recognize that certain players may seem undervalued during the offseason but could shine during the season, leading to increased trade opportunities as the trade deadline approaches.

Dynasty Week and Resources for Players 50:54

“Dynasty Week continues with rookie sleepers, Dynasty FAQ, mailbag, and more.”

• The video emphasizes that now is a critical time for trades, especially during the ongoing Dynasty Week, where numerous resources are made available to help improve team strategies, such as the Dynasty Pass.
• The upcoming info will focus on rookie sleepers and FAQs, which could provide valuable insights for managing and improving dynasty teams.

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